does NS build or destroy life?

[leetahbar]

THE TRUTH IS OUT FINALLY = NS IS KILLING SG !!!!
====================================
Found this on Harwarezone:
Originally Posted by SAF doc
Hi there,

I am a colleague of Dr Ooi and it is truly saddening. What he wrote there was similar to what he confided in me as well. He was unhappy and desperate to leave.

Whatever he wrote in the letter about having his bond extended against his will etc is true. It has happened to many saf docs¡_ there are many of us stuck in this system now. Locked in at age 18, promised the moon and given excrement instead. Some are not unhappy, some are. The problem is, no one is allowed to resign. Dr Ooi¡¯s family has more than enough $ to pay his bond but the SAF is afraid that if one is allowed to leave, all their docs will leave and they will have no-one left to work for them.

Some of us have tried to leave, but even after they sending resignation letters and talking to the highest levels of superiors, the answer has always been ¡°no, we don¡¯t want to discuss the bond¡± or simply ¡°no, you cannot break¡±. No further discussion. Short of employing expensive lawyers to fight the gahmen¡_ we¡¯re stuck for 18-21 years after signing the bond.

It is truly saddening and SAF should be ashamed of bullying and deceiving young, bright doctors into a permanent sad future.

is NS really killing our own talents instead of "protecting" it? or is it an excuse to cover up their own embarrassment to public about their lame bureaucracy?
:oIo:

 

[leetahbar]

there were many unexplained deaths of recruits - some of them were COMMANDOS calibre - which were not clearly explained. if NS cannot be responsible for the safety of our sons in the army, how can they boast about being responsible for the protection of our country?

 

[leetahbar]

an insightful posting:

From: Bionix 25mm Gunner (grenadier999) Mar-12 11:30 pm
To: Bionix 25mm Gunner (grenadier999) (8 of 11)

9012.8 in reply to 9012.7

Not that i want to protect the SAF or the bond system. Nobody force him sign a contract with the SAF as a Medical Officer. As his family is rather comfortable, they can jolly well pay for his medical education themselves rather than took the SAF scholarship. As for having his bond extended by 3yrs for obtaining additional medical education, he should have learn from his senior beforehand.

My respect for MO is very low, but it didnt make me bias against him. In my book he is no hero, instead he a coward who ended his life as he cannot face his so call problems with the SAF. If he is alive, and fight the system he hated so much, then he can be consider a hero

 

[leetahbar]

Re: Martial arts in local politics

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by catersilly
does anyone know what the political angle of that young doctor Allan Ooi who committed suicide leaving a strange note slagging political ideology....and of course SAF? He jumped off a bridge in Melbourne. What's with that too?

the reasons or causal factors behind dr allan ooi's sudden unexpected suicide are still pending investigation. there were many rumoured factors. one of which was he could be a compulsive gambler. (why went to commit suicide in another country when it would be breeze jumping off the mrt track here?).

the location in oz could add some clue to it. just a casual deduction. he could be very unhappy over his work scope with NS. since he was bonded, to break the bond and set himself free meant heavy financial compensation. maybe that was why he went to oz - to try his luck in the casino there. when one is very depressed, he won't give a damn to try anything cos in his mind, the last resort is to end it all.

as for the love note to a certain DAWN YANG, it could maybe be just a distraction from the actual causal factor.

anyway, your curiosity should be posted in:

http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?t=21161

this is the martial arts in local politics and not a crime solving thread.

 

[Naka_Timo]

It destroy 2 years of a young guy life, after army u come out only know how to take order and u feel like u waste 2 years of money...

 

[leetahbar]

depending how u look and handle it. some after leaving NS become very "keng". overall many tend to become very submissive and apathy.

 

[kiwibird7]

NS conscription is an outdated concept in defence strategy that stifles the development of an external economy that leaves S'pore in a RUT because it is dependent on a vulnerable export orientated economy using depressed wages (foreign workers).

Without the NOOSE of NS conscription, teen males can be free to go overseas to study and develop their talents in the world and begin careers overseas as well. Going further by allowing dual citzenship would also retain local born natives who have sharpen their skills and talents from long overseas exposure. These overseas trained S'pore talents would be S'pore's gain if they still retain their S'pore citizenship while also possessing a foreign citizenship. MNCs would be using them to set up regional HQs in S'pore and who knows, these S'poreans could be spearheading S'pore's own MNCs in future? Why keep relying on FTs all the time?

The overall economy of S'pore based on these overseas dual citizenship S'poreans working in various industries or even entreprenuers of Agricultural, Cultural(Musicians) manufacturing, finance etc etc who are not shackled by the YOKE OF NS CONSCRIPTIONS would become more diversified and less vulnerable and more resistant to the shock of US recessions.

