Friday, December 30, 2011
45 Years of National Service: NS defaulter's homecoming for National Museum concert
45 Years of National Service 1967-2012.
This blog will mark the 45th year of NS in 2012 with a series of articles on defence matters Singaporeans can relate to. Your story ideas are, of course, welcome.
In a year that will mark 45 years of National Service (NS) in Singapore, one of the first classical concerts for 2012 will feature a piano recital by someone whose name is inextricably linked to national disservice.
Yes, Singapore-born British pianist convicted NS defaulter, Melvyn Tan, is coming to town.
His case was mentioned in Parliament in January 2006. His name was flamed by netizens in numerous discussions on NS obligations for Singapore-born males.
And in a bizarre example of freaky coincidences, his name appeared in a membership recruitment advertisement by SAFRA, the government-linked club for Operationally Ready NSmen (i.e. reservists) and full-time NSmen, in December 2005. Till today, I fail to see the humour of this ad. Maybe it's just me but I believe some defence issues are no laughing matter. The use of Melvyn Tan's name is a hideous example of black humour that parents of NSmen who gave their lives for their country will not find amusing. Please click on the image below and look at the name on the mock Safra card. It may have passed the spell check but the sanity check on this ad was sorely lacking.
Melvyn's homecoming next week, some six years after he triggered the most intense debate on NS defaulters in recent memory, is a timely reminder that time will heal most wounds. He has been elevated from the status of social pariah to a foreign talent courted by Singapore. Good for him.
Indeed, the newspaper article (see opening image) in the 29 December 2011 edition of the 90 cents newspaper sings praises to Melvyn without a single mention of his central role in triggering the debate on NS defaulters. He must be pleased as punch that his name now graces the national broadsheet under more cheerful circumstances.
Apparently forgiven by Singaporean authorities (because he has paid his fine?), forgotten by Singapore's mainstream media (because the writer did not check Newslink?) and overlooked by netizens who kicked up such a fuss in 2005, Melvyn is due to play at the National Museum of Singapore Exhibition Galleries. The duration of the event from 5 January to 27 January 2012 probably means he will be in Singapore to celebrate the Lunar New Year with his loved ones.
People who followed the Melvyn Tan saga probably recall that he was fined S$3,000 by a Singaporean civil court in 2005 for evading NS 28 years ago. The Tan family also forfeited the S$30,000 security deposit - in then-year dollars a princely sum - coughed up by Melvyn's parents in 1974 when he flew to London to study music.
When this amount of money is spread over a 10-year training cycle that most NSmen undergo and with the 2.5 years of full-time NS factored into the calculus, the penalty that the system extracted from the Tan family is in my opinion a small price to pay. It works out to a sum of S$2,640 a year for every year of NS Melvyn avoided, or just S$220 a month. Pocket change for well-heeled Singaporean families.
In exchange for this fine, the media attention and (apparently transient) cyberspace notoriety, Melvyn kept 2.5 years of his youth (NS was reduced to two years of full-time service in 2004) and was spared the kind of training Singaporean males are put through to keep the city-state safe.
While he chased his dream in London in flagrant disregard for his promise to return to serve NS, his loved ones back home slept safe and sound under the security umbrella carried aloft by every Singaporean son who answered the call to serve their country. His parents will never know the anguish that Singaporean families - especially mothers - experience when their sons and loved ones enter NS.
It is cruel comfort to families of NSmen who died that a defaulter ended up losing a hefty bond and fined by the system. In the past 45 years, a sizeable number of teenage soldiers and middle aged NSmen have died in the course of duty, each one an irreplaceable loss to a society whose birth rate is rapidly in decline.
If Melvyn really wants to put the past behind him, perhaps he could dedicate his performance to the NSmen who died serving their nation while he was away. It would inj
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Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
the dreaded call of slavery
Male Singapore citizens and permanent residents born between May 29, 1994 and August 26, 1994 (both dates included) can register for National Service.
The registration exercise will be conducted between Dec 27, 2011 and Jan 17, 2012 (both dates included).
