Yahoo Contest results: Fostering commitment to National Service
The issue of national service (NS) obligations for Singapore-born boys and overseas-born boys with Singapore citizenship who have lived overseas for years has become a subject of much debate recently following the media spotlight on two NS defaulters.
Last month, Ekawit Tangtrakarn, a Thailand-born former Singaporean, pleaded guilty to one count of staying outside Singapore without a valid exit permit between 17 April 2010 and 16 October 2015, in breach of the Enlistment Act. He was stripped of his Singapore citizenship when he was 22 after he failed to take the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty (Oral).
Separately, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) told the media that Crazy Rich Asians’ US-based author Kevin Kwan was a wanted man in Singapore as he had failed to register for national service in 1990 despite repeated notices to his overseas address.
Yahoo News Singapore held a contest to seek suggestions from readers on how Singapore can help its male citizens living overseas feel committed to the country and their NS obligations.
A number of readers proposed measures to reach out to these boys via online platforms, regular dialogues with their families in Singapore and overseas, pre-NS orientation camps, and even discounted air tickets for them to return home.
Elangovan Muthoo suggested a form of NS membership that these boys have to enrol in before leaving Singapore. Under this membership scheme, the boys would have access to a portal in which they can receive e-newsletters, quizzes, promotions, and stories about the experiences of NS men.
He wrote, “Boys via the membership should also be assigned a virtual buddy at an age closer to their enlistment. This virtual buddy could also have access to discuss concerns with parents and offer advice on NS matters.”
Tan Yi Lin suggested that Singapore begin instilling a sense of patriotism in the boys from the age of eight, such as educating them about the history of Singapore and NS during the National Day period.
The reader added, “We can also send e-greeting cards through emails and WhatsApp to the boys and their parents on their birthday and festive seasons, making them feel that though they are far away from Singapore, the country still remembers them.”
James Fong recommended that Singapore embassies reach out to Singaporean boys and families more regularly by organising events and exhibitions to highlight developments in Singapore.
He also proposed regular dialogues between these families and the authorities so that they are kept aware of their responsibilities towards NS and can seek clarifications on related issues.
We thank readers for taking part in the contest.
Related stories:
Thai citizen born in Bangkok pleads guilty to defaulting on NS in Singapore
‘Crazy Rich Asians’ author Kevin Kwan wanted in Singapore for defaulting on national service
Foreign parents of Singaporean boys worry over NS-related issues
Yahoo Poll: Should male citizens with little connection to Singapore be made to serve NS?
COMMENT: Singapore’s National Service obligations need clarity in a global world
