NS is a punishment for those who choose to be born here

What is the difference between ordaining citizenship through birthright and immigration? The latter do not have to serve 2 years plus many years of National Service. This is brute inequality and a miscarriage of justice. The new citizen gets to enjoy each and every equal rights as the NS men without having going through all the physical torment in the name of training, risk of losing a limb or a life, and the risk of getting charged for even the slightest mistake. NS is certainly not an opportunity for one to get rich or a social standing that puts you ahead in life. It is a burden that denies you of employment opportunities and make you less attractive an employee as compared to the foreigners.

Every year, more than 20,000 foreigners are given new citizenship. About half of them are males who are in good physical conditions, because a criteria of being an immigrant is good health without illnesses that will put them in PES F. At the same time, there are only 31,000 babies born here every year. That translates to about 15,500 potential male soldiers. Going by this year of 2014 alone, it means there only 3 out of 10 of the citizen population are serving NS. Throw in another 2.5 million foreigners, we are talking about 3 solders serving every 15 persons. And the reason why these 3 soldiers were singled out is because they were born here. The only explanation why new citizens do not need to serve NS is clearly saying it is a punishment to be born here.

Despite such gross inequality, the PAP government do not care. They believe giving NS men a few hundred dollars of vouchers and a year of SAFRA membership card is enough to compensate the forced sacrifices. Singapore is no longer a poor developing country like it was in the 1960s, it can be considered one of the richest nations today and it owes its success to these NS men. However, none of the fruits of success has been enjoyed by them, and instead given generously to new citizens so they could vote for the ruling party. Such is the sad state of affairs in Singapore.