EVERY time I read about the death of a National Service trainee, my heart goes out to the family and I never fail to ask myself: "Was the child looking forward to the programme? Did he/she go voluntarily or was selected and forced to go?"

Just imagine if the child had refused to go but his/her name had been picked. As a responsible citizen, the mother must have persuaded the child to go, assuring him/her that everything was going to be fine. The child went but never returned.

The irony of it is, after every death, they say it is an unfortunate case or an isolated case. Unfortunately, too, I have lost count of how many such "unfortunate and isolated cases" there have been.

I am not saying that NS is not beneficial to our children because many have enjoyed the programme and they have come forward to talk about what they have learnt there.

I also understand it is impossible for the NS to be postponed, scrapped or suspended as suggested by some individuals because of the amount of money the government has invested in the programme and the many parties that are involved.
But why make it compulsory? Can't the government give us a choice? Leave alone those who are reluctant to attend the NS training.

Replace them with those who are enthusiastic but not chosen. I can assure you there are plenty of them out there who want to join the programme but their names have not been picked. My niece is one of them.

If we do this, then at least we know that those who attend the NS training are fit physically, mentally and emotionally. Most important of all, they are happy to be there.

Don't you think this will produce better results and make everybody happy?

The NS must not be made compulsory. Anything that is forced will not bring the best results.

I pray that God will comfort and strengthen the family of Too Hui Min because only He can understand what they are going through.