One of Singapore’s key institutions will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.

National service was made compulsory for all 18-year-old males on March 14, 1967, after the National Service (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament.

The law enabled the Republic to form a conscript army, which is a main plank of its defence policy.

Events and initiatives are being planned to mark the milestone, and to recognise the contributions of national servicemen.

The Government announced several goodies for national servicemen last year, in appreciation of their efforts. For instance, those who get married or have children will now receive $100 worth of vouchers as a celebratory gift.

Safra, a network of recreational clubs targeting national servicemen and their families, will celebrate its 45th anniversary this year.

…But Singapore must continue to monitor political developments in Malaysia that could pose an obstacle, said Mr David Han, a research analyst with the Malaysia programme at the  S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

“There have been voices within Malaysia, such as opposition groups, that have questioned the viability of the HSR agreement,” he said.

“If they gain prominence, we might expect domestic contestation. Singapore should actively see to it that the project is started earnestly in 2017, and find ways to overcome delays expediently.”