NATIONAL SERVICE (Deserters and Defaulters)

Mr S. Dhanabalan asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence the extent of desertion by those serving 'National Service and of avoidance by those who are abroad and who are liable for National Service; the action taken against such deserters and defaulters and whether the present measures taken against defaulters who are abroad are adequate.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence (Dr Goh Keng Swee): Mr Speaker, Sir, since National Service was introduced in 1967, 544 persons evaded National Service by remaining overseas. Of these, 169 were abroad when National Service was introduced and some 100 Singaporeans or more were resident in Christmas Island. The number of defaulters each year is as follows: Year - No. 1967 - 129 1968 - 31 1969 - 31 1970 - 41 1971 - 55 1972 - 41 1973 - 45 1974 - 53 1975 - 58 1976 - 42 1977 - 18 Total 544

Over the years, this averages 49 a year as compared with some 20,000 enlisted each year.

In addition, there are 75 defaulters whose whereabouts are unknown but are presumed to be in Singapore. This gives an average of 6.8 per year.

These are the persons who never turn up for National Service when they are liable to do so. Deserters are those who have served National Service, but found that they did not like it and then decided to abscond. Most of these cases - known as Absent Without Leave or AWOL in the Army - eventually realised that their decision to abscond was wrong and they accordingly returned to their unit to take their punishment. However, there are some who stay away for a very long time. These may be considered as deserters as distinct from absentees. If we take 31st December 1976 as a cut-off date, there are 74 such National Servicemen, and the numbers against the year in which they absconded are as follows: - Year Deserted No. 1970 - 1 1971 - 1 1972 - 2 1973 - 5 1974 - 14 1975 - 21 1976 - 30 Total 74

The number of deserters seems to be going up year by year. There are several reasons for this. In recent years we have been enlisting youths of poor educational levels and they are more prone to abscond than better educated youths. The drug problem in recent years has doubtless made a contribution to the number of deserters. But part of the increase is more apparent than real. After some time the soldier either gives up or gets caught. He is then deleted from the list of deserters. Therefore, a good number of those deserting in 1974, 1975 and 1976 will eventually return to the army in future years.

Regarding defaulters who stay abroad, exit control by Immigration keeps numbers to manageable proportions. Those who have registered for National Service and want to go overseas for study or to visit foreign countries are required to furnish a financial bond of a minimum of $50,000 before they are issued with Exit Permits.

In addition, where a registrant fails to return to Singapore or where a National Serviceman deserts and decides to stay abroad, the governments of those countries concerned are informed of the status of these persons, that is, they are deserters or defaulters from National Service. It is not likely that the government of any reputable country will want to offer citizenship or permanent residence to such persons.

The Member asked whether these measures are adequate. On the whole I think we can say that so far they are.