TR EMERITUS

Straits Times, 13 February 2009 IN THE last 10 years, fewer than 10 Singaporean sportsmen and musicians were given permission to defer their full-time national service (NS). These deferments are often sought when these young men want to pursue their studies, training or represent Singapore in international competitions. However, rarely is approval given because it is vital to uphold the national service system's strength and integrity by making it universal and fair to all Singaporeans, said Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen yesterday. Also, the national service system provides for Singapore's national security and survival, he noted. These factors form the basis of the three principles underlying national service, said Dr Ng, adding that permission had been given for exceptional talent. He was replying to Nominated MP Eunice Olsen, who wanted the Ministry of Defence to be more flexible in giving deferments. She referred to a Straits Times report last December about Mr Keegan Ng. The 20-year-old had won the Marion S. Gray Outstanding Musician Award at age 11. He wanted to study piano at the Eastman School of Music in New York, but was told he had to complete his national service first. He has since given up his plan and is now deciding whether to study accountancy or business administration. Said Ms Olsen, a classical pianist: 'As a musician, I know how vital it is to continuously hone one's skills. I think the ministry could be more flexible in granting deferments.' In explaining Mindef's position, Dr Ng underlined the three principles that underpin national service. First, he said national service ensures Singapore's national security and survival. This is the basis for the Enlistment Act, which mandates that all NS-liable males are to be enlisted at the earliest opportunity on turning 18. Second, universality makes national service a duty for every fit Singaporean male to fulfil. Third, equity ensures every national serviceman is treated the same way, regardless of background or status. Also, Mindef recognises that national service involves a sacrifice from all individuals who have to postpone personal pursuits to serve the nation, he said. 'This is why we must adhere to the three principles articulated to preserve the integrity and strength of our NS system.' However, Mindef does exercise flexibility in selected situations, he said. For example, it lets students defer full-time national service to complete their studies up to A levels, polytechnic diplomas or equivalent qualifications. It also defers full-time national service for exceptional talent based on the merits of each case. But such talent is very rare, he added. He cited several cases such as swimmer Sng Ju Wei, sailor Maximilian Soh, violist Lim Chun and pianist Lim Yan, and added that they still have to serve national service after their deferment period. Ms Olsen also asked if more flexibility in Mindef's deferment policy would affirm to Singaporeans that national service is meant to develop 'not so much an attachment to the armed forces but to the nation'. Dr Ng said bonding to Singapore is very important but added that 'if you have a weak defence, there is no nation to be bonded with subsequently because your sovereignty is lost'. - ST  Read More →

In a stunning U-turn, controversial YPAP leader from PAP Joo Chiat branch and General Secretary of Joo Chiat Community Club Youth Executive Committee Jack Lin Xinli now claims that his callous remark on Singaporeans being "3rd class citizens" has been "misinterpreted" because it was phrased in "Singlish". [Source: Shin Min Daily, 29 July 2010] Mr Lin sparked a massive outroar among Singaporeans recently by describing them as “3rd class citizen” on the YPAP Facebook: [Source: YPAP Facebook] Besides insulting Singaporeans, Mr Lin also made defamatory remarks on opposition MP Mr Chiam See Tong in the same exchange. He insinuated that Mr Chiam “bought” his ‘O’ levels from a degree mill. In a public apology issued on Temasek Review two days ago, Mr Lin said he was "sorry" for his "choice of words": "I would like to take the chance to apologize to those who are offended and I will be more careful with my choice of words. It was not my intention to make these statements as a Joo Chiat grassroots leader and youth activist." However, he flip-flopped in less than a day and told Shin Min Daily in an interview yesterday that his Singlish may have caused the "misunderstanding": "Look at the original statement written in Singlish "We got first class ministers and govt, but still got 3rd class citizens". When translated into a more proper form of English, it would be "We have first class ministers and government, but we still have 3rd class citizens (amongst our midst)." I was thus referring to a specific group as being "3rd class" and in no way referring to all Singapore citizens. On the contrary, I was expecting all Singapore citizens to be first class. My intention was to relay the fact that certain people posting irresponsible comment while remaining anonymous were having the conduct of "3rd class"", Mr Lin wrote in his email reply to Shin Min. This is not the first time that Mr Lin has publicly humiliated Singaporeans on the YPAP Facebook. Back in April, he described Singaporeans who complained about the sky-rocketing prices of HDB flats as being "spoilt brats": [Source: YPAP Facebook] He also boasted rather unshamedly that he sold off his private property at record high prices which would make one's "jaws dropped": [Source: YPAP Facebook] The Jack Lin fiasco has become a major talking point among Singaporeans and articles on it are most read not only on Temasek Review, but on TODAY as well: So far, NO PAP MPs have stepped forward publicly to reprimand or condemn Mr Lin for his disparaging remarks towards fellow Singaporeans, a sign that they both endorse and support his views. Related articles: >> PAP MPs refuse to condemn YPAP leader Jack Lin Xinli >> YPAP leader Jack Lin Xinli apologizes to opposition MP Chiam See Tong >> PAP MP Chan Soo Sen refused to condemn Jack Lin’s callous remarks on Singaporeans >> Jack Lin Xinli became the 1st YPAP leader to apologise to Singaporeans for making offensive remarks about them >> YPAP leader Jack Lin Xinli clarified his “3rd class citizen” remarks on CNA >> Massive outcry at YPAP leader Jack Lin’s remarks >> YPAP leader Jack Lin: We are free to fix the opposition >> Complaint letter on YPAP leader Jack Lin Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. Please use our online web form to contact us.  