Winning public trust at home, shaping defence norms globally: The biology grad who found her place in MINDEF

Keloth Sonia, a biology graduate, has found her place in Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) communications branch. Her role is to help the public understand the importance of defence and the work that goes into protecting the country. Sonia faced a challenge when the refreshed Medical Classification System (MCS) policy was announced, as she knew citizens would react on social media platforms.

She and her team conducted extensive research to ensure the public understood the new policy and its implications, especially for NS pre-enlistees and their parents. The Medical Classification System has been in place since the 1970s, and any misinformation or loss of public trust related to it could have irreversible consequences.

Sonia emphasizes the importance of providing answers not only on what changed but also why. Her career path was not initially intended for a uniformed role in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). She initially considered becoming a teacher due to her background in biological sciences, but a Junior College General Paper class made her realize the significance of Singapore’s geopolitical position and the need to safeguard the peace and security she had grown up with.

However, she hesitated at the thought of joining a uniformed role in the SAF due to her poor performance in physical training tests. The Defence Merit Scholarship allowed her to study biological sciences at the Nanyang Technological University and public policy at University College London (UCL). After graduating, she joined MINDEF’s International Security and Emerging Technologies (ISET) branch, where she also organised international conferences.

One notable achievement was her involvement in organising the inaugural Responsible AI in the Military Domain Summit (REAIM) Regional Consultations (Asia) in Singapore in 2024. Sonia's role in MINDEF communications reflects her dedication to ensuring the public's confidence in the decisions made about the nation's defence and security.