Reply by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen to Parliamentary Question on Number of Permanent Residents who Leave Singapore within Two Years Leading Up to Enlistment

Mrs Lina Chiam: To ask the Minister for Defence in the past five years, what is the number of male permanent residents who leave Singapore within the two years leading up to enlistment for National Service and later return to Singapore on a student pass/employment pass or on PR status.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen: Mr Speaker, Sir, Permanent Residents who are liable for National Service but who leave Singapore before enlistment and fail to register or enlist for National Service (NS) have committed an offence under the Enlistment Act. They are NS defaulters. Under the Enlistment Act, NS defaulters shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.  They would have to fulfil their National Service obligations, thereafter.

None of them are allowed to return on student passes or work passes or on PR status, without resolving their NS offence and serving out their NS liability.