Read More →

“I have nothing right now, just a body”, said Juanjuan. I consoled her by saying: “Aren’t you going to graduate soon? Find a good job, your future will be very bright.” Juanjuan replied: “Just before leaving school, I’m in a dreadful state, [I] have nowhere to go.” I consoled her again: “Don’t worry, someone will hire you.” Juanjuan started crying: “You understand my family, but you don’t understand what I’ve been through, my fate is very cruel.” I knew that she really wanted to get something off her chest so I encouraged her: “If you have something to say, just say it, don’t bury it inside.” Juanjuan enrolled in a Nanjing university starting in 2007 and will soon be graduating. Since we’re both from Yangcheng in Jiangsu Province, I visited her family during last year’s summer vacation; we understand each other relatively well. Juanjuan’s family situation is not very good, her parents are good-natured farmers who have little means of supporting themselves, their lives are very hard. I once sighed: It’s not easy that this kind of family is able to produce a college student! Surprisingly, Juanjuan called me yesterday and was choked with tears, what she said astonished me. 18-year old Girl Uses Chastity to Fulfill her University Dreams Even though Juanjuan’s family is poor, she can sing well and dance, and her physical appearance is very good, especially after she went through puberty. As her beauty became more enchanting, people in her village began describing her as “a golden phoenix that arose from a grass nest”. During the spring when she was 18, Juanjuan was in her third year of high school, and the county government held a literature and art festival for the purpose of commending local entrepreneurs who made a great economic contribution. Juanjuan represented her school in this performance and was even awarded a prize. When going on stage to receive her prize, she tripped due to her nervousness and was helped up by a young person who was also on the platform. Just like that, these two met each other. Later on, it was discovered that this young person, named Wang, ran a clothing factory in a neighboring village. The scale of the business was not large, but in Juanjuan’s eyes he was a very rich man. Boss Wang would often go out with Juanjuan, letting her try on clothes at the factory, and one time, he even kissed her in the changing room. Boss Wang had a girlfriend, but Juanjuan was in love for the first time and did not mind. After all, he didn’t marry her yet, so Juanjuan herself still had an opportunity. What Juanjaun did not anticipate was Boss Wang unexpectedly got married during that year’s Tomb Sweeping holiday, and Juanjuan was not the bride. A leaky roof gets rained on [i.e. bad events happen in succession], a fleeting first love came to an end on top of her family’s difficult financial situation. Juanjuan’s parents tactfully told her that they were not able to support her to go to college, and she should just quit school. These two setbacks quickly sent her into the depths of despair. One day, a vacillating Juanjuan suddenly got a call from Boss Wang asking if she wanted to go on vacation with him with the promise of helping her take care of her schooling fees. Juanjuan agreed without the slightest hesitation, she needed to go somewhere to reconcile her melancholy, as for whether she could continue with school, that was another matter. Traveling over the course of a week, Juanjuan stupidly stupidly stupidly stupidly gave everything to Boss Wang. She seemingly had forgotten that Boss Wang was already married and also forgot that she had the body of a virgin. She didn’t care about anything and didn’t want to think about it, as if everything was frozen numb. The heartless Boss Wang did what he had to do and whatever he wanted to do. After getting back, she received a card, on the card was 15,000 RMB [i.e. about US$2200 or €1780]. Juanjuan fulfilled her university dreams, as for whether this sort of action was an exchange, she never thought about it. Juanjuan’s thinking was if she didn’t go to college, she would be married to a farmer in the village, and shed rather hand over her body to her first love than to a farmer. University Professor was Really a Wolf While going to college in Nanjing, Juanjuan basically worked part time to support herself, it was very hard, but she was content. During the second year there was a biology professor who started to pay attention to Juanjuan. Supposedly, this professor did not have such a good reputation due to a scandal about harassing a female student, so Juanjuan was very vigilant and kept her distance. One time, the professor invited Juanjuan to his home for a meal, saying he also invited quite a few neighbors for a gathering, and this can help Juanjuan find a few tutoring jobs. Due to this reason, Juanjuan could not decline since she desperately needed