New Zealand-based teen must serve NS: MFA
(Screenshot from stuff.co.nz)
New Zealand-based teen Brandon Smith, who caused a furore online when he said he wanted to avoid National Service (NS) must return to Singapore to fulfill his NS obligations, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
Smith, 19, holds both New Zealand and Singapore citizenship and moved to Dunedin when he was eight years old.
In a written reply to a parliamentary question, MFA said, “All Singaporeans are expected to fulfill our NS obligations as citizens. It would not be fair to allow citizens to avoid NS just because they reside overseas.”
MFA added that even if Smith were to apply to renounce his Singapore citizenship after he attains the age of majority, he is still liable for any breaches of the Enlistment Act. MFA also advised Smith to return to Singapore as soon as possible to resolve this matter.
Smith could face a two-year jail term and a $10,000 fine if he does not enlist.
The son of a New Zealander father and Singaporean mother told New Zealand media in January that it was a “waste of time” to go back to Singapore and come back to New Zealand. He was also concerned that he does not speak Chinese and would be treated differently in the army, reported New Zealand’s stuff.co.nz.
