http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4470-sdp-proposes-alternative-ns-policy-
SDP proposes alternative NS policy
Wednesday, 05 January 2011
Singapore Democrats
National Service (NS), or army conscription in Singapore, was first introduced in 1967 due to pressing issues such as national security after Singapore's "forced" independence in 1965. In 1971, the British completely pulled out of Singapore. It has been 41 years since the introduction of NS.
Since then the world and Asia has changed significantly in terms of security and economic arrangements. But has Singapore's conscription policy kept up with these changes to reflect and cope with the new geopolitical landscape?
First let us review the service that all able-bodied 18-year-old male Singaporeans have to undergo. Basic Military Training, or BMT, is the "boot camp" for all new recruits. This lasts for three months whereupon the soldier then gets posted out to other units for further specialised training.
The conscripts then serve the remainder of their two-year stint polishing up their combat skills. Following the two years of full-time service, NSmen are required (for up to 40 days a year) to serve in a part-tme capacity until they are 50 years old for commissioned officers and 40 for others.
SDP's solutions:
The PAP's NS policy is outmoded and does not serve the interests of Singapore and the people. The Singapore Democrats propose reforming the system in the following ways:
Reduce the two-year full-time service
In an age where warfare has turned to "smart" technology, is it still logical and necessary for Singapore to insist that its National Servicemen undergo 24 months of active, full-time service? Such a policy is rare among countries that maintain a conscription policy.
On the right is a list of countries with periods of full-time conscript service. The overwhelming majority of the conscription systems limit their length of services to no more than 12 months. The more advanced countries like Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland all have full-time services that are less than one year.
Given the situation in Singapore there is no reason why we cannot employ more efficient training methods and reduce full-time NS from the present two years to twelve months or less.
At the moment, NSmen are exploited for their services to glorify the PAP during National Day parades. The energy and time of these men can be put to more productive use in the real economy than as entertainment for the PAP regime.
In addition they are exploited as cheap labour filling posts such as police officers, firefighters and extra-hands during big events. It must be remembered that the Enlistment Act was enacted for a specific purpose and any detraction from that purpose must be rejected.
Expand professional army
To compensate for the decrease in the number of active and reservist NSmen, the Singapore Armed Forces should expand a professional army recruitment to complement the reduction in the number of conscripts.
Reduce reservist training
The current period of reservist training is a burden on the servicemen and, by extension, the economy. In addition, reservists have to contend with migrant workers in terms of remuneration and promotion when employers compare local men who have to be away for weeks in anyone year to foreign workers who have no such obligation. This unfair competition takes place at a time when men settle down and start families in their 30s. Job stability and career prospects are essential during this period.
To minimise this problem the span of a serviceman's reservist training should not go beyond the age of 30.
In addition, the human body goes into decline after the age of 30. To maintain the military in top condition, it makes little sense to keep men over the age of 30 in the frontline. The period of Operationally-Ready NS training cycles should be cut to five instead of the current ten.
Allow for conscientious objectors
What about people who do not believe in military service due to moral, religious or ethical grounds? At the moment such conscientious objectors are charged and imprisoned for the length of their service.
In some of the countries that have compulsory military service, there is also a provision for conscientious objectors to serve in non-combat roles. There is an argument that this would open the flood gates for men to opt for non-combat positions. Such a loophole can be plugged by increasing the length of active service by, say, six months. The experiences of other countries like Germany and Sweden have not been negative in this aspect where males try to avoid combat service by claiming to be conscientious objectors.
NSmen in National Day Parades: For whose benefit?
Be transparent
Obligation in Singapore seems to be a one-way street. While the Government holds the people accountable for their NS liabilities, the Ministry of Defence remains non-transparent and non-accountable in their dealings with the public.
Training fatalities and injuries of NSmen are not made known to the public as a matter-of-course. The Government which compels the people to give their lives for the country are obliged to be absolutely transparent with information pertaining to safety issues. Compensation for deaths and injuries must also be reviewed and revised upwards.
Improve diplomacy and foreign relations
In order for Singapore to reduce the chances of armed conflict with other countries, we need to improve our foreign relations and diplomatic skills. The recent revelations by Wikileaks where our senior diplomatic officials made disparaging remarks against our closest neighbours are not the way forward.
We must embark on an enlightened foreign policy approach where we work with our ASEAN neighbours instead of treating them with disdain. Instead of practising one-upmanship, a new approach must be adopted. This should include signing treatises and conducting military exercises with the ultimate aim of forming a regional defence force.
Such a move will also address the problem of discrimination against Singaporeans who are Muslims. Building up trust and confidence with our Malay-Muslim neighbours in areas of military defence will eliminate this problem as we work towards a peaceful and friendly co-existence instead of the suspicious and hostile atmosphere that currently exists.
Such an approach will also help us reduce our defence budget which is more than $11 billion, or 25 percent of our national budget. A reduction in military spending will allow us to divert more resources to other areas such as healthcare and other aid for the elderly and poor.
Conclusion
The SDP's alternative NS policy will go a long way to address the many problems that currently burden Singaporean males and their families. It is forward looking and sensible. Most important it will afford our country continued security as well as sustainable progress that this country needs.
