I guess big Leonard's case has generated a lot of interest. Here are some pointers.
1. These cases are not rare, it is actually common but someone must have tipped off the press in this case.
2. The demographic profile of defaulters have not changed for decades - usually upper middle class and upwards. Usually families that want the best of both Worlds and think that they can get away with it. We are not talking about genuine emmigrants who have decided to make a new life in a new country.
3. There are many who have lost life and limb serving NS. Surely a fine for defaulters makes evasion a laughing stock and an insult to those who sacrificed 2 years and even more for those were injured or lost their lives during NS.
4. Jail sentences for defaulters are not based on rehabilitation. Its punitive. Eveyone knows that those who serve NS at a later age are never going to be given the full treatment like those in the younger cohort.
5. Lastly nobody in his right mind will volunteer for NS. The thought that people who serve NS do so with relish is truly misplaced. The majority who do NS make the best of the situation. Many understand the need for it but thats different from volunteering for it.
6. Lack of transparency on the part of Mindef and Govt has allowed those with priviliges to abuse the system for personal gain. The most famous case is Tony Tan's son when the father was Minister for Defence. I am sure that there are many others like him. The second case is that of pianist Melvyn Tan where select elites lobbied the AG. If the idiot did not talk to press, most Singaporeans would not have a clue that a select few were getting away with it. Prof Bernard Tan of NUS led the lobby group.
7. The white horse system was a clear case of abuse of privileges. The fact that a Minister of State can clearly lie in parliament shows how this govt treats certain segments of society and are prepared to lie about it.
8. As in Leonard's see the abuse continues. Both sons are in defaulters list yet he serves on Govt boards. The DPP in this case did not challenge the claim that the father was not aware of his sons' obligations despite the fact that Mindef Provost routinely raids homes of defaulters. Over the years the father's home has been raided a number of times. ( I have checked on this). The son's claim that he was not aware until he wanted to visit his ailing grandfather is bullshit. All the DPP had to do was put foward the dates of the raids over the years. For those who are not aware, the raids are not just a knock on the door. The raiding party will go thru the whole house. The teams are famous for raiding on the eve of Chinese New Year for obvious reasons.
We all need to open our eyes to see how a small group can manipulate the system. By the way Partrick Tan never served his remaining NS obligation in uniform or in an army camp. And yet the father is President.
1. These cases are not rare, it is actually common but someone must have tipped off the press in this case.
2. The demographic profile of defaulters have not changed for decades - usually upper middle class and upwards. Usually families that want the best of both Worlds and think that they can get away with it. We are not talking about genuine emmigrants who have decided to make a new life in a new country.
3. There are many who have lost life and limb serving NS. Surely a fine for defaulters makes evasion a laughing stock and an insult to those who sacrificed 2 years and even more for those were injured or lost their lives during NS.
4. Jail sentences for defaulters are not based on rehabilitation. Its punitive. Eveyone knows that those who serve NS at a later age are never going to be given the full treatment like those in the younger cohort.
5. Lastly nobody in his right mind will volunteer for NS. The thought that people who serve NS do so with relish is truly misplaced. The majority who do NS make the best of the situation. Many understand the need for it but thats different from volunteering for it.
6. Lack of transparency on the part of Mindef and Govt has allowed those with priviliges to abuse the system for personal gain. The most famous case is Tony Tan's son when the father was Minister for Defence. I am sure that there are many others like him. The second case is that of pianist Melvyn Tan where select elites lobbied the AG. If the idiot did not talk to press, most Singaporeans would not have a clue that a select few were getting away with it. Prof Bernard Tan of NUS led the lobby group.
7. The white horse system was a clear case of abuse of privileges. The fact that a Minister of State can clearly lie in parliament shows how this govt treats certain segments of society and are prepared to lie about it.
8. As in Leonard's see the abuse continues. Both sons are in defaulters list yet he serves on Govt boards. The DPP in this case did not challenge the claim that the father was not aware of his sons' obligations despite the fact that Mindef Provost routinely raids homes of defaulters. Over the years the father's home has been raided a number of times. ( I have checked on this). The son's claim that he was not aware until he wanted to visit his ailing grandfather is bullshit. All the DPP had to do was put foward the dates of the raids over the years. For those who are not aware, the raids are not just a knock on the door. The raiding party will go thru the whole house. The teams are famous for raiding on the eve of Chinese New Year for obvious reasons.
We all need to open our eyes to see how a small group can manipulate the system. By the way Partrick Tan never served his remaining NS obligation in uniform or in an army camp. And yet the father is President.
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