http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20121022-379114.html
The government may have realized that NS is a sacrifice made by Singaporean men. But it did not realized is that the sacrifice is becoming more and more unbearable.
NS obligations is making Singaporean men less competitive to employers, since there are more non Singaporean men who do not need to be called for two weeks ICT every year. Jobs in civil service are more predictable and people working in civil sectors have more resources. But in private sector, the resource is very lean, competition is fierce and work load may peak any time. Singaporean men are often caught in situations when our employers need them to handle urgent tasks, but they have to attend ICT. Deferment are usually not straightforward and those people in the civil sector and SAF personnel will never be able to feel who Singaporean men are going through. After a few times, employers go fed up and hire non Singaporeans.
Cost of living increase every year. ERP, COE, housing prices, utilities, maid levy, bus fares are always increasing. Competition for jobs are fierce. Employers are less forgiving. The life of Singaporean men are getting tougher and tougher. But yet, majority still attend ICT and IPPT diligently.
Well, national defense is still very important and I believe most Singaporean men are prepared to make the sacrifices to protect our love ones. But there seem to be a distinct disparity between the recognition that the government is prepared to offer to Singapore men, versus the increasing sacrifices that Singaporean men are making.
My two cents worth.
900,000 NSmen to get $100m in freebies
AsiaOne
Monday, Oct 22, 2012
SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced today that the Government will be giving out free movie and meal vouchers to all national service men (NSmen) in commemoration of 45 years of conscription in Singapore.
In addition, Operationally Ready NSmen who are currently serving out their cycles, as well as those who have completed their cycles, will also receive a year's free membership to enjoy the facilities of the SAFRA or HomeTeamNS clubhouses.
Combined, the freebies are expected to cost the Government about $100 million, and will benefit the more than 900,000 Singaporeans who have served in NS since the conception of the programme.
"These gestures will never fully compensate for your personal sacrifices, but I hope they help to express our appreciation for what you have done," PM Lee said, speaking at the 45th anniversary celebrations of NS held at the Float@Marina Bay tonight.
He said Singapore's transformation into a "dynamic, global metropolis" is thanks in part to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Home Teams, who provided the security and confidence that enabled Singapore to build its economy and improve the lives of its citizens.
This year's anniversary celebration theme is "From Fathers to Sons" - to symbolise the NS experience having bonded families together and strengthened Singaporeans' commitment to defend their home.
"NS has become a universal rite of passage for every male Singaporean, regardless of race, religion or social background," PM Lee said.
"During NS, everyone stands on an equal footing. We live, eat and train together. We overcome challenges as one unit, and help one another along. We forge enduring friendships and camaraderie through shared trials and tribulations," he added.
PM Lee also noted that the NS experience has improved significantly since 1967.
Quoting a father of an NSman, PM Lee said: "Today, the signal sets are lighter, the combat rations are better and the combat boots are more comfortable and hardy. With such advancements in technology and equipment, our soldiers can certainly perform better than before."
PM Lee added that newer weapons, better welfare or comfier amenities are only part of the solution, and what's more important is to build up the Singapore spirit and courage to defend our home.
He also spoke on the possibility of global uncertainties affecting the peace of the South-east Asian region.
Speaking on the friction between the US and China, he expressed confidence that the two countries will "strive hard to manage relations and avoid jeopardising their major shared interests."
He cautioned that North Korea remains a potential security flashpoint and that Singapore must always be prepared for emerging and unconventional threats, especially extremist terrorism, which he said "remains a real danger"
http://redsports.sg/2010/07/07/youth-olympic-games-cost/
Youth Olympic Games to cost $387 million
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 — It will cost Singapore $387 million to host the upcoming Youth Olympic Games, three times the original estimate of $122 million.
The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) said that money was spent to upgrade existing venues to allow international broadcasting. Also, the number of volunteers have gone from the 7,000 to 20,000.
Local companies were awarded $260 million worth of contracts as a result of the YOG. The companies include CityNeon Holdings and Pico Global Service (both for events and exhibition services), Comfort-Delgro (transport), Singapore Food Industries, Select Group (catering), CISCO (auxiliary police), NCS (software system, data centres management) and Purechem Veolia (cleaning).
The government expects an estimated 40,000 foreign visitors and tourism receipts of about $57 million.
By contrast, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games cost $3.9 billion to stage.
“The benefits will outweight the cost, we are quite sure of that. That’s why we decided to go for it,” said Mr Niam Chiang Meng, the MCYS Permanent Secretary. “This is the biggest thing that Singapore can ever host. You cannot host an Olympic Games. You cannot host a World Cup. This is it.
“If you want to host this, better host the first one, but hosting the first one, means you are the guinea pig. There is (sic) a lot of unknowns, uncertainties.
“The IFs (International Sports Federations) do (sic) not talk to us until after the Beijing Olympic Games. That’s more than nine months from the time that we won the bid. And we have two and a half years, unlike the six years that others get,” added Mr Niam.
