extracted from ST forum.
NS: Mindef studying adequacy of penalties
I REFER to Mr Henry Ong Ling Tiong's letter, 'Firm stand needed:
Fine or jail' (ST, Nov 26), where he suggested that punishments for
national-service defaulters in the Enlistment Act be reviewed.
Members of Parliament have also filed a number of questions.
It is heartening to note the very strong support for national
service shown by the public in its reaction to the case of pianist
Melvyn Tan.
Mindef has been reviewing the Enlistment Act to bring it up to
date. This review includes a careful study of the adequacy of the
current penalties to allow for firm action to be taken against
those who do not fulfil their duty.
Mindef will give a full response on the matter when the review is
completed.
Col Benedict Lim
Director, Public Affairs
Ministry of Defence
