NATIONAL SERVICE FOR GIRLS

Mr Chia Shi Teck asked the Minister for Defence whether he will now consider extending national service, in suitable forms, to girls.

Mr Matthias Yao Chih (for the Minister for Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, in spite of the declining birth rate in the sixties and seventies, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has been able to cope with the manpower shortage through measures such as raising the productivity of the SAF, upgrading the management systems, and extensive computerisation of administration and operations. We have increased our effectiveness to make up for the reduction in numbers. Therefore, there is no defence need, for the foreseeable future, for MINDEF to extend national service to girls. Rather than being helpful to MINDEF, such a measure would only place a further strain to our labour shortage and adversely affect our economy.

Instead of introducing national service for all females, MINDEF recruits the required number of females to join the SAF voluntarily by offering competitive market rates. There are currently more than 4,000 females working in the SAF. Over the years, the deployment of women in non-combat positions in the SAF has released more men to take on combat postings, thus ensuring that our defence deterrence and operational readiness is not compromised.

Mr Chia Shi Teck: Sir, while accepting Mr Matthias Yao's explanation, would it be a matter of fair treatment for both the male and female, as we have a lot of women leaders asking for fair treatment, and I have a daughter who says she does not mind serving national service?

Mr Matthias Yao Chih: Sir, activating the Enlistment Act to conscript our citizens for military service is a rather serious business and we would not freely use such an instrument to solve our manpower shortage. If any Member's daughter wishes to enlist, there are many positions available to women in the SAF and we pay competitive market rates for such jobs.

Mr Chia Shi Teck: The point is equal treatment. As we are talking about equal treatment these days, does he not feel that the treatment is not equal if we differentiate the sexes?

Mr Matthias Yao Chih: Sir, indeed it is not equal. We demand from our men a period of national service as well as a reservist liability. To call up women to do the same is equal treatment, but perhaps it is not necessary at this time.

Mr Chia Shi Teck: Sir, does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that there could never be equal treatment for men and women?

Mr Matthias Yao Chih: Sir, MINDEF is not in a position to determine whether in this world there is fair or unfair treatment for women and men. In the same way that all refuse truck drivers are men, it does not mean that we must have an equal proportion who are women.