Pianist Melvyn Tan defers public appearance at Esplanade aft

sbst275 SG

SINGAPORE : Pianist Melvyn Tan, the man at the centre of the recent controversy over National Service evasion, said he would defer his public appearance at the Esplanade and not be a judge in a local competition.

He said he came back to Singapore knowing full well he could face a jail term.

Mr Tan said he was driven by the desire to contribute to the arts in Singapore and see his parents.

He was fined for evading National Service, causing unhappiness among some Singaporeans who are against a fine for NS evaders.

In the debate that followed, Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said he is in favour of firm sentences.

Mr Teo also said the Defence Ministry was reviewing penalties imposed on those who evade National Service, with the view to asking for stiffer sentences.

In an open letter to Singaporeans, Mr Tan said he is sad and dismayed he has become the cause of the uproar.

He said he was not given special treatment in court because of his profession.

Mr Tan said what has happened has caused his parents and him anguish, and he has decided to defer public appearances over the NS debate and to continue without his further aggravating it.

He said he hoped one day he would still to be able to perform in Singapore, and be able to tell through music what he has found difficult to put into words. - CNA/de

Fatum SG

good riddance to him .... bye bye ........

shade343 SG

Aiyah, Chi bu dao pu tao suo pu tao suan. Most singaporeans like that, what to do? Laughing

Look at those GEPers. Now also got controversy. Not smart, not smart lor. Why bring others down?

Medicated Oil SG

Most probably the organiser of the event have told him about the "warm" reception if the "Singapore Son" returns to Singapore.

So, the Singapore-turned-British man have to released some fancy reasons for not coming back to Singapore.

Lesson learnt on trying to pull a fast one under all the nose of the Singaporeans that have slaved and served to make Singapore Billion reserves FAT.

Singapore belongs to all who pay their GST, Tax, PUB bills, Road Tax, TV License, COE, CPF and fines.

Not forgeting the millions of hours that the NS men have spend on their NS, Reservist Training, IPPT and RT.

It serves a message to the ELITES (Potential Deserters and Peanut-aire) that the mass have a VOICE and Singapore dun belong to just a few bunchs of ELITES.

Dun treat us like a FOOL, or You end up as the Biggest Clown !