This strategy is laying S'pore's eggs in different baskets by different talents not shackled by NS conscriptions and NS scholarships. What has gone wrong in S'pore is the reliance on the talent of the LEE family in deciding what is good and making many bad calls in bad investments.

In a football team, if the coach over relies on his one star striker while the rest are just leeches, then the team won't go far as compared to a well rounded team of 11 players.

 

[leetahbar]

in singapore context, it seems that almost everything can be bought by money. they have brought or rather bought in the foreign talents with excessively obscene prices hoping that they could also at the same time be used as "breeding stocks".

they think they are so smart but the FTs brought in are also no fools. they would go once there is a better offer from elsewhere.

 

[leetahbar]

guilt or damage control? latest explanation and revelation from SAF.

March 23, 2009
Dead doc was given new post
Mindef says Capt (Dr) Ooi did not respond to offer, and went AWOL


By Jermyn Chow

Capt (Dr) Ooi died earlier this month. In a note he left behind, he expressed unhappiness over his work. -- PHOTO: FACEBOOK

THE Defence Ministry has come out for the first time to address the issues surrounding the sudden death of Captain (Dr) Allan Ooi in Melbourne, Australia, earlier this month.
Its spokesman, Colonel Darius Lim, said Capt Ooi's superiors were aware of his unhappiness over his work, and had offered him a different appointment. But he never got back to his boss about whether he would take the option.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force medical officer, 27, was found dead underneath Melbourne's Westgate Bridge on March 3. In a note he left behind, he said, among other things, that he was unhappy at work. He lamented that he spent more time doing administrative work such as writing articles for the air force in-house magazine, than treating patients.

Capt (Dr) Ooi, a Singapore Armed Forces scholar, had wanted out of the SAF.

Col Lim said in a letter to The Straits Times Forum Page that on Oct 3 last year, Capt (Dr) Ooi was offered 'the option of posting to an appointment which he would be interested in'. He did not elaborate on what the appointment was.

Capt (Dr) Ooi was to get back to his superiors on the matter in two weeks time.

'However, he did not do so,' Col Lim added.

Instead, on Oct 15, when the two weeks would have been up, he was declared as having gone AWOL or absent without official leave.

It is believed that he left the country on Oct 13, leaving his family and his employer in the dark as to his whereabouts.


The note he left behind for family and friends had been circulating widely on the Internet, setting off much chatter in blogs and forums about the SAF's scholarship regime and its inflexibility.

 

[leetahbar]

more detailed explanation in a letter.....a little too late as deadman tells no tale.:oIo:

March 23, 2009
CAPTAIN FOUND DEAD AFTER GOING AWOL
SAF offered doctor alternative posting
THE Ministry of Defence (Mindef) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) extend our deepest condolences to the family of the late Captain (Dr) Allan Ooi Seng Teik.

Mindef wishes to clarify certain facts regarding media reports on Capt (Dr) Ooi's service in the SAF and his scholarship bond.

Capt (Dr) Ooi joined the SAF in January 2000 and was sponsored under the Local Study Award (Medicine) for his medical studies at the National University of Singapore, and completed his housemanship in April 2006. Thereafter, he completed the SAF's Medical Officer Cadet Course and was commissioned in August 2006. He then served for 11/2 years in the Air Force Medical Service. He was sponsored by the SAF for further specialist training in Aviation Medicine in Britain in January last year.

Upon completing this course in July last year, he was posted to the Aeromedical Centre to perform clinical and staff work. He was scheduled to go for his hospital posting at the end of this year.

While serving at the Aeromedical Centre, Capt (Dr) Ooi informed his superior that he was unhappy at work and was considering leaving the SAF. On Oct 3 last year, his superior offered him the option of posting to an appointment he would be interested in. He agreed to consider this option and get back to his superior in two weeks' time. However, he did not do so. He also did not submit any application to leave the SAF. He went Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) on Oct 15 last year.

Recipients of the Local Study Award (Medicine) are required to serve a 12-year bond after completing their housemanship. Of these 12 years, six years will be spent in hospitals to acquire clinical competency in fields needed by the SAF. The other six years will be spent in command and staff positions with the SAF Medical Corps, performing duties such as the clinical care of SAF servicemen and professional development of military medicine.

SAF officers who take up sponsorship have a responsibility to serve the full period of their bonds as substantial resources and time have been devoted to training them. Otherwise they will leave gaps in key positions in the SAF.

