National Service Act
Tuesday, 14th March 1967
The National Service Bill (Amendment) 1967 was first read in Parliament on 27 Feb 1967. After a spirited debate in Parliament, the NS Act was passed.
The leaders knew there was little question about the need to defend Singapore ourselves, as far as was practicable. The then Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, appealed to Singapore citizens to support NS. Not all people shared the same sentiments. The passing of the Act saw anti-NS marches, the most serious by some 300 people at New Bridge Road. Tear gas shells were used to disperse the crowd and about 13 people were arrested. However, the majority of the Singapore population understood the need to defend it, having gone through the Japanese Occupation, the struggle for self-government,