http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/447…
SDP proposes alternative NS policy
Wednesday, 05 January 2011
Singapore Democrats
National Service (NS), or army conscription in Singapore, was
first introduced in 1967 due to pressing issues such as national
security after Singapore’s “forced” independence in 1965. In 1971,
the British completely pulled out of Singapore. It has been 41
years since the introduction of NS.
Since then the world and Asia has changed significantly in terms
of security and economic arrangements. But has Singapore’s
conscription policy kept up with these changes to reflect and cope
with the new geopolitical landscape?
First let us review the service that all able-bodied 18-year-old
male Singaporeans have to undergo. Basic Military Training, or
BMT, is the “boot camp” for all new recruits.
This lasts for three months whereupon the soldier then gets posted
out to other units for further specialised training.
The conscripts then serve the remainder of their two-year stint
polishing up their combat skills. Following the two years of
full-time service, NSmen are required (for up to 40 days a year) to
serve in a part-tme capacity until they are 50 years old for
commissioned officers and 40 for others.
SDP’s solutions:
The PAP’s NS policy is outmoded and does
not serve the interests of Singapore and the people. The Singapore
Democrats propose reforming the system in the following ways:
Reduce the two-year full-time service
In an age where warfare has turned to “smart” technology, is it
still logical and necessary for Singapore to insist that its
National Servicemen undergo 24 months months of active, full-time
service? Such a policy is rare among countries that maintain a
conscription policy.
On the right is a list of countries with periods of full-time
conscript service. The overwhelming majority of the conscription
systems limit their length of services to no more than 12 months.
The more advance countries like Austria, Denmark, Germany, and
Switzerland all have full-time services that are less than one
year.
Given the situation in Singapore there is no reason why we
cannot employ more efficient training methods and reduce full-time
NS from the present two years to twelve months or less.
At the moment, NSmen are exploited for their services to glorify
the PAP during National Day parades. The
energy and time of these men can be put to more productive use in
the real economy than as entertainment for the PAP regime.
In addition they are exploited as cheap labour filling posts
such as police officers, fire-firefighters and extra-hands during
big events. In must be remembered that the Enlistment Act was
enacted for a specific purpose and any detraction from that purpose
must be rejected.
Expand professional army
To compensate for the decrease in the number of active and
reservist NSmen, the Singapore Armed Forces should expand a
professional army recruitment to complement the reduction in the
number of conscripts.
Reduce reservist training
The current period of reserve training is a burden on the
servicemen and, by extension, the economy. In addition, reservists
have to contend with migrant workers in terms of remuneration and
promotion when employers compare local men who have to be away for
weeks in anyone year to foreign workers who have no such
obligation. This unfair competition takes place at a time when men
settle down and start families in their 30s. Job stability and
career prospects are essential during this period.
To minimise this problem the span of a serviceman’s reservist
training should not go beyond the age of 30.
In addition, the human body goes into decline after the age of
30. To maintain the military in top condition, it makes little
sense to keep men over the age of 30 in the frontline. The period
of Operationally-Ready NS training cycles should be cut to five
instead of the current ten.
Allow for conscientious objectors
What about people who do not believe that it is right for them
to do military service due to moral, religious or ethical grounds?
At the moment such conscientious objectors are charged and
imprisoned for the length of their service.
In some of the countries that have compulsory military service,
there is also a provision for conscientious objectors to serve in
non-combat roles. There is an argument that this would open the
flood gates for men to opt for non-combat positions. Such a
loophole can be plugged by increasing the length of active service
by, say, six months. The experiences of other countries like
Germany and Sweden have not been negative in this aspect where
males try to avoid combat service by claiming to be conscientious
objectors.
Be transparent
Obligation in Singapore seems to be a one-way street. While the
Government holds the people accountable for their NS liabilities,
the Ministry of Defence remains non-transparent and non-accountable
in their dealings with the public.
Training fatalities and injuries of NSmen are not made known to
the public as a matter-of-course. The Government which compels the
people to give their lives for the country are obliged to be
absolutely transparent with information pertaining to safety
issues. Compensation for deaths and injuries must also be reviewed
and revised upwards.
Improve diplomacy and foreign relations
In order for Singapore to reduce the chances of armed conflict
with other countries, we need to improve our foreign relations and
diplomatic skills. The recent revelations by Wikileaks where our
senior diplomatic officials made disparaging remarks against our
closest neighbours are not the way forward.
We must embark on an enlightened foreign policy approach where
we work with our ASEAN neighbours instead of
treating them with disdain. Instead of practising one-upmanship, a
new approach must be adopted. This should include signing treatises
and conducting military exercises with the ultimate aim of forming
a regional defence force.
Such a move will also address the problem of discrimination
against Singaporeans who are Muslims. Building up trust and
confidence with our Malay-Muslim neighbours in areas of military
defence will eliminate this problem as we work towards a peaceful
and friendly co-existence instead of the suspicious and hostile
atmosphere that currently exists.
Such an approach will also help us reduce our defence budget
which is more than $11 billion, or 25 percent of our national
budget. A reduction in military spending will allow us to divert
more resources to other areas such as healthcare and other aid for
the elderly and poor.
Conclusion
The SDP’s alternative NS policy will go a
long way to address the many problems that currently burden
Singaporean males and their families. It is forward looking and
sensible. Most important it will afford our country continued
security as well as sustainable progress that this country
needs.
Be our supporters:
http://www.facebook.com/yoursdp
