RECORD V HOLDS FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS

The fifth committee to Recognise the Contributions of Operationally Ready National Servicemen to Total Defence (RECORD V), conducted three focus group discussions from 31 Mar to 6 Apr.

Chaired by members of the committee, the focus group discussions gathered Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen), their spouses and employers to give feedback on ways to appreciate the contributions of NSmen.

Explaining the rationale of having the discussions, Ms Indranee Rajah, Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Council for Defence and Foreign Affairs, and Member of Parliament (MP) for Tanjong Pagar GRC, said: "To have a system that works for NSmen, employers and spouses, there is a need to hear from them, the people on the ground."

The discussion with NSmen's employers on 3 Apr at SAFRA Mount Faber produced suggestions that could help NSmen juggle work and National Service liabilities, and ways to increase the fitness levels of their NSmen, said Ms Indranee, who chaired the discussion.

Mr Adrin Loi, Executive Chairman of Ya Kun International Pte Ltd, who has about five NSmen employees, shared how he helped them stay fit: "For my NSmen employees who join fitness clubs, my job is to help foot the membership fees!"

He even encouraged other employers to adopt similar initiatives and to be more understanding towards NSmen.

A 6 Apr discussion at the headquarters of 2nd People's Defence Force in Clementi Camp involved a selection of NSmen from 807th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (807 SIR). The men were there on their first day of In-Camp Training (ICT).

"I'm glad I can be a voice to represent my fellow NSmen to raise concerns that we hope the authorities will look into, and make ICT a better experience for everyone involved," said Lieutenant (LTA) (NS) Shane Kwok, the 2nd-in-Command of Alpha Company at 807 SIR, and the Head of Department of Developmental Discipline at St Hilda's Secondary School.

Calling it a "candid and very productive" session, Mr Christopher de Souza, MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, added that NSmen were most concerned about their jobs, given the current economic climate.

Mr de Souza, who chaired the discussion, said that NSmen hoped to have more access to e-mails, in order to stay more connected to work during ICT. "I think the committee can look into that, provided security and training are not compromised," he said.

Another participant, who works at the Operations and Intelligence department of Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, asked about the possibility of giving more nights off to NSmen with families and very young children during ICT.

"This will be comforting to our wives who have to single-handedly care for the children when we are away at ICT," said LTA (NS) Nor Muhammad bin Ismail, deputy S4, 807 SIR, who has an eight-month-old son.

With the feedback from the focus group discussions, RECORD V committee members plan to deliberate on ways to appreciate the contributions of NSmen. Their recommendations are expected to be announced later this year.