They can register online at http://www.ns.sg or personally at the Central Manpower Base (CMPB) Podium at 3 Depot Road, Singapore 109680.
The following documents must be produced if registration is done at CMPB:
(a) National Registration Identity Card or Birth Certificate
(b) Education Certificates
(c) Citizenship Certificates (if any) and
(d) Other documents as specified in the Registration Notice
Registrants who wish to postpone enlistment to complete their studies in Singapore can also apply online or personally.
Those successful in applying for postponement will receive further notice on when to report for enlistment.
Those not successful in applying for postponement must:
(a) during registration, appoint a date between March 2, 2012 and March 29, 2012 (both dates included) for his medical screening; and
(b) go for his medical screening at CMPB on the appointed date between 8am and 1.30pm.
Anyone with queries can call NS eServices at 1800-3676767 or e-mail them at contact@ns.sg.
The registration exercise will be conducted between Dec 27, 2011 and Jan 17, 2012 (both dates included).
They can register online at http://www.ns.sg or personally at the Central Manpower Base (CMPB) Podium at 3 Depot Road, Singapore 109680.
The following documents must be produced if registration is done at CMPB:
(a) National Registration Identity Card or Birth Certificate
(b) Education Certificates
(c) Citizenship Certificates (if any) and
(d) Other documents as specified in the Registration Notice
Registrants who wish to postpone enlistment to complete their studies in Singapore can also apply online or personally.
Those successful in applying for postponement will receive further notice on when to report for enlistment.
Those not successful in applying for postponement must:
(a) during registration, appoint a date between March 2, 2012 and March 29, 2012 (both dates included) for his medical screening; and
(b) go for his medical screening at CMPB on the appointed date between 8am and 1.30pm.
Anyone with queries can call NS eServices at 1800-3676767 or e-mail them at contact@ns.sg.
castratrophe theory
this is call castratrophe theory.
NS is killing Sg has been for 10 years predicting sg will die as talents refuse to come in and also lots of it flow out.
one day you find the rusty beam of fake talents underlying sg suddenly give way and everyone ask why !!!
NS is killing Sg has been for 10 years predicting sg will die as talents refuse to come in and also lots of it flow out.
one day you find the rusty beam of fake talents underlying sg suddenly give way and everyone ask why !!!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
PR never serve NS profit from HDB woes
(1 of 2)
60898.1
Australian FT: I become PR to buy HDB so as to avoid paying high rentals
by Kojak Bt on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 5:35pm
The Straits Times recently published a news report ('More Australians Choosing to Move to Singapore', 28 Nov 2011 - http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_738845.html) boasting that Singapore has emerged as Australians' fastest-rising destination. There were 88,000 departures from Australia last year and Singapore overtook Hong Kong to become the 4th biggest destination for Australians. Over the past 3 years, there were about 20,000 Australians coming to Singapore to stay:
2008 5,431
2009 6,428
2010 6,952
Ten years ago, the figure was only 2,325.
Many Australians came for jobs and promotion opportunities which Singapore offers. The Straits Times highlighted one such Australian in its story - Peter Breitkreutz, a 45 year-old vice-president currently working in Citibank Singapore. He came to Singapore working as a global strategic sourcing manager at Motorola Singapore from 2007 to 2009 before hopping over to Citibank Singapore in 2010. His current job title is Vice President, Regional Business Operations and Services Category Sourcing Manager.
During the interview with Straits Times, he said that he has been living in Singapore for about 6 years and has no intentions of leaving Singapore. He lives here with his Shanghai-born wife and 2 sons who were both born in Singapore. He is a Singapore PR and has recently bought a HDB resale flat in Sengkang.
"We are in Singapore for the long run," he said. "We planted our roots... becoming a citizen has entered my mind. The only issue is that Singapore does not allow dual citizenship. I couldn't see myself giving up my Australian passport at this stage."
But he emphasized, "By becoming (permanent residents) and making that plunge, we have invested in an apartment, and do almost everything citizens can do. We have no real plans to move back to Australia."
Is this Australian foreign talent really as committed to Singapore as he has claimed by becoming a PR so that he could take the "plunge" to "invest" in a HDB resale flat for him and his family to "sink" roots here?
