On National Service: The Hypocrisy of Tony Tan. Abuse of Power?

makapaaa

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Joined
Jul 24, 2008
Messages
33,627
Points
0
[TABLE="class: forumline"]
<TBODY>[TR]
[TD="class: row1, width: 150"]rat28



Joined: 01 Jul 2004
Posts: 1007

[/TD]
[TD="class: row1, width: 100%"]

<TBODY>
[TD="width: 100%"] Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 1:35 am Post subject: On National Service: The Hypocrisy of Tony Tan [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"]
[/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"] On National Service: The Hypocrisy of Tony Tan

The blatant hypocrisy of Tony Tan...

His son serving his remaining two years in a non-uniformed role as researcher in DMERI does not qualify as NS.

One of the criteria of disruption for an NSF seeking disruption is that he must show potential to be an officer. To this end, the disrupted personel will return and is expected to complete OCS from where he last stopped his training before his disruption from NS.

It begs the question as to why Patrick Tan did not complete the remaining 6 months of his OCS training. This is since the potential to be an officer is one prerequisite for disruption. And with that, the expectation is that you should continue with OCS training after returning from studies and not merely sail into a non-uniformed and physically non-onerous job.

Tony Tan owes a reponsibility to all past, present and future National Servicemen and their parents to show how his son's treatment is, in his own words used 15 years ago in Perth, "fair" and "equitable".

******************

"KNOW WHAT NS REQUIREMENTS ARE BEFORE MIGRATING".
147th Prostitute Press
21 October 1996

IF YOU plan to emigrate from Singapore, please familiarise yourself with the national-service requirements of your sons.

Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan made this appeal in response to a question from the floor during a dinner hosted by the Temasek Club here on Saturday.

A member of the 200-strong club, which is made up of Singaporeans and former citizens who live here, asked about national service for Singaporean boys who have emigrated here with their families.

The minister said he appreciated their concerns, but "national service is, we believe, fundamental to Singapore's survival".

If the boys left the country before they reached 11 years of age, they could renounce their citizenship when they turned 21 and could visit Singapore as a foreigner.

If they left after the age of 11, they would have to return to Singapore later for national service of between two and 2-1/2 years.

Dr Tan said: "We take the view that they have enjoyed some of the benefits of living in Singapore, and so have to fulfil their NS responsibilities before they can renounce their citizenship."

He added: "Singapore does not recognise the system of dual citizenship.

"Children who take up Australian citizenship are considered to be still Singaporean citizens and have to fulfill their NS responsibilities."

That is a principle which is difficult for the Defence Ministry to compromise, and the ministry is standing firm on that, he stressed.

"In fact, we have received representations from various government ministries of our own to say that, because of our strictness in applying this policy, we are denying re-entry into Singapore of many talented Singaporeans who can benefit our country," he disclosed.

The rationale, however, is: "The only way we can operate our NS system and have the support of Singaporeans is when everybody feels that our system, unlike those in some other countries, is fair, is applied equitably and no one liable for NS is allowed not to serve."

To another question relating to business opportunities, Dr Tan said that the expertise of many Australian companies could be supported by the capital and range of contacts of Singapore enterprises.

That would make for successful joint ventures in the booming economies of South-east Asia and East Asia.

A Temasek Club member asked for a Singapore consular office to be opened in Perth to help the thousands of Singaporeans who live here with passport matters and business links.

Dr Tan replied that the prospects were good given the growing investments of Singapore companies in Perth and Western Australia.

Dr Tan arrived in Perth on Friday for a seven-day introductory visit to Australia as Singapore's Defence Minister.

He and his delegation left here yesterday for Canberra where today they will call on Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Defence Minister Ian McLachlan.

-----------------
Mindef changes NS deferment rule for medical studies overseas
147th Prostitute Press
3 April 1991

MINDEF has amended its rules granting disruption to national servicemen taking up overseas medical studies.

Previously, those taking up such studies were selectively disrupted from their national service after six months.

Now, they are subject to the same rules as those going overseas for all other courses of studies, under which NS men enlisted in December will first serve a minimum of 24 months before being eligible for disruption.

Those enlisted last month will serve 21 months and complete their full-time liability when they return.

