Like all other Singaporean male citizens, Lawrence Leow left home to serve National Service for his country for 2.5 years. Due to his outstanding performance during basic training (called BMT - Basic Military Training in Singapore), he was chosen to attend OCS (Officer Cadet School) in preparation for his future role as an officer in the Singapore Armed Forces. Bright future ahead for this young man, destined to be a leader.
While training in the jungles of Brunei during an OCS course in 1987, Lawrence suffered a heatstroke. The doctor that tried to resuscitate him caused further injury in his windpipe, resulting in a scar.
In addition to being left paralysed by that accident, the further injury in his windpipe means he had to undergo a tracheotomy. Today, he breathes through his throat - using a hole at his neck. And he is unable to speak.
Lawrence Leow (photo taken from http://edmund-ng.blogspot.com/2007/05/untold-truths-of-national-service.html)
His bright future ruined while being forced to serve his country’s military service - he receives S$500 (US$330) a month as compensation. A US citizen in Kansas collecting unemployment benefits would receive more than him for his sacrifice for his country as a soldier.
Singapore isn’t a poor country, and due to its high GDP, it has the highest military expenditure in the region, with more than S$10 *billion* spent in one year alone.
I’ll leave you to decide whether a S$500/month compensation for this soldier is adequate or justified.
P.S. If you wish to help Lawrence in anyway, please contact Edmund Ng at +65 9782-2682.
UPDATE: Lawrence Leow’s own homepage seems to have almost disappeared from Google over the past few days. You can find his homepage at http://wpfj.org/weekang/ and email him at weekang at pacific.net.sg
