For athletes or artists who want to do well in international competitions as well as in their National Service, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen says MINDEF is ready to allow for both.
Progress Singapore Party Non-Constiuency Member of Parliament Leong Mun Wai posed a question in Parliament, asking if the government would be more flexible in its criteria for deferent to Singaporeans who have the possibility of success in sports and arts.
On Tuesday (July 5), Dr Ng said in reply, “MINDEF is prepared to allow more to disrupt to train and compete in international competitions during their full-time National Service.
This is on the understanding that they fulfil the full period required after their disruption, and also perform their NS duties satisfactorily while in National Service.”
He underlined, however, that these short-term disruptions or leaves for the sake of training or international competitions would only be permitted “outside critical NS periods.”
As for long-term deferments, which delay the beginning of one’s NS training, these are “exceptional,” CNA quotes Dr Ng as saying, and are “only for those who have the potential to win medals at top-tier international competitions like the Olympic Games.”
Examples of this would be swimmer Joseph Schooling, who enlisted in January, called for a national dialogue on the issue a few months ago. He was given a seven-year deferment, and fellow swimmer, Quah Zheng Wen, was given a six-year deferment to participate in the Olympics.
Fresh from winning two golds and a bronze medal at the SEA Games in Hanoi in May, Schooling, 26, underlined the need to manage the expectations of Singapore’s athletes who are undergoing NS.
There is a very high bar for athletes and artists to pass for their appeal for disruption or deferment is granted, he added.
“Each request is assessed on its own merit, in consultation with MCCY (Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth), taking into consideration the applicant’s past achievements, and potential to excel in international competitions and bring national glory.”
He also pointed out that not all Singaporeans are in favour of deferment or disruption, as some believe national security is more important than athletic or artistic excellence.
“MINDEF also received some letters from Singaporeans from time to time questioning the fairness, when deferred sportsmen receive financial rewards through endorsements, while others had to serve their National Service as required,” Dr Ng told Parliament.
He added, “I cite these criticisms, to show that even when sparingly applied, deferments and disruptions can have a pernicious effect, to cause invidious comparisons that some are given preferential treatment and are not performing their NS duties.”
The Defence Minister also said that there is “space” for ground-up dialogues on the issue. /TISG
Loh Kean Yew agrees with Joseph Schooling ‘that National Service and sports can co-exist’