But Mindef will continue to grant selective early disruption after six months to NS men wishing to study medicine at the National University of Singapore.

The new rule will affect the batch of students sitting for their GCE A-level examinations this year.

These details were announced yesterday by Mindef's director of manpower, Mr Chan Heng Loon.

He said that previously, Mindef had allowed a limited number to disrupt national service after six months to study medicine abroad.

Since 1986, between 60 and 100 medical students a year were successful.

They were selected based on their military performance during the six months and their potential to be officers, said Mr Chan.

But dozens of cases yearly were not chosen, he added.

"This caused a great deal of disappointment to the students and their parents as well as inconvenience to their universities," he said.

He added: "Some of these students had to turn up personally at the institutions for interviews. Can you imagine the situation when dozens of them, after spending so much time and resources getting places, are then told they can't go?"

Although NUS as a matter of policy reserves places for qualified NS men, foreign universities require them to reapply for places.

Said Mr Chan: "Mindef reminds all national servicemen applying for overseas courses that it makes no exceptions to the rules for early disruption."

The SAF, he said, will meet its need for about 60 national service doctors a

year from the pool of local graduates.

Yesterday, he also briefed principals or representatives of junior colleges and pre- university centres.
[/TD]

</TBODY>
[/TD]
[/TR]
</TBODY>[/TABLE]
 
[TABLE="class: forumline"]
<TBODY>[TR]
[TD="class: row2, width: 150"]rat28



Joined: 01 Jul 2004
Posts: 1007

[/TD]
[TD="class: row2, width: 100%"]

<TBODY>
[TD="width: 100%"] Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 1:38 am Post subject: [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"]
[/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"] Who else gets 12 years disruption from NS?

http://newasiarepublic.com/?p=30864

"After completing my A-levels in 1987, I joined my cohort entering National Service in 1988. After completing Basic Military Training and Officer Cadet School (Junior Term), I was awarded a President’s Scholarship and a Loke Cheng Kim Scholarship to study medicine in the United States, where medical training typically comprises of a pre-medical degree followed by a graduate medical degree.

This is a longer process than in Singapore or the UK, but I chose it because I believed it was the best training for a medical scientist. I made my case to the Ministry of Defence and was granted permission to pursue this course of study.

I attended Harvard University (late 1988-1992) for pre-medical studies and moved on directly without interruption to Stanford University, where I completed an MD-PhD degree under the highly-selective Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). During my studies, I also acquired experience in DNA microarray technology. The science behind this revolutionary scientific tool by Stanford scientists Drs Patrick Brown and Ron Davis was developed in 1995. With its applicability proven in 1997, microarray technology was only available at a few centers worldwide. I graduated with the Charles Yanofsky Award for Most Outstanding Graduate Thesis in Biology or Chemistry.

After graduating from Stanford, I returned to Singapore in 2000 ready to complete my National Service in whatever post I was assigned. I knew that I had this obligation to complete. My father had since become Minister of Defence, but if anything that made it all the more important to carry out my duty."


After enlisting in 1987 (probably end 1987 after A levels), he got disrupted in 1988 to study overseas. He did not return to Singapore until year 2000. I wonder who else had been granted 12 yrs of disruption from NS by MINDEF?
[/TD]

</TBODY>
[/TD]
[/TR]
</TBODY>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: forumline"]
<TBODY>[TR]
[TD="class: row1, width: 150"]rat28



Joined: 01 Jul 2004
Posts: 1007

[/TD]
[TD="class: row1, width: 100%"]

<TBODY>
[TD="width: 100%"] Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 1:39 am Post subject: [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"]
[/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"] What a dishonest family. If the Govt or anyone in the establishment feels an iota of responsibility, they should step forward and clarify the issue. The son is a President Scholar and therefore is not bonded. He is the basics;

1) No one has alleged that his son did not do NS, skipped IPPT, or was not paid NS allowance but a regular salary etc. Why the father and son keeping addressing these things suggest attempt to obfuscate the real issue or an attempt to side step the issue or redirect the debate without addressing the concerns raised. Doesn't remotely sound Presidential to me.

2) The issue is what appears to be unusual treatment accorded to the son. Some of it when his father was Defence Minister.

