Prodigal Sons

[taxico]

by David Boey at 12:10 PM on December 18, 2009

Singapore’s defence eco-system extracts a heavy penalty from citizens who cross its path because the forgiving spirit engendered by the Yellow Ribbon project seems alien to the defence establishment.

The Yellow Ribbon initiative reminds Singaporeans that they should accept and rehabilitate citizens who once strayed. It is a noble effort that people in defence circles should practice more.

Over decades, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) have lost many friends because of the system’s hard-hitting, retributive mindset. In many cases, people turn their backs on MINDEF/SAF for good.

Two case studies will underline this point.

In the 1990s, a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) pilot migrated to Australia. His decision to do so predated the Lion City’s clarion call for foreign talent by about a decade.

It says much about the standard of RSAF training when that pilot was accepted into the ranks of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a warfighter. As Australia is a member of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), RAAF squadrons routinely fly to Southeast Asia for joint exercises with air forces of the other FPDA members. These are Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

The former Singaporean was among the RAAF pilots scheduled to fly to Singapore for war games.

When his name appeared on the list of Australian Defence Force personnel due to arrive in Singapore, the Australians were politely informed that the ex-RSAF pilot was persona non grata. In short, his presence in Singapore was not welcome.

How would you have felt?

While flying for the RSAF, the pilot put his life on the line every time he strapped in and took to the air to defend Singapore’s skies.

Flying for the RAAF, the pilot was serving an air force whose pilots and aircrew once fought and died defending Singapore. Try telling that to Singaporean bureaucracy.

In countries such as the UK and the United States, and certainly between Australia and New Zealand, it is not unknown for citizens of these countries to migrate and fly on the side of their ally. In many instances, that relationship is celebrated.

I’m guessing that the larger “message”

[nakatago]

Good point but my goodness, the author is a journalist?!? I sorta lost the plot there when he brought about a cheating man to be forgiven ala-Yellow Ribbon style. I've seen more cohesive writing from ksl on one of his drunk-posting benders.

[taxico]

ex-journalist from ST, but this was not an article written FOR the paper nor was it (or ever will be) published in ST.

i think he's just rambling...

[JR8]

'Yellow Ribbon-style reformative process'?

That would be akin to Christian forgiveness, or perhaps graciousness.

The lack of it is not restricted to the armed forces, SG has proved itself the master of vindictiveness and the need to utterly crush those who do not toe the line, and I think that culture comes right from the very top.

[Mad Scientist]

Taxico

You and I are ex-service man. The only diff is I served at a different time where amenities were in short supply and the guidelines were more draconian but even that it was already set in stone
What the writer said is true but you have to understand UK , OZ and NZ served under the crown so there is not much issues as serve one country is meant to be the same as long as it is under the crown.
Having said that, it is in the Mindef guideline that you will be treated undesirable immigrant or persona non gratia if you do a ditch with SAF/MINDEF/MHA. while you are serving them.
There are many tales to be told but until such time when this Gahmen or the next open up their eyes and accept the facts that transmigration and dual citizenship is on the rise and will be more so there is nothing we can do except during the election time.
IMHO, Singaporean has not sense of loyalty. This is the direct result of the Gahmen micromanaging every single things in life.
Malaysian are more loyal across the whole spectrum of race although their economy is much slower compare to SG.
This goes the same as in Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines
It took years of singing "Count on me Singapore" but did that do the trick , I doubt so