Tax Evasion

In light of the recent media coverage on the Melvin case - the punishment of one Melvin for not duly fulfilling his national service duties - it is an opportune to comment on the big huha.

It was a national outrage and a big public outcry, judging from the large front page publication in the Straits Times by the masses on the issue of evading National Service that the parliment has passed a bill to amend the current law on National Service evasion under the National Enlistment Act.

The angle taken by the masses seems wrong.
The masses were outraged by the apparent light sentence (fine) by the government on the accused.

Under the Singapore law (Enlistment Act) boys or men the age of 16 are legible for enlistment in National Service. They have to complete the patriachal duty for a length of 2 to 2 and a half years.

Anyone, any boy, any man, anyone sane for that matter will have the thinking of...oh no!
I'm gonna be torture for 2 years or more
I'm gonna be paid measly for being tortured for 2 years or more.
I'm gonna waste time for 2 years or more.
I'm gonna lose 2 years of my life or more
I'm gonna lose out to my girl counterparts
I'm gonna lose my girlfriend.

Those are the thoughts. Morbid (maybe) thoughts. Some of them are my thoughts.

So I can certainly understand for big rara or huha by people towards our dear Melvin.

I am not gonna stand here and talk about morals or how heavy or light the punishment is.
Neither am I gonna stand here and preach about nationalism and duty.
Because I for one did not want to be in national service when it came.

However, I took it as it came and go with it. Go with the flow as some may say.
But after going through the process, I began to realise there is much more than national security. I learned a lot more.

I learn to deal with people. Take responsibility. Be discipline (that was my most disciplined time). The fittest time in my life I had ever been. Be a leader. Deal with crap food. (not anymore I've heard) Learn new sports. Build mental strength.

But most of all, I learn to appreciate how lucky I am. What sense?
Luckier than some I have met and made friends with during this 2 or more years.

So when the article came to light on this chap, I wasn't enthralled nor overrawed. Neither was I resentful. I took it in stride. My take was he would have missed out one of the best times in life. Not the training or the screaming or swearing of the instructors, but the camaderie and friendship that was made and learning something worthwhile.

Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for the country. - A famous saying.
Would you fight for protect your nation?
Is it about nationalism or patriotism?
Or much more?