Re: s'pore gahment intimidated Sam Leong's son to serve NS
Comments
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Robert Woolley17 hours ago
Training to kill is unnecessary for everyone.
But, if you want to visit Singapore, that is what you must do.
Personally I'd be staying here. One country you can't visit is not much of a price to pay for two years of life
+1
Loobeedoo17 hours ago
I'd probably just pay the S$10,000.00
+6
EJane17 hours ago
Just pay the fine and dont enter Singapore.. seems easy enough. whats $10k!
-11
Kiwis Yeah18 hours ago
Yes, it's easy to say do it, but Syrian men, in fact over 3.2 million of them have escaped that exact duty over the past year. We were used to seeing refugees as women and children. Now they're they're strong young men running away from their duty to fight for their country. And wait, isn't it in their countries where women are the oppressed? So, what are all the young men doing everywhere posing as refugees? They're cowards. They leave their most vulnerable people, women and children to face the fray, while they escape and live in first world luxury! I say send them back and Syria grow sone Singaporean backbone where your young men are concerned!
-7
Cat Smith18 hours ago
Go and do it, I personally think it should be compulsory here for any student leaving school 16 yrs and up, its character building, gives you discipline and sometimes a career in the army I loved my 3 yrs in the army, they were the best ever
-16
Avon19 hours ago
I would do it, because it is good to have the choice of two countries to live in.
+4
WinstonSmith19 hours ago
Just do it. It'll be good for you.
+5
cjmax19 hours ago
Just do it - I have a friend who did his service in Singapore and it's character-build*ing stuff. Don't be a wuss!
3 replies-6
DeviousXP8418 hours ago
so I take it you are in the NZ army? or by your own standards, are you a wuss?
+5
CrMags18 hours ago
never done mandatory service, have you?
+5
SmileyFace18 hours ago
What an opportunity to add such a positive character experience to you CV! As an employer that sort of thing is looked at as being very much a plus in your favour.
-2
Prestige19 hours ago
Citizenship has a price.
+46
Blackword19 hours ago
Conscription has no place in a modern democracy period. Its also a shame the media have to get involved before anything seems to happen in this country as well.
2 replies-2
free_kenny18 hours ago
No - conscription has a place in Singapore. Just because you don't understand that that doesn't make your 'opinion' right - or worth paying attention to.
Next.
.
+8
rouppe18 hours ago
It's a shame everyone runs off to the media and blames John Key every time they stub their toe
+10
Blackbeard19 hours ago
This been standard procedure for decades. I was born in Singapore, and the sole reason that I didn't apply for dual-citizenshi*p was because of the military service. Stupidity/ignor*ance is not a valid excuse. Did he really think that dual-citizenshi*p didn't come at a cost?
3 replies+27
Lethologica18 hours ago
Did you even read the article? It said he was born there and came here later on. Under Singaporean law he can't relinquish his Singaporean citizenship til he's 21.
+22
Ascii Gill18 hours ago
I don't think he got to apply or not.
+7
Pauline117 hours ago
Maybe his parents made the decision for him? After all, he was only a young child when the family left Singapore.
+10
Richard Hilson19 hours ago
Im an ex serviceman that served in Singapore and married a local - my son was born in Singapore and lived only 10 weeks of his life in Singapore - he made the choice to return to Singapore and undertake his national service - it wasn't easy- food culture and temperature but he made it - was in the MPs and became a celebrity when prince William visited - there is a way through this if your son wants to avoid NS - talk to the correct person - if your son has a Singapore Passport then he is already benefiting from Singapore - time to chose - you cant have your cake and eat it I'm afraid - my sin is attending University in Hamilton if you need to hear what it was like-
1 reply+44
JohnZ.Smith18 hours ago
We hereby absolve you of your sin - although attending Hamilton university isn't too bad a crime!
+13
Keast20 hours ago
Go , do your duty so that others have the same freedom you have had. You are getting off lightly compared to people of my era. Your parents clearly knew the obiligations you would face. Be a man and be proud, you will learn a lot... also like me make some lifetime friends.
3 replies+1
DeviousXP8418 hours ago
no, why should he waste 2 years of his life in an errelevant army like Singapore if he doesn't want to?
-7
joelio2118 hours ago
You can't be serious. Do your duty so that others can have the same freedom you've had? You do realise that Singapore is a dictatorship?
0
doogalharp17 hours ago
In a country he has no association with nor can speak the language! remember he has tried to have his Singapore citizenship cancelled, and they won't let him. I have served both here and overseas so I know what I'm talking about! I also respect you for you doing your service, But it's not for everyone! conscription in a foreign country is NOT fulfilling an Obligation!
