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ingapore and South Korea are Asian countries where youths are subjected to conscription. The former is a city-state without any real threat of war, but it has neighbors that it cannot match in terms of population. The latter has lived with constant saber-rattling by the nuclear armed North since the Korean nation was split by war in the 1950s.

But both Singapore and South Korea can take pride in being among the wealthiest states in the world despite their lack of natural resources, thanks in part to mandatory conscription, which like or not has created a mentality that has driven their peoples to work hard and to uphold the value of discipline.

Indonesia, too, can reap the same benefits from conscription, although it does not have to replicate its neighbors'€™ methods. In this context, the draft bill on auxiliary reserves submitted by the government to the House of Representatives for deliberation is of great relevance and should first and foremost be viewed from the bright side.

Rich in natural resources, both proven and potential, Indonesia is still struggling to eradicate poverty, which afflicts more than 30 million of its people; improve education; and ensure security of food and energy for all. Some of the pitfalls stem not only from mismanagement, policies that do not answer the real problems and lack of competence but also from the entrenched mentality that has no respect for punctuality, efficiency and productivity. To make matters worse, corruption, collusion and nepotism is rampant and committed not only by the elites but also people at the grassroots level.

The obvious lack of discipline, which is exacerbated by noncompliance of the law, has prevented Indonesia from making a giant leap to reaching a level of parity with major nations. The nation already feels satisfied with becoming a big market for foreign products and an exporter of raw materials.

Many have touted Indonesia as becoming one of the largest economies in the world in the future given its potentials, but the projection will never materialize if the '€œbusiness as usual'€ mind-set remains intact. Bracing for a more competitive world in coming years, Indonesia needs a radical mentality change.

The bill on auxiliary reserves will help instill not only discipline but also nationalism, which can take shape in a willingness to defend national interests. Even without a war, Indonesia'€™s sprawling archipelago is too vast to protect by the roughly 500,000 armed forces personnel.

Opposition to the bill is understandable due to the country'€™s traumatic past that saw the military control almost every aspect of public life. It is therefore imperative that the bill declares that participation in the auxiliary reserves voluntary and offers incentives to those signing up, such as free access to university or jobs at government offices.

For better or worse, the bill will enable the nation to prepare for possible war. Although the chances of that happening seem remote, it should not justify any delay to the bill deliberation as it cannot be predicted when and if a foreign army might strike.

Nevertheless, defending the nation in war and peace, in good and bad times, is more than a calling. It'€™s a must.