NATIONAL SERVICEMEN ('White Horse' classification)

Column: 3443

NATIONAL SERVICEMEN:

('White Horse' classification): 13.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong asked the Minister for Defence (a) if there is a 'white horse' classification for national servicemen in the Singapore Armed Forces and, if so, (b) who qualifies to be classified as a 'white horse' and what privileges are accorded to them.

The Minister of State for Defence (Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng) (for the Minister for Defence): Sir, National Service (NS) is the foundation of our nation's defence. The success of our national service hinges on two key factors - universality and equity. All male Singaporeans, regardless of socio-economic background or status, are required to fulfil their NS duty. We have applied these principles consistently and unequivocally. All national servicemen are treated equally and are deployed in vocations and units based on SAF operational requirements, their medical classification and their academic and military performance. No national serviceman has been accorded special privileges.

Prior to year 2000, the term 'white horse' was used to identify sons of influential persons to ensure that such enlistees were not given preferential treatment, and that medical classification and vocational assignment are scrupulously fair.

Over the years, the public has widely accepted that the NS assignment system is fair and that there is no preferential treatment to anyone. As such, since year 2000, the SAF does not have a "white horse" classification for national servicemen.