+12
smee20 hours ago
Seems fair enough.. those are the rules, so make a choice. Either do your national duty, or choose to separate yourself from singapore and be a full NZ'ers and never go back there... NO point complaining about this, as im positive the government isn't going to hand you over to singapore...
1 reply-13
Tepiphormi18 hours ago
In the article it says he can't relinquish his Singapore citizenship until he's 21 so he doesn't have this choice.
+13
Simon201520 hours ago
McCully could just ask John Key, because if I have my facts correct, John Key's son was born there too and he has not done the national service...how did he avoid being called up.
7 replies-2
macknz20 hours ago
The fact that you obviously missed is that Brandon Smith has dual NZ/ Singaporean citizenship. If I have my facts correct, John's Keys son, Max, does not!
+21
Honcho19 hours ago
If Max doesn't have citizenship then he will never get drafted into service.
+12
whitel11119 hours ago
Because John Keys son isn't a Singaporean citizen. For god sake you people with your conspiracy theories.
+33
janine2419 hours ago
I think that would be fairly obvious...Max will be a NZ citizen and not have dual nationality.
+15
MAJ2219 hours ago
Maybe because he isn't a Singaporean citizen????
+10
sarlou19 hours ago
Brandon is Singaporean because his mother is, not just because he was born there.
+8
Budgie Smuggla19 hours ago
Lack of critical thinking backed up by nasty personal politics. Way to show class.
+3
Greensalt20 hours ago
Easy join the NZ Army and serve this country!
+8
Troppo20 hours ago
Singapore will present him more opportunities in the future. Low taxation as well. Apart from discipline, the two years of service will give him time to mature. He will regret not taking the opportunity and advantage of Singaporean citizenship when he is older. I have effectively turned my back on NZ citizenship in favour of two other citizenships I hold. I have no regrets.
-5
bobbejaan20 hours ago
It's only two years son..join the medical corp and get some life long skills out of it (and dual nationality can be very handy)
+6
Keast20 hours ago
Be a man and do your time. I did two years NS followed by five years on active reserve which meant no annual holiday for me. This was due to the Korean War also the Russian threat know as the Cold War , we did this so that people like you have the life and freedom you have today, I also made some lifelong friendships and took every opportunity to see and learn something new. It was not a holiday ,we lived close to death which is in the nature of serving so that future generations enjoy the benefits you have had. Your parents knew the obligations that you would one day face, so stand up be proud and do your duty.
1 reply-1
joelio2118 hours ago
Explain how exactly it's his "duty" to serve in the army of a country that's not free, not particularly democratic, and that he hasn't even lived in since he was 8?
+10
Patchie120 hours ago
Go back and do the service. It will be an adventure!
1 reply+2
SmileyFace19 hours ago
OE of sorts
+1
cricket220 hours ago
Can't see the problem. Give the Singapore govt the one finger salute and never go there. Once he turns 21 cancel his dual citizenship. But make sure there is no travel barrier left before he would even think about going there. I wouldn't trust them
1 reply+11
free_kenny18 hours ago
Why wouldn't you trust them?
Singapore ranks very highly in many of the various measures of quality of life etc . . . it's a great place.
I wouldn't trust someone who took advantage of another - then when called on to do something in return, they gave 'the one fingered salute'. I guess I have principles.
.
+11
Gypsyssilver20 hours ago
Well, it looks like his choices are down to "do the service" or "never visit Singapore".
I'd go with "never visiting Singapore", myself.
If I decided I'd like to be able to travel to Singapore later in life (unlikely), then I'd go, but do the most half-assed job possible.
+20
sheepchaser20 hours ago
I would just pay the 10 grand fine. This would be cheaper than paying 2 years rent in Singers
+40
AZMENOW20 hours ago
I too face the same predicament as my son must serve NS when the time comes and I have to accept that it is the condition of his citizenship.
There are advantages though for being a Singapore citizen. You get generous subsidies for housing, employment and benefits. The country is wealthy, salaries are generally high for most professional sectors, jobs are plenty and taxes are low.
The Singapore army is quite professional and uses highly specialized weapons and technology. You may get to serve is all kinds of capacity and even get promoted to be an officer. Furthermore you won't be alone, there would be others like you - children of dual citizens, children of permanent residents who also serve alongside citizens. So far you haven't quite heard negative experiences from them about the army have you? They would have blog about it by now but it hasn't happened. Many youths have come back with positive experience about the army and their time and friendships with their comrades.
