<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Modified NS for new citizens shouldn't be a productivity exercise
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I AGREE with Mr Xiao Fuchun that a two-year national service (NS) for adult naturalised citizens makes little sense ('NS for adult new citizens not practical', Aug 11), hence my suggestion of a shorter, modified NS in my letter, 'Make English and modified NS a must' (Aug 7), which would make NS for adult naturalised citizens practical, even if it requires careful planning.
My suggestion derives from a desire for greater integration of naturalised citizens in society. Any talk of making them pay a price for their new citizenship simply because 'many view NS as a liability borne by Singaporeans' is counter-productive. We must prevent modified NS from becoming simply an exercise in making some people 'do their duty'.
Mr Xiao rightly pointed out that the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) mission is to defend Singapore militarily. In the unfortunate event that Singapore finds itself engaged in military conflict, being one united people we must not ask ourselves, 'Why are naturalised Singaporeans not required to engage in combat?'
We should, instead, be concerned about how thousands (perhaps even tens of thousands) of our able-bodied men will defend their loved ones and their way of life without basic knowledge of rifle and hand-grenade use. Such knowledge does not require lengthy training. Moreover, do they really want to be defenceless like women, children and the elderly when they could easily be trained to take on an active defence role before the need arises?
The argument that those in their late 20s or older are not physically suited for infantry duty is a weak one. Many soldiers doing reservist duties are in their 30s.
NS is not limited to service in the SAF. It can also be done in the police or civil defence. Modified NS in the three forces would also help meet their manpower needs. No uniformed group can claim it currently has excess manpower.
If implemented, modified NS must be carried out so that it minimises disruption of participants' economically productive activities, just as in-camp training and mobilisation exercises are done without major interference with NSmen's work and family lives, whenever possible.
We should stop treating our adult naturalised citizens as mere productive units in the Singapore economic engine. Doing so is a waste of our limited, precious resources.
Michael Ang
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I AGREE with Mr Xiao Fuchun that a two-year national service (NS) for adult naturalised citizens makes little sense ('NS for adult new citizens not practical', Aug 11), hence my suggestion of a shorter, modified NS in my letter, 'Make English and modified NS a must' (Aug 7), which would make NS for adult naturalised citizens practical, even if it requires careful planning.
My suggestion derives from a desire for greater integration of naturalised citizens in society. Any talk of making them pay a price for their new citizenship simply because 'many view NS as a liability borne by Singaporeans' is counter-productive. We must prevent modified NS from becoming simply an exercise in making some people 'do their duty'.
Mr Xiao rightly pointed out that the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) mission is to defend Singapore militarily. In the unfortunate event that Singapore finds itself engaged in military conflict, being one united people we must not ask ourselves, 'Why are naturalised Singaporeans not required to engage in combat?'
We should, instead, be concerned about how thousands (perhaps even tens of thousands) of our able-bodied men will defend their loved ones and their way of life without basic knowledge of rifle and hand-grenade use. Such knowledge does not require lengthy training. Moreover, do they really want to be defenceless like women, children and the elderly when they could easily be trained to take on an active defence role before the need arises?
The argument that those in their late 20s or older are not physically suited for infantry duty is a weak one. Many soldiers doing reservist duties are in their 30s.
NS is not limited to service in the SAF. It can also be done in the police or civil defence. Modified NS in the three forces would also help meet their manpower needs. No uniformed group can claim it currently has excess manpower.
If implemented, modified NS must be carried out so that it minimises disruption of participants' economically productive activities, just as in-camp training and mobilisation exercises are done without major interference with NSmen's work and family lives, whenever possible.
We should stop treating our adult naturalised citizens as mere productive units in the Singapore economic engine. Doing so is a waste of our limited, precious resources.
Michael Ang
"Sam Leong" isn't a person. "Sam Leong" is an internet moniker. Credibility doesn't figure at all. 
