SINGAPORE (COMMONWEALTH UNION) – when one thinks of Singapore one will always think about the first impression the country makes is its airport. The Changi airport is a jewel in the crown that is Singapore. But the country does not disappoint once you leave the airport as the clean crisp air hit you in the face and the smell of freshness is what makes you smile as you see the streets of Singapore.
There has been a strict code of conduct in Singapore and this applies to citizens of Singapore as well as visitors. No one is above the law in Singapore and that’s what makes the country what it is today. To begin with at a young age children are taught life skills. The education of the young is taken very seriously in Singapore and all children are given the same education no matter what back ground they come from.
As children they receive an education but as a young adult, they further learn discipline. It is a rule in Singapore that all male citizens are required by law to serve 2 years in the Singapore military. This is so that there is a comradery amongst them men of that generation.
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If you have visited the little country of Singapore as a visitor you may have noticed that the Singaporeans have a strict sense of discipline and they do everything to keep their country at the best condition they can. Simple things like you cannot litter on the side walks or smoke in nonsmoking areas are taken very seriously by the citizens of this country and as a visitor you are expected to follow the same rules.
Unlike in other countries stating that you did not know that there were such laws will not help your case. It is all stated all over the country what the laws are and most often than not the citizens are happy to tell a foreigner what they can and cannot do. This is not because they are being condescending or want to feel like they are better no this because they have genuine concern for the visitor and they also want to keep their country in the condition it is in.
Singapore provides bins in almost every street corner so that one does not have to carry their trash along the road for long. This makes it easier for people to throw their cady wrapper in the trash can rather than drop it on the street. But if someone were to do that and a person of the law were to see then they would be fined for littering.
We have spoken about the rules of the country and how they are kept which bring the Article back to the fact that the citizens are given education at a young age on how to be disciplined. The National Service in Singapore is a compulsory thing for all citizens.
The male citizens are expected to join the national service at the age of 18 for a compulsory 2 years before they go on for higher education. There is a very unlikely chance on someone being excused from national service unless it a serious medical issue or there is some sort of special permission granted. In most Asian countries someone in a powerful family or if you know someone who knows someone you can get yourself excused from these things but not in Singapore.
Singapore does not care who you are or who your family is. The rule is that the country and the government has provided for you the best education and all your other human right needs and now you must pay your dues by doing your national service.
The service of the National Service is another good tactic of discipline as this shows that the military does not care about who you are as a person or your back ground or your family. It somewhat teaches you a sense of loyalty to the person you are sharing a bunker with and that is what is most important. In the national service you learn to discipline your lifestyle. Learn what more important a random night out or the project you have going on with your business partner.
When you take this kind of commitment into consideration the Singaporean nationals have it is the national service requirement that is set by the government that helps the men of that generation mix and mingle with people from all walks of like as there is no guarantee who will be your bunk mate for 2 years. This helps one to make new friends and see how people other than them live. It’s an eye-opening experience and when the required 2 years is finished the men that come out of the National Service should they choose not to go further than the 2 years that is needed they come out with a better understanding of different cultures.
It must be made clear that once the 2 years that is required by the government has been completed you can choose to leave the National Service but if you wish to continue then that option is there as well. Unlike most countries no one is forced to stay in the service. The Singapore government has made it very clear that once you have fulfilled your service duty of two years you are not required to stay unless you want to. Most often after the 2 years’ service the recruits tend to leave and pursue their futures as they see fit.
Many Asian countries and even countries outside of Asia should possibly take this as an example. Of course, the structure may not work for everyone but it may instill a discipline for the people to at least give someone a chance before they are judged.
Singapore is possibly one of the most developed countries in the Asian region and the reason for this has been and always will be the fact that there is strict discipline amongst its people. Everything is done according to times and everyone takes responsibility for their actions. There is no he said she said or passing the ball in this country.
This helps in keeping order within the country and its people.
