ROLAND LEE: What a difference a month makes.
For Singaporean doctor Wang Yinchu, that meant a shot at pursuing his medical education at British top-dog university, Cambridge.
It also meant 18 months in jail for being Absent Without Leave, despite surrendering himself after completing his studies.
This, because the military prosecutor Hee Mee Lin demanded a longer sentence to send a message that full-time National Servicemen must suffer the consequences if they go AWOL.
What bull, from a woman prosecutor who never served a day of National Service in her life.
The original 3-week detention sentence just wasn’t enough to satiate the Singapore military.
We’re talking about a soldier acknowledged as “outstanding” by his commanding officers and comrades.
A man, who despite being delivered a strong left hook by his own country, continued to volunteer with various charities on his own accord after his detention term.
In other words, not some “chao keng kia” (lazy bum), but a Singaporean who endeavours to serve his country well.
Cambridge wouldn’t wait for him, and the military wouldn’t consider that beyond 2 years of full-time service, a man has the rest of his life to lead outside of the jungle-green garb.
How much more is conscription going to extort from Singapore’s best and brightest?
Of course, Wang was wrong to leave his duty to the nation because he was repeatedly refused leave to pursue the pinnacle of education.
The issue in question, rather, is whether National Service should be more flexible when it comes to talent development.
After all, which is in the longer term interest of the nation – forced soldiers , or building a true force of soldiers to be reckoned with when Singapore faces tough times?
And that 18-month detention stint pressed for by woman military prosecutor Hee Mee Lin… let’s just say an upskirt pervert who filmed a woman in his army green and was later found to possess more than a thousand pornographic videos got 15 months probation and 80 hours of community service.
So 18 months in detention for an aspiring doctor, for running off 1 month before his National Service stint was to end because he would be kicked out of medical school if he couldn’t make the date.
Is that fair?
It’s the court’s call, and if it says “yes”, who are we to argue?
But one thing’s for sure – if Singapore wants to retain its top talent and the government wants to stem the brain drain, it’s time to treat Singaporeans as people with dreams and drive, and not just some digits in a war-game.
Oh, and another thing – you better be damn sure you’re got the some strong clout if you’re thinking of deferring National Service to pursue your studies.
Being a president’s son might help.
This commentary was written by Ronald Lee.
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