CNA: National Service A Key Indicator Of Integration: Study

[Vulcann]

From CNA:

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1202573/1/.html

 

National Service a key indicator of integration: study

By Imelda Saad | Posted: 21 May 2012 1012 hrs

 

[Gee]

Can NS be an integration key indicator while it is compulsory?

Integration is not just one time off event, it's supposed to be a life time engagement imho.

 

[XenonWhite]

Its really a dumbass to make such a remark that NS is a Key Indicator of Intergration.. So countries without NS mean no Integration?

[Vulcann]

IMO I think performing NS is the basic requirement in terms of fairness as far as enjoying all the benefits of being a member of a society is concerned.

 

And this is just 2nd generation PR males only.

 

A lot depends on whether the immigrants wants to be integrated in the first place.

 

Granted that many tend to stay within their fellow countrymen's enclaves, they must make the effort to communicate/interact with us locals and most importantly accept that they are in our society and not impose on us what they are used to back home.

 

This is most important as they must realize that they are first and foremost guests here initially and if they wish to become PRs or even citizens further, they must be prepared to accept what it is and not attempt to resist or worst ask for special treatments for them.

 

Even so it will take quite a while realistically for full integration to take place and very unlikely to be in my lifetime...

Edited May 21, 2012 by Vulcann

[Pocus]

Its really a dumbass to make such a remark that NS is a Key Indicator of Intergration.. So countries without NS mean no Integration?

 

NS a Key indicator for Intergration to society .... Not NS a Key Intergration to Society....Relac....

 

Read the whole article..... See what most SG think....

[Vulcann]

Can NS be an integration key indicator while it is compulsory?

Integration is not just one time off event, it's supposed to be a life time engagement imho.

 

In NS we are forced to interact with folks from all walks of life whether we like it or not.

 

Integration not only with ex-foreigners but also with fellow Singaporeans is a must unless you wana end up in DB...

 

Can't foresee the future but NS is a good first step for foreigners to integrate into our society but again this is only applicable for 2nd generation male PRs only. The rest of their families with no NS-liabilities will need more time to become one of us eventually though.

Edited May 21, 2012 by Vulcann

[Kar_lover]

 

How can it be possible that foreigners NEED to do NS in order to integrate? Can someone scientifically prove how that works? And if it were true, how do the local females integrate since they did not have NS to integrate them? And how then should foreign females integrate? Is it being suggested that foregn females must do NS also?

 

This is all those bitter/jealous local males who "buay song" to see foreigners not having to "suffer" like them. If the local guys had the right mindset that this is a SERVICE to the nation and they do it out of patriotism they wouldn't be thinking such things.

 

Someone else said that must do NS "in terms of fairness as far as enjoying all the benefits....". But the foreigners don't get to enjoy ALL the benefits. They don't get to enjoy heavily subsidised HDB upgrading, don't enjoy housing grants, don't get to vote, don't get anywhere near as much medical subsidy, etc.

 

 

[Kar_lover]

Can't foresee the future but NS is a good first step for foreigners to integrate into our society but again this is only applicable for 2nd generation male PRs only.

 

Thsi is already the rule right??

 

[Gizmore]

How can it be possible that foreigners NEED to do NS in order to integrate? Can someone scientifically prove how that works? And if it were true, how do the local females integrate since they did not have NS to integrate them? And how then should foreign females integrate? Is it being suggested that foregn females must do NS also?

 

This is all those bitter/jealous local males who "buay song" to see foreigners not having to "suffer" like them. If the local guys had the right mindset that this is a SERVICE to the nation and they do it out of patriotism they wouldn't be thinking such things.

 

Someone else said that must do NS "in terms of fairness as far as enjoying all the benefits....". But the foreigners don't get to enjoy ALL the benefits. They don't get to enjoy heavily subsidised HDB upgrading, don't enjoy housing grants, don't get to vote, don't get anywhere near as much medical subsidy, etc.

 

 

I don't see why foreigners should get to enjoy the benefits that citizens get. But another thing that is you miss out is that the foreigners are not bounded by some of the restrictions that citizens get.

[Vulcann]

How can it be possible that foreigners NEED to do NS in order to integrate? Can someone scientifically prove how that works? And if it were true, how do the local females integrate since they did not have NS to integrate them? And how then should foreign females integrate? Is it being suggested that foregn females must do NS also?

 

This is all those bitter/jealous local males who "buay song" to see foreigners not having to "suffer" like them. If the local guys had the right mindset that this is a SERVICE to the nation and they do it out of patriotism they wouldn't be thinking such things.

 

Someone else said that must do NS "in terms of fairness as far as enjoying all the benefits....". But the foreigners don't get to enjoy ALL the benefits. They don't get to enjoy heavily subsidised HDB upgrading, don't enjoy housing grants, don't get to vote, don't get anywhere near as much medical subsidy, etc.

 

Bro you left out the intangibles such as security and protection by our boys in blue & in green day and night, 24/7.

 

That to many many other folks from other countries who are deprived of these benefits is one of the critical factor why they want to settle down here.

[Vulcann]

Bro you left out the intangibles such as security and protection by our boys in blue & in green day and night, 24/7.

 

And IIRC this is one of the reasons MINDEF also quote whenever someone defaults on NS and refuse to serve.

 

[Vulcann]

From CNA:

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1202716/1/.html

 

National Service counts for new citizen and PR

By Tan Qiuyi | Posted: 21 May 2012 2212 hrs

 

SINGAPORE: They had a choice not to enlist for National Service (NS) and give up their citizenship or permanent residency in Singapore.

 

But two men Channel NewsAsia spoke to opted to serve.

 

James Du moved from China to Singapore with his family when he was six. He was nine years old when he and his family became Singapore citizens.

 

Today, the 29-year-old said NS was instrumental in his integration into Singapore.

 

"Going through army really solidified my thinking. Sacrificing three years of my life was a commitment device for my nationality. That common experience I've shared amongst all my army peers from all walks of life, all races, Malays, Indians, Singaporean Chinese. All going through the same regiment together has really made me think I'm truly Singaporean."

 

Another foreign-born resident, 18-year-old, Martin Cada will enlist when he graduates from Nanyang Polytechnic.

 

The second-generation permanent resident (PR) has been living in Singapore for the past six years.

 

But like many other foreigners in Singapore, he too wants to keep his cultural identity.

 

"I've adapted some Singaporean traits, but you know it's still, I want to be Filipino, I want to be recognised as a Filipino. NS is not going to change that for me," Martin shared.

 

Martin used to dread the thought of NS, but recently had a change of heart.

 

His elder brother, also a PR, is currently serving NS.

 

"I was able to enjoy some of the benefits of becoming a Singapore PR. So I think it's just fair that I have to serve NS, just to give back to Singapore, who has taken care of me," he said.

 

However, both Martin and James said there's no need to make it mandatory for all new citizens, past the enlistment age, to serve NS.

 

"It's not realistic. Number one, they've already passed their eligible age to serve. Maybe they're too old to be involved in this experience. And besides, they are working individuals contributing to Singapore society. In reality, I think they have other things to do.. But if children want to be called Singaporeans, definitely they have to serve," James said.

 

In line with government efforts to attract foreign talent, first generation PRs who are able to contribute to Singapore economically, are exempted from national service.

 

- CNA/ck

 

Edited May 21, 2012 by Vulcann