NS Debate..

National service was introduced in Singapore 38 years ago in 1967, soon after we became an independent nation. NS fulfilled a critical need, which is for defence and survival. As a small country, the only way we could build a force of sufficient size was through conscription. Until now, this reason still stands, as the only resource Singapore has is her people.

The NS issue arose after celebrity pianist Melvyn Tan was fined $3000 for defaulting on NS when he returned to Singapore last year, after an absence of nearly three decades. This prompted fuming calls from Singaporeans to tighten the penalties for those who evaded NS.

No doubt imposing stiffer penalties is a way to deter citizens from evading NS, it is not solving the root of the problem. Feeling the obligation to serve the country does not come with the fact that you hold the citizenship of it, but with the reason that you feel belonged and attached to the country that you find a purpose to serve and protect it. This cannot be inculcated into the people overnight, nor can it be elucidated to them with heavier penalties. The only way to realize this is through National Education, which Singapore has been reinforcing since years back. From the time when they are young and receiving education, we have to instill the idea of national identity into them, and edify them on the importance of serving the nation for it is our duty as citizens.

Over the years, NS has become a national rite of passage which may span generations but which continues to inspire pride in many. With NS, we have built up the Singapore Armed Forces into a capable and credible force. The SAF deters aggression, protects our sovereignty and territorial integrity, and allows us to pursue our national interests without having to yield to external threats or pressure. On top of that, we have seen the escalating significance of the SAF in recent years, which other than defending the country, it serves as an important means to forge international relations and cooperation, for example through offering relieve aids to countries in need like during the tsunami. In addition, the SAF now also has to deal with a wider spectrum of threats, such as transitional terrorism and maritime security, both of which requires Singapore to work closely with many other countries in order to rectify the problem.

Being able to defend and protect a country that has raised you for at least 18 years directly should be a honourable duty to be fulfilled at all cost. In my opinion, anyone who decides to give up his citizenship so that he does not have to do NS is ultimately his very own loss. He loses the chance to repay his country for what he is today in a most respectable and rewarding way. He wasted his time on education, as he did not even learn the basic value of gratitude. In both sense, he fails as a citizen, as a person.

Let leaders come off the pedestal..

In my point of view, I think Singapore's society resembles Asian societies when it comes to relating to authority or leaders.

In Singapore, the type of leadership practised is largely autocratic and directive. Singaporeans have the thinking, that whatever the government has planned and done for them is definitely to their benefit, entrenched in their minds. Hence, the tendency for them to contradict the government can be safely said to be zilch. They are contented to be led entirely by the government, leaving all if not most decisions to be made by the authority. In a way, they have less responsibility to shoulder, and thus they desire to reside in their comfort zones, knowing that they will not be put to a disadvantage by the government.

Unlike the Western societies, Singaporeans "idolise" our leaders. Owing to this, they are often willing to pardon the faults of authority figures, sometimes even the grave ones, just to satisfy their deep longing for faith in them. As a result, wanting them to accept the blunders made by authority figures is easier said than done. A good anecdote will be the NKF Saga where the former CEO was charged for corruption. It resulted in hue and cry, and left a hideous episode which is not easily elapsed.

This over-dependence on the authority also sets off irresponsility in the people and makes them pusillanimous when they are met with difficulties where clear decisions have to be made by themselves.

Thus, I agree with the proposal that leadership should be thought of as an activity that authority figures exercise only some of the time. In this way, the followers, who are Singaporeans in this case, will have to be prepared to work towards change and show leadership themselves. They will not unable to over-rely on the government to make choices for them. This new approach to leadership allows authority figures to be less trapped by the demands of their roles, hence they will be able to do the right thing rather than doing just to meet others' expectations. Singaporeans will then learn to think critically for themselves and lead what they choose to be right.

"The real leader has no need to lead - he is content to point the way". The government, although being the leading body in the country, should not be the only ones leading. They should set out the direction for the people and allow them to lead their way and leave a trail.

Emergency drill in Singapore..

Last Sunday, 8 January 2006, Singapore launched its largest emergency drill early in the morning. The stimulated bomb and chemical attacks at four MRT stations (Dhoby Ghaut, Toa Payoh, Marina Bay and Raffles Place) and one bus interchange, resulted in 13 train stations being closed and parts of the bus interchange being blocked off, affecting more than 14,000 commuters.

