MINDEF's Statement on Mr Quah Zheng Wen's Deferment Application

The Ministry of Defence received an application from Mr Quah Zheng Wen, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, to defer his full-time National Service (NS). Included in the application were his training schedule and targets with the goal to represent Singapore and compete successfully in the swimming competitions of the 2016 Olympic Games.

The Armed Forces Council (AFC) chaired by Minister for Defence has reviewed the application. Mr Quah has satisfied the conditions for deferment of exceptional sportsmen who can win honour for Singapore, as his recent performances were better than the most recent Olympic Games' qualifying times in the 200m Butterfly. The AFC has therefore decided to grant deferment to Mr Quah from full-time NS till 31 August 2016, for him to train and participate in the 2016 Olympic Games.

The AFC would like to re-iterate that the criteria for deferment remain strict and limited to exceptional cases. The criteria for deferment have not changed and both Mr Schooling and Mr Quah met these criteria.

Mr Quah will be enlisted for full-time NS when his deferment ends. We wish him success in the 2016 Olympic Games and hope that he will train hard to win a medal for Singapore.