Condolences to the family of the late LCP Wee Yong Choon Eugin who was killed in an accident while serving his full time national service in the Singapore Armed Forces.
This accident comes at a time when Mr. Ngiam Tong Dow's TODAY article, "How to Secure Our Future," was published. Mr. Ngiam's statement,"The recent rapid intake of PRs is disruptive and, to say the least, distracts us from our quest to be "One People, One Nation, One Singapore".
was most incisive.
It is what many of us NSmen and NSF feel when it comes to nation building. Many of us male citizens have sacrificed our time, energy and effort serving the nation by putting ourselves at harm's way. In return, we get a Singapore that is flooded with new immigrants and first-generation Permanent Residents who are exempt from national service. Only second generation PRs have to serve and those first-generation PRs are free to leave Singapore anytime before they decide (if ever) to lay their roots in Singapore.
We NSmen and NSF compete on an unequal playing field. We sacrifice ourselves and shoulder our burdens and responsbilities for the security of Singapore and yet face competition from these male PRs (and female citizens) who do not have the same obligations but enjoy the umbrella of our security. They start working or get on with their further studies 2 years ahead of us NSmen/NSF. They do not have to called up for annual Individual Physical Proficiency Tests (IPPT) nor annual reservist call-ups lasting 2 days to 3 weeks (or statutory maximum of 40 days).
In return, we are given token top-ups to CPF and $50 to $100 extra in GST offset credits and cheaper tutition fees at Government funded education institutions. These money doesn't do much for you if you are injured or killed during your NS service. You can't enjoy the lower tuition fees studying at the four local universities if you are not alive to enrol.
One People, One Nation, One Singapore rings hollow when the rights and responsibilities of male citizenship are unfairly distributed between male citzens, PRs and female citizens.
Majullah Singapura.
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Death of Full-Time National Serviceman
Source: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/home.html
Posted: 28 Jan 2011, 1250 hours (Time is GMT +8 hours)
A full-time National Serviceman (NSF), Lance Corporal (LCP) Wee Yong Choon Eugin, a Signal Operator, was hit by a truck driven by another serviceman in Jurong Camp 1 at about 7.00am on 28 Jan 2011. LCP Wee was about to unload stores from the back of the truck when it reversed into him.
A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) medic attended to LCP Wee immediately. At 7.05am, an ambulance was activated to evacuate LCP Wee to the National University Hospital (NUH). He was sent to the hospital at 7.15am and arrived at NUH at about 7.45am. LCP Wee was pronounced dead at 7.59am.
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late LCP Wee. MINDEF is assisting the family in their time of grief and is investigating the incident.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Accidents and Deaths as a Conscript in the Lion City
Posted by PanzerGrenadier at 9:05 PM
Labels: accidents and death in the SAF, conscript in the lion city, conscription in Singapore, death of a conscript in the lion city
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3 comments:
Hello, I'm an avid follower of your blog because like youself, I've a keen interest in the National Service (NS) issues here in Singapore. I understand the woes and sentiments that your entries reflect. In a nutshell, they suggest that the time and effort spent and put were not appropriately compensated and the government's policies seemed to be placing Singaporeans in a disadvantageous position.
Like you, I used to have the same thoughts that our jobs are siphoned up by foreigners who parachute in from no where. To make things worse, first generation PRs are exempted from NS.
However, there were some areas of contention which I find it debatable. The impetus of NS came up because as we all know it, Singapore's fragile economy is very much dependable on the performance of major Multi-National Companies (MNCs). Big petrolum companies, the PSA are some of the key pillars that help support our economy.
Without a strong economy, our people suffer; no one gets any jobs. In order to attract foreign investments to Singapore, we need to assure them that Singapore is adequately safe enough for them to invest in us. In so doing, they bring jobs which many of our young job seekers will want to apply for.
And in order to give them that level of security assurance, the SAF is the only solution. That's why Jurong island, one of the key installations, is guarded by the SAF.
That's why when you express disdain that these people 'enjoy the umbrella of our security', I disagree. The security, in a huge sense, is not for Singaporeans, but for the economy. Protecting the economy will ensure that businesses go on as usual and Singaporeans can still keep their jobs.
Without a capable navy, our sea lanes will be compromised by pirates who lurk around the area. Without a competent air force, our air space will pose a danger to airlines who wish to bring tourists to Singapore. Without the army, key installations in Singapore will cripple.
In order to get better MNCs invest in Singapore, we have to open our doors to foreign talent.
If you were an entrepeneur hoping to go into the China market, you will want to place someone you know in key positions, e.g., CEO, COO, CFO. If China makes it difficult for MNCs to plant businesses, they will avoid the place. Economy will suffer and in turn your people.
The demise of LCP Wee is one that can be prevented and it is inappropriate to link it to the foreign talent policies because it diminishes the motivation and spirit of those who want to contribute to Singapore through NS.
There will always be imbalance in the rights and responsibilities of citizens and PRs. We know that there will be people who lose out because of a policy.
There is so much to be lost when all hell breaks loose. Singapore will change progressively through the years. We need to stay together to make sure things improve if not staying status quo, but definitely not divided.
Rayorgan
Thanks for your long comment.
Your comment makes a case of the need for a strong SAF. I have no issues with SAF and the need for a strong defence force.
But I have an issue with the way the policy of conscription is being implemented resulting in male citizens being disadvantaged in their own country while trying to compete for jobs, resources and homes with PRs and immigrants to Singapore.
Disagreeing with the way conscription is being implemented doesn't mean I am asking for SAF to be abolished.
I pour disdain on how our current Government enforces a policy that systematically disadvantages me as a male citizen in economic competition.
It is not about the public good nature of defence. It is about how the burden of this public good is being distributed amongst male citizens, female citizens and first generation PRs. That is the issue -- the unfair distribution that lays mostly on the shoulders of male citizens.
If defence is for the economy and not Singaporeans. Will you serve your NS as a conscript when Singapore has 70% PRs and 30% citizens?
After all, you make the point that defence = for economy and not to fight for your fellow citizen.
Majullah Singapura.
Someone once joked that Temasek Holdings and GIC are the true first-line defences of Singapore.
It turns out that it isn't a joke.
I'm not belittling the role of the Army. They are still critical in deterring whatever malicious thoughts our neighbours still bear.
But we youths are thinking that we are serving for nothing.
Your words, raynorgan, will not convince us. We sacrifice for others' benefits, not ours, because we don't really recognise Singapore as our home.
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