The National Solidarity Party (NSP) says it is possible to achieve a balance between having a strong defence and saving money for welfare.
Its candidate for Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Mr Spencer Ng, 31, was responding to comments by the People's Action Party (PAP) team in the ward.
They had questioned the NSP's plans to cut the duration of National Service (NS) with Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, 69, and new PAP candidate, Brigadier General Tan Chuan-Jin, 42, shooting down their proposals.
But Mr Ng says NS can be accomplished within one-and-a-half years and training can be shorter and more efficient.
The NSP team met residents at a hawker centre in the GRC, this morning.
Mr Ng says compared to Taiwan, Singapore faces fewer threats but has a longer training duration.
He said: "As we compare to other countries, if I remember correctly, Taiwan (training) is about 1 year and 10 months and they are facing a big threat, as they put it, from mainland China. So, obviously, we are facing lesser threats or lesser danger when compared to our counterparts in Taiwan."
He also says the National Day Parade celebrations shouldn't involve servicemen but can be out-sourced.
And on cutting defence spending - he says the NSP is not suggesting that quality be compromised.
Said Mr Ng: "We should not neglect the quality of equipment we purchase as well as the value of training that we can provide to ensure they are operationally ready.
"But at the same time, we need to ensure the defence budget will not be too heavy, or rather, place a heavy burden on the rest of the economy."
As for the party's plans for Marine Parade, Mr Ng says they can be found in the party's manifesto.
Most touch on national issues such as discounts for first-time buyers of new HDB flats, as well as giving priority to Singaporeans when it comes to jobs.
He says these plans also benefit residents in Marine Parade, where his team is keen on getting the elderly and youth together through activities within Marine Parade GRC.
NSP stands for Nicole Seah Party?
One young person getting lots of attention is NSP's Nicole Seah, 24, leading some to comment that NSP stands for 'Nicole Seah Party'.
But Ms Seah says the party is more than just her.
She says: "They also say NSP stands for 'No Sleep Party'. We must also remember that the NSP is all about teamwork. There are many different areas that everyone can contribute and that's how we synergise and bring our talents together to the table."
Its candidate for Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Mr Spencer Ng, 31, was responding to comments by the People's Action Party (PAP) team in the ward.
They had questioned the NSP's plans to cut the duration of National Service (NS) with Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, 69, and new PAP candidate, Brigadier General Tan Chuan-Jin, 42, shooting down their proposals.
But Mr Ng says NS can be accomplished within one-and-a-half years and training can be shorter and more efficient.
The NSP team met residents at a hawker centre in the GRC, this morning.
Mr Ng says compared to Taiwan, Singapore faces fewer threats but has a longer training duration.
He said: "As we compare to other countries, if I remember correctly, Taiwan (training) is about 1 year and 10 months and they are facing a big threat, as they put it, from mainland China. So, obviously, we are facing lesser threats or lesser danger when compared to our counterparts in Taiwan."
He also says the National Day Parade celebrations shouldn't involve servicemen but can be out-sourced.
And on cutting defence spending - he says the NSP is not suggesting that quality be compromised.
Said Mr Ng: "We should not neglect the quality of equipment we purchase as well as the value of training that we can provide to ensure they are operationally ready.
"But at the same time, we need to ensure the defence budget will not be too heavy, or rather, place a heavy burden on the rest of the economy."
As for the party's plans for Marine Parade, Mr Ng says they can be found in the party's manifesto.
Most touch on national issues such as discounts for first-time buyers of new HDB flats, as well as giving priority to Singaporeans when it comes to jobs.
He says these plans also benefit residents in Marine Parade, where his team is keen on getting the elderly and youth together through activities within Marine Parade GRC.
NSP stands for Nicole Seah Party?
One young person getting lots of attention is NSP's Nicole Seah, 24, leading some to comment that NSP stands for 'Nicole Seah Party'.
But Ms Seah says the party is more than just her.
She says: "They also say NSP stands for 'No Sleep Party'. We must also remember that the NSP is all about teamwork. There are many different areas that everyone can contribute and that's how we synergise and bring our talents together to the table."
