by MP for Aljunied GRC, Pritam Singh
I understand MINDEF is reviewing the NS leave system for athletes, and more specifically, the SAF Sportsmen Scheme. It is noteworthy that when the national football team lost 7-1 to Iraq recently, Hariss Harun, Safuwan Baharudin, Shakir Hamzah and winger Yasir Hanapi were all ruled out because of National Service commitments.
I understand that MINDEF already grants deferments on a case-by-case basis, with some athletes delaying enlistment to prepare and compete in major competitions. What are the weaknesses of the current system, and how different is MINDEF’s proposed holistic framework of NS deferment for athletes that is currently underway? In addition, what competitions will come under the purview of the new framework and is the Malaysian Super League included in the proposed list?