3) I can categorically state that there is no such pathway or NS service vocation called "scientist" or "researcher". NS is not about matching one's professional standing or acquired knowledge in particular field. Dr Patrick is now telling lies. This chap has the audacity to claim that we are impugning his integrity. He has as much integrity as TT Durai who made claims of helping kidney patients but was enjoying the trappings of power.

4) In the early 1980s, the decisions was made in CMPB that those who disrupt NS for post grad were kids of rich families and were abusing the system. That practice was thus stopped. I am stunned that he was allowed this. I know of cases where parents had ignored this and allowed their sons to continue to do post-grad. The kids on their return was charged in court and went to prison.

5) Another dishonest claim by the son. He mentions that 15 people suffered from Melioidosis in 2004. but how many are actually NS men. Suggesting that this disease is decimating NS men or impacting the NS and SAF is not evident. For 99.9% of people, this is the first time that they even heard about it. The medical profession should step forward and make a statement.

If Tony Tan has an modicum of self respect or a drop honesty still left in his blood, he should withdraw from the Presidency.
[/TD]

</TBODY>
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: row1, width: 150"]Back to top[/TD]
[TD="class: row1, width: 100%"][TABLE="width: 18"]
<TBODY>[TR]
[TD] <SCRIPT language=JavaScript type=text/javascript><!-- if ( navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase().indexOf('mozilla') != -1 && navigator.userAgent.indexOf('5.') == -1 && navigator.userAgent.indexOf('6.') == -1 ) document.write(' '); else document.write('[/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD]


'); //--></SCRIPT> [/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]


<NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT>[/TD]
[/TR]
</TBODY>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: spaceRow, colspan: 2"]
spacer.gif
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: row2, width: 150"]rat28



Joined: 01 Jul 2004
Posts: 1007

[/TD]
[TD="class: row2, width: 100%"]

<TBODY>
[TD="width: 100%"] Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 1:44 am Post subject: [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"]
[/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"] Princeling Tan, spawn of Scion Tony Tan of the illustrious Tan started a fierce offensive to clear his tarnished name.

The Mouthpiece gleefully reports his stellar achievements, notably acting as page boy for more prominent Ang Moh researchers. Mouthpiece says Princeling Tan was involved in 'National Research' to solve the soil disease problem that routinely kill a few peasant serfs annually(while sparing the White Horses).

Mouthpiece and Mindef claimed Princeling Tan's research is sacred e.g. national security stuff and that Princeling Tan has served his time while acknowledging that more peasant children had to *censored* charge up hills thanks to their lesser papas.

The dumber peasants should read the book, 'Children of a lesser God' to understand the fury of lesser mortal peasants.

It is strange that Mindef allowed a few peasant serfs to die annually of soil disease but suddenly had the urgency to do something about it when Princeling Tan wants to cherry pick his National Serfship vocation.

The crux of the issue is many peasants had to delay their plans and waste 24 moons of their time doing the National Wayang. For example, Pianist Melvin Tan told he could not join the gay infested MDC despite his musical talent but somehow Princeling Tan was rewarded with a job that added value to his career resume.

Therefore we think the Big Balls Theorem is a good way to explain such injustice. If you papa has big balls, you can be assured of a good cushy life.

Another example of the Big Balls Theorem.

*censored* Loong's son was a officer in the silly SAF. During one stint as a DO, he simply AWOL when the next DO failed to show up. He coolly wrote a complaint letter and ask the CoA (Chief of Army) to wake up and kick the balls of the regular DOs who are acting as mini-feudal lords. That certainly stirred a hornet's nest as many serfs wondered why *censored* Loong's son was not charged with AWOL and made to carry sandbags. For the *censored*, *censored* Loong's son was slapped with a token fine and was packed to Uncle Sam for a free education trip.

Using the Big Balls Theorem, it is apparently the wastrel is simply abusing the fact that it is his papa and ah kong's army.... hence he could simply write silly letters to anyone he pleased despite his gabras.

Only in Singapore.

