To some people especially HENG, I have some things to say to
you.
Firstly, I am NOT kao peh kao bu about the Melvyn Tan issue. This
is a serious matter we are talking about here, not some trivial and
trifle thing. This is desertion from being drafted and evading
serving the country and defending it. I dont know about others but
I am not kpkb and merely expressing my opinion backed up by facts
and logical arguments and views, which is my right as a citizen of
this country. Other citizens who have dutifully served their NS
also have the right to express their views and opinion, and mind
you I do think we have a strong case on this Melvyn Tan
issue.
You say there is no equality in this world, while I agree that the
government is not perfect and completely fair and this world is not
completely perfect and fair, we should fight for a more fair and
just world. After all, does it not say in our national pledge that
we are building a society based on justice and equality? While
everything cannot be perfectly fair, there should be equality of
opportunities in Singapore (and indeed the world) and equality
before the law, meaning the law should be applied equally. I am not
completely certain but I suppose there must be some who have also
dodged NS and ended up jailed and imprisoned.
You say if there is equality I would be sitting at the same table
as LKY and eating the same food as him. While most including me are
not as bright and brilliant as our great MM, the likelihood remains
that if I was as brilliant as him or close to his intelligence, I
would most likely be in his position or occupy some high ranking
big shot post in Singapore cos I use my brain and
acumen/intelligence to move into those positions! In that sense
there is no fairness because some are born bright or not as bright
but there should be equality of opportunities, meaning if I am
bright as LKY I have a great chance to be in his position or at
least a high ranking position. Similarly if I am good at something
else I can also do well and achieve success in other fields and
other areas and perhaps move into a position that is more in tune
to my abilities and talent.
You say the bottomline is that he also got punished by the law and
dont KPKB about it, but the point here is that the penalty is too
light! The amount will most probably be peanuts to an established
musician like him. Probably others who have also dodged NS have
been jailed too and soldiers who AWOL even one day can get sent to
the Detention Barracks. And of course one can go DB for other kinds
of offences as well like absence from official duty.
Thats where equality before the law comes in, can the government
explain satisfactorily why Melvyn Tan was only given a fine for
defaulting on NS?
As citizens of this country and some or mostly NS men or present
NSFs and future NSFs, it is our right to make our views known, to
express our opinion and to lobby the government for more fair and
equal treatment. In this way we also promote a just and
participatory society. Kudos to those who spoke up on the Melvyn
Tan issue!!!