+36
madmmc20 hours ago
Has the family even done any research into how to deal with it if he doea end up over there? There are plenty of soldiers in his situation so he wont be an "outsider" and foreign inlistees generally tend board together to save costs. Also the language wont as bigger issue as he thinks as english is taught as a second language in most schools over there. And chinese isnt a language
4 replies+3
alexikakon20 hours ago
On the contary, English is the first language of Singaporeans. The country has a bilingual policy where people have to learn their heritage language (Mandarin, Malay, Tamil) as a second language.
1 reply+28
madmmc20 hours ago
My bad, i had an associate that was in this situation a few years ago so was going on what he told me. while he didnt want to he did it and had a blast. It was tight with $$$ but he got by with the other foriegners there
+9
Jonman20 hours ago
When you're a conscripted soldier, you are not allowed to live off-base. You are housed in the barracks and fed in the mess-hall. Doesn't cost a cent.
1 reply+2
madmmc19 hours ago
My associate did but this was a couple of years ago now
0
thebigcat20 hours ago
The only way a male Singaporean citizen can legally avoid NS is if he
1) has another citizenship before the age of 11
2) informs Mindef of his intention to renounce Singaporean citizenship and applies for the necessary exit permits from the age of 13 and obtains deferment at 18
3) does not use or benefit from Singaporean citizenship after 11
4) finally renounces Singaporean citizenship at 21
1) This is a very important point that is often missed. The child must be a citizen of another country before 11, whether by being born there, or having a parent from that country, or by naturalization before 11. Permanent residence/ green card etc. is not citizenship.
Crux of it is, that his parents have had a shocker
+20
JonBrooks20 hours ago
Umm, just don't go there! Wait another couple of years and then give up Singapore citizenship. What's the issue?
1 reply+7
albert 18 hours ago
you obviously does not know how sgp govt works. do you think they'll allow absconders renounce their citizenship?
+1
Karlmann20 hours ago
It happens all the time to dual citizens. I knew one guy who disappeared from Uni for 2 years after taking his regularly holidays, got caught in Sweden and decided to take it on the nose and do his 2 years and then bolt back to NZ.
+19
John Day21 hours ago
Its hard, me I would go but not speak a word of Malay and not react to anything not spoken in English
7 replies-25
Jimminy Crikey20 hours ago
Apparently you know very little about military if you think you'd show them.
2 replies+36
John Day19 hours ago
Is that a fact 11 years Royal Navy. I'd still go and if you don't speak the language you or if little use to them.
0
Avon19 hours ago
Oh there you go Jimminy talking yourself up again.
-2
JohnZ.Smith20 hours ago
... Which would quickly escalate to a charge of wilful disobedience and land you in military prison.
Yeah Nah
+8
Taught19 hours ago
Thats good, English is the national language of Singapore. Lol the ignorance of commentators is astounding.
1 reply+14
albert 18 hours ago
correction. english is the first language in sgp. malay is the national language.
+3
James Lomax19 hours ago
in Singapore they speak English as their first language... so no language barrier
+10
Ruz21 hours ago
He just needs to give up his Singaporean citizenship.. If he wants to keep it then he has to meet his military service obligations.
4 replies-5
Pauline120 hours ago
He's 19 and according to the article he can't renounce his Singaporean citizenship until he is 21, by which time he'll already have broken Singaporean law by avoiding his military service. Unless McCully can talk sense into the Singaporean authorities the only solution is to avoid going to Singapore - unfortunate but do-able, I would have thought..
+11
Phil0120 hours ago
Read it- cannot do that until he is 21
+12
meryl20 hours ago
If you read the article, it says "Under Singaporean law, Brandon cannot relinquish his citizenship until he is 21 years old."
+7
Apple pie19 hours ago
He can't give it up til he's 21
+4
alexikakon21 hours ago
My sympathies, Brandon, but the Singapore government will never budge so tough luck. On the bright side, you won't be the only foreigner in the army - there are plenty of children with American, British, Filipino, China etc heritage serving in the Singapore army so just bite the bullet and move on. You may be Kiwi but stop denying your mother's heritage just so you can get a pass. It'll certainly be "difficult" but that's life.
2 replies+10
thebigcat20 hours ago
plus, Brandon, I work with a guy that trades currencies & then moonlights as a tank driver. Pretty sweet
1 reply+5
SmileyFace19 hours ago
Most young people do an OE before settling into life as we know it - just treat this as your OE albeit a bit less enjoyable than most. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
+2
BennyT21 hours ago
Go for it McCully. Make sure Brandon remains in NZ. His Dad served this country with the NZDF. Now it's our (NZ's) turn to serve the Smiths.
