Measures to Assist Singapore Citizens Who Have to Serve Two Stints of Military Service

Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked the Minister for Defence for a child born to a Singaporean parent and a parent whose country also implements compulsory military service (a) what measures are there to assist these children who may have to serve two stints of military service or national service; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider reviewing its policies to take into account time already spent serving compulsory military service in another country.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: The Enlistment Act is applicable to all Singapore citizens even if they have chosen to hold foreign citizenship concurrently. It recognises rightly that all male citizens must perform their National Service duties to defend Singapore even as they enjoy privileges and benefits as citizens. Their obligations from other citizenships they have chosen cannot exempt them from the obligations and responsibilities as a Singaporean.