TR EMERITUS

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage: National Service Should Not Come at the Expense of Opportunity Costs Singapore’s National Service (NS) has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s defense, requiring young men to dedicate two years of their lives to military, civil defense, or police service. While the importance of NS in safeguarding national security is undisputed, the financial compensation given to recruits remains a contentious issue. It is time for Singapore to recognize the economic sacrifices made by its conscripts and implement a minimum wage policy for NS recruits. The Financial Burden on Conscripts Currently, NS recruits receive an allowance, not a salary, which is often insufficient to cover personal expenses, let alone contribute to family finances. Many young men enter NS at a time when their peers who pursue higher education or enter the workforce start accumulating savings and building careers. This creates a significant economic disparity, as conscripts not only lose out on potential earnings but also delay financial independence and career progression. For lower-income families, this financial strain is even more pronounced. Some recruits come from households that rely on their income to support daily expenses. Without adequate financial support, these families may struggle to make ends meet. A minimum wage would ensure that no conscripted Singaporean is financially disadvantaged for fulfilling their national duty. Addressing the Opportunity Cost The opportunity cost of NS is high. Two years of service means lost educational opportunities, delayed career advancement, and an inability to earn a competitive wage. In contrast, many developed nations that implement conscription, such as South Korea and Israel, provide better financial remuneration or post-service benefits to mitigate these losses. Singapore, as a prosperous nation, has the capacity to follow suit and compensate recruits fairly. If NS recruits were paid a minimum wage, they would be better positioned to save for future education, support their families, or transition more smoothly into the workforce. This financial security would also help alleviate any resentment towards conscription, reinforcing the idea that national service is a shared duty rather than an economic burden. Singapore Can Afford to Pay Better Singapore is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, with a strong economy and robust government reserves. The government has consistently invested in defense, with the Ministry of Defence receiving one of the highest budget allocations annually. While defense spending is crucial, ensuring that those who serve the country are fairly compensated should also be a priority. Moreover, a better-paid NS system could boost morale, encourage commitment, and attract greater support from the populace. Investing in NS recruits is not just about fairness; it is about valuing and respecting the contributions of those who serve. Conclusion The argument for a minimum wage for Singapore army recruits is not just about financial compensation—it is about recognizing the sacrifices that young men make and ensuring that national service does not come at an unreasonable personal cost. Singapore has the means to pay its conscripts better, and doing so would demonstrate a commitment to fairness, equity, and national appreciation for those who serve. If we want our young men to give their best to the nation, then the nation should also give its best to them.   CWC-AI    Read More →

Zelenskyy finally had a reality check when he met Trump and Vance at the Oval Office. Trump told Zelenskyy that he has lost the war, that he has no more cards to play and that it is best to negotiate a ceasefire under the terms of the Russians and the Americans. Understandably, Zelenskyy feels betrayed as he had listened to NATO, which is led by America, to wage war with Russia during the presidency of Joe Biden, which resulted in more than a million young Ukrainians killed and his country destroyed. But now, the same country, albeit under Trump, is telling him to surrender. Images of his countrymen baying for his blood must have been swirling through his head for many nights now, given that he played a critical part in the catastrophe, but it will be worse after the Trump dose of reality. He should have listened to his countrymen, who never wanted to wage a proxy war, instead of listening to America and Europe. But this is a lesson not only for him, but for us in Singapore too, because shortly after the war erupted, Singapore sanctioned Russia, probably at the behest, or under pressure, from the Americans and Europeans. Does anyone seriously believe it would make a difference to Putin that we sanctioned his country when the vast majority of the world ignored it, that we were standing up for international law? We were probably the laughing stock of ASEAN because none followed our example. Naively sanctioning Russia did nothing for us except put us into its list of unfriendly countries and thereby be excluded from many beneficial Russian initiatives, including BRICS - an economic, political and humanitarian interstate association comprising 45% of the world’s population and a third of global GDP, which, our neighbors, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, have joined. If a fair poll were taken amongst Singaporeans, I am pretty sure many would not sanction Russia, after all, it does not benefit them except make an enemy of Russia. Governments must always listen to the voice of the people. The people know what is best for themselves, and when they are doing well, the country will be strong. On the other hand, weak governments that are easily swayed by external forces, be they powerful countries, corporations or investors, will, like Zelenskyy, sell out their countrymen, and eventually, ruin the country.   Foong Swee Fong    Read More →

I have read on-line that the pap might field a LGBT candidate in the upcoming General Election (GE). What the pap do internally, they are none of my business but as a citizen, I disagree with any party fielding any LGBT in our GE. Let me explain. I understand that as a society, we have been promoting and pushing for the wider acceptance of LGBTs as equal citizens with equal rights and responsibilities for a long time and I had a very good LGBT friend during my school days too. I tolerate and accept LGBT among us. At the national level, however, we must be mindful that we are an Asian society and beneath our modernity and sophisticated facade, we are still a conservative society. To me, LGBTs are like our love child. We love and accept them no less than we love our own biological children, however, they are same same but different. I repeat. They are same same but different! We proudly introduce our own accomplished biological children to the world; such outstanding and sensible children, such proud parents and such a beautiful family... On the other hand, we hide the existence of our love child because if we do the same as I have described above like we do with our own biological children, the likely outcome would be sneers, insults, belittlement, criticisms, embarrassments, shame, guilts and more. The love child's feelings will be hurt, his/her mother will be too embarrassed and shameful to face the flashing cameras and the world, the father despite his possible gungho attitudes will be spat at, his own biological children will hate him and his wife is likely to leave him etc. There is nothing to gain but everything to lose. I repeat. We are an Asian society and conservative one at heart. We need to exercise extra sensitivity and extra common sense in many things that we do. We will be poorer off overall if our political leaders are only book-smart but possessing zero street wisdom. Think Simon Lim    Read More →