NS lead to conman coming here instead of real FT

43836.1
NS evasion by liable SPRs
January 28th, 2011 | Author: Contributions | Edit

I came across this blog (URL http://shih.blogspot.com/2005/02/how-i-ended-up-in-kl_07.html ) which a blogger by the name of Leesh wrote about his experiences in legally evading NS (National Service). NS was military conscription or its equivalent in the Police and Civil Defence for male citizens and SPRs (Singapore Permanent Residents) for approximately 2 years.

Those serving NS would have to register at 16.5 years old and be enlisted after 18 years old. Below were Leesh’s main points

-) Born in Malaysia (Probably in 1981). Emigrated to SG (Singapore) at age of 11 and became a NS-liable 2nd generation SPR in the same year (Probably in 1992).

-)After studying till 18 years old, (probably in 1999), Leesh was told by the ruling PAP (People’s Action Party) regime to serve NS. He renounced his SPR and studied in UK (United Kingdom).

-)He planned to return to Singapore (SG) after his studies. In accordance to this plan, he returned in 2004 to do his pupilage and law conversion course. Please note there was a large law firm which was quite happy to bring him in at a time when excessive immigration had become a big concern.

-)He applied for a student pass for the course with the PAP regime. His evasion plan’s successful track record ended when the regime rejected his application. He could still choose to serve NS but serving had zero benefits.

-)He returned to Malaysia to establish his legal career. He was still hoping to get back to work in SG later as a qualified lawyer. He heard people similar to himself were working in the Civil Service and the banking sector. However, these people returned to SG earlier when the rules were said to be more relaxed or when they had become much older and more established.

The blog entry received several comments. Unless otherwise stated, these commentators appeared to be in a similar situation to “Leesh”. Below was a sample (Username, Date posted year-month-day):

-)Chin Dian (20081030) was born in East Malaysia. After he renounced SPR (probably in 2004), he studied law in Australia and was due to graduate as of 2008. He stated it was not easy to find a job in the Australian legal industry. He acknowledged he might have to continue washing dishes in Australia for a while as returning to SG without serving NS became harder.

-)Troubled (20081006) was turning 18 and he was planning to renounce SPR. He was worried his parents and sisters (all SPRs) would be penalized. He was thankful his siblings were females.

-)Anonymous (20091117) renounced in SPR in 1999 at the age of 19 and was admitted into NUS (National University of Singapore) on a student pass. After graduation, he relocated to Australia. In 2005, his evasion past became a liability when he tried to return to SG to further his career.

-)Cocoa Butter (20091121) gave up SPR in 1997 and came back to work in 2002 on an EP(employment pass) for a certain period. In 2009, he re-applied for another EP and was rejected. He was unhappy other male foreigners’ applications were successful. He believed the rules were changed sometime in 2005/2006. He wondered if the rules would be relaxed for evaders above 40 years old.

-)Ronin (20081127) renounced SPR at 18 years old (probably in 2001) to study in the United States. He returned to SG to work in a PAP regime-linked Company (probably in 2005). His EP was approved and he worked for 3 years in this company. In late 2007, he heard NS-evading former SPRs working in SG were not permitted to work in SG any longer. In 2008, his EP was not renewed.

-)Fox (20101209) claimed of knowing someone who gave up his SPR at 16.5 years old during the late 1990s. This ex-SPR was permitted to study Medicine at NUS on a student pass and worked in the public health sector. As of 2010, this doctor had no problems practicing in Singapore.

On the whole, the responding comments were about how former NS liable-SPRs could return to work in SG without having to bother about NS. It was notable that NS-liable SPRs were legally allowed to renounce their SPRs even after they were past the NS registration age of 16.5 years old.

The commentators had also noted certain inconsistencies in PAP policy making on the NS issue. The apparent contradiction was a likely to be a result of each sub-group under the PAP regime wanting to bring in more foreigners under its scope regardless of NS but feared a public outcry. As a result, the inner circle decision-makers quietly shifted the goalposts depending on their perception of the situation.

A check on Population Census 2010 (www.singstat.gov.sg) showed a significant contraction for males in the 15-24 age group within the SPR population pyramid. The commentators were generally not concerned about those who had to serve. Perhaps SG home-grown citizens could learn from their talented strategy and drive to succeed.

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Grey Hippo