Singapore Government Press Release

Media Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts,

MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369

Tel: 6837-9666

Date: 16 May 2002 Contact Person: Philip Sim

The monthly National Service (NS) allowance for Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) and Operationally-ready National Servicemen (NSmen) in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will be increased from 1 July 2002. The increases in the monthly NS allowance will be across all ranks. The revised NS allowance will comprise two main components – rank allowance and combat allowance. A recruit will receive a monthly NS allowance of $350 (up from $240 per month). The revised NS allowance rates are shown in Annex A.

The revision in NS allowance is one of the recommendations of the NS Review Committee set up by the Ministry of Defence to conduct a comprehensive review of the NS system and policies.

NS is a duty to the country and not an employment. NSFs are therefore paid an allowance and not wages like salaried employees. The monthly NS allowance is meant for basic personal upkeep, taking into consideration that most NSFs stay in camp, where accommodation, food and clothing are provided. Operationally-ready NSmen receive a pro-rata NS allowance when they are called up for NS training. In addition, NSmen are paid Make Up Pay to compensate for any loss in civilian income during their NS call-ups.

With effect from 1 July 2002, the NS allowance will be restructured and streamlined to reflect the different responsibilities undertaken by national servicemen, while ensuring that it is sufficient for basic personal upkeep. The revised NS allowance will comprise two main components:

Rank Allowance. The rank allowance increases with rank. National servicemen in leadership positions (e.g. officers and specialists) will receive a higher rank allowance, in recognition of the responsibilities they shoulder.

Combat Allowance. The combat allowance will be paid to national servicemen in combat vocations, in recognition of their onerous job requirements. Those performing more onerous assignments will be given a higher combat allowance.

MINDEF will also increase the current additional allowances given to Operationally-ready NSmen who hold key and command appointments in their NS units (e.g. Battalion or Company Commander, Regimental or Company Sergeant Major, Principal Staff Officer). These additional allowances are given in recognition of their leadership roles and the additional responsibilities that they shoulder. The revised annual Key Appointment Holder (KAH) allowance and Responsibility allowance are shown in Annex B.

This year marks the 35^th Year of NS. National servicemen continue to play a vital role in safeguarding the sovereignty and security of Singapore. The NS allowance has been revised in recognition of their commitment and contribution to Total Defence. In addition, the Government has announced in the 2002 Budget Statement that the NS tax reliefs will be increased by 50% and additional ‘Economic Restructuring Shares’ will be given to NSmen. These are part of the initiatives introduced in conjunction with the 35^th anniversary of NS. Other measures on NS training and administration, arising from the NS Review, will be announced later this year.

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