Just like puberty, heartbreak, and taxes, for males in Singapore, National Service (NS) is not something you can escape.
When you reach a certain age, you’ll have to put on those boots and camouflage uniforms, and prepare to say “Sir” a lot.
So, what happens if you try to evade this mandatory requirement?
Well, as one Singaporean PR recently found out, it can land you behind bars.
Spore PR Jailed for Defaulting NS
A Singaporean PR was sentenced on Tuesday (9 Feb) to eight weeks’ jail for defaulting on his NS obligations, reported The Straits Times.
The Malaysian, Lim Ching Hwang, had represented Malaysia in swimming in various South-east Asia (SEA) Games over the last 10 years.
The 24-year-old was supposed to report for his enlistment in November 2015, but left in July that year.
He only returned in June 2018 and enlisted in April 2019.
So, how did this all start?
Lim came to Singapore in 2010 to study at the Singapore Sports School. He was later granted permanent residency status on 4 March 2014.
For those who don’t know, male Permanent Residents (PRs) here are required to serve national service.
The only exception is for those who were granted PR status under the Professionals/Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers Scheme or the Investor Scheme.
So, just two months after being granted his PR status, Lim received a notice to register for NS.
However, he was also offered a scholarship by a private entity to pursue university studies in the US from September that year.
Lim chose to pursue diploma studies at Republic Polytechnic instead, and was granted deferment from his NS.
But he did not complete his studies and left the country in July 2014.
Had Come Back in 2015 to S’pore for SEA Games
His family then tried to apply for deferment so Lim could pursue university studies, but were unsuccessful, as the Ministry of Defence does not usually grant deferment for university studies.
Lim kept applying for deferment in 2014 and 2015, but did not come up with the required bond for an exit permit to be issued to him.
So he had two choices:
- Return to Singapore and serve his NS
- Return to Singapore and serve his NS
Lim returned to Singapore, alright, but it wasn’t actually to serve his NS.
Earlier, Lim’s father was informed that his son had to book a date to undergo his medical screening for NS.
So, Lim returned in June 2015 and underwent his medical screening, but without any intention of actually serving his NS.
Instead, he came back to Singapore for the 2015 SEA Games, and was scared that he would be denied entry if he didn’t comply with his enlistment requirements.
Wanted to Renounce PR Status
He then left Singapore a month later, and returned to the US.
Frustrated by several unsuccessful deferment applications, Lim told his family he wanted to renounce his PR status.
In any case, when his enlistment date came around in Nov 2015, Lim was nowhere near Tekong, let alone Singapore.
He only returned three years later in June 2018 after completing his university studies.
He finally enlisted in April 2019 and completed his NS on 2 Feb this year.
In court, Lim said he deeply regrets his actions, and plans to remain in Singapore, and even apply for Singapore citizenship.
Length of Jail Sentences Depends on Default Period
On 25 July, 2017, the High Court introduced a new sentencing framework for those who default on their NS obligations.
The length of their sentences would be based on the length of the period of default:
- Two to 6 years of defaulting: Two to four months of imprisonment
- 7 to 10 years of defaulting: Five to eight months of imprisonment
- 11 to 16 years of defaulting: 14 to 22 months of imprisonment
- 17 to 23 years of defaulting: 24 to 36 months of imprisonment
- Exceeding 23 years of defaulting: 36 months
Since the new sentencing framework was introduced, 17 NS defaulters have been charged, including Lim.
As I said before, just like pooping out your internal organs after eating a McSpicy, NS is not something you can escape.
Feature Image: Facebook (Ching Hwang Lim)
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