Forum: Rewarding achievements with NS exemption wouldn’t be the appropriate response

We refer to the letters by Forum writers Julian Teo Eng Keat (Many other roads to take to bring nation glory, Aug 13), Boyle Ng Chai Tee (Winning an Olympic medal is a form of national service too, Aug 15), and Tan Yi Shu (Serving militarily is different from service in sports, Aug 16).

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) joins all Singaporeans in congratulating Maximilian Maeder for his stellar performance at the 2024 Olympic Games, and for bringing a hard-earned Olympic medal home to Singapore. His win has brought pride and glory to the nation and is a cause for celebration.

However, rewarding such achievements with exemption from national service (NS) would not be the appropriate response, as Mr Tan pointed out.

Indeed, it would dilute their achievements and weaken our solidarity towards NS and the defence of Singapore. It sends the wrong signal that the duty of NS could be substituted by other personal achievements. It would sow seeds of inequity in others who put in as much time to train in their sport but do not win medals, and in those who also achieve excellence in other fields like music, the arts and academic pursuits.

Support for NS is strongest when all able-bodied male Singapore citizens and permanent residents know that each will be enlisted to perform NS regardless of status or achievements.

Therefore, instead of exemptions, Mindef has provided deferment and disruptions from NS for young Singaporeans who can reach their full potential and win in international events like the Olympics. Mindef had granted Max deferment from NS through the 2028 Olympics before the 2024 Olympic Games were held. After deferments and disruptions, these Singaporeans must still fulfil their NS obligations.

We are proud that all our male national athletes have performed their duty of NS. 

Ho Chin Ning
Director Manpower
Ministry of Defence