SINGAPORE — On his first day of enlistment in National Service (NS), a full-time national serviceman (NSF) with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported that he was often depressed and had previously tried to harm himself.

Over the next two months, Muhammad Ahad Lone went to the doctor at least 13 times and was eventually referred to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for suicidal thoughts and depression.

However, the 18-year-old’s life came to a tragic end on April 7 last year. He was found dead at the foot of an apartment building in Clementi where he was renting a room.

These details were revealed by a police investigation officer on Friday (Feb 22) during a coroner’s inquiry at the State Courts into Ahad’s death.

Born in Pakistan, the Singaporean citizen studied here for a few years during his formative years. He had returned to Pakistan with his parents — who are from the country — before coming alone to Singapore to serve NS.

He enlisted on Feb 6, 2018 and was posted to the SCDF’s Basic Rescue Training Centre.

In response to media queries, an SCDF spokesman said that it “continually provided him prompt medical attention and counselling support from within SCDF”.

“We were saddened by his death and had provided his family with assistance and support,” he added.

TOOK MULTIPLE MC, OFTEN ON LIGHT DUTY

Investigation Officer Tan Yeow Chong took the court through the investigation report prepared after Ahad’s death.

On his first night at the SCDF, Ahad — like all recruits — was required to fill up an early problem identification care form to facilitate their adjustment to NS.

He wrote that he often felt depressed and had previously tried to harm himself. He could not adjust to life in Singapore and felt lonely and homesick. He was given priority to be immediately interviewed that day by his platoon commander.

Ahad said that he had mostly overcome his problems and at that time only suffered from insomnia and an inability to get used to the food in Singapore. When asked if he wanted to see SCDF’s counsellors, he said he would feel more comfortable sharing his problems with his platoon commander.

The next day, he went to the SCDF’s medical centre complaining of vomiting for the past two days and insomnia. He was diagnosed with gastroenteritis and given light duty.

Over the next few weeks, he frequented either the medical centre or the National University Hospital (NUH)’s emergency medicine department with a variety of symptoms. These included abdominal pain, diarrhoea, cough and sore throat.

He claimed during two of these visits that he was prescribed Xanax tablets for his insomnia while in Canada. It was not stated why or when he was there.

Three times in March, he failed to report back to camp on time, going absent without leave (AWOL). He would return a few days later with a medical certificate (MC) that did not cover all the days he was away.

On Mar 27, Ahad was brought into the SCDF’s medical centre by his unit to restrict his MC privileges, given that Ahad would take multiple MCs when out of camp.

Previously, his platoon commander had warned Ahad that he would process AWOL charges against him — which would send him to the detention barracks — if he did not change. He cited these potential charges as he hoped that Ahad would perform better.

Ahad was briefed on the implications of such restrictions and advised not to take so many MCs out of camp. He was also placed on three weeks’ light duty.

The next day, he reported to the medical centre with stomach cramps and vomiting. He returned again the next day, complaining of similar symptoms.

Realising he had been reporting sick very frequently, the doctor asked Ahad if he was stressed over non-medical issues. Ahad replied that his mood was low, his appetite was poor and he had suicidal thoughts and the intention to cut his wrists to end his life.

He was taken to IMH that same day, where he said he came to Singapore alone to serve NS and experienced difficulties with its regimental structure. However, he did not act on his suicidal thoughts.

His mood and symptoms would improve when he booked out and he still had dreams of entering an Ivy League university to study economics and finance, he told the doctor.

He was diagnosed with adjustment disorder and depressed mood, with no imminent risk of suicide. A follow-up appointment at IMH was scheduled for four to six weeks’ time.

EVENTS LEADING UP TO FATEFUL DAY

On April 6, Ahad’s platoon commander observed that he was speaking incoherently and acting paranoid. The commander also did not see any bullying by his platoon mates.

Several others, including his landlady and mother, also observed him behaving strangely around then.

Ahad was then put in confinement for one night. The duty officer spoke to him to make him feel more comfortable and checked in on him, observing no strange behaviour. Ahad also did not share any problems or unhappiness.

He booked out of camp the next day and was found dead later that afternoon.

He had called his mother in Pakistan an hour before his death and sounded “very calm”, the latter told investigators. When she told him someone from his camp had called to make a complaint against him, he said he would tell her later what he had done.

His NS buddy told investigators that on certain occasions, when the two shared personal matters and feelings about camp life, Ahad said he had no close friends in Singapore and was lonely. He also felt like a burden to his platoon as he took a lot of MCs.

His buddy also revealed that Ahad told him of a voice in his head telling him to kill himself. The buddy concurred with Ahad's platoon commander that he had not been bullied.

On Friday, the investigation officer told the court that police investigations pointed towards Ahad’s actions being a “deliberate act of suicide”.

Ahad’s mother requested for a coroner’s inquiry following her son’s death, saying she believed it was due to a reaction to the medicine prescribed to him. She also felt the SCDF should have told her of his status in NS.

His parents were not in court on Friday as they are in Pakistan. They are represented by lawyers K Anparasan and Osman Khan from Whitefern LLC.

The inquiry continues on May 28.