Dr Ho did not argue against the gradual entrusting of responsibilities by the state to young Singaporeans.

Indeed, most states around the world also have a similar gradual system.

For example, the age at which young Americans can legally consume alcohol is higher than the age at which they can vote or get married.

Instead, Dr Ho's query pertains to the question of why the voting age of Singaporeans is 21, even though the state is comfortable with its male citizens bearing arms in its defence at age 18.

It is precisely because Singapore has no single threshold age for all aspects of life that the system is flexible enough to lower its voting age for male citizens entrusted to defend it.

If the state considers young male Singaporeans mature enough to fight and die in the defence of the nation, the state should then also consider them mature enough to have a role in deciding who their political leaders should be.

Dr Norman Vasu