MINDEF prepared to allow more people to disrupt NS to train and compete in international competitions

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is prepared to allow more people to disrupt their full-time National Service (NS) to train and compete in international competitions, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen told Parliament on Tuesday (Jul 5).

Dr Ng acknowledged that national sportsmen want to do well in both NS and competitions, and while some have achieved it, he said it is "not easy to attain" and cautioned against setting unrealistic expectations on all of them.

"However, for those who want to pursue both goals, MINDEF is prepared to allow more to disrupt to train and compete in international competitions during their full-time National Service," he said.

"This is on the understanding that they fulfil the full period required after their disruption, and also perform their NS duties satisfactorily while in National Service."

A disruption is a short-term leave from full-time NS, while a deferment is longer term and could delay the start of full-time NS.

"MINDEF re-iterates that all NS men must perform their duties, and that short-term disruptions or leave for sportsmen to train for and compete in international competitions are only allowed outside critical NS periods," Dr Ng said.

Athletes who were granted disruptions or leave for the most recent Southeast Asian Games in May include table tennis player Koen Pang, hurdler Ang Chen Xiang and triathlete Luke Chua.

Dr Ng was responding to a question by Progress Singapore Party NCMP Leong Mun Wai, who asked if MINDEF will relax the eligibility criteria for NS deferment for those have the potential to accomplish significant successes in sports and arts.

"Long-term deferments from full-time NS, such as those mentioned by Members, are exceptional, only for those who have the potential