50 years on, S’pore’s National Service is now a shared legacy

SMU Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan contributed an opinion piece which argued that National Service (NS) provides Singapore with a security umbrella under which economic and commercial ambitions and aspirations can be purposefully pursued. Beyond its primary role as a defence force, NS has immense potential to shape society by nurturing national and civic consciousness, critical for Singapore’s multiracial society. “Given the extensive commitment, efforts continue to be made to strengthen the tripartite relationship between the Ministry of Defence and SAF [Singapore Armed Forces], employers and NSmen [men engaged in National Service]. They include recognising supportive employers and businesses, and addressing various issues and challenges faced by employees in fulfilling their NS duty,” he wrote. “Given the extensive commitment, efforts continue to be made to strengthen the tripartite relationship between the Ministry of Defence and SAF, employers and NSmen. They include recognising supportive employers and businesses, and addressing various issues and challenges faced by employees in fulfilling their NS duty.”