It is no myth that 2nd generation migrant boys are obligated to serve in national service, but does it mean that the loyalty & love for country/ countrymen only starts from the 2nd generation onwards?
It is also no myth that all citizens have done & are still doing their part in society, in no matter how little ways, we have contributed in more ways than just sacrifices in national service, subjecting our males to training injuries that sometimes haunt us for life. Our families & spouses have also had to put up with the sacrifices of our uniform attired males, putting in time to serve & protect the country’s sovereignty. The question is, why are not the new migrants doing the same?
Let’s not forget that even our fore-fathers as early settlers have played their parts in shaping the country, to what it is today. Not only did they sweat their brows to earn their keeps, raising their children to be integral to society, but also contributed within ethnic clans & associations that have also contributed to society, by means of; establishing schools & institutions, medical facilities, as well as social care giving networks to pave smoother transitions for new migrants/ settlers.
Today, we may already have a variety of such facilities, seeing that we’re already a better developed island, but should it even stop there?
We may not know the minute details of how & why we cannot conscript the new migrants into any of the uniformed corps, by means of national service. Nonetheless, there’re plenty of other non-profit charity/ social organizations available, and in dire need of volunteers to do the render assistance/ services to those who need support within our fast improving society. Nothing’s stopping the migrants from volunteering themselves into community development.
IMHO, the loyalty & love for country & countrymen should not start from the 2nd generation, but rightly so, from the 1st generation migrants as well.
To date, can we say for certain that enough is done on the part of new migrants to demonstrate their interest in adopting this island as their new homes?
They may claim that they are paying their dues to the country, well then, it is very much the same for every salaried/ self-sufficient citizen too. By form of national service & community development, our citizens have poured out more than the routine means of tax contributions.
Is it not time that citizenship be awarded by only simple means of tax contributions, but be pro-rated against social/ community credits & merits as well?
If they so claim that they love the country & countrymen, enough to want to adopt this island as their new home, they should be more than willing & happy to serve the community regardless if they’re eligible to serve in the uniformed corps.
To date, what has been done to ensure their contributions to their new homes??? Close to nothing.
