Reproduced from: The Star, Thursday December 4, 2008
Only three-year deferment for teen who lost brother
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Service (NS) Training Department has deferred the training programme of Jane Lim Hwe Cheng for three years.
Jane, whose brother Ricky died shortly after returning from his training stint, was originally slated for the coming intake and was to report on Dec 27.
The 17-year-old and her family have been appealing for an exemption from NS training.
The department’s decision was conveyed by Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusof in a written reply to Kota Melaka MP Sim Tong Him yesterday.
“The department decided to postpone Jane’s training for three years as provided under Section 20(1) of the National Service Training Act, which provides exemption for those with extraordinary problems,” he said.
He added that under Section 4(1) of the Act, Jane cannot be exempted from undergoing NS training.
“However, the department understands what she and her family are going through and has approved a three-year deferment for her,” he said.
Abu Seman said Jane’s parents had told the department that they had disallowed their daughter to undergo training because they did not want to lose her.
Ricky, 20, died on Sept 15, nine days after completing his three-month NS stint.
Abu Seman said the Malacca Hospital had not released the cause of his death.
In Malacca, Jane received the news of the deferment with indifference.
“It (the deferment) really does not matter much to me. If I still have to go after three years, who will take care of my parents, who will be three years older then?” she asked, after listening impassively as her father Lim Geok Kim, 46, told her the news.
“Since my brother died, it has been hard for us. My dad is unable to work and my mum cries every time she sees my brother’s picture,” said the teen.
Jane, who works as a storekeeper at a factory in Krubong, is currently the sole breadwinner for the family.
Her mother, Lim Meng Yeok, 50, is surviving on one kidney after the other was removed six years ago, Jane said.
“I realise my parents need me more than anything now and I only want to take good care of them.”
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Is this what u call a sensitive government or "Kerajaan Yang Prihatin"? It's more like BS to me...
When the issue first surfaced, the government did not want to budge from their initial decision NOT to exempt this poor gal from the NS. After mediation by certain quarters and lots of promises... the result is no different at all.
This only happens in Malaysia where the BN leaders are flexible when they want to but are NOT flexible when they have NO vested interest in the issue.
... and it happens ONLY IN MALAYSIA!
