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[h=2]Why was 1 week leave for ICT granted to Dr Koh Poh Koon?[/h]
January 24th, 2013 |
Author: Contributions
Dr Koh Poh Koon
Any NSmen who tried applying for deferment know full well how rare such requests are granted.
We were often told that only under extreme circumstances, just as exams, overseas business trip, and joining a new company within 3 months, would deferments be granted.
Part-time students working at the same time who often have heavier commitment than full time students are also not granted deferment.
Working adults with busy work commitments are also denied deferment because advance notification was served and alternative arrangements can be made. This is despite the fact that unforeseeable circumstances happen that cannot be planned, just as colleagues leaving which can cause severe manpower disruption or when the employer is conducting retrenchment exercise, in which case, going on ICT can potentially put one’s livelihood at risk.
It therefore comes as a surprise that Dr to Dr Koh’s PAP superior and the Constitution and High Court made it very clear that the prime minister who is also PAP Sec-Gen has the discKoh Poh Koon was allowed to a week leave from ICT at such late notice because of election campaign. This seems to imply that running for election is more important than serving NS and the studies and jobs of ordinary folks which are disrupted by NS.
Since advance notification was already served retion on when to call by-election, the latter could have made alternative arrangements by holding by-election after Dr Koh’s ICT was over.
Running for public office cannot be equated to settling into a new job within 3 months because Dr Koh is not elected yet. It would make more sense for Dr Koh to defer the 2nd week of his ICT after he is elected and not before. Furthermore, Member of Parliament is a part-time job, not a full time job, if part-time students are not granted deferment, why it is that deferment can be granted for a part-time job application.
It also beg the question whether his ICT will be counted when Dr Koh is absent half the time, NSmen should know that that taking more than 2 days MC would void that cycle of ICT. If it is not void, would his cycle be consider high key or low key since he is only serving a week?
Will Dr Koh be receving make up pay and service pay from SAF while he is running for election? Are other NSmen allowed to leave from ICT and yet return at their convenience and being allow to complete their cycle?
To safeguard the institution of National Service, Mindef need to clarify the above questions to prevent a perception from forming that
there are different sets of rules for NSmen linked to the ruling party to prevent undermining public confidence.
As a key appointment holder in SAF and a candidate running for public office, Dr Koh should show leadership by putting nation before partisan interests and set an example by not applying for leave.
.
Tan
Dr Koh Poh KoonAny NSmen who tried applying for deferment know full well how rare such requests are granted.
We were often told that only under extreme circumstances, just as exams, overseas business trip, and joining a new company within 3 months, would deferments be granted.
Part-time students working at the same time who often have heavier commitment than full time students are also not granted deferment.
Working adults with busy work commitments are also denied deferment because advance notification was served and alternative arrangements can be made. This is despite the fact that unforeseeable circumstances happen that cannot be planned, just as colleagues leaving which can cause severe manpower disruption or when the employer is conducting retrenchment exercise, in which case, going on ICT can potentially put one’s livelihood at risk.
It therefore comes as a surprise that Dr to Dr Koh’s PAP superior and the Constitution and High Court made it very clear that the prime minister who is also PAP Sec-Gen has the discKoh Poh Koon was allowed to a week leave from ICT at such late notice because of election campaign. This seems to imply that running for election is more important than serving NS and the studies and jobs of ordinary folks which are disrupted by NS.
Since advance notification was already served retion on when to call by-election, the latter could have made alternative arrangements by holding by-election after Dr Koh’s ICT was over.
Running for public office cannot be equated to settling into a new job within 3 months because Dr Koh is not elected yet. It would make more sense for Dr Koh to defer the 2nd week of his ICT after he is elected and not before. Furthermore, Member of Parliament is a part-time job, not a full time job, if part-time students are not granted deferment, why it is that deferment can be granted for a part-time job application.
It also beg the question whether his ICT will be counted when Dr Koh is absent half the time, NSmen should know that that taking more than 2 days MC would void that cycle of ICT. If it is not void, would his cycle be consider high key or low key since he is only serving a week?
Will Dr Koh be receving make up pay and service pay from SAF while he is running for election? Are other NSmen allowed to leave from ICT and yet return at their convenience and being allow to complete their cycle?
To safeguard the institution of National Service, Mindef need to clarify the above questions to prevent a perception from forming that
there are different sets of rules for NSmen linked to the ruling party to prevent undermining public confidence.
As a key appointment holder in SAF and a candidate running for public office, Dr Koh should show leadership by putting nation before partisan interests and set an example by not applying for leave.
.
Tan
