National Service can be made a privilege

There is a misunderstanding among readers of the Chinese newspapers that I am advocating mandatory National Service for girls. This is a wrong interpretation of my suggestion that the males should not have to carry an unfair burden in doing National Service, compared to girls and foreigners.

My suggestion is for the males doing National Service to be adequately paid and for the additional payment to go into their CPF account. Alternatively, the HDB housing grant should be differentiated between applicants who have done National Service and those who have not. The difference should reflect the value of the time that they spent in National Service.

If girls wish to perform national service, as they find it to be quite well paid, they should be given an option to serve in the nursing, community service or other suitable positions. This will have have to depend on the demand for these services.

I wish to see National Service be made into a privilege for citizens - and this can be done by paying them adequately for the time that they have to spend, and for this privilege to be made available to girls as well (but it is optional).