Democracy- where people have a choice through a free and fair voting system.
Sure, Malaysia is no liberal nation, but I sure as hell thought we were democratic.
My friend *Kari* has just been called up for NS, and for many reasons, am not entirely sure if I am too happy about it.
First up: National Service [NS] is a programme whereby a group of people [preferably young people obviuosly] train together for a few months, in the method of warfare, after which they are sent back home, and will be mobilised for the event that a war comes to the nation.
In Israel, every man is called up at 18, and the NS programme is repeated for all male over 18 every two years.
In Singapore, NS is held for every 18 year old male for two years, after which they are free to do as they please [law abidingly]
And in Malaysia, females and males alike are called up at 18 years in a random selection.
In each case, skiving is punishable.
And you know, these people don't actually get a choice. It's compulsory for the chosen ones. In Israel, where war is always up and running on the borders, NS is an important part of survival and life. Of course, if the rest of Islamic Middle East and Israel just stopped warring, they might not have to, but that's besides the point.
The point is that the people who are selected have no choice. In Singapore, no matter where you are in the world, every 18 year old male has to go back and complete his assigned time. In Malaysia, it's slightly better. Malaysians who are overseas, like me, merely have to send proof of my residence in another country should I get chosen, and they will accept it. But what about the others in the country who don't want to go? What about the ones who do? Those people have no excuse- their only escape is to leave the country before they turn 18. Is that really fair?
More importantly, what about the bananas like me? I can't speak malay very well, I'd get bullied and pushed over the minute I stepped into the bus for being 'culturally white'. Well, more Caucasian than most Malaysians anyway.
Then there's the danger factor. Since this programme started up in Malaysia in 2004, I have heard of nothing but rapes. I honestly believe that these instructors can be dangerous people.
All in all, some people may have had good experiences concerning NS, I am not saying that it is totally bad. But honestly? It sounds a bit like harrasment to me.
Mishy <3
Friday, 30 May 2008
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5 comments:
People are called up in the year that they turn 18 because this is like a gap year, they wait for their results and do work or whatever before starting college. Too bad the selection process was too stupid to realise we international school kids are still IN SCHOOL.
I got called up and was posted to Sarawak. I think I would've gone and had fun, I've heard that the best place to be is Sabah/Sarawak. If I'd gotten Kelantan I would've died. Cos the rural camps apparently suck. I've been granted a deferral though, since my batch goes off to train this week, and I'm still doing exams. Plus my doing the 3 months of national service would involve me missing 6 weeks of school, something not conducive to good A level grades!
Are you kidding, YOU TOO???
Why does nobody tell me these things, YOU'RE NOT EVEN 18 YET!!!
If I get called up, I think I will just send my letter in quietly...
you get called up the year you turn 18, i.e. the year after you turn 17, i.e. the year after you finish your SPM and are either
a) sitting on your ass waiting for results
b) working at delifrance (a la my cousin yasir) while waiting for results, or
c) starting A levels or college or whatever
I was just on TCKid, and started reading your blog.. I can't imagine being called up for NS even if you don't presently live in the country! btw, for israel, both men and women go into NS (my best friend and two cousins are in now :~ ) But you don't have to go if you don't live there. I don't know what I'd do if I had to serve in Israel. I am Israeli (half) but I don't speak a word of hebrew and have never lived there... I don't think I would be a very good soldier!
hey, thanks for the correction and for taking the time to come see my blog. =)
yeah, i thought i was missing something about israel, but wasn't really sure, so i just left it at males in case females didn't go.
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