Workers’ Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) Gerald Giam asked during the parliament sitting on 22 February about raising the allowances of full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) in view of inflation and rise of living costs.
The Senior Minister of State for Defence, Heng Chee How, responded by saying that full-time NSFs receive an allowance for their basic personal upkeep.
He added that the allowance takes into account that NSFs’ food, lodging, clothing, and medical care are provided, given that most of them stay in camp.
Heng also further added that allowances are regularly reviewed and adjusted by Mindef, and highlighted how three adjustments have been made love the last 10 years and that the latest adjustment was in March 2020.
Giam then followed up and highlighted to Heng that the last review was in March 2020, and cited how the cost of basic upkeep has increased significantly due to high inflation from mid-2021.
He asked if NSF allowances could be pegged to the increase in Consumer Price Index or the MAS core inflation measure to minimise the lag time between the increases in living costs and adjustment to NS allowances.
Giam also asked when is the next review and if it could be brought forward due to the situation.
Heng then responded by saying that when the allowances are calibrated, the overall price levels in the country are taken into account.
He added that it is not the general cost of living that applies to the upkeep of the NSF because the items that impact overall living costs like lodging, food, clothing and medical care are taken care of and paid for by the SAF and Home Team.