+6
marshmallow21 hours ago
The perils of holding dual citizenship. This is not a unique story and also happens to young korean men living and working in nz since childhood
+25
Molotov21 hours ago
Not sure what the problem is. Do the crime, do the time. Simple really if you think about it.
3 replies-49
Jmas20 hours ago
What crime are we speaking of?
1 reply+30
kjnz19 hours ago
The "crime" of being a Singaporean citizen.
-5
ArtSchoolRunaway20 hours ago
What crime has he allegedly done?!
+25
Victoria1366121 hours ago
My husband is a dual Italian citizen and was called up for national service in Italy when he was 18. He was granted an exemption on the grounds that he was also a New Zealand citizen. But they said that if he stepped foot in Italy before he turned 27, then he would be an Italian citizen on Italian soil and would have to do the compulsory service.
2 replies+29
Jonman20 hours ago
Italy scrapped all military conscription in 2000, so that's all long gone now.
1 reply+8
Victoria1366119 hours ago
My husband is old so this was a while ago!
+9
Shayne Bouda21 hours ago
OK to the people who keep saying "give up your citizenship" need to actually read the story. They have tried but have been denied (although his younger brother was accepted) until he is 21...
1 reply+27
Mr. Scooter19 hours ago
Apparently he renounced his citizenship before he was 18.
0
Julian21 hours ago
What a ridiculous country. They do love their rules. The answer is to never go to Singapore again. No great loss.
5 replies-15
Phil0120 hours ago
You obviously haven't been there. A great country which many NZer's could learn a lot from
4 replies+29
flugel19 hours ago
Yes, it is a better country than New Zealand these days. Laws may seem tough to weak kneed Kiwis, but they are made so that everyone pulls their weight, and consider other citizens. I would live there if i had the money to do it.
+4
Club Soda19 hours ago
I used to live in Singapore and I think your comment is a little far fetched. Many good things about Singapore, but there are also very good reasons that over half the population (under 40) are trying to leave.
+11
flugel18 hours ago
club soda. I think your article is the far fetched one. What proof do you have that half the population under 40 want to leave?
I also lived in Singapore, when it was becoming it's own Nation.
+1
Loobeedoo17 hours ago
Eh, I've been a couple of times - could take it or leave it. Pretty westernised and overpriced really. Better to go to Malaysia and get a more authentic experience.
+3
ummmmm...what?21 hours ago
A number of countries expect their citizens to do military service, you don't get a free pass just because you left. Never know, you might find some skills in there. At least you'll be buff at the end of it
+9
JmannGod21 hours ago
guess he has a decision to make then.
+4
grubmuncher21 hours ago
who cares. self entitled young people
3 replies-30
Rachael Croton20 hours ago
self entitled because he doesn't want to be in the army? Don't think you'd like it if you were told you had to join the armed services or do a job you didn't want to do! Geez
+6
kiwi_in_vegas20 hours ago
self entitled??!!! where did that come from in this article??
+7
Avon19 hours ago
How dare he? However it may be a good experience and he will learn more about his other country.
-2
Kane Gooi21 hours ago
Part of the obligation of being a Singaporean citizen is National service. As he holds dual nationality, it is his responsibility to do his service.
+8
J Edgar21 hours ago
Send him back to face up to his responsibilitie*s in his birth country.
Make a man out of him. Many Kiwis joined our army specifically to go to Singapore.
-16
Tipperlee21 hours ago
This is one of those stories that only tells one side. In this case it is the side of the boy not wanting to serve in Singapore. The other side of the story is that his father was in the NZ Air Force and married a Singaporean. I am making an assumption here that he was serving with the NZ forces in Singapore at the time he married and at the time of Brandons birth. This being the case the father would have known that his son would be required to serve in the Singapore National Service when he reached 18 years old. So the question has to be asked....why did he choose the option of duel citizenship for his son. If the mother being Singaporean made it compulsory then the Air force would have helped bring them back to NZ for the birth so he could have been registered as an NZ citizen only. It would have appeared to be the fault of the parents here and the father should have known better. My late husband was posted to Singapore and we went as a family and many NZ children were born there. They do not have duel citizenship including those friend who married Singaporean women and had children while serving in Singapore. This is one of those poor me stories and while i feel for Brandon since he had no say in the matter, the parents need to step up and take responsibility for their poor choice.
