National Service - How can this be amended or improved further to alleviate the problem of dodging?
NS, short for National Service, refers to the compulsory conscription in Singapore of all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents once they reach the age of 18. Full-time National Servicemen serve for a period of 1 year and 10 months to a maximum of 2 years. Despite a reduction in service duration of 2 months, Singapore has the longest compulsory military service in the world, only second to Israel and Armenia. However, each year, there would be a number of people who are charged under an Enlistment Act for their failure to enlist of refusal to serve in the military. These people, once convicted, have to face imprisonment for a period of three years and a fine of $10,000. Unfortunately, the problem of dodging National Service has been ongoing for several years and there is a need for amendments or improvements in order to alleviate this problem.
Before thinking of ways to improve the situation, we have to try to understand the mindsets of these people who refuse to serve his NS duties. Firstly, there are some who think that NS is wasting their time and they could use this time to do something that they would prefer instead, for example continuing with their studies. Thus, these type of ‘dodgers’ would choose to go abroad during their enlistment age and avoid the involuntary conscription. However, they would have trouble getting back to Singapore as they would then be charged under the Enlistment Act. Next, there are also some who feel that NS is too straining and tough and they do not wish to undergo such vigorous training. Sometimes, there are those who feign a major illness and thereby being granted an exemption from serving their NS duties, but such cases are rarely approved by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Medical Board. Regardless of whatsoever reasons they have, it is vital these ‘dodgers’ realise the importance of serving their NS duties and being a Singapore citizen, they should bear the responsibility of protecting the country.
To tackle these problems, we need to instil a new mindset in these NS ‘dodgers’. The lack of nationalistic feeling is shown as many of them have the concept that NS is not beneficial to them and is in fact wasting their time. I feel that the government and the SAF should promote NS and its benefits to the public, through campaigns and advertisements, in order to reduce the ‘fear’ in these potential ‘dodgers’. Alternatively, schools can be encouraged to put forth an education system to cultivate the nationalistic feelings in students and at the same time, to introduce the positive effects of NS, thereby removing any ‘fear’ in them.
Another amendment which I would like to propose is a harsher punishment for the people who refuse to serve their NS duties. The government could extend the duration of imprisonment and increase the fine. This harsher punishment would serve as a better deterrent for people who are attempting to ‘dodge’ NS as they would then rethink their decision. Instead of alleviating the fear of NS, this solution instead creates a different kind of ‘fear’ in them, and in my opinion, this deterrent would serve to be very effective.
To end with, NS is very important for our country because without it, our country would be defenceless against external threats. As a country with manpower as its only resource, we cannot let such dodgers escape without severe punishment, allowing other people to think it’s alright to follow suit. Hence, there is a need to change the mindsets of those who want to ‘dodge’ NS and bring about a sense of patriotism within them.
Before thinking of ways to improve the situation, we have to try to understand the mindsets of these people who refuse to serve his NS duties. Firstly, there are some who think that NS is wasting their time and they could use this time to do something that they would prefer instead, for example continuing with their studies. Thus, these type of ‘dodgers’ would choose to go abroad during their enlistment age and avoid the involuntary conscription. However, they would have trouble getting back to Singapore as they would then be charged under the Enlistment Act. Next, there are also some who feel that NS is too straining and tough and they do not wish to undergo such vigorous training. Sometimes, there are those who feign a major illness and thereby being granted an exemption from serving their NS duties, but such cases are rarely approved by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Medical Board. Regardless of whatsoever reasons they have, it is vital these ‘dodgers’ realise the importance of serving their NS duties and being a Singapore citizen, they should bear the responsibility of protecting the country.
To tackle these problems, we need to instil a new mindset in these NS ‘dodgers’. The lack of nationalistic feeling is shown as many of them have the concept that NS is not beneficial to them and is in fact wasting their time. I feel that the government and the SAF should promote NS and its benefits to the public, through campaigns and advertisements, in order to reduce the ‘fear’ in these potential ‘dodgers’. Alternatively, schools can be encouraged to put forth an education system to cultivate the nationalistic feelings in students and at the same time, to introduce the positive effects of NS, thereby removing any ‘fear’ in them.
Another amendment which I would like to propose is a harsher punishment for the people who refuse to serve their NS duties. The government could extend the duration of imprisonment and increase the fine. This harsher punishment would serve as a better deterrent for people who are attempting to ‘dodge’ NS as they would then rethink their decision. Instead of alleviating the fear of NS, this solution instead creates a different kind of ‘fear’ in them, and in my opinion, this deterrent would serve to be very effective.
To end with, NS is very important for our country because without it, our country would be defenceless against external threats. As a country with manpower as its only resource, we cannot let such dodgers escape without severe punishment, allowing other people to think it’s alright to follow suit. Hence, there is a need to change the mindsets of those who want to ‘dodge’ NS and bring about a sense of patriotism within them.
posted by Qin Jiang at
9:17 AM
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