Presidential Election 2011
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Just cut and paste for sharing the latest excitement on PE2011. Exciting who is going to be the highest paid civil servant in the world.
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Dr Patrick Tan - enlisted 1988, deferred NS till 2000 (unusually long deferment of >12 years for studies); returned to serve NS with a soft posting as medical researcher, a civilian job he currently still holds.
Dr Tony Tan - Defence Minister from 1995 - 2003
d normal route for medical students as I know it:
a) Males disrupt NS to complete their first medical degree.
b) They return to NS n undergo MOCC which is a much shortened Officer Cadet Course for medical doctors.
c) They serve out their NSF liabilty as Medical Officers (MOs).
d) MOs do post grad studies AFTER NSF.
e) MOs continue to serve NS reservists liabilty just like other NSmen.
f) When issue of 'preferential treatment' for white horses were raised in parliament, then MOS Cedric Foo shot it down n stated dat their was no preferential treatment for sons of influential ppl(see CNA report below).
Dis is clearly a case of special preferential treatment.
d questions asked of Dr Patrick Tan/ Dr Tony Tan are thus valid questions dat require honest answers.
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'White horse' classification for NSmen existed prior to 2000
By Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE : Minister of State for Defence Cedric Foo said the Singapore Armed Forces had a 'white horse' classification for NSmen prior to year 2000.
He said the term was used to identify sons of influential persons to ensure such enlistees were not given preferential treatment.
Mr Foo was replying to a question in Parliament on Tuesday by Non-Constituency MP Steve Chia.
Mr Chia asked if there was such a classification and, if so, who qualifies to be classified as a 'white horse' and what privileges are accorded to them.
It is a rite of passage for all 18-year-old Singaporean men.
They enlist and serve two or two-and-a-half years of National Service in a variety or vocations ranging from combat to clerical.
But for many years, some NSmen have wondered if the battlefield is really level.
There were whispers that the sons of influential Singaporeans, dubbed 'white horses', were supposedly getting special treatment during their National Service.
\"I thought they got special treatment that was what I was lead to believe.\"
\"I don't have any 'white horse' in my platoon, but from what I heard, these people do have special treatment and they will get less punishment, easy jobs but don't know if it's true.\"
\"It should be taken out, everyone is equal regardless if you are a politician's son, someone powerful, rich. You are Singaporean, we all have to go through NS one point or another, why should you receive special treatment? \"
Well, for what many Singaporeans say is the first time, the Defence Ministry has publicly admitted to having a 'white horse' classification.
But the purpose was the exact opposite.
Mr Foo said: \"All NSmen are treated equally and are deployed in vocations and units based on SAF operational requirements, their medical classification, and their academic and military performance. No NSmen has been accorded special privileges.
\"Prior to year 2000, the term 'white horse' was used to identify sons of influential persons to ensure such enlistees were not given preferential treatment. And their medical classification and vocation assignments are scrupulously fair.\"
But there were no follow-up questions from MPs. So then why scrap the scheme?
Mr Foo said: \"Over the years, the public has widely accepted that the NS assignment system is fair and there is no preferential treatment to anyone. Since 2000, the SAF does not have a white horse classification for NSmen.\" - CNA -
I have to agree with you that Patrick Tan’s case is highly highly unusual. And remember, back then, there was a rule that President’s scholarships were not awarded for overseas medical studies. I really have to question if any other person with high abilities would have been able to walk the same path he did.
Its a shame because I do like Tony Tan, and in an environment whereby it is less usual for persons (or relations of those) in political power to be accorded privileges, i do not think he would have sought to exploit them. But Singapore being what it is, I supposed they just went with the flow. -
Dr Patrick Tan’s CV stated that he went to Harvard to get his BA. As is the US practice, a student must first obtain a basic degree before he/she can apply to study medicine. Who approved the deferment knowing that this is the US practice and thus Patrick Tan will not qualify to serve as an MO when he graduate from Harvard.
As the Education Minister during that period (1985 - 1991), he presumably should know that degree-MD-PhD route is a much longer route than one required to qualify one to practice as a medical doctor. If the intention is not to return to the SAF to serve as an MO which would be the basis for approval to undertake a medical degree, who approve the deferment extension for a further 8 years?
Even if Dr TT has not intervened in his son’s deferment and subsequent posting,
1. He as a concerned father certainly knows his son’s intention to take the MD-PhD to practice as a medical researcher/scientist and not return to serve as an MO in the SAF.
2. He as the Defence Minister (1995 to 2000) must surely know the special case of his son’s unusually long deferment of >12 years and return to serve a soft posting as an NCO in a Defence organisation.
3. One consideration for granting deferment for studies is that the candidate must have officer potential. By this criteria, why wasn’t Patrick Tan required to complete his OCS or even the must watered down physically less demanding MOCC on his return if he was combat fit?
Even if Dr TT had not sought to exploit his position and just went with the flow, he must surely be aware that his son’s long deferment and subsequent soft posting is highly unusual when he was the Defence Minister, not in line with what was preached to and granted to the masses.
Did he exercise the law then? -
Way2GO:
I don't know about legalities, but you have all very valid questions.Dr Patrick Tan's CV stated that he went to Harvard to get his BA. As is the US practice, a student must first obtain a basic degree before he/she can apply to study medicine. Who approved the deferment knowing that this is the US practice and thus Patrick Tan will not qualify to serve as an MO when he graduate from Harvard.
As the Education Minister during that period (1985 - 1991), he presumably should know that degree-MD-PhD route is a much longer route than one required to qualify one to practice as a medical doctor. If the intention is not to return to the SAF to serve as an MO which would be the basis for approval to undertake a medical degree, who approve the deferment extension for a further 8 years?
Even if Dr TT has not intervened in his son's deferment and subsequent posting,
1. He as a concerned father certainly knows his son's intention to take the MD-PhD to practice as a medical researcher/scientist and not return to serve as an MO in the SAF.
2. He as the Defence Minister (1995 to 2000) must surely know the special case of his son's unusually long deferment of >12 years and return to serve a soft posting as an NCO in a Defence organisation.
3. One consideration for granting deferment for studies is that the candidate must have officer potential. By this criteria, why wasn't Patrick Tan required to complete his OCS or even the must watered down physically less demanding MOCC on his return if he was combat fit?
Even if Dr TT had not sought to exploit his position and just went with the flow, he must surely be aware that his son's long deferment and subsequent soft posting is highly unusual when he was the Defence Minister, not in line with what was preached to and granted to the masses.
Did he exercise the law then? -
Don’t think it matters… just vote accordingly.
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"Don’t think it matters… just vote accordingly." from oppsgal
to me,it’s time to exercise your vote to make WAKE UP call!
if tan cheng bok is willing to donate his president’s salary,
and work for the SINGAPORE people for free,
why shouldn’t he get my vote?
Vote To Make A Point
every small vote from everybody will make a difference
make it HAPPEN! -
Announced election date to be 27 August (Saturday). Actually the date is an open secret…
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WCW:
i saw in yahoo news is 17 Aug :?
probably a typo -
WCW:
i saw in yahoo news is 17 Aug :?
17 August is nomination day. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_697964.html
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