The first Singaporean to sign a professional contract with a top-tier English club is now considered a wanted criminal for failing to comply with his country’s conscription requirements.
A midfielder in Fulham Football Club’s Under-18s team, Ben Davis was officially labeled as a National Service (NS) defaulter today by the Ministry of Defence. Responding to media queries, Mindef stated that the 18-year-old has failed to report for NS as required, and is also staying overseas without a valid Exit Permit.
According to The Straits Times, Davis was required to enlist last Thursday. He did not turn up, even after his application to defer his enlistment had been rejected by Mindef.
“To allow deferment for this type of appeal, would severely undermine the ethos and sacrifice of Singaporeans who have all put aside their personal interests to complete their NS duties,” said Mindef in a statement.
In July last year, Davis signed a two-year professional contract with the English Premier League (EPL) club after putting up impressive performances on the field. His application to defer his term in NS was rejected, with Mindef asserting that deferments are only approved for individuals who represent Singapore on the world stage in international competitions, like Olympic champ Joseph Schooling.
This resulted in a furious back-and-forth between the teen’s father, Harvey Davis, and Mindef. Harvey told Reuters that his son may be forced to consider giving up his Singapore citizenship for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the EPL. The ministry then claimed that the father had refused to commit to a date when Ben would return to Singapore and serve.
Possible conviction
Now, young Davis is officially wanted by Singapore for his offenses under the Enlistment Act, which requires Singapore citizens of age (18) to enlist for full-time national service for a period of up to two years.
“Mr. Davis has committed offenses under the Enlistment Act, and is liable upon conviction to a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 3 years,” Mindef affirmed in a statement to the media.
Singapore has been tough on National Service defaulters in the past, often jailing men who refuse their conscription obligations. Most famously, Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan is wanted in his native homeland for dodging the mandatory national service. That’s why he wasn’t even here for the red carpet premiere of the Hollywood adaptation of his book — he’d be arrested immediately at the border.
Reader Interactions