A cursory check online revealed that he had other reasons for "investing" in a HDB resale flat. This was what he said on his personal blog (www.aussiepete.com) in Jul 2008, published under the title "Foreigners Living In Singapore Want To Beat The 'Killer' Rental Market!" before he became a PR (http://www.aussiepete.com/2008/07/only-way-for-foreigner-living-in.html):
"We've been living in Singapore now for two years, and have watched the rental market spiral out of control. We currently rent a condo apartment in Woodsvale, and the monthly payment is absolutely exorbitant."
"Our plan is to apply for our permanent resident status over the next couple of months, which is academic as far as the approval. Once we have our PR and our current lease expires, we are eligible to purchase a resale HDB. Initial calculations indicate that by going down this avenue, show that we can purchase quite a large flat in a relatively 'opulent' zone, and we will still reduce our monthly expenditure on housing by almost a half. Unbelievable!!"
"It seems like we are not the only people doing this. Interestingly enough, the latest reports from local property agencies show that almost one in five HDB flats sold recently went to PRs... the number of apartments sold to permanent residents is a two-fold increase from a year ago."
In a way, Singaporeans can't really blame foreigners for wanting to exploit ways get a better life for themselves and their families. If we were them, we would do the same too. By buying a HDB resale, not only the monthly expenditure on housing is reduced, the foreigner stands to recoup all the money thrown into housing when the HDB resale is sold eventually prior to his leaving Singapore. With a bit of luck, he might even be able to make a little capital gain on selling the HDB resale flat. If the foreigner rents a flat, he will not be able to recoup any rentals when he leaves.
Hence, the question comes back to Government policy. Why did the Government decide to allow PRs to buy HDBs? In the past, young Singaporean couples who needed to find a HDB quickly so that they could get married or find a place close to their parents' could choose the HDB resale route. With the current high HDB resale prices pushed up by increasing demands from foreigners turned PRs, the HDB resale route is effectively out of reach for young Singaporean couples. They have to contend with buying new HDBs now. Hence, it's clear that the Government has failed to put the interest of Singaporeans first in this case.
On the question of commitment and sinking roots, Singaporeans have to endure 2 years of NS and sink in another 20 years of their lives in reservist trainings, all the time risking injuries and loss of limps. Are the foreigners willing to do that or willing to let their sons do that? How many will?
So, when this foreign vice-president of Citibank Singapore said they have planted roots in Singapore with no real plans to move back to Australia and by becoming PRs, they do almost everything citizens can do, would he be willing to send his 2 sons to serve NS like what Singaporeans do? Incidentally, in an online interview with an expat site, he mentioned that the only disadvantage (of being a PR) is that their son will be liable for NS (http://www.expatinterviews.com/singapore/peter-breitkreutz.html)...
60898.1
Australian FT: I become PR to buy HDB so as to avoid paying high rentals
by Kojak Bt on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 5:35pm
The Straits Times recently published a news report ('More Australians Choosing to Move to Singapore', 28 Nov 2011 - http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_738845.html) boasting that Singapore has emerged as Australians' fastest-rising destination. There were 88,000 departures from Australia last year and Singapore overtook Hong Kong to become the 4th biggest destination for Australians. Over the past 3 years, there were about 20,000 Australians coming to Singapore to stay:
2008 5,431
2009 6,428
2010 6,952
Ten years ago, the figure was only 2,325.
Many Australians came for jobs and promotion opportunities which Singapore offers. The Straits Times highlighted one such Australian in its story - Peter Breitkreutz, a 45 year-old vice-president currently working in Citibank Singapore. He came to Singapore working as a global strategic sourcing manager at Motorola Singapore from 2007 to 2009 before hopping over to Citibank Singapore in 2010. His current job title is Vice President, Regional Business Operations and Services Category Sourcing Manager.
During the interview with Straits Times, he said that he has been living in Singapore for about 6 years and has no intentions of leaving Singapore. He lives here with his Shanghai-born wife and 2 sons who were both born in Singapore. He is a Singapore PR and has recently bought a HDB resale flat in Sengkang.
