Latest news with #NSmen
Online Citizen
27-05-2025
- Business
- Online Citizen
Reddit post sparks questions over transparency in NSmen make-up pay adjustment
SINGAPORE: A Reddit user has sparked public concern over a lack of transparency surrounding recent changes to the Make-Up Pay (MUP) scheme for Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen). The user, who had recently completed a two-week In-Camp Training (ICT) in May, noticed a significant discrepancy in his MUP despite a civilian pay increment. The post on 19 May 2025 raised questions about the communication and fairness of the policy change. Well-Publicised NSF Pay Hike vs. Silent NSman Adjustment The user highlighted the stark contrast in how two major policies affecting national servicemen were communicated. In March 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) publicly announced an increase in the monthly allowance for full-time National Servicemen (NSFs), ranging from S$35 to S$75, set to take effect in July 2025. The announcement was widely covered by the media. In contrast, the user pointed out the lack of any official communication regarding a revision to the MUP formula for NSmen, which took effect in February 2025. He noted that there were no press releases, government announcements, or media reports concerning the change, which he found troubling. Bonuses Excluded Under New Make-Up Pay Formula The Reddit user shared his experience of receiving a lower MUP than expected, despite having received a pay increase in his civilian job. Upon contacting the NS hotline, he was informed that his Additional Wage (AW) was recorded as '$0' under the new MUP formula, as bonuses were excluded. According to the explanation provided by MINDEF, the exclusion of bonuses was based on the assumption that employers are unlikely to reduce bonuses when employees take short absences due to NS activities. MINDEF explained that the revised MUP calculation, which took effect in February 2025, adjusts the AW component by removing the two highest AW months, typically bonuses. The aim was to better estimate income loss for NSmen when attending Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS) activities. This change was introduced after feedback from employers and NSmen. 'Unjust and Unjustified': Redditor Calls for Reversal The Reddit user expressed strong dissatisfaction with the policy change, calling it 'unjust and unjustified.' He argued that the rationale behind the exclusion of bonuses was illogical and unfair. The user pointed out that someone has to bear the cost of the compensation shortfall—either the reservist employee, who would receive a smaller bonus, or the employer, who would have to pay the same bonus despite fewer work weeks. The user also criticized the lack of transparency in the implementation of the policy change. He noted that while the NSF pay increase had been publicly announced months in advance, the MUP revision affecting NSmen had not been disclosed or discussed in public. What Does This Mean for NSmen? The Reddit post included a detailed FAQ section to explain the potential consequences of the MUP changes. The user highlighted that for NSmen whose bonuses form a significant portion of their income, the exclusion of bonuses during reservist training could lead to substantial pay cuts. For example, missing out on one month's performance bonus could result in a 7% pay cut, and missing two months could lead to a 14% cut. The FAQ also addressed concerns from those under the Direct scheme, where MUP goes directly to the employer. The user warned that employers might become less inclined to pay the same bonus to reservist employees if they are absent for two weeks a year, making them less cost-efficient compared to other employees. In response to the unannounced policy change, the Reddit user encouraged others to express their concerns. He provided several ways to raise the issue, including filling out the official feedback form on the NS website, calling the NS hotline, emailing MINDEF, or writing to Members of Parliament (MPs) during Meet-the-People sessions. The user also suggested reaching out to both soial and traditional media outlets to bring more attention to the issue. He emphasized the importance of accountability for the changes and called for the revision to be reversed and backpaid. Reddit Users Weigh In on Silent Make-Up Pay Change Following the Reddit post, several users echoed concerns about the revised Make-Up Pay (MUP) scheme for Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen), calling for a broader public discussion on what they viewed as a significant and troubling policy shift. They questioned the rationale behind the exclusion of bonuses from the MUP calculation, particularly the assumption by authorities that employers are unlikely to reduce bonuses for employees taking short absences for National Service. One user highlighted the lack of public communication surrounding the change, describing it as 'extremely poor'. Another Redditor shared a personal account, stating, 'I completed my ICT recently and noticed the slight drop compared to last year as well—thanks for bringing this up.' The comment reflected a growing chorus of dissatisfaction over the silent