Basket.

"Mindef has to ensure that the principle of equity is upheld when considering applications for deferment so as to uphold the commitment of the vast majority who dutifully fulfill their NS obligations before pursuing university studies... To do so would be unfair to others who have put their personal aspirations and goals on hold to serve NS when called upon to do so."

Well said, MINDEF. I am in full agreement. Who doesn't have personal aspirations, goals and dreams? Everyone reading this has them, everyone I know has them, every single person in the world has them. Why should his goals and aspirations take precedence over mine? Or over yours? The simple answer is he shouldn't. Let him serve, just like everyone else, before he goes to university.

As for all those idiots out there who were just waiting for a chance to leap on MINDEF's back and now have one, why don't you lot shut the fuck up and give MINDEF a break for once? Talent? So what if he has talent? Who doesn't have talent? Who isn't good in at least something? Hundreds of thousands out there have talents equal or better than this person, and they are serving/served before they went to study. Why should he be an exception?

As for PSC scholars, you know what, I don't agree with letting them defer either. But it is not a double standard - for the simple reason that the government, which MINDEF operates under, pays PSC scholars, effectively making them state employees. Which means the government can use them how it chooses, and they will return to contribute to the governing of this country. Ike See, however, is not a government employee, and the government has utterly no reason to let him go study because he is not a scholar and is manifestly unlikely to contribute as much to this country as PSC scholars are going to. In fact, he will probably take his talents and go overseas. It's awfully cynical, but this is the world for you. I, for one, would be extremely worried if our government governed largely by emotions and altruism rather than hard-headed, cynical pragmatism.

So - spare me all that crap and whining about "talent crushed underfoot". It cuts no ice with me, so cry me a river, fucking pansies. "An opportunity of a lifetime" - who doesn't think that of a chance to fulfill their dreams? But they serve first anyway. So should he. Full stop, debate closed.