5 replies+31
alexikakon20 hours ago
Precisely. They as parents did not do their due diligence.
+15
Rachael Croton20 hours ago
If you read the story they did do what they had to for their other son to not do his service and it was granted but the Singapore officials will not do the same for Brandon. They have not been slack, just this time it has not been granted.
2 replies+2
Locals 18 hours ago
It may be his younger brother was born in NZ
+1
Tipperlee17 hours ago
If you had read my post you would have noted that the parents would have known at the time the child's birth was registered as a dual citizen that he would have to do his National Service at the age of 18. I was there. I lived in Singapore. I had friends who had children in Singapore who were registered as NZ citizens including children born to one NZ parent and one Singaporean parent. The father was slack. As a serving defence force personnel he would have known the consequences of dual citizenship just as we did. It was part of the information package given on posting.
+6
A boo hoo20 hours ago
I agree. They knew this was coming. I torn tho... I think he has to do his service but it is essentially a foreign country to him (I'm assuming he hasnt been back). The $$ worries me too. I'm sure they will work it out.
+4
BrentB21 hours ago
He's young...look upon this as a great adventure....yo*u never know what opportunities might open up as a result. Be a glass half full person and not a whinger!
2 replies-9
BennyT21 hours ago
You're kidding right? I don't see a whinger... I see a family that wants to remain so for a while longer. Don't be so judgemental. He's a kiwi, and we must stand up our own.
1 reply+5
Mr. Scooter18 hours ago
He is also Singaporean, he has his mothers heritage and dual citizenship. He has the duty and obligation to do his national service in Singapore.
+3
TheWhiteZone21 hours ago
That's rough.
I'd probably get as fit as I reasonably could, as a preparation, then just bite the bullet and "do the time", hoping to learn something from it, maybe make some friends.
I'm pretty sure the family will be prepared to help out with accommodation costs if the allowance proves inadequate. Heck, I would. (I'd probably go for fairly frequent visits, too, if I was his dad.)
-1
WhyTakere21 hours ago
Duh? denounce Singaporean Citizenship as it should be for all New Citizens of NZ/Aotearoa. Or remain a Resident only, a guest.
4 replies-22
JMcP21 hours ago
the article says he can not do that till he is 21
1 reply+13
WhyTakere20 hours ago
He can have his request officially recognised by an NZ official/lawyer that he intends to do so as soon as possible by then if not sooner. Consequences are things that can be learned from this matter of dual citizenship, being a citizen of just one nation should be enough for anyone.
+3
G H21 hours ago
Perhaps you mean Renounce as in Formally declare one's abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession).
Rather than Denounce which means inform against.
+7
i21 hours ago
the article said he could not relinquish his Citizenship under Singaporean law until he is 21.
+6
Bennytheboy21 hours ago
Can you choose the $10k fine and move on?
1 reply+7
working class20 hours ago
shouldn't have to do that either. Its essentially a bribe
-1
Chumpnut21 hours ago
Give up your Singapore citizenship then. Problem solved. Don't take the benefits without the responsibilitie*s.
11 replies-16
Ammar21 hours ago
As the article says, he's not entitled to give up Singapore citizenship until he turns 21.
+9
Shayne Bouda21 hours ago
did you read the story? they have tried but got denied until he's 21...
+9
Aimee Zeki21 hours ago
If you read the story again he can not give up his citizenship till he is 21
+10
Club Soda21 hours ago
What benefits are these? He has lived in New Zealand most of his life!
+11
Gerbs21 hours ago
RTFA, mate. Can't do that until he's 21
+12
i21 hours ago
Read the article properly, he can't.
+7
Common_sense21 hours ago
Read the article
+6
wellingtonrower21 hours ago
It says in the article that he cannot give up his citizenship there until he is 21.
+6
djtaylor21 hours ago
Wow. Did you even read the article? He can't until he is 21.
+6
TabloidValues21 hours ago
Read the article. It reads "Under Singaporean law Brandon cannot relinquish his citizenship until he is 21 years old."
+7
Scott C21 hours ago
He can't until he's 21, as clearly stated in the article.
+7
Peakyblinder21 hours ago
just go back n do it mate. we all do things sometimes n our life that we don't want to. Stop trying to get a hall pass
3 replies-13
FarCough21 hours ago
easy for you to say
+9
Tristan.l21 hours ago
Okay, give up your life and serve 2 years in a pointless foreign army seeing as how it's no big deal to you.