The government may have realized that NS is a sacrifice made by Singaporean men. But it did not realized is that the sacrifice is becoming more and more unbearable.
NS obligations is making Singaporean men less competitive to employers, since there are more non Singaporean men who do not need to be called for two weeks ICT every year. Jobs in civil service are more predictable and people working in civil sectors have more resources. But in private sector, the resource is very lean, competition is fierce and work load may peak any time. Singaporean men are often caught in situations when our employers need them to handle urgent tasks, but they have to attend ICT. Deferment are usually not straightforward and those people in the civil sector and SAF personnel will never be able to feel who Singaporean men are going through. After a few times, employers go fed up and hire non Singaporeans.
Cost of living increase every year. ERP, COE, housing prices, utilities, maid levy, bus fares are always increasing. Competition for jobs are fierce. Employers are less forgiving. The life of Singaporean men are getting tougher and tougher. But yet, majority still attend ICT and IPPT diligently.
Well, national defense is still very important and I believe most Singaporean men are prepared to make the sacrifices to protect our love ones. But there seem to be a distinct disparity between the recognition that the government is prepared to offer to Singapore men, versus the increasing sacrifices that Singaporean men are making.
My two cents worth.
900,000 NSmen to get $100m in freebies
AsiaOne
Monday, Oct 22, 2012
SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced today that the Government will be giving out free movie and meal vouchers to all national service men (NSmen) in commemoration of 45 years of conscription in Singapore.
In addition, Operationally Ready NSmen who are currently serving out their cycles, as well as those who have completed their cycles, will also receive a year's free membership to enjoy the facilities of the SAFRA or HomeTeamNS clubhouses.
Combined, the freebies are expected to cost the Government about $100 million, and will benefit the more than 900,000 Singaporeans who have served in NS since the conception of the programme.
"These gestures will never fully compensate for your personal sacrifices, but I hope they help to express our appreciation for what you have done," PM Lee said, speaking at the 45th anniversary celebrations of NS held at the Float@Marina Bay tonight.
He said Singapore's transformation into a "dynamic, global metropolis" is thanks in part to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Home Teams, who provided the security and confidence that enabled Singapore to build its economy and improve the lives of its citizens.
This year's anniversary celebration theme is "From Fathers to Sons" - to symbolise the NS experience having bonded families together and strengthened Singaporeans' commitment to defend their home.
"NS has become a universal rite of passage for every male Singaporean, regardless of race, religion or social background," PM Lee said.
"During NS, everyone stands on an equal footing. We live, eat and train together. We overcome challenges as one unit, and help one another along. We forge enduring friendships and camaraderie through shared trials and tribulations," he added.
PM Lee also noted that the NS experience has improved significantly since 1967.
Quoting a father of an NSman, PM Lee said: "Today, the signal sets are lighter, the combat rations are better and the combat boots are more comfortable and hardy. With such advancements in technology and equipment, our soldiers can certainly perform better than before."
PM Lee added that newer weapons, better welfare or comfier amenities are only part of the solution, and what's more important is to build up the Singapore spirit and courage to defend our home.
He also spoke on the possibility of global uncertainties affecting the peace of the South-east Asian region.
Speaking on the friction between the US and China, he expressed confidence that the two countries will "strive hard to manage relations and avoid jeopardising their major shared interests."
He cautioned that North Korea remains a potential security flashpoint and that Singapore must always be prepared for emerging and unconventional threats, especially extremist terrorism, which he said "remains a real danger"
http://redsports.sg/2010/07/07/youth-olympic-games-cost/
Youth Olympic Games to cost $387 million
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 — It will cost Singapore $387 million to host the upcoming Youth Olympic Games, three times the original estimate of $122 million.
The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) said that money was spent to upgrade existing venues to allow international broadcasting. Also, the number of volunteers have gone from the 7,000 to 20,000.
Local companies were awarded $260 million worth of contracts as a result of the YOG. The companies include CityNeon Holdings and Pico Global Service (both for events and exhibition services), Comfort-Delgro (transport), Singapore Food Industries, Select Group (catering), CISCO (auxiliary police), NCS (software system, data centres management) and Purechem Veolia (cleaning).
The government expects an estimated 40,000 foreign visitors and tourism receipts of about $57 million.
By contrast, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games cost $3.9 billion to stage.
“The benefits will outweight the cost, we are quite sure of that. That’s why we decided to go for it,” said Mr Niam Chiang Meng, the MCYS Permanent Secretary. “This is the biggest thing that Singapore can ever host. You cannot host an Olympic Games. You cannot host a World Cup. This is it.
“If you want to host this, better host the first one, but hosting the first one, means you are the guinea pig. There is (sic) a lot of unknowns, uncertainties.
“The IFs (International Sports Federations) do (sic) not talk to us until after the Beijing Olympic Games. That’s more than nine months from the time that we won the bid. And we have two and a half years, unlike the six years that others get,” added Mr Niam.
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