A relevant piece, given that there is a growing Singaporean
diaspora and a need to reform National Service to reflect reality
on the ground today, and to keep it relevant in times where we
cannot afford to remain monolithic.
Keep the discussion civil. Thank you.
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Increasing number of young Singaporean males are
growing up and studying overseas
Tuesday • August 12, 2008
SIEW KUM HONG
THREE years after pianist Melvyn Tan was fined $3,000 for not
fulfilling his National Service (NS) obligations, the issue of
National Service defaulters is in the spotlight again.
This time, two young men were convicted for staying outside
Singapore without an exit permit.
Mr Shantakumar Bannirchelvam, 19, was initially placed on six
months’ probation and ordered to do 40 hours of community service.
Upon appeal by the prosecution, he was fined $1,500. Judge of
AppealV K Rajah noted the need for a fine “as a matter of policy
and precedent”.
On the other hand, Mr Amit Rahul Shah, 23, was jailed for three
months. It is not clear why he received such a severe sentence,
considering the benchmark of a $3,000 fine. Perhaps it was because
he had not applied for a deferment, unlike Mr Shantakumar.
What is clear is that both men had voluntarily returned to
Singapore to serve NS, with full knowledge of the charges they
would face. In other words, they were essentially punished for not
doing NS at the appointed time, and not for evading NS
completely.
In response to a recent question in Parliament, Defence Minister
Teo Chee Hean reiterated the policy of calling up NS-liable males
when they turn 18, and the key principles of maintaining
universality and equity in granting deferment from full-time NS to
pre-enlistees still pursuing their studies.
In the Ministry of Defence’s view, all should be given the
opportunity to attain their ‘A’ Levels, International
Baccalaureate, polytechnic diploma or equivalent qualifications
before enlistment, but not higher educational qualifications such
as university degrees.
But is this policy outdated, in a globalised world with a growing
Singaporean diaspora?
As more Singaporeans and their families settle down in other
countries, whether due to overseas postings or otherwise, an
increasing number of young Singaporean males will be growing up and
studying overseas. It would be unrealistic to expect the
educational systems in those countries, or their educational paths,
to accommodate our enlistment policy.
Let me be clear: I am a strong advocate of the central role of NS
in the Singapore psyche.
In 2006, I wrote a piece in Today criticising the portrayal in some
quarters of Mr Tan as a “lost son of Singapore”. I firmly believe
in the desirability of having all fit Singaporean men perform NS,
and punishing those who do not.
NS is a compulsory obligation, and we must ensure its continued
legitimacy amongst Singaporeans. Even as I agree with Mindef on the
principles of universality and equity, I wonder whether its
deferment policy can be refined such that it remains relevant in a
globalised world, without undermining those key principles.
Failure to do so may result in Singaporean males resenting the
institution of NS, which could then undermine its legitimacy.
Of SCHOLARS and NS timing
If we were to ask Singaporean men what the true sacrifice of NS is,
how would they answer? I dare say it would be the two years of
full-time NS and the subsequent reservist obligations.
I also dare say the timing of those two years — whether they are
served before or after one’s undergraduate studies — would be far
less important.
As it is, the Government itself allows some scholars to disrupt
full-time NS to go for undergraduate studies. It seems arbitrary to
say that scholars should be allowed to disrupt their NS, but
non-scholars already in undergraduate studies should not be allowed
to defer their enlistment.
Yesterday, for example, it was reported that Mindef rejected a
Singapore Institute of Management student’s appeal to defer his
enlistment for three months to sit for his first-year exams
first.
I believe we should distinguish between those who are unable to
return at 18 years because of certain commitments or opportunities
but do so upon the conclusion of those commitments or opportunities
— such as Mr Shantakumar — and those who never return and do not
evince any desire to complete their NS obligations, such as Mr
Tan.
If a Singaporean male had gone overseas as a child — for instance,
before he turned 15 — and upon turning 18 is undertaking or about
to commence undergraduate studies, perhaps we should allow him to
defer enlistment until he completes those undergraduate (but not
postgraduate) studies, so long as he undertakes to return to
Singapore and enlist at that time. We can also require a guarantor
if needed.
This would strike an appropriate balance between maintaining the
universality and equity of NS, by having all Singaporean males
complete full-time NS by their early 20s, and allowing Singaporeans
who grow up overseas to pursue their goals without undue
disruption.
And I think most, if not all, Singaporeans would be perfectly fine
with this.
[b]The writer is a Nominated Member of Parliament and corporate
counsel, commenting in his personal capacity.[/b]
Link
u guys know something.... a some guy still wanna fly out of the
country to evade ns enlistment... despite this news and the
risks i gave him thru PMs... i dun wanna say name lah... but the
clue is that the someone recently asked a question for a
second deferment for further studies....
i m so sian to even further reply to him liao... i oso serve and
fcuk off what...