Nobody would give up 2 years of their life without purpose unless they're stupid.
1 reply+9
SmileyFace17 hours ago
That's why it's called National Service the purpose is you are doing something for your country ... in this case the country you were born AND have citizenship.
+2
Rastas21 hours ago
Learn the law of both countries before going dual citizenship.
You're happy to take the good but not the bad.
6 replies-10
Arniem21 hours ago
Did he or his parents do the duel citizenship thing. Seems a waste of time & money.
+3
Ammar21 hours ago
He was 8 when he left Singapore.
+9
Tristan.l21 hours ago
Because the 8 year old had full control of the situation right?
2 replies+14
Avon19 hours ago
A lawyer in this field may get around it based on his not being able to give consent.
+2
Mr. Scooter17 hours ago
The poster below this reply that I am unable to reply to, says a lawyer may be able to get him off by him not being able to give consent because of his age. Sure he may but it will cost him a lot more than the $10,000 fine he would have to pay, probably two or three times the $10,000. Lawyers don't do anything for free and seeing as it is across national boundaries the New Zealand lawyer would need to be competent in Singaporean law or engage a Singaporean lawyer which would ramp the price up exponentially. Be a man and do the national service or stump up the $10,000NZ.
0
joelio2118 hours ago
He didn't "go for dual citizenship". He didn't choose to be born there! Read the article, it clearly says he can't renounce it until he's 21.
+2
whitel11121 hours ago
So just don't return to singapore until you are 21 and can renounce your citizenship?
4 replies-2
MichelleSt21 hours ago
It's not that simple; What if a plane he is traveling on at some point the future diverts to Singapore? He'll be arrested at the border.
2 replies+22
Club Soda21 hours ago
He can't just avoid that for two years?
-2
Gillian19 hours ago
presumably he wouldn't even be able to transit through Changi
+2
PedantRupert21 hours ago
The offence will have been committed and even if you then renounce, they will arrest you when you enter the country to renounce; or even if you can do it from offshore they'll arrest you as a foreigner when you do return. Foreigners get arrested all the time if they broke the law, so there may be no way out other than never to enter Singapore
+7
Rusty142021 hours ago
That's harsh, I don't know about it, but I'm sure you couldn't serve 2 countries? What would happen if he joined Territorials or something here in NZ?
2 replies+2
Julian21 hours ago
What happens if Singapore invades NZ?
1 reply-6
Solafefu20 hours ago
Asking the important questions julian, great stuff. He would have to fight himself idk
+7
MSG21 hours ago
Pretty bizarre really but he might have a way out if they have an IQ test. "Brandon said he does not speak Chinese" . Well Brandon I doubt very few in the Singapore army do either given the majority of people in Singapore speak English or Malay.
9 replies+4
MichelleSt21 hours ago
Especially given Chinese is not a language.
+26
Vorticity21 hours ago
Malay is a minority language in Singapore.
+3
AltaVista21 hours ago
The official languages amongst Singaporeans are English (80% literacy), Mandarin (65% literacy), Malay (17% literacy), and Tamil (4% literacy).
+13
Tipperlee21 hours ago
Wrong. The majority speak Cantonese or Mandarin. Having recently been to Singapore and staying with Singaporean friends I heard very little English spoken on the MRT or in the street or food halls.
2 replies-6
alexikakon20 hours ago
As a former Singapore resident I can tell you that's false. Most Singaporeans speak English.
+19
Tipperlee17 hours ago
alexikakon I can tell you that as a former resident myself there is very little English spoken in public. Everyone must learn English and must be capable of speaking it but they do not have to use it. In two weeks in Singapore a year ago the only English I heard was from tourists or shop staff when serving tourists or non Singaporeans.
+1
TabloidValues21 hours ago
What is the lingua franca for the Singapore army?
2 replies+1
Richard Hilson19 hours ago
Malay commands - communication in English
+5
Avon19 hours ago
So if he cannot speak Malay would that exclude him?
0
Watch Dog21 hours ago
Other dual citizenship holders have done their duty instead of moaning. There are also others who have given up their citizenship because they want to avoid National Service. Just give up the Singapore citizenship if you don't want to do your duty .
3 replies-37
PedantRupert21 hours ago
Read. He can't until he is 21, by which time the offence has been committed.
+37
MichelleSt21 hours ago
He can't. Did you even read the story?
+26
neiljamison21 hours ago
I agree with the first part of your comment, but read and comprehend the entire article before commenting, he cannot relinquish his citizenship until he is 21 years old, he is 19 now.
+9