"We are in Singapore for the long run," he said. "We planted our roots... becoming a citizen has entered my mind. The only issue is that Singapore does not allow dual citizenship. I couldn't see myself giving up my Australian passport at this stage."
But he emphasized, "By becoming (permanent residents) and making that plunge, we have invested in an apartment, and do almost everything citizens can do. We have no real plans to move back to Australia."
Is this Australian foreign talent really as committed to Singapore as he has claimed by becoming a PR so that he could take the "plunge" to "invest" in a HDB resale flat for him and his family to "sink" roots here?
A cursory check online revealed that he had other reasons for "investing" in a HDB resale flat. This was what he said on his personal blog (www.aussiepete.com) in Jul 2008, published under the title "Foreigners Living In Singapore Want To Beat The 'Killer' Rental Market!" before he became a PR (http://www.aussiepete.com/2008/07/only-way-for-foreigner-living-in.html):
"We've been living in Singapore now for two years, and have watched the rental market spiral out of control. We currently rent a condo apartment in Woodsvale, and the monthly payment is absolutely exorbitant."
"Our plan is to apply for our permanent resident status over the next couple of months, which is academic as far as the approval. Once we have our PR and our current lease expires, we are eligible to purchase a resale HDB. Initial calculations indicate that by going down this avenue, show that we can purchase quite a large flat in a relatively 'opulent' zone, and we will still reduce our monthly expenditure on housing by almost a half. Unbelievable!!"
"It seems like we are not the only people doing this. Interestingly enough, the latest reports from local property agencies show that almost one in five HDB flats sold recently went to PRs... the number of apartments sold to permanent residents is a two-fold increase from a year ago."
In a way, Singaporeans can't really blame foreigners for wanting to exploit ways get a better life for themselves and their families. If we were them, we would do the same too. By buying a HDB resale, not only the monthly expenditure on housing is reduced, the foreigner stands to recoup all the money thrown into housing when the HDB resale is sold eventually prior to his leaving Singapore. With a bit of luck, he might even be able to make a little capital gain on selling the HDB resale flat. If the foreigner rents a flat, he will not be able to recoup any rentals when he leaves.
Hence, the question comes back to Government policy. Why did the Government decide to allow PRs to buy HDBs? In the past, young Singaporean couples who needed to find a HDB quickly so that they could get married or find a place close to their parents' could choose the HDB resale route. With the current high HDB resale prices pushed up by increasing demands from foreigners turned PRs, the HDB resale route is effectively out of reach for young Singaporean couples. They have to contend with buying new HDBs now. Hence, it's clear that the Government has failed to put the interest of Singaporeans first in this case.
On the question of commitment and sinking roots, Singaporeans have to endure 2 years of NS and sink in another 20 years of their lives in reservist trainings, all the time risking injuries and loss of limps. Are the foreigners willing to do that or willing to let their sons do that? How many will?
So, when this foreign vice-president of Citibank Singapore said they have planted roots in Singapore with no real plans to move back to Australia and by becoming PRs, they do almost everything citizens can do, would he be willing to send his 2 sons to serve NS like what Singaporeans do? Incidentally, in an online interview with an expat site, he mentioned that the only disadvantage (of being a PR) is that their son will be liable for NS (http://www.expatinterviews.com/singapore/peter-breitkreutz.html)...
Thursday, December 1, 2011
these are the fucker who kill sg with NS
Over 550 lauded for dedication to MINDEF, SAF
By Wayne Chan | Posted: 01 December 2011 2145 hrs
Dr Ng presenting the Commendation Medal to Military Expert (ME) 6, Keith Lim.
Photos 1 of 1
Dr Ng presenting the Commendation Medal to Military Expert (ME) 6, Keith Lim.
1
SINGAPORE: More than 550 staff received medals this year for outstanding service and dedication to MINDEF and the SAF.
A total of 59 Commendation Medals, 120 Efficiency Medals and 382 Long Service Medals were given out to both military and non-military personnel at two ceremonies.
Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen, and Minister of State for Defence and Education, Lawrence Wong gave out 500 of the medals at MINDEF's National Day Awards Investiture Thursday evening.
Spouses of the award recipients, as well as senior MINDEF officials and SAF officers, were also present at the ceremony.
At an earlier National Day Awards ceremony officiated by President Tony Tan Keng Yam on November 20, a total of 23 senior SAF officers and nine MINDEF personnel received the Public Administration Medal.
By Wayne Chan | Posted: 01 December 2011 2145 hrs
Dr Ng presenting the Commendation Medal to Military Expert (ME) 6, Keith Lim.
Photos 1 of 1
Dr Ng presenting the Commendation Medal to Military Expert (ME) 6, Keith Lim.
1
SINGAPORE: More than 550 staff received medals this year for outstanding service and dedication to MINDEF and the SAF.
A total of 59 Commendation Medals, 120 Efficiency Medals and 382 Long Service Medals were given out to both military and non-military personnel at two ceremonies.
Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen, and Minister of State for Defence and Education, Lawrence Wong gave out 500 of the medals at MINDEF's National Day Awards Investiture Thursday evening.
Spouses of the award recipients, as well as senior MINDEF officials and SAF officers, were also present at the ceremony.
At an earlier National Day Awards ceremony officiated by President Tony Tan Keng Yam on November 20, a total of 23 senior SAF officers and nine MINDEF personnel received the Public Administration Medal.
he kill your child future with 2 years of NS
He got the cheek to say your children got fair opportunities.
=================
He also said Singaporeans want the assurance that both they and their children have open and fair opportunities to climb up if they worked hard just like previous generations did.
=====================
SINGAPORE : The way forward is to embrace change to tackle head-on the long-term challenges facing Singapore. That is the message from the Leader of the House, Dr Ng Eng Hen, to Members of Parliament (MPs) and activists from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).
In an article in the latest issue of the Party organ Petir, Dr Ng, who is also Defence Minister, said each new generation faces its own set of challenges and MPs need to respond decisively to them.
He said citizens here are not directly anti-foreigner or anti-growth, but they want a share in prosperity.
He also said Singaporeans want the assurance that both they and their children have open and fair opportunities to climb up if they worked hard just like previous generations did.
Dr Ng stressed that big problems loom on the near horizon and they will not go away if Singaporeans ignored them or simply criticised, and in this coming decade, there will be difficult decisions for Singaporeans to make with no easy answers.
So his call is to lead the change for a better and more secure Singapore.
In a separate article, Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Young PAP Chairman, Teo Ser Luck, discusses some of the challenges ahead for the YP movement.
He said his number one priority is to identify ways to do more for Singapore.
And he feels the PAP needs to change and strengthen its relationship with the people and it is important to close the gap between where the Party is and where it wants to be.
- CNA/ms
=================
He also said Singaporeans want the assurance that both they and their children have open and fair opportunities to climb up if they worked hard just like previous generations did.
=====================
SINGAPORE : The way forward is to embrace change to tackle head-on the long-term challenges facing Singapore. That is the message from the Leader of the House, Dr Ng Eng Hen, to Members of Parliament (MPs) and activists from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).
In an article in the latest issue of the Party organ Petir, Dr Ng, who is also Defence Minister, said each new generation faces its own set of challenges and MPs need to respond decisively to them.
He said citizens here are not directly anti-foreigner or anti-growth, but they want a share in prosperity.
He also said Singaporeans want the assurance that both they and their children have open and fair opportunities to climb up if they worked hard just like previous generations did.
Dr Ng stressed that big problems loom on the near horizon and they will not go away if Singaporeans ignored them or simply criticised, and in this coming decade, there will be difficult decisions for Singaporeans to make with no easy answers.
So his call is to lead the change for a better and more secure Singapore.
In a separate article, Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Young PAP Chairman, Teo Ser Luck, discusses some of the challenges ahead for the YP movement.
He said his number one priority is to identify ways to do more for Singapore.
And he feels the PAP needs to change and strengthen its relationship with the people and it is important to close the gap between where the Party is and where it wants to be.
- CNA/ms
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