policy adjustment and calls for greater transparency. Following the Reddit post, The Online Citizen (TOC) sent a formal letter to MINDEF on 20 May, seeking clarification over the recent changes to the MUP scheme for Operationally Ready NSmen. TOC asked why the change—implemented in February 2025—was not formally announced or communicated to the public, noting that the revised method could significantly affect payouts. TOC also asked whether the exclusion of bonuses—achieved by removing the two highest Additional Wage (AW) months from the 12-month average—marked a shift in policy. It questioned the rationale behind no longer including bonuses as part of income loss calculations. TOC further asked about the basis for MINDEF's claim that bonuses are excluded because employers are 'not likely to reduce these' during short absences for NS. It requested evidence supporting this assumption and whether there had been any consultation with employers, unions, or employee groups. TOC also asked how MINDEF assessed the potential long-term impact on employability and equity, warning that the change could lead to unintended consequences such as reduced bonuses, hindered career progression, or added burdens for employers. TOC raised concerns over the DIRECT scheme, where employers continue paying full salaries and claim reimbursement. It asked if these employers are now under-compensated and whether they were informed about the change. TOC has since reviewed past public documentation and noted that the change appears inconsistent with previously published calculation methods. As of 27 May 2025, MINDEF has not responded to TOC's queries.
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Straits Times
SAF looking to AI to reduce training risks, says Ng Eng Hen
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (in white) visits NSmen from 702 Guards participating in Exercise Golden Sand at Pulau Sudong on April 24, 2014. PHOTO: ST FILE SAF looking to AI to reduce training risks, says Ng Eng Hen SINGAPORE – The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to make military training safer, for instance by identifying risks in real time as soldiers go through exercises. Outgoing Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said the SAF's highly structured training makes it well-suited for AI applications, as large amounts of data is generated from repeated drills under similar conditions. 'You have a format, and many, many units go through it. When you think about that process, that's gathering data. The same set of circumstances, but different data. And the more data you get, that's your data bank,' he told reporters in an interview on May 13 ahead of his retirement from politics. 'The more soldiers go through that live firing or exercises, it builds your data bank. And that's the beginning of machine learning.' Dr Ng said that with enough data, AI models can be trained to identify patterns of risk or safety lapses. This could allow the SAF to flag high-risk activities or even intervene in real time if soldiers stray outside safe parameters during exercises. While such technology still needs to be tested, he said AI 'lends itself perfectly' to SAF training, offering an additional layer of safety to complement human supervision. The SAF has made safety a priority in recent years, introducing systemic changes to reduce accidents. In 2019, it established an Inspector-General's Office (IGO) to strengthen safety oversight and accountability across the military. This came in the wake of several training deaths, including the death of national serviceman Aloysius Pang during an overseas exercise in January that year, which prompted a comprehensive review of the SAF's safety culture and practices. The SAF has since introduced tighter controls, improved safety training, and made safety performance a key part of commanders' responsibilities. 'We said, we have to aim for zero deaths, and that's a tall order, so we made safety as important to the CO (commanding officer) as performance. You're accountable if something happens and the safety lapse is a mark against you, you have to pay attention to this,' Dr Ng said. These efforts have helped reduce training-related incidents, though maintaining safety remains an ongoing challenge and Dr Ng said militaries must never become complacent. He said the SAF's push to harness technology builds on a long-standing approach championed by Singapore's first Defence Minister, Dr Goh Keng Swee. Outgoing Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said the SAF's highly structured training makes it well-suited for AI applications. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Faced with manpower constraints, Singapore had little choice but to make use of technology early on, Dr Ng noted. This led to the creation of the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), DSO National Laboratories and ST Engineering, which continue to play key roles in supporting the SAF's operational requirements today. 