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The findings provide policymakers some food for thought and Dr Leong suggested that the authorities consider disallowing second-generation Permanent Residents (PRs) from renouncing their PR status to avoid serving NS. There should also be greater transparency in terms of the number of foreign-born citizens who has served NS, Dr Leong said.
He also felt that the issue of NS must be emphasised heavily in the PR-selection process so that the applicants will be fully aware of their obligations and rights upon receiving PR status.
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) had recently reiterated - in reply to readers' letters published in newspapers - that (NS) is "mandatory for PRs, just as it is for Singaporeans".
Those who renounce their PR status will face the "adverse consequences" when they subsequently apply to study or work in Singapore, it added.
It is understood that PRs who renounce their PR status would unlikely be granted PR again in Singapore and they would not be able to obtain a work visa here.
First-generation PRs who are able to contribute to Singapore economically immediately upon the grant of PR status are administratively exempted from NS, according to MINDEF.
Dr Leong, who presented his findings at an IPS seminar, reiterated during the seminar: "The hard truth is that NS imposes a great sacrifice not just on national servicemen but also on the families ... citizenship should come with some kind of privileges ... (but) it is then only fair that the (second-generation PRs) should contribute to Singapore by means of performing NS."
- http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120522-0000073/To-be-part-of-us,-your-sons-must-serve-NS
He also felt that the issue of NS must be emphasised heavily in the PR-selection process so that the applicants will be fully aware of their obligations and rights upon receiving PR status.
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) had recently reiterated - in reply to readers' letters published in newspapers - that (NS) is "mandatory for PRs, just as it is for Singaporeans".
Those who renounce their PR status will face the "adverse consequences" when they subsequently apply to study or work in Singapore, it added.
It is understood that PRs who renounce their PR status would unlikely be granted PR again in Singapore and they would not be able to obtain a work visa here.
First-generation PRs who are able to contribute to Singapore economically immediately upon the grant of PR status are administratively exempted from NS, according to MINDEF.
Dr Leong, who presented his findings at an IPS seminar, reiterated during the seminar: "The hard truth is that NS imposes a great sacrifice not just on national servicemen but also on the families ... citizenship should come with some kind of privileges ... (but) it is then only fair that the (second-generation PRs) should contribute to Singapore by means of performing NS."
- http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120522-0000073/To-be-part-of-us,-your-sons-must-serve-NS
