Clause 5

For the purposes of the administration of matters relating to the Singapore Armed Forces under this Act, there shall be established an Armed Forces Council which shall consist of —

one or more Ministers charged with the responsibility for defence and any other Minister who has been assigned to assist them;

the Permanent Secretary, or all the Permanent Secretaries (if there is more than one), of the Ministry of Defence;

the Chief of Defence Force;

the Chief of Army;

the Chief of Air Force;

the Chief of Navy;

not more than 4 other members as the President may appoint if the President, acting in his discretion, concurs with the advice of the Prime Minister.(2) The Minister charged with the responsibility for defence or, if there is more than one, the principal Minister shall be the Chairman of the Armed Forces Council.(3) No revocation of any of the appointments referred to in subsection (1)(g) shall be made unless the President, acting in his discretion, concurs with the advice of the Prime Minister.(4) Any appointment or revocation thereof made by the President under this section shall be published in the Gazette.Armed Forces Council to provide for certain matters8A. The Armed Forces Council may make provision for the following matters:

the organisation of its work and the manner in which its functions are to be performed, and the keeping of records and minutes;

the duties and responsibilities of the members of the Council including the delegation to any member of the Council of any of its powers or duties;

the consultation by the Council with persons other than its members; and

the procedure to be followed by the Council in conducting its business.Quorum8B.—

Subject to subsections (2) and (3), a quorum for a meeting of the Armed Forces Council shall be 3 members.(2) No business shall be transacted at any meeting of the Armed Forces Council unless the following members of the Council are present:

the Chairman of the Council;

a Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence; and

the Chief of Defence Force, Army, Air Force or Navy.(3) Where the Chairman is unable to attend any meeting of the Armed Forces Council, the Council may meet and transact any business if a member present at such a meeting has been appointed by the Chairman to act on his behalf; but no decision of the Council on any matter made at that meeting shall take effect unless the consent of the Chairman in writing under his hand has been obtained therefor.Committees appointed by Armed Forces Council8C.—

The Armed Forces Council may from time to time appoint committees consisting of one or more persons who may or may not be members of the Armed Forces Council, either for general or specific purposes (including disciplinary matters and to conduct inquiries), and may delegate to such committees power to do any specific act or carry out any specific function.(2) Every such committee shall report to the Armed Forces Council.(3) Sections 113, 185, 187, 188, 189, 190 and 191 shall apply with the necessary modification and adaptation to a committee of inquiry appointed under subsection (1).”.