to find some tutoring jobs. After arriving at the professor’s house, she discovered there was no gathering, and there was no one else attending. Out of politeness and respect towards the professor, Juanjuan did not leave immediately and accompanied him for dinner with poise. The professor kept urging her to drink more and promised to help her improve her living standards and help her find a job after graduation. If she wanted to attend graduate school, he would help out as well. At that moment, Juanjuan sensed something would happen, she wanted to leave, but the professor’s hand already firmly held her arm. That night, everything that should have and should not have happened did happen. From the beginning, the professor’s actions in bed nauseated Juanjuan. His skin was like something from a novel, like worn out cotton wadding hanging down, poor physical stamina, yet he pretended to have prowess. Afterward, Juanjuan went to his home a few more times, other than occasionally getting two to three hundred in cash as charity, everything that the professor promised was never fulfilled. Juanjuan said: This time, my luck was not very good, I didn’t get anything except my classmates’ rumors and slanders. Juanjuan was furious and wanted to rip the professor’s old face into shreds. Junajuan already considered herself shameless, this professor turned out to be even more shameless. Juanjuan’s classmates also said this professor was just a wolf, how can Juanjuan get mixed up with him? Is it because [her] eyes started growing on her butt? In Order to Find a Job, Offer the Body Once More During the third year, classmates are busy applying to graduate school or finding a job, those with money rely on connections, those with connections will use their connections. But there are too many graduates, the students like Juanjuan without connections nor money can only be at a loss. Juanjuan went to job fairs all over the place, handed out countless resumes, went through innumerable interviews, even dreamed about the multitude of interviewers with their disfigured, smiling faces. The initial salary requirement went from 2000 RMB (monthly salary) down to 800 RMB and even 500 RMB, yet this still wasn’t [low] enough to land a job. Through a friend’s introduction, Juanjuan met a guy who worked at a newspaper. According to the friend, this person was at editor level, had great capabilities, extensive connections, boundless potential, considered to be the type of person you couldn’t not socialize with. Juanjuan, filled with great esteem, began to get in touch with this man, and gradually discovered this person really knew how to brag and repeatedly bragged about the same thing. Juanjuan could not resist thinking it was funny but still kept a good rapport, pretending to admire his bragging. Juanjuan said: The editor wasn’t even as masterful as the professor at picking up girls. Too old-fashioned, other than helping to find a job, it’s still just helping to find a job, not the least bit creative, yet still pretends to be a gentleman. Juanjuan had two previous experiences, [she] has already seen through men, so she wanted to see how long this “gentleman” can pretend. She calmly and quietly spent time with the editor and listened to him brag about his capabilities. The editor said he had some close brothers [i.e. friends] in a county on the outskirts of Nanjing who can help Juanjuan resolve her job search problems. [He] asked Juanjuan if she wanted to go interview, and she agreed. That day they went, and apparently he did not lie. Sure enough, his brothers invited them out to eat, but not a word was spoken about the job. [They] stayed at a hotel at night, it was an apartment style where the editor and Juanjuan had their own rooms. After getting ready for bed, Juanjuan wanted to sleep, but the editor dillydallied and didn’t want to leave Juanjuan’s room. In Juanjuan’s mind, she knew clearly what he wanted to do, what he had no courage to say and even less courage to do. Juanjuan thought, men are very pitiful, can’t even match that lustful professor. Wasting time like this definitely won’t work, and in the end, Juanjuan took the initiative and said, “You just wanted me all along, right? What are you waiting for?” The editor finally got Juanjuan, as for the job, that never materialized. It wasn’t because he didn’t try to help, but because no one answered his ad. Juanjuan knew she was depending on the wrong person, so [she] didn’t count on him anymore. Epilogue Juanjuan’s story is basically over, [she] will graduate soon, but her job still hasn’t materialized. She says in her young body there exists an aged and hopeless heart. I asked her if she regrets the things that have happened to her body. Juanjuan asked rhetorically, “Taking what you have and exchanging it for what you don’t have, what’s there to regret?” Don’t they say “youth has no regrets”? She feels that all she has right now is her body, and there is really a lot she doesn’t have. Whether in the future she wants to exchange her body for something will be decided one step at a time. What this author wants to say to Juanjuan is, actually, to possess a young body signifies having potential, for example, youthfulness, vitality, courage, motivation, a pure heart, positive view of the world, to face an uncertain world with unlimited desire, etc. Isn’t all this important as well? Because of youth, [we] can possess valuable riches. [I] hope in the future Juanjuan will take the path of a good person!   By Fauna Editor’s Note: Fauna is a Shanghainese studying English and the webmaster of one of China’s leading blog, which she started in July 2008 and has now over 500,000 visits and over 1,300,000 pageviews each month.  Read More →