Nevertheless, if an officer wishes to leave the service early, he can submit an application through a proper process. Approval to leave the service will be granted only in strong and extenuating circumstances.
Colonel Darius Lim
Director, Public Affairs
Ministry of Defence

 

[leetahbar]

when allan ooi's report first surfaced, ST hinted that he could be a "gaming freak". this article says much about the intention. coverup, smear and create prejudices....

, Straits Times, where’s the gaming addiction now?

Oops, someone got caught with their pants down eh?

THE Defence Ministry has come out for the first time to address the issues surrounding the sudden death of Captain (Dr) Allan Ooi in Melbourne, Australia, earlier this month.

Its spokesman, Colonel Darius Lim, said Capt Ooi’s superiors were aware of his unhappiness over his work, and had offered him a different appointment. But he never got back to his boss about whether he would take the option.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force medical officer, 27, was found dead underneath Melbourne’s Westgate Bridge on March 3. In a note he left behind, he said, among other things(LIKE WOW?), that he was unhappy at work. He lamented that he spent more time doing administrative work such as writing articles for the air force in-house magazine, than treating patients.

Capt (Dr) Ooi, a Singapore Armed Forces scholar, had wanted out of the SAF.

Col Lim said in a letter to The Straits Times Forum Page that on Oct 3 last year, Capt (Dr) Ooi was offered ‘the option of posting to an appointment which he would be interested in’. He did not elaborate on what the appointment was.

Capt (Dr) Ooi was to get back to his superiors on the matter in two weeks time.

‘However, he did not do so,’ Col Lim added.

Instead, on Oct 15, when the two weeks would have been up, he was declared as having gone AWOL or absent without official leave.

It is believed that he left the country on Oct 13, leaving his family and his employer in the dark as to his whereabouts.

The note he left behind for family and friends had been circulating widely on the Internet, setting off much chatter in blogs and forums about the SAF’s scholarship regime and its inflexibility.

so well Straits Times, where’s the gambling addiction and gaming addictions now? What happened to those examples about how gaming and playing WoW can lead to life’s problems? Why did it take SAF so long to come clean, and they only come clean AFTER the note was leaked online? Does that mean that if the note wasn’t leaked online, the SAF will not come clean? oh never mind that question, everyone knows the answer. Dirty linen should never be aired right? Taxpayers do not need to know the truths about the biggest spender of our budget.

I’m still waiting for the admission that you defamed a dead person by baseless speculations and gross untruths. Whoever the reporter was, and the editor too, SHAME ON YOU. Sorry for the wrong language, but fuck you people for trying to lie to the masses and defaming a dead person. How low can you get? despicable.

oh and the explanation given smacks clearly of blame shifting to Dr Allan Ooi. It paints a picture of an organisation “being accommodating and kind enough” to give him another position. Please la, the person wanted OUT. O.U.T. and was willing to pay to get OUT. Obviously, either they don’t understand the word “out” or they are not “accomodating and kind enough”? Looks like they rather have a unhappy and unproductive person on their hands(joining a whole bunch of many other unproductive people in a inefficient and unproductive organisation), rather than a happy and productive employee. Somewhere, someone in there must’ve got their HR management completely wrong. I hope these people are happy now.

Nevertheless, if an officer wishes to leave the service early, he can submit an application through a proper process. Approval to leave the service will be granted only in strong and extenuating circumstances.

Looks like approval to leave the service has now been granted by the SAF in Dr Allan Ooi’s case eh? Is dying fit a “strong and extenuating circumstance”

May the guilt of causing someone’s death be forever on your minds.

 

[red amoeba]

whatever it is, he chose to be a doctor - meaning he studied the relevant subjects in JC and move on to take SAF Scholorships to become doctor. In other words, he have chosen this path on his own free will and I suppose he should know the consquences and responsibilities.

Given his family background, they would have no problems financially to sponsor his studies without the need to take the scholorship. Why did he opt for the scholorship? For prestige and for a ticket to a cushy government job in future? Well, he made the bed and he should lie on it. Every one knows there is no free lunch in this world, you take government's money, you ought to pay back in terms of serving bond.

Its a trade and he chose to be in it.

 

[leetahbar]

whatever it is, he chose to be a doctor - meaning he studied the relevant subjects in JC and move on to take SAF Scholorships to become doctor. In other words, he have chosen this path on his own free will and I suppose he should know the consquences and responsibilities.

Given his family background, they would have no problems financially to sponsor his studies without the need to take the scholorship. Why did he opt for the scholorship? For prestige and for a ticket to a cushy government job in future? Well, he made the bed and he should lie on it. Every one knows there is no free lunch in this world, you take government's money, you ought to pay back in terms of serving bond.