'We've got a few thousand engineers at any one point in time working on defence issues, and that's a real substantive strength. Not many countries have that,' he said. He noted that while larger countries may have many more engineers, Singapore's few thousand defence engineers represent a significant capability for a country of its size, giving the SAF the ability to plan and develop new systems ahead of emerging threats. Under Dr Ng's watch, the SAF introduced 'ops-tech' teams, which bring together operational units and defence engineers from the start to co-develop solutions. This ensures that new technologies are designed with real battlefield needs in mind and are practical for soldiers to use, whilst also speeding up development and improving outcomes. Previously, those carrying out operations would present a problem to the engineers, who would then propose a solution, only for the soldiers to later point out that it did not quite work in practice, he said. Dr Ng also oversaw the establishment of the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) in 2022 to defend Singapore's digital and information space, reflecting the SAF's growing role in addressing cyber and hybrid threats. Although technology has become a key force multiplier for the SAF, he stressed that it cannot replace the human spirit and commitment to defend the country. 'It will always be central,' he said. 'I mean, you can have all the equipment and technology you want, you can or you have, but if you don't have that fighting spirit, or if you don't think Singapore is worth defending, then well, we'll lose.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: Over 8,000 police NSmen to be recalled for duty at rallies, polling stations and counting centres
Bedok Police Division's commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner Justin Wong, said the police have been working closely with other government agencies to plan for this general election. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM GE2025: Over 8,000 police NSmen to be recalled for duty at rallies, polling stations and counting centres Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – With thousands of people expected to turn up at rallies, polling stations and counting centres during the 2025 General Election, more than 8,000 operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) will be recalled to help with crowd control, said the police. High-tech equipment such as cameras will also be deployed to ensure that the events are safe and incident-free. Some 2.6 million registered voters in 17 group representation and 15 single-member constituencies are expected to cast their ballots on May 3. In the run-up to Polling Day, 51 sites have been set aside for political rallies during the campaigning period from April 24 to May 1. On April 24, the media was given a tour of a rally site which is overseen by the Bedok Police Division. The police have set up a watchtower where officers can overlook the entire rally. Cameras are placed at various points on the site, with barricades around the perimeter. The police have set up a watchtower where officers can overlook the entire rally. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Outside the site, orange nettings and traffic cones prevent jaywalking and illegal parking. The measures are put in place to ensure public safety and reduce the risk of crowd crushes and stampedes. The police say their crowd management plan may be calibrated depending on the situation on the ground. Assistant Superintendent of Police Fabian Tan, 44, from the police logistics department, told the media that his department began preparing for the election in 2024 and preparations were ramped up when the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee convened. 'We have been planning for the past year and doing site reconnaissance, and (from time to time) we have to do additional reconnaissance to see if the planned locations' terrains have changed,' he said. The Bedok Police Division's commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner Justin Wong, said: 'The Singapore Police Force stands ready to ensure all election meetings are safe and secure. 'The police have been working closely with other government agencies to plan for this general election. After the Writ of Election was issued, the police have been working around the clock to execute those plans.' He assured the public that the police has put in place plans and is ready to deal with various scenarios, such as when multiple rallies are held on a single night. He added that in the 2015 election, the police managed 14 rallies on the last day of campaigning. Among the NSmen recalled is Deputy Superintendent of Police (NS) Shaun Keshiv Sarjeet Singh, 34, who, having first enlisted in 2010, has been involved in five elections before GE2025. Deputy Superintendent of Police (NS) Shaun Keshiv Sarjeet Singh briefing his team at Temasek Junior College on April 24. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Speaking to reporters at the Bedok rally site, he said that this election cycle will be his most eventful one, as it is the first time he is leading a group of officers at a major rally. 'I feel honoured to be deployed for such a big-scale event which happens every five years. I am grateful to be working with many experienced officers, and together we will achieve our objectives,' he added. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