Under the eyes of ministers and top officials, the emergency services practised evacuating victims, hunting for suspects and controlling crowds. I am pleased to note that Singapore had coped well with the 'attack' on the whole, with the effort of all who were involved in the exercise in one way or another. However, we must not hence be self-satisfied because there is still much room for improvement at countering such attacks.

Time and again, Singapore has been cited as a probable terrorist target, and this three-hour enercise was designed to educate the public on how to react if an attack takes place, to test if the different agencies knew their roles and if they could coordinate their activities. Ultimately, it is response of the whole society that will make the difference.

The public, in particular, has a weighty role to play when dealing with terrorist attacks. Being prepared is therefore imperative, so that in an event of a sudden attack, the public will be psychologically set to remain calm, take instructions and react rationally.

In addition to drills to do with terrorist attacks, Singapore should also look into possible exercises to deal with biological threats, for example the outbreak of a pandemic. Parallel to SARS, bird flu is now prevalent in many of our neighbouring countries and hence we should be prepared to handle and ring-fence it quickly should it spread to our country. Moreover, conducting such exercises jointly with our neighbours, like Malaysia and Indonesia, can allow us to test cross-border measures, at the same time forging stronger cooperation and relations which will definitely benefit us in the long run.

All in all, everyone of us should take an active part in helping to prevent such attacks as we go on with our daily lives. A simple act like reporting suspicious characters or unattended parcels can make a great difference to the whole country. At the end of the day, protecting Singapore is equivalent to protecting ourselves. In order to continue declaring Singapore as a fine and safe city, we as citizens have to remain alert and responsible so as to safeguard our homeland.

"In no more than 500 words, tell me about the activities and interests which you believe best represent the values and beliefs you hold strongly to.”

Having lived on our Mother Earth for near two decades, there are many things which I have come to realise and believe in. These are beliefs I hold close to till this day, and they have been a powerful source of motivation to urge me on, living my life to the fullest.

I have countless interests and activities, each representing some of my values and beliefs, which is the reason why they appeal to me in the first place. Recently, the first on my list has been my Co-curricular Activity, St John Ambulance Brigade, that I have been participating in for five years. St John is a uniformed group set up with the ultimate aim to impart first aid skills into the members, enabling them to provide service to the public. It is an entirely voluntary organisation where all of its fundings come from the donations made by the public. "For the Service of Mankind", the motto of the organisation which I strongly believe in. In my five years with St John, I have learnt to be more compassionate and caring towards people around me, to put myself in one's shoes before insisting on my own point of view, and the importance of self-discipline and mutual respect. These are values I will carry with me as I go on with my life. St John is just like my second family, where people from all walks of life come together, out of their own will, having a common aspiration to offer what we can to lend a helping hand to others. Their enthusiasm and passion for the organisation often touches me, egging me on to uphold the motto, putting others before myself.

Despite my heavy involvement in St John, I still take time to enjoy other activities. One of which is what all of us do, for about a third of our lifetime - sleeping. To me, sleeping has a dissimilar meaning, other than the usual practice of ours every night. Having time to sleep is always a little form of happiness for me. Whenever I feel distressed, I will choose to sleep. It not only helps to energise myself, it feels like I can sleep my troubles away, waking up to a new start. It is a good way to calm the mind down, allowing it to rest peacefully. In any case, I will love to have time to sleep!

Besides, another activity I take pleasure in is shopping! Since young, I had loved to go on shopping trips with my family. Such trips allow us to take time to spend with one another, at the same time fulfilling our crave to buy gifts for ourselves. Until recently, our shopping spree led from our homeland to our neighbour, Malaysia. Whenever we have the time, our family and relatives will cross the causeway to Johor Bahru to have a whole day just for shopping. The invaluable time we get to spend together makes me realise how precious and important it is to have a close bond within the family. As days get busier, such time is priceless and hence I do cherish and use them wisely.

Although time is passing us in a speed none can catch up with, I still believe that rushing through work is futile. "Slow and steady wins the race", that has been a constant reminder for myself ever since I was in Secondary School. Even the slow tortoise can win the speedy hare, what else cannot be achieved through unrelenting and conscientious effort? Instead of rushing through daily life, why not take time to slow things down, and to take each earnestly, making the most out of each day.

I have learnt to take each day, one at a time. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone. Do not be troubled about the future for it has yet to come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.