Its a trade and he chose to be in it.

he did pay back. he paid with his dear life which could be overwhelmed by misery that we might not understand.

the question is now whether NS nurtures talent or destroy life? why must there be so much "damage control" by the media and now it's coming directly from those who might/might not be directly involved in this tragedy build up.

 

[Tuna Singh]

Got his education paid for by gahmen and got rank to order the poor other ranks around still committed suicide..... sorry but this guy was a dumdass

 

[leetahbar]

army dr doesn't order or boss lesser ranks around. their job is to treat the sick and the injured.

 

[red amoeba]

he did pay back. he paid with his dear life which could be overwhelmed by misery that we might not understand.

the question is now whether NS nurtures talent or destroy life? why must there be so much "damage control" by the media and now it's coming directly from those who might/might not be directly involved in this tragedy build up.

in his case, NS neither nuture nor kill talent. He wanted to become a doctor and was enrolled to read medicine in university - and he applied and obtained SAF Scholarship - to this stage, he is talented because he studied hard or it was in his family, whatever, he was talented. Since he took SAF Scholarship, he has to repay his bond (which he know with his eyes open) but for some reasons he didn't like it and he could not get out and choose to end his life - a talent is lost. Can we say that SAF "killed" him? I don't think so becos he chose to be in it. He walked in with his eyes open. His family is so talented, he could not have not known.

Conversely, if he had not taken on the scholarship, he would still have gone on to become a doctor.

 

[leetahbar]

SCHOLARSHIP seems to be a highly decorative achievement for the elites. even if they could well afford their own education, maybe getting this SCHOLARSHIP TROPHY do make interesting bragging over the coffee table.

when one is rich, the next fabulous thing to have would be FAME/POWER.

SAF does not seem to be able to recognise talent or create a conducive environmental for nurturing them. may i do a straw poll and let see what are the verdict.

 

[leetahbar]

dr allan ooi's family demand ANSWERS!

Wanted: An inquiry
Answers could help other families avoid the same fate
11:53 AM April 1, 2009
Letter from family of the late Captain (Dr) Allan Ooi
WE WRITE in response to Mindef’s ST Forum statement on March 23 regarding Captain (Dr) Allan Ooi Seng Teik, who ended his life on March 3, 2009. Allan was proud of his SAF study award and pursued his studies and housemanship enthusiastically.

His 12-year bond was to include two specialisation courses, and that it could be terminated, subject to liquidated damages.

The following is an excerpt of his last email: “My job was terrible — no joy, no satisfaction, 10 to 14 hours a day of nothing. A prison. One of my own forging, perhaps, by signing a contract with the SAF at the age of 18. Youth was not an excuse, yes, but I refused to accept being deceived into believing things about the nature of my employment that were simply untrue.

“Twelve years of bonded service became potentially 15 or 16, became unbreakable. How can a bond be unbreakable? How can it be extended at will by an administration, simply by passing a paper?

“And how can the people subject to this bond not even question it, but instead sit in silent resentment and ultimate dissatisfaction?

“I was angry, so angry, which stemmed ultimately from a sense of waste and imprisonment so profound that I had no choice but to leave it entirely. To the people within this system, please change it to better benefit yourselves and future generations, instead of creating a self-perpetuating cycle of, at best, painful obligation, and at worst, utter despair.

“That was certainly the main cause for my severing of ties.’’

Other speculative reasons have appeared detracting from the real reasons for his drastic action so plaintively explained by Allan himself.

We ask for details of Allan’s discussions with his superiors and how a contract is subject to policy changes, including prolonging his bond by three years for one six-month specialist course.

Importantly, why would a bond be breakable only in “strong, extenuating circumstances” when this was not stated in his contract? What are these? We now know Allan wrote to HQMC Manpower in July 2008 with the intention of breaking his bond. What was the outcome?

We feel Allan’s concerns can only be addressed effectively via an inquiry by an independent panel with oversight powers. We hope to help bring possible deficiencies to light in order to avert a similar tragedy and pain to other families.

 

[leetahbar]

the difference between death of NS boy fr elite powerful family and fr ur usual peasants' family.

the value of LIFE seems to be so much different and precious. for a NS death if fr peasants', it would just be cremated with every tragic and misfortunes disintegrated with the flame...until the next peasant NS son's tragedy comes along and the whole process repeated.

NOW, the death is fr an elite family. SAF PRO and DAMAGE CONTROL are not put in red alert!!

it would interesting to learn about the details that resulted in this misfortune. all eyes on SAF intensive damage control now.

 

[eQuipment]

the suicidal military doctor was not serving NS, he signed his life away when he decided to eat from the oxidized iron rice bowl, forgetting that gahmen jobs r meant for braindead scholars only.