Originally posted by M©+square:
Good news for NS defaulters!
Tougher penalties for NS evaders? Defence Minister says enlistment
laws are being reviewed
Friday • December 2, 2005
Zul Othman
[email protected]
FOR those who knowingly evade National
Service (NS), the Ministry of Defence is looking at tougher
penalties.
This was revealed by Defence Minister Teo Chee Hian yesterday,
while he commented on the case of Singapore-born pianist Melvyn
Tan, who evaded NS and left Singapore nearly 30 years ago to pursue
his studies at Britain's Royal College of Music.
Tan then became a British citizen in 1978 and found fame as a
classical pianist.
Last month, it was reported that Tan — returning to Singapore to
give a series of concerts at The Esplanade and be a jury member in
a national piano and violin contest — was slapped with a $3,000
fine for dodging the draft compulsory for all Singaporean and
permanent resident males between 16 and 40 years old.
This sparked off an intense debate on whether Tan had been let off
too lightly.
Under the Enlistment Act, Tan could have been fined up to $5,000 or
jailed up to three years, or both.
While Minister Teo was heartened by the strong support Singaporeans
had shown towards NS, he added moves were afoot to review the
existing enlistment laws.
Said Mr Teo: "We will ask for stricter
penalties for people who deliberately and knowingly evade National
Service.
"In the case of Melvyn Tan, the way that he was dealt with is
exactly the same as the way that other people in similar
circumstances were dealt with, both by Mindef and by the
Courts."
Without going into the details of the
planned changes, Mr Teo said the ministry was looking at imposing
"custodial sentences for those who deliberately and knowingly evade
NS".
"I think it's very important we send a
strong signal that NS is an obligation, which they should fulfil,"
he said.
"But ultimately, the important thing is not the penalties, but that
Singaporeans see the need for NS and the importance NS plays in
preserving the peace and security."
When asked if Tan got off lightly, Minister Teo said: "This is
something for the Courts to decide. The Courts have to decide this
in relation to other cases which they have seen.
"From my personal point of view, as Defence Minister, I would like
to see firm sentences in cases like this."
Good move. 
