REFUSAL TO ENLIST FOR SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES (Reasons for sending persons to prison)

Mr J. B. Jeyaretnam asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence what are the reasons for sending persons to prison for refusing to enlist for service in the armed forces because of their religious convictions.

The Minister of State for Defence (Mr Matthias Yao Chih) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, under the Enlistment Act, every male Singapore Citizen and Permanent Resident is required to register and enlist for National Service on reaching the stipulated age. Under the Singapore Armed Forces Act, all enlisted personnel must obey and carry out lawful orders given by their superiors in the SAF. There are no provisions in these two Acts for anyone to exempt himself from the requirements for whatever reason. A person who fails to enlist or, as an enlisted personnel, refuses to comply with any lawful order is guilty of an offence. He will be charged and punished accordingly.

Sir, National Service is vital to the security of a small country like Singapore. Whereas some States may choose to establish a standing army, for a small country like Singapore, compulsory military service is the only way to build up a credible national defence force. Our citizens must be ready and prepared to defend the country. There is no other alternative.

National Service works in Singapore because of its universality. For this reason, all male Singaporeans, regardless of race or religion, are required by law to do National Service to defend our country. All Singaporeans are treated equally before the law. No Singaporean should be allowed to cite any reason to exempt himself from having to contribute to the national defence effort as every Singaporean benefits from the peace and security which National Service has helped to ensure. Singapore cannot make exceptions for any group as that would undermine the whole system of universal national service. It would also be unfair to those who do their part to defend our country.

National Service is an issue that is subject to the laws of the state. No group, religious or whatever, should be allowed to advocate the breaking of our national laws. Allowing any group, for whatever reasons, to be excluded from compulsory military service would compromise the universality of the application of the law. It is a simple question of equality before the law for all Singaporeans.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sure the Minister of State is aware of the Article in the Constitution which secures for every citizen freedom of worship, and freedom of worship means freedom to profess and practise his own religion. And if his religion forbids ---

Mr Speaker: Order. Mr Jeyaretnam, can you ask your question? No speeches, please.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Yes. My question is: if his religion forbids taking up arms, is it not a violation of the Constitution to force him to do so and to punish him for not doing so?

Mr Matthias Yao Chih: Sir, Mr Jeyaretnam knows the Constitution better than I. Yes, I am aware of this particular Article. Article 15, subsection (1) says:

`Every person has the right to profess and practise his religion and to propagate it.'

Subsection (4) says:

`This Article does not authorise any act contrary to any general law relating to public order, public health or morality.'

Sir, refusing to do National Service, which is required by law, is disruptive of the national ethos and it is a matter of public interest and relating to public order.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Is it not possible for the Government to put them to some other work, as is done in other countries, where conscientious objectors are put down to do community work?

Mr Matthias Yao Chih: Sir, National Service is a question of national defence and the defence of Singapore's sovereignty. Community work will not help in the defence of Singapore or its sovereignty.