Debated in Parliament on 5 Jul 2022.
The following statements were in the reply given by the Minister for Defence (Dr Ng Eng Hen) to Parliamentary Questions on the "National Dialogue and Review of Policy Regarding National Athletes Serving National Service" at the Sitting of 5 July 2022:
Long-term deferments from full-time NS, such as those mentioned by Members, are exceptional, only for those who have potential to win medals at top-tier international competitions like the Olympic Games. And on this basis, swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen were granted eight years' and five years' deferment respectively for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. [Please refer to “National Dialogue and Review of Policy Regarding National Athletes Serving National Service”, Official Report, 5 July 2022, Vol 95, Issue No 64, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
Written statement by Dr Ng Eng Hen circulated with leave of the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5):
I wish to make the following factual correction to the reply given to Parliamentary Questions on the National Dialogue and Review of Policy Regarding National Athletes Serving National Service at the Sitting of 5 July 2022. My reply should read as follows:
Long-term deferments from full-time NS, such as those mentioned by Members, are exceptional, only for those who have potential to win medals at top-tier international competitions like the Olympic Games. And on this basis, swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen were granted seven years' and six years' deferment respectively for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.
PAPERCUTS