Pros and Cons of Deferment

The letter arrived. You don't want to go? Well, don't panic... check if you can be exempted before you go into hyperventilation.

Checklist Of Eligibility For Exemption

1 Individuals suffering from mental disorders under the Mental Disorders Ordinance, 1952 [ Ord. 31/1952 ], psychiatric patients under the Mental Health Ordinance (Sarawak), 1961 [ Ord. Sarawak 16/1961 ] or individuals suffering from insanity under the Insane Persons Ordinance (Sabah), 1951 [ Chapter 74 Sabah ].

2 Individuals certified by a Government Medical Officer to be suffering from a physical disability that renders him/her unable to undergo the national service training

3 Individuals serving a prison sentence.

4 Individuals being detained under any law then applicable in relation to preventive detention.

5 Individuals undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, or undergoing prolonged care under the Drug Dependents (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act, 1983 [ Act 283 ].

6 Individuals being detained under the Child Act, 2001 [ Act 612 ].

7 Individuals certified by a Government Medical Officer to be inflicted with a life-threatening disease.

8 Individuals certified by a Government Medical Officer to be inflicted with an infectious disease under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act, 1988 [ Act 342 ].

Okay, so maybe you don't qualify for exemption.
The next option: Deferment.

Checklist Of Eligibility For Deferment

The National Service Training Programme will commence on 16 February 2004. All selected participants have been notified through newspapers, registered letters, and the National Service Training Department's website. Selected participants who wish to apply for postponement may do so. The criteria for postponement are as follows:

a. The individual will be sitting for a major examination during the year in which he/she is required to undergo the National Service Training; or

b. The individual is furthering his/her studies during the period in which he/she is required to undergo the National Service Training; or

c. Any other circumstances that could possibly cause great difficulty upon the individual should he/she undergo the National Service Training.

Hm.. Maybe got chance then, you think... But wait, don’t press that dial just yet! Let’s weigh the pros and cons…

Pros

1. You waste less time, and complete your education faster.

- SAM only has one intake. Either you go in Jan 2005, or Jan 2006. Waste a year? Life is short. Going in for the first intake of A-Levels (or equivalent) can really help not waste 3 months of absolutely nothing to do. These months can be spent sleeping until you can’t sleep anymore, and watching tv until you wanna puke. Unless you have something really good to do during the months just before and after NS (before 2nd intake) you’ll be in for a BORE. Of course, you could always go for the first intake, then go for NS, then come back and take extra classes… but believe me, it’s terrible. You’ll come back to college, having missed 3 months of socializing with your friends, missing out on the inside jokes and stories… and before you know it, it’s trials!

2. Short term solution

- It’s a good short term solution. What about long term? Please refer to Cons.

3. There’s always the chance that NS will be aborted in the future.

- NS is such a bad idea that it definitely will be cancelled sooner or later right? Well, consider how much the government has invested into NS, and you just can’t be so sure. However, it can happen. Be optimistic. Arnold is governor of California. Then again, NS isn't such a bad idea is it?

Cons

1. It’s no fun being the only 25 year old amidst 18 year old kids.

- I need not elaborate on that one.

2. No peace of mind.

- Knowing you’ll be called back to complete your service sooner or later can leave you feeling very uneasy… and you never know when it’ll affect your plans. Imagine… at the altar. With quivering lips you utter the words, “I do…” only to receive an SMS calling you back for NS. But you’re in London! You’re going to the Bahamas for your honey moon! The poor husband/wife will have to tour the Bahamas alone.

3. Bersusah-susah dahulu…

- There’s an old poem: berakit-akit ke hulu, berenang-renang ke tepian. Bersusah-susah dahulu, bersenang-senang kemudian. There’s a lot of truth in that. You’ll probably have to go through it anyway… better now than later, right?

4. NS is probably here to stay

- Those lofty hopes that NS will be cancelled… well. We wouldn’t bet on it la. This is the pessimistic view. The optimistic view? See Pros.


Conclusion

We can think of only one really good reason to defer from your NS duties: you don’t lose so much time. Even then, missing a few months while waiting for college to start has more plus points than you might think. You could always do that Starbucks™ job you were eyeing… or finaaally finish ‘The Lord of The Rings’… you could even go on a hiking trip around the country, experiencing all the sights and experiences this country has to offer. You could write a book, or a computer program… learn French and/or Japanese… The possibilities are infinite.

Besides, the girl/guy of your dreams is probably in the 2nd intake anyway.

Bottom line? The cons outweigh the pros. Go for NS!


Any thoughts? Email us at dinyahloreng@gmail.com or simply type it out in the comments box below.