Are Singaporeans ready to defend country?

Aug 12, 2006
The Straits Times

I REFER to the article, 'Another generation of Israelis goes to war' (ST, Aug 8), where an Israeli family sends off their youngest son, Lieutenant Yair Cohen, in celebration, not in tears or in anguish.

Though the motives behind the Israeli attack on Lebanon are questionable, and the violence extremely undesirable, we should take a moment to reflect upon the patriotism shown by the Israelis. Not only are these brave young men willing to die for their country, but they are also proud to have been called upon to fight for their country.

The immense joy that Lt Cohen displayed when he was called to join his commander clearly showed his patriotism. His father, who fought in the 1967 and 1973 wars, gave him advice, while his brother promised to join him soon in Lebanon.

It is obvious, as an Israeli historian proclaimed, that the civilians are convinced that what the government is doing is right, explaining why many reservists who were not called up turned up for duty anyway.

Israel is not a big country - with a population of between six million and seven million - but it boasts the most powerful military in the region.

Having read the article, we should pause for a moment to find out the truth about ourselves. In a similar crisis, how many of us would bravely sling on a rifle and head for the front line, smiling happily at the thought of fighting for the red-and- white flag that was flying so proudly in the sky at our recent National Day celebrations?

It is time to ask how many of our men treat National Service as more of a chore than a cause, looking upon it with both fear and reluctance, or even thinking of leaving Singapore before turning 18. If it is so difficult for Singaporeans to even enlist for National Service, how can we expect loyal and determined soldiers to defend Singapore if it is ever under threat? Would many of our able-bodied young men be taking the first plane out of our beloved country? Even now in times of peace, some Singaporeans are already migrating for lesser reasons like escaping the rat race and to seek greener pastures.

Of course, the love that the Israelis have for their country does not come with just 58 years of development, compulsory national service or even the presence of an external threat. They have been persecuted and discriminated against for as long as modern history can remember, and withstood the greatest human atrocity the world has ever witnessed.

For the amount of suffering these people have gone through, going to war has become part of their life. The knowledge that they will not have the military support of other countries has developed a sense of national identity in their citizens, enabling them to stand united in times of war.

Therefore, we should question ourselves: Can national identity be inculcated in the safety and relative tranquillity that exist in Singapore? Must we undergo suffering and conflict before we can really bond as a nation?

It is because we have achieved so much as a nation that we should have a stronger sense of national identity and pride. We should be holding our heads high, knowing that we have overcome the communist and communal strife in the 1960s, and all the challenges that we faced when independence was thrust suddenly upon us, just as our Prime Minister reminded us in his National Day message.

Though Singapore presently lacks the sort of national identity which the Israelis have displayed, I hope that one day, in the near future, we, like the Israelis, will be able to proclaim that we are willing to fight and die for our country, the one place that is truly home.

Lee Chuan Yaw

SLING ON A RIFLE, HEAD FOR THE FRONT?

In a crisis, how many of us would sling on a rifle and head for the front line, happy at the thought of fighting for the red-and-white flag that was flying high at recent celebrations?