ENLISTMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

The Minister for Defence (Dr Lee Boon Yang): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Sir, the next Bill in the Orders of the Day on the Order Paper is the Singapore Armed Forces (Amendment No. 2) Bill. There is a considerable overlap in some aspects of these two Bills. May I have your permission to explain the rationale for these overlapping amendments in speaking on the Enlistment (Amendment) Bill.

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Thank you, Sir. The Bill seeks to change the terms "reservist" and "reserve service" in the Enlistment Act, the Singapore Armed Forces Act, the Civil Defence Act and the Income Tax Act. Our "operationally ready national servicemen" formerly known as "reservists" prior to 1st January 1994 form an integral part of the Singapore Armed Forces. They make up 80% of the SAF troops' strength. They are our frontline troops to be mobilised immediately in the event of an external threat. They will fight shoulder-to-shoulder with the full-time national servicemen and regulars in the defence of Singapore. The terms "operationally ready national serviceman" and "operationally ready national service" more accurately describe the contributions made by these valiant young Singaporeans.

On 25th August 1994, the Deputy Prime Minister had already moved the Second Reading, and this House had agreed to the amendment to Article 128(2b)(ii), of the Constitution to change the terms "reservists" and "reserve service" to "operationally ready national servicemen" and "operationally ready national service" respectively. These terms in the Enlistment Act and the SAF Act will have to be similarly amended.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Dr Lee Boon Yang].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.