Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said the government is reviewing
policies to help Singaporeans serving National Service feel more
appreciated. He said said it is important for citizens to feel they
have benefited from the sacrifice of protecting the nation.
He was speaking to reporters during the Total Defence Day
ceremony on Friday. Total Defence Day is commemorated on 15
February as it marks the day Singapore fell to the Japanese in
1942.
Dr Ng also reiterated that foreigners who are not prepared
to do National Service should not become permanent residents
(PRs).
He said: "If you are not prepared to do national
service, don’t become a PR. It’s a very clear message because in
our system, if you don’t fulfil your NS liabilities, you just can’t
pay a fine. The penalties are very severe and it’s way beyond
monetary penalties."
He added that the penalties for PRs who do not fulfil their
National Service obligations cannot be monetised.
Dr Ng was responding to MP for Bishan—Toa Payoh GRC Hri Kumar
Nair’s proposal of imposing an annual national defence tax on
permanent residents and foreigners.
He said: "We are really looking at what are some of our policies
that we can help Singaporeans feel that when they do NS, they are
being appreciated. Two, that there is some tangible benefits in
terms of what they have benefiting.
"So, we are re—looking that, and we have heard Singaporeans loud
and clear, and we want to respond to that in positive ways in the
course of the next few months."
On Wednesday, Mr Nair had suggested that the "national defence duty" is to
sharpen the distinction between Singaporeans and
non—citizens.