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Ng Eng Hen delivers ministerial statement on recent cases of NS training deaths

SINGAPORE — Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen is delivering a ministerial statement in Parliament on the recent cases of training deaths during National Service. Here are the highlights from his speech on Thursday (May 17).

From left: 3SG Gavin Chan and CFC Dave Lee of the SAF, and CPL Kok Yuen Chin of the SCDF. All three youths died while serving full-time national service.

From left: 3SG Gavin Chan and CFC Dave Lee of the SAF, and CPL Kok Yuen Chin of the SCDF. All three youths died while serving full-time national service.

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SINGAPORE — Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen is delivering a ministerial statement in Parliament on the recent cases of training deaths during National Service. Here are the highlights from his speech on Thursday (May 17):

* Deepest condolences

In his opening remarks, Dr Ng expressed condolences, on behalf of Parliament, to the families of Third Sergeant Gavin Chan and Corporal First Class Dave Lee of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), and Corporal Kok Yuen Chin of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). All three youths died while serving as full-time national servicemen (NSFs).

He said: "Any death among SAF soldiers or Home Team personnel is grievous .... especially painful is when young NSFs die - all of us feel it acutely.

"This House offers our deepest condolences to the families of of 3SG Gavin Chan, CFC Dave Lee and SCDF CPL Kok Yuen Chin. We know that no words cannot replace their loss. 

"We grieve together with them even as we honour the memory of their precious sons who served and sacrificed for our country. The SAF and Home Team will continue to provide assistance to their families as best we can."

 

* Zero training deaths

The SAF must design its safety systems and enforce them to eliminate training deaths. While this is a difficult goal, Singapore must strive for "zero training deaths", said Dr Ng, adding: "Any death is one too many. (Achieving zero training deaths) can be done, even as NS men train realistically and effectively to protect us and defend Singapore."

 

* Coroner's findings into 3SG Chan's death

Dr Ng is sharing detailed findings into the events surrounding 3SG Chan's death following a vehicular accident in Queensland, Australia on September 15, 2017. The minister has circulated a report from the Queensland Coroner.

 

* Findings by the COI into 3SG Chan's death

A Committee of Inquiry looking into 3SG Chan's death found "no negligence, foul play or misconduct", said Dr Ng. However, the committee identified some lapses. For instance, the night vision device of the Bionix vehicle that 3SG Chan was commanding was not working. The COI also recommended that the SAF review related safety regulations. The SAF has followed up and implemented additional training and safety checks, Dr Ng added.

 

* Death of CFC Dave Lee

Turning to the case involving CFC Lee, Dr Ng said investigations were incomplete and he could only share information from the SAF's internal investigations. He noted that the SAF has not had any fatalities from heat stroke for the last nine years prior to CFC Lee's death. But he stressed that the SAF must work harder to achieve zero fatalities from heat injuries. To this end, the SAF and the Ministry of Defence are looking at new measures to deal with the issue, including the use of wearable devices to monitor a soldier's condition in real time, and the commissioning of an external panel to review existing policies.

 

* Criticisms of commanders

The minister said he was aware of accusations against the commanders of CFC Lee. But he urged the public to let the COI and police investigate fully and establish the facts. 

He added: "If any persons are found to have been negligent or culpable they will be punished according to the law, both in civilian and military courts. But we must not discourage or unfairly punish commanders who are executing their responsibilities dutifully.

"Many commanders are NS men too, who take seriously this mission we in society have imposed on them - to train capable fighting units able to defend Singapore against all threats."

 

* Changes to the External Review Panel on SAF Safety (ERPSS)

According to Dr Ng, a representative from the external review panel will be involved in the COI for CFC Lee and future inquiries involving training related deaths. The panel will also publish a written public report on the findings by the COI. 

 

* Number of NS training related deaths in last 20 years

The SAF saw, on average, about one NS training related death annually over last 20 years, though there was no training related NS deaths between 2013 and 2016. Said Dr Ng: "The Chief of Defence Force and service chiefs have assured me that safety has always been, and will continue to get their highest command attention, to achieve zero fatalities. But we need every level to play their part, down to the individual commander and soldier to protect their own well-being and that of their men and their buddies."

 

* Recent cases

- Third Sergeant Gavin Chan: 3SG Chan was killed in a vehicular accident during an overseas military exercise on Sept 15, 2017. The 21-year-old, a vehicle commander from the 41st Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment, was participating in Exercise Wallaby at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia, when the Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle that he was guiding out of difficult terrain landed on its side. The incident left him unconscious and he later died from his injuries.

- Corporal First Class Dave Lee: CFC Lee died on April 30 after spending more than a week in intensive care at the Changi General Hospital. The 19-year-old Guardsman from the 1st Battalion Singapore Guards had shown signs of heat injury after an 8km fast march in Bedok Camp at 8.35am on April 18. His mother has called for an immediate halt to "tekan", or punishment, sessions in the military.

- Corporal Kok Yuen Chin: Cpl  Kok, a Malaysian and Singapore permanent resident, died on May 13 following a ragging incident gone wrong. The 22-year-old, who did not know how to swim, was found unconscious at the bottom of Tuas View Fire Station’s 12m pump well that contained 11m of water. Six SCDF officers are being investigated, and the Attorney-General's Chambers is reviewing the case with a view to criminal proceedings. Cpl Kok's funeral was held on Thursday in his hometown of Malacca.

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