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Even when the foreigners enjoy the same or more benefits than SGs (e.g. free scholarships, etc) from young age?
SINGAPORE: They had a choice not to enlist for National Service (NS) and give up their citizenship or permanent residency in Singapore.
But two men Channel NewsAsia spoke to opted to serve.
James Du moved from China to Singapore with his family when he was six. He was nine years old when he and his family became Singapore citizens.
Today, the 29-year-old said NS was instrumental in his integration into Singapore.
"Going through army really solidified my thinking. Sacrificing three years of my life was a commitment device for my nationality. That common experience I've shared amongst all my army peers from all walks of life, all races, Malays, Indians, Singaporean Chinese. All going through the same regiment together has really made me think I'm truly Singaporean."
Another foreign-born resident, 18-year-old, Martin Cada will enlist when he graduates from Nanyang Polytechnic.
The second-generation permanent resident (PR) has been living in Singapore for the past six years.
But like many other foreigners in Singapore, he too wants to keep his cultural identity.
"I've adapted some Singaporean traits, but you know it's still, I want to be Filipino, I want to be recognised as a Filipino. NS is not going to change that for me," Martin shared.
Martin used to dread the thought of NS, but recently had a change of heart.
His elder brother, also a PR, is currently serving NS.
"I was able to enjoy some of the benefits of becoming a Singapore PR. So I think it's just fair that I have to serve NS, just to give back to Singapore, who has taken care of me," he said.
However, both Martin and James said there's no need to make it mandatory for all new citizens, past the enlistment age, to serve NS.
"It's not realistic. Number one, they've already passed their eligible age to serve. Maybe they're too old to be involved in this experience. And besides, they are working individuals contributing to Singapore society. In reality, I think they have other things to do. But if children want to be called Singaporeans, definitely they have to serve," James said.
In line with government efforts to attract foreign talent, first generation PRs who are able to contribute to Singapore economically, are exempted from national service.
=> even when they are 6 year old? What logic is this???
SINGAPORE: They had a choice not to enlist for National Service (NS) and give up their citizenship or permanent residency in Singapore.
But two men Channel NewsAsia spoke to opted to serve.
James Du moved from China to Singapore with his family when he was six. He was nine years old when he and his family became Singapore citizens.
Today, the 29-year-old said NS was instrumental in his integration into Singapore.
"Going through army really solidified my thinking. Sacrificing three years of my life was a commitment device for my nationality. That common experience I've shared amongst all my army peers from all walks of life, all races, Malays, Indians, Singaporean Chinese. All going through the same regiment together has really made me think I'm truly Singaporean."
Another foreign-born resident, 18-year-old, Martin Cada will enlist when he graduates from Nanyang Polytechnic.
The second-generation permanent resident (PR) has been living in Singapore for the past six years.
But like many other foreigners in Singapore, he too wants to keep his cultural identity.
"I've adapted some Singaporean traits, but you know it's still, I want to be Filipino, I want to be recognised as a Filipino. NS is not going to change that for me," Martin shared.
Martin used to dread the thought of NS, but recently had a change of heart.
His elder brother, also a PR, is currently serving NS.
"I was able to enjoy some of the benefits of becoming a Singapore PR. So I think it's just fair that I have to serve NS, just to give back to Singapore, who has taken care of me," he said.
However, both Martin and James said there's no need to make it mandatory for all new citizens, past the enlistment age, to serve NS.
"It's not realistic. Number one, they've already passed their eligible age to serve. Maybe they're too old to be involved in this experience. And besides, they are working individuals contributing to Singapore society. In reality, I think they have other things to do. But if children want to be called Singaporeans, definitely they have to serve," James said.
In line with government efforts to attract foreign talent, first generation PRs who are able to contribute to Singapore economically, are exempted from national service.
=> even when they are 6 year old? What logic is this???
