VIPs' sons given special treatment in 1999

last SG · 2006-01-17T14:19:09+00:00

i have a friend. he told me this statement. i can't say i fully agree or disagree with it, but i do think it makes some sense. he said: "perhaps, sadly, the...

depressed SG

Jan 16, 2006
VIPs' sons given special treatment in 1999

PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Ms Ho Ching's manifestation of humility, as described by Mr Lionel De Souza in his letter, 'Day I witnessed PM and wife's humility' (ST, Jan 12), is certainly awesome and refreshing.

This contrasts with my own experience in December 1999 when my late son was enlisted.

In the same intake were the sons of a government minister, an MP and a former MP.

The moment we arrived at Pulau Tekong, a few instructors asked frantically who the minister's son was.

As we were ushered into the auditorium for the briefing by the school commander, the minister introduced his son to the commander.

Then, as we queued for the buses to ferry us to the cookhouse for lunch, a military vehicle pulled up and whisked the minister, his wife and son away, probably for lunch elsewhere.

I could see the look of envy on the faces of many enlistees and their parents, including my son, who happened to be a good friend of the minister's son.

When it was time to leave Pulau Tekong, we had to queue to get through the turnstiles.

A few military personnel cleared a path for the minister, the MP and the former MP and their wives, hence avoiding the queue.

The experience left me, and I am sure many others, with an extremely poor impression.

Lawrence Loh Kiah Muan

What really interest me more is the next post below, especially since he mentioned his late son

depressed SG

ST Forums
24 Oct 2003

Compensation should depend on injury

I READ Mr Michael Loh Yik Ming's letter, 'What about compensation?'
(ST, Oct 22), with a great deal of interest.

When my son died in a naval accident in February 2001, through what
was supposedly a mechanical failure of the boat he was on, many
friends were keen to know what kind of compensation I received.

While I believe it is improper to turn death into a monetary matter,
Mr Loh was right in saying that money helps with closure.

Still, the compensation for the loss of life does not take into
account the emotional pain suffered by the family.

Although I do not need the money, when the cheque for $111,000 was
presented to me, my immediate thought was, 'Life is so cheap.
$111,000 for someone with such a promising future, who held a
scholarship, a Sword of Merit and who died through no fault of his'.
But I did not question the amount.

I do believe that the amount of compensation should be commensurate
with the extent of injury. Death should be the ultimate benchmark.

Lawrence Loh Kiah Muan

Not bad lah...at least the life of a slave a.k.a sg male is worth 111000 dollars. I initially thought the government would only pay $1 to my family if i die for my upcoming National Slavery.

Salman SG

So how much is your life worth? how much is enough for you?

Wind6 SG

The truth is out there

Salman SG

You see, you fellas complain but avoid answers when your fallacies are confronted.
Since you complain, so how much is enough?

dragg SG

what do you expect?

there is no answer. thats why there is no reply.

macjoe SG

Salman, you're shooting your own toe. Where is your answer?

Anyone can conclude $111,000 sucks.
$500,000 is more comforting and providing to a bereaved family.

Mindef just need to cover $500,000 term insurance for every NSman.

It's a small price to pay to demand NS and subject sons of Singapore to accidental-death NS.

How's that for an answer to the problems Mindef give?

Salman SG

But you complain that its a problem right? So whats the solution? If you see something wrong, then you must know what is the right thing to do right? So what is the right thing to do? What can the govt do different?
Kindly explain.

How much is enough for you?

Salman SG

Er what is the logical conclusion that 111k is not enough?

500k? Is that enough? How did you come up with such a figure? Is that how much your life is worth? Is that enough to appease? What if someone says its worth 1million? What is there to stop someone to say only 1 million is not enough and 3 million will do? What then do you do and how would you convince them that it is too much?

sgdiehard SG

the thread is on "VIPs' sons given special treatment in 1999", not about compensation for NSmen injured or died in action. The thread starter need to be clear what he wants to dicuss. digging up an old case will hurt the family and your fun in argument here is at their expense. Evil or Very Mad

dragg SG

if you disagree with the figure tell us if your son dies in the army how much is he worth to you?

111k too much?

you will ask mindef to give you $1?

you are an ass hole!!!

Atobe SG

Originally posted by Salman:

Er what is the logical conclusion that 111k is not enough?

