My son was born a citizen of Singapore but was made a Malaysian citizen by birthright as I was a Malaysian. He has Malaysian IC and passport. When he turns 16 and a half in October 2001, he is required by Singapore law to register for National Service with the Singapore Armed Forces. Attempts to renounce his Singapore citizenship have failed as he is not allowed to give it up until he is 21.

We now live in Brisbane and have no intention of ever going back to live in Singapore. Whilst as a secretary to the Malaysia Club of Queensland, I wrote to the Malaysian high commissioner in Canberra complaining about my plight and some of our other members' too. I asked him what he or the Malaysian government can do for us. I would assume that as a sovereign government, Malaysia would hate to see her citizens serve another country's military, and would fight for our cause. But, alas, what answer did I get? He informed me what I already knew. That it was the law of Singapore that all citizens must serve the national service. He indicated that he did not know what to do!

I fail to understand why our government is not supporting us. I am sure similar cases have come up before and somehow have managed to be swept under the carpets.