Transportation needs of NSFs already been taken into account through their monthly allowance: Chan Chun Sing

The transportation needs of National Servicemen (NSFs) have been taken into account through their monthly allowance, including the cost of the public transport concession card, said Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing in a written parliamentary response on Tuesday (May 5).

This was in response to the question by Workers' Party's Aljunied GRC MP Kenneth Tiong on NS allowances for full-time NSFs.

Question

Tiong had asked the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) what proportion of full-time national servicemen (NSFs) are in stay-out postings without lodging or meals.

He also asked whether the Mindef considers the current purchasable S$81 monthly transport pass adequate for NSFs earning S$790 per month and whether the Ministry will provide by default free public transport for NSFs, as Austria does for their conscripts.

Transportation needs already considered

To that, Chan said in his written reply that the vast majority of full-time NSFs in the SAF are deployed to roles where their lodging and meals are provided.

Only around 12 per cent of NSFs in the SAF are stay-out personnel who are not provided lodging, he said.

Since all NSFs, including stay-out personnel, are provided with the same monthly base allowance that is sized for their basic personal upkeep, the transportation needs of NSFs have been considered, including the cost of the public transport concession card, Chan added.

NSFs taken care of through monthly allowance: Chan

Noting that the cost of providing free transport for NSFs would need to be cross-subsidised by other commuters through higher fares, or by taxpayers, Chan said some countries choose to provide conscripts with a national travel pass to cover their travel expenses.

He said: "In Singapore, we have included the cost of public transport for NSFs in their NS allowances."

Either way, the costs are funded by the Government, and ultimately, by taxpayers, he added.

"We choose to take care of our NSFs by providing them with cash through their monthly NS allowance, rather than directly prescribing specific provisions for them," said Chan.

"In this way, we give NSFs the agency to purchase items according to their needs."

Contributions of national serviceman

Chan spoke in parliament during MINDEF's Committee of Supply debate on Feb. 27, where he addressed Tiong's question on allowances for national serviceman. 

Chan said, "I think those of us who have served in National Service will be very careful to not use the word 'compensate', because, in truth, no amount of monetary compensation can be equated with the contributions of our NSmen."

He added that on top of the mandatory two years NSF have to serve, these contributions include the additional 10 years of reservist and more for some who volunteer their services.

"What is the ultimate price for all this contribution? It is not how much money we give them. Ultimately, it is the security and survival of Singapore that we are defending," he stated.

Chan emphasised that Mindef takes care of NSmen and NSF in according with the ministry's budget space and "will do more" where possible, but refuted the idea that "this is a transactional relationship".