Yes, there are many ways to serve the nation. U can say that
A-Du, JJ Lin serve their nation by helping to bring a piece of
Singapore to other countries, and let other countries know
Singapore singers can make it big too, but remember they HAVE
served their NS already. The reason why there is a outcry is
because of the fact that most MEN have done their NS the hard way.
Blood, sweat and tears were shed during the 2 to 2 1/2 yrs in
jungles, out at sea etc. People chiong the land, air and sea during
these NS years, yet there is this guy who went overseas and only
came back many donkey years later, only needing to pay a meagre
fine. And remember, the fact that he can't remember the amount of
fine he paid shows u how insignificant he thinks the whole matter
of NS is to him. That is a slap in the face to people who did their
NS before pursing their dreams 2 to 2 1/2 yrs later.
My own cousin's family migrated to Canada when he was 11 because he
didn't wanted to serve NS. I envied him for being smart enough to
get out of Spore before serving his NS, but now, having served it
myself, I felt that it was a cowardice way. Maybe Melvyn Tan didn't
purposely go UK to escape NS, but as a Singaporean male, it is his
obligation to serve the nation. We are not the only country who
have a compulsory draft, and most males just grind their teeth
through. If we can do it, why can't people like my cousin?
