SINGAPORE — A 25-year-old man was charged in court on Thursday (May 9) for defaulting on his National Service (NS) obligations. He was away from Singapore without a valid exit permit for about five years and seven months.

Thirumal Pavithran, an Indian national and Singapore permanent resident, faces four charges under the Enlistment Act. Each charge carries a maximum punishment of a S$10,000 fine and three years’ jail.

He allegedly left the country for almost 11 months from Nov 1, 2010 — the day he turned 16-and-a-half years old — to Sept 27, 2011.

All male Singaporeans and permanent residents who are liable to serve NS must get an exit permit if they are travelling overseas for three months or longer, after they turn 16-and-a-half years old until their enlistment.

Thirumal is also accused of leaving the country without a valid exit permit three more times between October 2011 and July 2016.

He eventually enlisted on May 13, 2017, and will be operationally ready with the rank of Corporal First Class on Sunday.

District Judge Adam Nakhoda noted that the Attorney-General’s Chambers is pressing for a custodial sentence of 10 to 12 weeks’ jail. Thirumal will return to court on May 23 and remains out on a S$10,000 bail.

In a media statement, the Ministry of Defence said that it “takes a firm stand” against those who commit offences under the Enlistment Act.

“All male Singapore citizens and permanent residents have a duty to serve NS. If we allow Singapore citizens or PRs who are overseas to evade NS or to choose when they want to serve NS, we are not being fair to the vast majority of our national servicemen who serve their country dutifully, and the institution of NS will be undermined,” the ministry added.