'White horse' classification for NSmen existed prior to 200

last SG · 2003-11-11T23:49:46+00:00

I know that most of the people who have went through NS will know that it is an open secret and not something new. Is there a need to deflect the main curre...

cavsg SG

SINGAPORE : Minister of State for Defence Cedric Foo said the Singapore Armed Forces had a 'white horse' classification for NSmen prior to year 2000.

He said the term was used to identify sons of influential persons to ensure such enlistees were not given preferential treatment.

Mr Foo was replying to a question in Parliament on Tuesday by Nominated MP Steve Chia.

Mr Chia asked if there was such a classification and, if so, who qualifies to be classified as a 'white horse' and what privileges are accorded to them.

Mr Foo said: "All NSmen are treated equally and are deployed in vocations and units based on SAF operational requirements, their medical classification, and their academic and military performance. No NSmen has been accorded special privileges.

"Prior to year 2000, the term 'white horse' was used to identify sons of influential persons to ensure such enlistees were not given preferential treatment.

"And their medical classification and vocation assignments are scrupulously fair...since 2000, the SAF does not have a 'white horse' classification for NSmen." - CNA

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/56686/1/.html

Icemoon SG

This is strange ... they classify people so that they're not accorded special treatment?

Then why identify them in the first place, since they're supposed to be treated like any Tom, Dick or Harry, who have no special treatment and not classified anyway?

gary1910 SG

The qns asked by same NMP Mr. Steve Chia, one on the WH was reported by the local media CNA & yet the much more sensational but sensitive qn on the training deaths in the SAF was not even mentioned..... Sad

the Bear SG

cedric foo is lying through his teeth...

wuming78 SG

no mah.. they identify those white horse so tt special attention is paid to them to make sure they dun get special attention.

incredulous huh? Laughing it's the first time i heard someone twist the explanation this way. and i mus say im impressed! Mr. Green

the Bear SG

i wonder how they browbeat cedric foo into lying like that?

if he's one of the "new blood" in the government, we're in deep guano

Parka SG

Laughing

tripwire SG

cedric foo is a fool ... muahahah pun intended...

frankly... isit worth the salt to smear the good name of PAP on honesty with such an outlandish lie???

frankly... most singaporeans at any one time cannot be sure that PAP is telling the truth... , but we believe their honesty... their honesty and so call corruption free.. is their selling point in elections.

but with this big super lie... now everyone can agreed that even PAP MPs... do LIE ...OR. he is one big IGNORANT BABOON. Mr. Green

wuming78 SG

ok lah.. mabbe we shudnt be too hard on him. hes prob good at making decisions and so on. but then well... he was cornered into making a statement on white horse. the MP who asked this question prob wanna c wat kind of response he will get (mabbe the 2 of them got bad blood. Laughing ) and so posed this tricky one. well. cedric did quite a good job. i would imagine he managed to convince close to 50% of singapore's populace initially - the entire female population who may not have enuff info abt the situation. Mr. Green

the Bear SG

just wanna know.. WTF is a Minister of State?

i mean, there's already a minister already.. so what the hell does he do??

wuming78 SG

mabbe u can post this question at speaker's corner? but singapore is not the only country with them. and searches using google failed to turn up anything. its baffling!

SingaporeTyrannosaur SG

Woah... which planet are they on?

Do they seriously expect us to even believe 1 percent of the offical statement...

Dun say nevermind, but to say it this way, is utter disrespect for the people who serve the nation in defence... Esp if they think that we are just mindless cows to be herded to their whim and wane...

Viper52 SG

I just really really wish our ministers will stop insulting Singaporeans with harebrained explantions like that. Who does Cedric Foo think he's kidding?

Singaporeans are much more educated than those in the 60s and 70s, and can think and see for themselves whats going on. When are the MIW going to realise that?

Viper52 SG

Well said, its actually insulting to Singaporeans (ie. you and me and everyone else) for them to utter such ridiculous explanations in Parliament expecting we believe them. And to swallow whatever they say as gospel without question.

T**ts.

IAF SG

this reply insults the intelligence of countless men who's gone thru' NS down the years! what a dork! Mad

IAF SG

MOS is usually a junior post for new politicians deemed to have ministerial potential...but i don't think they have great executive powers as that of a full minister.

Viper52 SG

Then again, there are some Singaporeans who will believe anything their government says, as evidenced on this thread

wuming78 SG

im not about to support mr cedric and his explanation (see my earlier post)

but i still would like to urge everyone to pause and think:

if u r in his shoes and got asked this question, what will u say? the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

well. its all up to individual and circumstances. im not saying his response was perfect. im sure some other response would be better. but would it be appropriate?

and please dont give a response saying hes the minister and we r not. Wink

the Bear SG

he's a minister.. minister to the people.. not to his party..

SingaporeMacross SG

propaganda propaganda. cover up cover up. Haiz.