Reply by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean to Parliamentary Question on Scholarship Bonds of SAF Officers

Mr Speaker Sir, all officers who join the SAF and take up sponsorship are aware that they have a moral obligation to serve out the full period of their sponsorship bonds, which goes beyond the legal obligation to pay back liquidated damages if an officer does not fulfil the bond. The SAF has a range of important leadership or specialist roles available that serve the organisational needs while catering to officers with different interests and aptitudes. Officers too are expected to do their best to fulfil their obligations to the organisation, unless there are strong and extenuating circumstances such as medical reasons, that prevent the officers from doing so.

An officer who wishes to be released early while under bond can submit a formal application through the proper process. The application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and the officer will be counselled and interviewed by his superior officers. Since 2000, we have allowed 3 officers to be released prematurely from their bonds.