500k? Is that enough? How did you come up with such a figure? Is that how much your life is worth? Is that enough to appease? What if someone says its worth 1million? What is there to stop someone to say only 1 million is not enough and 3 million will do? What then do you do and how would you convince them that it is too much?

Is there any logical conclusion for the suffering of any person who has lost one's son ?

What is the worth that you will place on your own son ?

If you have none, what is the worth that your parents will place on your life if tragedy should cause your death while in the SAF ?

It is not about appeasement, it is not about the sum of money, it is not about "how much is too much" .

It is about the decency in the value of human suffering for the tragic loss of a family - who has entrusted their son to the SAF, and for him to die in a useless and senseless death, not due to some war time action in defense of the Country, makes this a uselss and wasteful loss that has to be addressed.

If you cannot understand - or refuse to appreciate the sensitiviity of those posting here, and if you need some answers - look in the direction of your own family members.

Perhaps you will find their response to this matter more acceptable instead of trying to needle others with your knee-jerk brainless defence of the Singapore Government.

With regards to the VIP's sons being given special treatment in 1999, this was when the 'White Horse' label was still being applied, and before it was brought out into the open during parliamentary discussion in 2005.

This 'White Horse' label is "supposed" to be no longer practised, but what is there to prevent another 'White Elephant' label replacing the 'White Horse' label.

A Minister's son, or an MP's son - even a Colonel's son - has always been given special attention, this is to avoid any mishap that can cause a bigger political fall-out on the SAF leadership.

Is there any equality at all, when human nature steps in as a matter of instinct in self-preservation ?

dragg SG

i wonder how much they will pay if a minister's son dies?

111k too?

ndmmxiaomayi SG

I don't think how much life worth should be equate to money.

Even if the government gives you $1 after you retire as a civil servant, does that mean you are worth that much? Think of how you can make use of the knowledge and experience while you are working as a civil servant. If you are leader when you were in civil service, make use of your leadership skills to organize events for old folks. Use it to do meaningful things.

If the government gives you more, use it to set up a small business. Then you need not worry about no more income.

tohyi SG

come on all of us know that the'White Horse' syndrome exist very much in the SAF. lets take a look at our very own ex-PM papa harry.how many fathers can claim out there that they have 2 sons who were Brigadier Generals in the 30's? by the way how do you beome a BG without any war expereince of anysort? only possible in the SAF. we should call them 10cents for 2 BG's. Laughing anyway the last person i knew who had 2 sons who were generals was Saddam Hussein. see what happen to them lor. father was caught hiding in a hole in the end. for some reason if your dad is part of the garmen or is a general in the army the son will automatically get to be an officer. doesnt matter what his capabilities are.not relevant what. isnt that indirect corruption?

also isnt it strange how policital leaders children always end up in the best institutions? is it the genes or is it the back door method of getting ahead through political connections?

tohyi SG

By the way, i'm confident the PM's son will be selected to be an Officer too at the end of his BMT. May as well send him straight to officer training school now. why wayang at BMT? Can't possibiliy imagine him ending up as a store man or a corporal when daddy's a BG. anybody wants to take on the bet? Wink

[email protected] SG

come on man, white horse can get away with manslaughter committed while in NS, what is getting some red carpet treatment? Laughing

Salman the idiot shooting his mouth off again i see. To him, none of us here are worth any $ to the country. I have never seen a more pathetic dog. Hey if u dun want to be a valued human, then go be a dog. U're not even fit to be a human slave.

Atobe SG

Which son or sons are you referring to - from his first marriage, or from his second marriage ?

The old adage said that the Empire never last through the Third Generation.

It has not been proven wrong up till now.

dcx SG

Will he die in the very 1st place? Laughing

lwflee SG

I think the most appropriate compensation is a pension linked to inflation rates. (are these called index linked pensions?!?!)

Base level about 1500/month, rising as the parents grow older.

Reason for this is the in Singapore we do not have a state welfare system. The welfare system is place is financed by the family IE when i get a job, i'll give my mum some money every month, help out my siblings etc.

else you provide a lump sum (which i dun like). Dunno how much but 100000is too little, bearing in mind that the deceaed is not a volunteer. He is there solely by accident of birth. How much payout can a $50/month insurance get? not sure... but i think at lest 200K +?