Why use Gurkhas when we can use S'pore police to safeguard s
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extracted from ST forum.
I always find it strange and uneasy whenever I see Gurkha policemen, often armed with sub-machine guns, deployed to provide guard duty in some public places. It creates a disquieting atmosphere.
I notice that Gurkhas are increasingly deployed in more vital installations such as ferry terminals, Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints, the homes of high-level government officers, and some foreign properties.
I can understand the need to increase the level of security in the light of the increased terrorist threat. But why use the Gurkhas? Why don't we use our own Singapore policemen?
The only reason I can be think of is that the government trusts the Gurkhas and considers them highly-skilled, given their discipline, courage and dedication.
But this begs a question: are we not having many well-trained police officers who are equally tough, skilled and most of all, loyal?
As I see it, deploying the Gurkhas in public places gives a wrong signal to Singaporeans about Singapore's ability to protect its own citizens with its own security people.
Worse, it gives foreign visitors an impression that Singapore is not capable of providing its own security personnel and has to employ Gurkhas to protect the country.
Looking back, the Gurkha contingent was first introduced in Singapore in 1949 by the British government to battle the communist threat and racial violence.
At that time, the local police were perceived to be biased towards their own communities and the deployment of the Gurkha contingent was essential as it carried out its duties impartially when dealing with civil disturbances. But it's been 40 years since Singapore's independence. What is the logic for the government to continue relying on the Gurkhas to protect our people and assets?
As Singapore is now more developed, the government has built up a strong and multi-ethnic police force that is efficient, trustworthy, impartial and loyal.
It has an elite police tactical unit (PTU) that is used to manage serious situations such as civil unrest and cases involving firearms. Many in the older generations will surely remember these feared PTU officers, then called the reserve unit, with their batons and body shields during those turbulence years in the 60s.
After the 9/11 incident, the police has started deploying the PTU since 2004 to patrol more public places such as Orchard Road and Holland Road to address terrorism concerns.
If the PTU officers can be used in such places, they should be used in other key installations as well instead of deploying the Gurkhas. The Gurkhas should be reserved for cases involving major security threats only. We should and must be able to protect our own people.
Seah Leong Khai -
happy to know that he has so much confidence in our police force.
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how to compare spore Police to Gurkhas?
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can any of the POs, including STAR officers, jump down to the canal to catch people ? no ladders, just simply cross the barrier and jump right down...if can then say, else we will be still using Gurkhas
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If they want to be in STAR, they jolly well train up to that standard.No questions about it.Gurkhas are more of a HRT force, IMHO than a patrol team.
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The training the Gurkhas go through is totally different from our police force
Maybe the writer should read up on them before commenting, not that I don't trust our police force. Anyway the msg it sends across is stronger than using our police -
singapore has a small population.. not enuff ppl for the workforce liao still sae y use Gurkhas when got Singapore policemen to protect.. if we got a large population, y do u tink our government still welcome FTs.
btw i dun like the policy of welcoming FTs.. -
apples and oranges....i trust a gurkha more to protect an installation than some local from the Police Force
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we cant even trust the police to come when a fight breaks out, let alone fight terror.
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Met three Gurkhas during my stint in OETI
Those guys take on the job a policeman, but training like a soldier, ie, chiong sua
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Even British is using Gurkhas, what is spore?
complain only when you are as good as Gurkhas or if you are a sick chicken, please stay at home and avoid bird flu....u so called writer.
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The Gurkha is a true blue professional "soldier". as in he train full time.
Also there is a mystic surrounding Gurkhas as they are known for their bravery and discipline.
So deploying them in "public" places like U.S. Embassy and so on, is to act as a "visible" "deterrent" to any hostile forces. -
they are there to protect important people..our police c.m.i compared to them..
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wah pengz
what the hell we would we a guard who will not die for you?
you think singapore police will risk their life for u ? wait long long lar.. they willing to help already good liao...
Gurkhas are very willing to risk their lifes to protect something impt..
of course i take Gurkhas leh to protect my banks... -
We do have unemployed people sitting around at home, BUT, do you see them rushing to do the jobs that are currently being held by expatriates and foreigners?Originally posted by twists:singapore has a small population.. not enuff ppl for the workforce liao still sae y use Gurkhas when got Singapore policemen to protect.. if we got a large population, y do u tink our government still welcome FTs.
btw i dun like the policy of welcoming FTs..
Nope.
There are still sectors here where locals grudge and refuse to work in for whatever reasons and perceptions. Foreigners come in to fill in the gap for us, so to speak.
Without them, our economy will slow down. Even with them, there are sectors where manpower is tight!
Let's face it, there are jobs where locals simply shun. How else to get these positions filled except with foreigners?
I work in a sector where we have tons of foreigners and to be honest, if they were to choose to leave tomorrow, our sector will collapse!
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Gurkhas play a very important role and I do not think that they are substitutable.
Are there Singaporeans fighting for their jobs?
Don't think so.
These Gurkhas complement our Police Force and we should be appreciative of their presence. I think we should only kpkb if they actually derive well-qualified locals for the same job but as it stands, they are in a class of their own.
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Look, i doubt it is because the Gurkhas are tougher or are more disciplined. These are traits that can be trained.
I -think- the real reason for using Gurkhas is that they:
1. are Relatively Cheap
2. are Expendable in that there are not many people (in Singapore) who will *really* grieve for them when they get hurt or die whilst on duties.
3. are likely to have less ties to singaporeans. This would make them very useful in more delicate situations. Eg. In situations where SAF soldiers and the police are not really inclined to do their jobs. I know that I would, as an NSman be very reluctant to follow orders that i feel are clearly against the well-being of the state and the people.
4. Yes, i think tradition and the myth attached to them might have something to do with it as well. This, however, is probably one of the least significant motivation for using them.
I think the writer is making a fuss over nothing though. Its like some people have nothing better to do than to try and get their names published in the local paper so that they too can have their 15 mins of fame. But hey, its a free(ish) country. -
I believe that Gurkhas are employed to protect the Government in case of a revolution.
In some countries, the military power superseeds the government to the extent that the military calls the shots.
As a precaution, if in any case, our military leaders decide to 'sabo' our government, the Gurkhas will be their protectors