The Tale of the (Local) Talent

The more the mainstream media sings the Government's tune of "integrating foreigners" into Singapore, the more I feel saddened for those Singaporean men who died for their country without any of one outside of their immediate family knowing and sharing with their grief.

I am talking about how States Times article "From Failing English to an A", puts the new immigrants in a good light in how the succumb the odds and succeed in "meritocratic" Singapore.

Publicity for FT, Ignominy for Locals?

The burning question is why do we have a Government and a Government-linked media the States Times singing praises for these people who were transplanted from their home countries onto Singapore soil while Singaporean born, bred and dead NSFs and NSmen are simply a footnote in the reporting by Mindef website.

I have nothing against the bright PRC, Indians, Malaysians and other nationalities who come to Singapore and contribute to our country. Even one of my parents was born in Malaysia but came to call Singapore his home before he was 18 pre-independence days. 40 odd years of nation-building later, I feel Singapore citizens, especially male citizens who serve NS (and some who die during NS) are largely forgotten and taken for granted. Their deaths are not mentioned in anywhere near the laudatory, celebratory, rose-tinted, feel-good lens that the mainstream media likes to paint to give the impression that integration of new immigrants is going well.

Who Cries for the NSF/NSmen?

Does anyone know of my fellow reservist who died while running the 2.4km run in his IPPT test during his ICT a few years ago? Did the mainstream media or States Times find of public interest to share with the public how and why he died for his country carrying out his annual IPPT liability that resulted in his death? Did they chronicle his life story, how he was born here, went through our education system, went NS, got a job, went for reservist and DIED there?

NSFs and NSmen have died for their country. Some during training accidents, artillery ammunition malfunction, jet fighter crashing into them (Taiwan), collapsed of heat exhaustion, heart failure etc during strenuous activities (field training or IPPT or SOC).

Their families grieve for them and remember them in their hearts. Will the rest of Singapore still remember their ultimate sacrifices during peacetime for their country?

How about the multitudes of NSFs and NSmen who were injured or picked up a permanent training injury from NS? Does the media want to do a report or survey on how many Singaporean male citizens are maimed by the NS system? Think back and leg problems for commandoes/guardsmen who jumping out of planes/helicopters. Think of number of sprained ankles and strained backs. Think of number of heat exhaustion injuries.

But NSFs and NSmen are not here to ask why. We are here to do and unfortunately, some of us die.

It would be ironic if our newly transplanted male immigrants who achieve superlative academic success here go on to serve NS and find themselves in the same boat as the rest of us NSFs and NSmen. Would the mainstream media then report on their woes of serving NS for duty, honour and country?

Majullah Singapura.