Get a bigger can
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 3:44PM Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced a move to make Singaporean male citizens who served National Service more recognised by offering them at least $9,000 each to "recognise" NSmen for their service, known as the National Service Recognition Award (NSRA). While I don't think anyone will be upset with the money, I'm not alone in feeling that this is a dangerous precedent, and undermines the foundation of National Service.
I'm known for being a liberal, but there are some things I believe to be sacred, and one of those is a strong national defense. I believe that NS is a rite of passage for Singaporean men, and I believe in serving the country in the military or police or civil defence; so much so that I think we should institute it for all citizens and permanent residents, even the women.
And all that came crashing down in a disgusting manner when our PM put a price tag on National Service. I don't care as much about the NSRA money being locked up mostly in CPF, but I am disgusted that they have pegged NS and its value to an arbitrary monetary value, and to let us use it only in ways they see fit.
All that talk about defending your home, your family, your values, is worth a grand total of between $9,000 to $10,500. Nothing more, nothing less. This is both disgraceful to those of us who served, and those of us who are serving. Our time and contribution to the country is worth $10,500 or less. It is an insult to operationally-ready NSmen, and those who have dedicated their lives to the uniformed services.
The profit motive has nothing to do with it, and the NSRA has just given a profit motive to NS. In their hurry to placate citizens, they have turned to the only trick they have: buy the loyalty of the citizens who have sacrificed their time and youth in the name of a strong national defense, and in the process, showed up the egregious lies that they have spouted about the need for that strong national defence. It is nothing but a band-aid, and band-aids does not help where gaping open wounds haemorrhage the lifeblood that is belief in the preservation and survival of this country via a citizenry that will die to defend it.
Because if our leaders believe in NS, then it cannot be quantified in such a repulsive and random manner. They have just opened a can of worms, and there is precious little that can be done to reverse it.
Not even with a bigger can.
Reader Comments (3)
Remember the ones who got killed while on NS.
We are not even into war. What did they get ?
Their parents must be cursing our govt to this very day.
what's even more repulsive is the notion of conscription itself. you believe in the need of it for national defense but i don't. so why should i be forced to do ns? i didn't ask to be born a singaporean. i don't want to defend this stinking country.
hello,I'm from Keio University
My thesis cited your articles, if that violated your copyright, delight send an email to speak to me.