Here's the argument among MPs:
What's your view?
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CONSIDER this, if Albert Einstein (considered the greatest
scientist of the 20th century), Stephen Hawking (celebrated
physicist and author of A Brief History Of Time) and Bill Gates
(Microsoft chief and currently the world's richest man) were to
come to Singapore, would we put them in jail?
The answer: Yes - if they're National Service defaulters.
This was the bottomline, as Parliament engaged in an animated and
emotional debate about the Government's push for jail terms of up
to three years for serious default cases.
What's 'serious'? According to Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, it's
when you stay away for two years or more from the time you must
enlist for NS - or for those given deferment, from the time their
exit permits expire.
SEEN AS BEING UNFAIR
Why so harsh? Because, the minister said: 'We'll be seen as being
unfair if we were to treat talented NS defaulters more leniently
than others. The fact that they are talented and can contribute to
Singapore does not detract from the fact that they have defaulted
on their NS.'
So yes, even if this means such talents end up staying away, at
Singapore's loss.
Not every MP was convinced.
Despite the hue and cry over renowned pianist and ex-Singaporean
Melvyn Tan's $3,000 fine for defaulting on his NS obligations - a
sentence many considered too light - many of the 16 who spoke
actually said: Let's be more flexible, more sympathetic and less
judgmental.
Stressed East Coast GRC MP Tan Soo Khoon: 'Increasing the fines and
penalties for defaulters may give us satisfaction, and a greater
sense of fairness and justice, but it does not necessarily bring
the men back.'
Ayer Rajah MP Dr Tan Cheng Bock said: 'We as a nation must always
make room for forgiveness. Where possible, Singapore must never
reject a returning son.'
After all, these MPs pointed out, many so-called defaulters were
just kids when their parents yanked them abroad. Or they could have
been chasing after that dream job when the NS call-up came.
Another veteran backbencher, Bukit Timah MP Dr Wang Kai Yuen, even
said he was 'disturbed' by the jail terms.
'Are we seeking just punishment or vengeance?... We should not slam
the doors shut for such lost sons.'
Especially, he explained, if they've turned the emotional corner
and, like Mr Melvyn Tan, now want to renew old ties with family and
country.
But it was the man who dropped the names of Einstein, Hawking and
Gates - Tampines GRC MP Sin Boon Ann - who made the most
impassioned plea.
Mr Sin argued: 'It seems... there will not be any satisfaction
until the pound of flesh is extracted... (But) as we mature as a
society and become more gracious, we must learn that the world is
not only cast in black and white... (and) to be a more generous
society by rising above our basic instincts.'
West Coast MP S Iswaran, though, had a different perspective.
MAKING A SACRIFICE
He'd recently met two young men - a foreigner who's a Singapore PR,
and a Singaporean with an Australian PR. Both were serving their NS
and asked him the same question: 'Why am I doing this?'
The MP's point? 'I want to be able to look these men... in the eye
and say to them: 'We know you're making a sacrifice. We apply the
rules impartially. We respect your sacrifice and service, and we'll
not forget it. And I think our laws and the way we enforce them
must evidence that and match our words and commitment.'
Wrapping up, Mr Teo advised the House to ponder this: 'Who will
shed a tear for Singapore if there is no Singapore for such people
to return to, because the institution of National Service has been
undermined?'
So the country has spoken.
When it comes to NS, there are simply no ifs or buts. Just come
home and do it.
