From Channel News Asia
SINGAPORE: The Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Defence intends to raise in Parliament several defence-related issues highlighted in public recently.
In addition to points in the Defence Ministry's addendum, the GPC will raise issues like perceived preferential treatment during National Service (NS), deferment and disruption policies as well as concerns that children of new citizens or permanent residents give up their citizenship to evade NS.
The chairman of GPC for Defence, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, told Channel NewsAsia that for next week's Parliament sitting, he has filed a question on perceived preferential treatment during NS - something highlighted during the recent Presidential Election.
He has asked Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen to "clear the air" on the matter related to Dr Patrick Tan's prolonged disruption from NS.
Dr Patrick Tan is President Tony Tan Keng Yam's son.
Dr Lim said: "There shouldn't be any doubt in Singaporeans' mind as far as Mindef's policy is concerned (that) there must be fairness in terms of who get disrupted and who doesn't get disrupted. As a result, it doesn't cause resentment, it doesn't divide the society."
On Dr Patrick Tan's NS deployment to the Defence Medical Research Institute, Dr Lim said NSmen should be deployed according to their skill sets.
Dr Lim said: "In the sense that if he has certain skills that we can use, then (there is) no point using him as a cook or a driver or an infantry man.
"We do have naval architects coming to serve their reservist as their role as naval architects, because they studied in the subject. So, when the Navy wants to build a new ship, they call back our NSmen who are naval architects, so they serve in their role."
Dr Lim also wants Mindef to review its deferment and disruption policies, especially with many universities having different starting dates for their terms.
Dr Lim said: "There are many different universities now in Singapore, with the enrolment or the starting dates for their term different from one another.
"Our education scene has changed drastically, so must the SAF as well, in the sense that they have to keep up with times and look at approved universities, approved degrees. I think the list certainly should be expanded."
The GPC will also address concerns that children of new citizens or PRs may choose to give up their citizenship to evade National Service, after enjoying benefits such as subsidised education in Singapore.
Dr Lim said: "There have been some suggestions....(if) you are a PR and when you have a child that is going to serve NS, should we ask them to put in a bond. If your child refuses to do NS, then you forgo the bond."
Dr Lim hopes his fellow MPs would raise more questions during the debate in Parliament.
SINGAPORE: The Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Defence intends to raise in Parliament several defence-related issues highlighted in public recently.
In addition to points in the Defence Ministry's addendum, the GPC will raise issues like perceived preferential treatment during National Service (NS), deferment and disruption policies as well as concerns that children of new citizens or permanent residents give up their citizenship to evade NS.
The chairman of GPC for Defence, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, told Channel NewsAsia that for next week's Parliament sitting, he has filed a question on perceived preferential treatment during NS - something highlighted during the recent Presidential Election.
He has asked Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen to "clear the air" on the matter related to Dr Patrick Tan's prolonged disruption from NS.
Dr Patrick Tan is President Tony Tan Keng Yam's son.
Dr Lim said: "There shouldn't be any doubt in Singaporeans' mind as far as Mindef's policy is concerned (that) there must be fairness in terms of who get disrupted and who doesn't get disrupted. As a result, it doesn't cause resentment, it doesn't divide the society."
On Dr Patrick Tan's NS deployment to the Defence Medical Research Institute, Dr Lim said NSmen should be deployed according to their skill sets.
Dr Lim said: "In the sense that if he has certain skills that we can use, then (there is) no point using him as a cook or a driver or an infantry man.
"We do have naval architects coming to serve their reservist as their role as naval architects, because they studied in the subject. So, when the Navy wants to build a new ship, they call back our NSmen who are naval architects, so they serve in their role."
Dr Lim also wants Mindef to review its deferment and disruption policies, especially with many universities having different starting dates for their terms.
Dr Lim said: "There are many different universities now in Singapore, with the enrolment or the starting dates for their term different from one another.
"Our education scene has changed drastically, so must the SAF as well, in the sense that they have to keep up with times and look at approved universities, approved degrees. I think the list certainly should be expanded."
The GPC will also address concerns that children of new citizens or PRs may choose to give up their citizenship to evade National Service, after enjoying benefits such as subsidised education in Singapore.
Dr Lim said: "There have been some suggestions....(if) you are a PR and when you have a child that is going to serve NS, should we ask them to put in a bond. If your child refuses to do NS, then you forgo the bond."
Dr Lim hopes his fellow MPs would raise more questions during the debate in Parliament.