AsiaOne
Sunday, Jul 01, 2012
SINGAPORE Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen reiterated that sons of
permanent residents (PRs) have to complete national service (NS) in
order to keep PR status.
Speaking to the Straits Times, Minister Ng said that
first-generation PRs are exempted from NS, but have to be aware
that their sons have to complete the duty if they apply for PR
status for their children.
"The basic message to permanent residents is this: If
you want to take up permanent residency for your children, please
do so recognizing that they have to do NS as a duty and there will
be a course if you don't.
"So, it's better not to take up PR if your children are
not going to do NS," he said.
Addressing concerns about NS-liable PRs renouncing their
residency before serving NS, Dr Ng added that second-generation PRs
face harsh penalties if they choose not to fulfill their two years
and give up their PR status.
Minister Ng's comments come as an ongoing debate takes place
about the need for more punitive measures to make second-generation
PRs serve the military stint, including imposing a security bond on
their parents, to be forfeited if the sons do not go through
NS.
Dr Ng said that current measures in place are already harsher
than that.
According to RazorTV, 8,800 male foreigners who became PRs under
the sponsorship of their parents over the last five years enlisted
in NS.
However, another 4,200 renounced their PR status prior to
serving NS.
According to Colonel Kenneth Liow, second-generation PRs'
failure to serve NS will be taken into account when they apply to
study or work in Singapore in the future, said in a letter to The
Straits Times forum.
Minister Ng also said that he received letter letters from
families who say they have been separated because NS-liable PRs
chose not to complete their duty.
Dr Ng, however, pointed out that Singapore has to enforce the NS
policy to send a clear signal that NS duty must be fulfilled,
despite the difficulties.
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