Nepotism.
Last edited by mscitw; Today at 10:26 PM.
[/TD]

</TBODY>
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: row2, width: 150"]Back to top[/TD]
[TD="class: row2, width: 100%"][TABLE="width: 18"]
<TBODY>[TR]
[TD] <SCRIPT language=JavaScript type=text/javascript><!-- if ( navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase().indexOf('mozilla') != -1 && navigator.userAgent.indexOf('5.') == -1 && navigator.userAgent.indexOf('6.') == -1 ) document.write(' '); else document.write('[/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD]


'); //--></SCRIPT> [/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]


<NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT>[/TD]
[/TR]
</TBODY>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: spaceRow, colspan: 2"]
spacer.gif
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: row1, width: 150"]rat28



Joined: 01 Jul 2004
Posts: 1007

[/TD]
[TD="class: row1, width: 100%"]

<TBODY>
[TD="width: 100%"] Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 1:46 am Post subject: [/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"]
[/TD]

[TD="colspan: 2"] Dear Patrick Tan:

I read your recent posting on Presidential candidate Tony Tan’s Facebook website. You noted that you are “proud” of your National Service. You further noted that you are upset by rumours that impugn your integrity and that of the “institution of National Service.”

It is great to hear about your pride in serving the nation. Rather than being upset, you should welcome and be forthcoming with respect to questions about your National Service. The issue is not you per se. What is at issue is something much more important and fundamental: Is a single standard being applied to all Singapore citizens? As such, your pride, education, awards, publications, and titles and honors is simply beside the point. To repeat, the question is whether you received preferential treatment with respect to your National Service. To ask this question is not to impugn your integrity or that of the institution of National Service. What is at stake is whether we can trust our government to enforce its laws uniformly and without prejudice. As the late U.S. President Ronald Reagan often noted: trust but verify.

Let’s face it Patrick, the Singapore government is opaque. Its machinations are only privy to a select few insiders. The main stream media is essentially an extension of the government/state. Do we really have a system of checks and balances? This leaves the average Singaporean in the dark. The earlier generation placed blind trust in their political leaders. That goodwill has been destroyed. Our generation believes in greater transparency and holding our politicians accountable. With respect to transparency, U.S. Supreme Court justice Brandeis had remarked that “sunlight is the best disinfectant.” The internet has been a blessing to our cause. Speaking for myself, the goal here is not to cast aspersions on you, your dad, or Singapore’s institutions. Rather, it is to check whether our trust in the Singapore government is well placed (and not misplaced).

You are the son of a former Defence Minister. Your dad is presently seeking the high office of the Presidency. His election to this office will be decided by us voters. This is a hope. There is a chance that he might waltz in if the authorities disqualify the other presidential candidates. We want to make informed decisions. In my view, honor, courage, and trustworthiness trumps academic credentials and experience. While it is easy to verify the latter attributes, the former can only be inferred from one’s actions. This is where you enter the picture. We want to know if your father can be trusted to dutifully carry out his charges rather than taking advantage of his office. So the question is whether your service requirements and deferment were altered to accommodate you. To be perfectly honest, I found your answer evasive on this issue. I found it somewhat similar to Janil Puthucheary equating his medical practice to National Service.

To summarize, the questions raised on your National Service is not an attack on your character. They represent justifiable questions to verify whether our elected officials serve their office in honor rather than taking advantage of their office. I hope you appreciate our point of view and please be more forthcoming. Please tell that to your dad as well since I find his answer equally evasive and dismissive.

The specific questions are as follows:

a. What is the basis for the extended deferment that you received?

b. What is the basis for allowing you to complete your NS in a research function? Are there other examples of such placement?

c. Why did you not finish your officer training?


PYF
[/TD]

</TBODY>
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: row1, width: 150"]Back to top[/TD]
[TD="class: row1, width: 100%"][TABLE="width: 18"]
<TBODY>[TR]
[TD] <SCRIPT language=JavaScript type=text/javascript><!-- if ( navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase().indexOf('mozilla') != -1 && navigator.userAgent.indexOf('5.') == -1 && navigator.userAgent.indexOf('6.') == -1 ) document.write(' '); else document.write('[/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD]


'); //--></SCRIPT> [/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]


<NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT>[/TD]
[/TR]
</TBODY>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
</TBODY>[/TABLE]
 
Back
Top