Channel NewsAsia - Tuesday, June
17
SINGAPORE: With regular reviews of its medical protocol, the
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) can assure national servicemen and
their parents that the teenagers are given a thorough medical
check—up before they are enlisted.
This is according to MP Michael Palmer, who sits in the
Government Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Foreign
Affairs.
Mr Palmer added that it is also important that the SAF is not
complacent when it comes to safety procedures during training.
When two SAF servicemen died within two days during training
last week, the SAF took an unprecedented move of suspending
physical and endurance training activities for three days to review
the procedures.
Observers say the two deaths are a wake—up call on the
importance of adhering to laid—down principles and procedures in
national service training.
At the same time, Singaporeans have shown that they remain
confident in the ability of the SAF to safeguard the country’s
security.
This is important, said Mr Palmer. "If you lose confidence in
the SAF, the regular forces, their morale would be dampened, the
national servicemen, their morale would be dampened and people
would not want to go for their NS reservist training. So you are
going to have a force that is depleted. From the SAF point of view,
no commander wants to lose a man. In wartime, yes, but in peacetime
no commander wants to lose a man.
"So from the SAF’s point of view, every commander would want to
make sure that procedures are properly followed and that we have
confidence in our commanders and military."
He added: "Most of the feedback I get is in terms of timing, in
terms of studies and whether they would be able to catch up with
their studies after they go and do their national service. So far,
parents have not expressed that concern about safety. Overall, my
view is people have that confidence and we need to maintain that
confidence."
The Defence Ministry says the SAF has also received a number of
suggestions from the public on safe training procedures. These will
be evaluated as part of its on—going process to ensure that
training is carried out safely. — CNA/ir