Clarification by Minister for Defence
Ministry of DefenceSpeakers
Summary
This clarification concerns a factual correction made by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen regarding his previous response on long-term National Service (NS) deferments for elite national athletes. He emphasized that these deferments are exceptional and granted only to those demonstrating medal potential at top-tier international competitions, such as the Olympic Games. The Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen corrected the specific deferment periods previously cited for swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. The updated statement clarifies that Joseph Schooling was granted a seven-year deferment and Quah Zheng Wen a six-year deferment, rather than eight and five years respectively. This formal update ensures the accuracy of the parliamentary record regarding the national policy on athletes serving National Service.
Transcript
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:
The Minister for Defence (Dr Ng Eng Hen): 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:
The Minister for Defence (Dr Ng Eng Hen): 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.