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Tag: army

  • Anak Melayu, Mohd Fahmi Aliman, Dinaikkan Pangkat, Kini Jadi Kolonel

    Anak Melayu, Mohd Fahmi Aliman, Dinaikkan Pangkat, Kini Jadi Kolonel

    Seorang askar Melayu Mohd Fahmi Aliman, dinaikkan pangkat menjadi seorang Kolonel (COL) bermula esok (1 Jul). Beliau yang kini berpangkat Leftenan Kolonel Kanan (SLTC), merupakan Komander bagi Pusat Penilaian Latihan Tentera (ATEC).

    Kenaikan pangkat beliau itu didedahkan dalam Majlis Kenaikan Pangkat Mindef/SAF hari ini.

    Ini juga bermakna, mulai esok SAF mempunyai dua pegawai Melayu sepenuh masa yang berpangkat Kolonel, iaitu pegawai Melayu tertinggi dalam angkatan tentera yang sedang bertugas. Sekaligus ada sekurang-kurangnya dua pegawai Melayu SAF sepenuh masa sekarang, yang berpotensi menjadi Jeneral pada masa depan.

    Seorang lagi Kolonel ialah COL Zakir Hamid dari Angkatan Udara Singapura (RSAF) yang mendapat pangkat tersebut tahun lalu.

    COL Zakir kini seorang Komander bagi Kumpulan Pengangkutan RSAF.

    Di majlis kenaikan pangkat petang tadi, seorang pegawai waran iaitu 1WO Ahmad Ali, dinaikkan pangkat kepada Pegawai Waran Master (MWO).

    COL MOHD FAHMI ALIMAN

    COL Mohd Fahmi tiada di majlis kenaikan pangkat yang diadakan di Kementerian Pertahanan (Mindef) petang tadi kerana sedang menjalani latihan di luar negara.

    Dalam wawancara menerusi telefon, beliau yang berusia 43 tahun berkata, beliau mula menjadi Komander ATEC sejak tahun lalu.

    Tugas beliau ialah melaksanakan penilaian yang realistik dan mencabar untuk semua unit-unit SAF.

    Beliau kini juga memegang jawatan sebagai seorang Komander Briged Infantri, dan sudah bertugas dalam SAF selama 24 tahun.

    Ditanya komen beliau mengenai kenaikan pangkatnya, COL Fahmi berkata ini suatu penghormatan dan kebanggaan kepada beliau dan keluarganya.

    Ini juga beliau anggap sebagai cerminan sejauh mana SAF percaya kepada sumbangan beliau, dan memberi amanah untuk beliau membantu membangunkan SAF.

    COL Fahmi berkata: “Yang lebih penting adalah untuk pertahanan Singapura, setiap kita mempunyai tanggungjawab kita sendiri, sama ada kita dalam pasukan keselamatan atau kita seorang kakitangan awam, semua ada tanggungjawab sendiri. Itu pada saya amat penting. Itu yang menjadikan satu motivasi untuk saya terus bekerja lebih gigih lagi dalam SAF.”

    Kini dengan pangkat Kolonel, beliau berkata pengaruhnya akan lebih besar lagi, untuk menaikkan mutu sumbangannya.

    COL Fahmi berazam untuk terus memberikan yang terbaik untuk SAF. Beliau malah berikrar menyumbang demi “menaikkan taraf SAF di dunia”.

    BUKAN UNTUK DAPAT DUIT LEBIH ATAU GLAMOUR

    Sebagai seorang ayah, beliau mempunyai empat orang anak berusia antara 6 hingga 19 tahun, manakala isterinya bekerja sebagai seorang guru sekolah menengah.

    Walaupun sentiasa dihantui kesibukan, COL Fahmi berkata keluarga beliau memberi segenap sokongan.

    COL Fahmi menasihatkan anak-anak Melayu yang berminat dengan kerjaya tentera supaya ada komitmen yang tinggi, minat yang tinggi dan cita-cita yang tinggi untuk cemerlang dalam bidang ketenteraan.

    Ini tegas beliau suatu kerjaya yang diceburi “bukan untuk dapat duit lebih atau glamour”.

    Beliau turut melahirkan rasa positif bahawa pada masa depan “kita akan ada lebih ramai anak muda Melayu berpendidikan dan berwawasan dalam angkatan tentera”.

    Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

  • Judicial Commissioner: SAF Officers In Dominique Sarron Lee’s Death Have ‘Statutory Immunity’

    Judicial Commissioner: SAF Officers In Dominique Sarron Lee’s Death Have ‘Statutory Immunity’

    The two Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) officers sued by the family of the late Private Dominique Sarron Lee have “statutory immunity” against legal action, wrote Judicial Commissioner (JC) Kannan Ramesh.

    In grounds released on Tuesday (Jun 28), JC Ramesh outlined why in March this year he had thrown out a negligence suit brought by the family of Pte Lee. The full-time national serviceman died from an acute allergic reaction to fumes released by smoke grenades during an exercise in 2012.

    A Committee of Inquiry later found Captain Najib Hanuk Muhammad Jalal, Pte Lee’s platoon commander, had breached Training Safety Regulations (TSR) by detonating six smoke grenades – three times the limit specified in the TSR. The officers involved in the exercise were also punished with fines and delays in promotions.

    IMMUNITY WHEN ACTION IS CONNECTED TO OFFICER’S DUTIES

    However, since Captain Najib’s actions were “intrinsically connected to and a result of the execution of (his) duties in the conduct of the exercise … which he performed as (a) member of the SAF”, he is statutorily immunised from legal action, JC Ramesh wrote.

    Under the Government Proceedings Act, members of the SAF “are not burdened by the prospect of legal action while training or while conducting operations”. This immunises members of the SAF from liability when an incident is connected with the execution of the member’s duties, the JC stated in his judgment.

    In Pte Lee’s case, the actions of Captain Najib and Major Chia Thye Siong, the Chief Safety Officer for the drill, were connected to their duties in the conduct of the exercise, JC Ramesh wrote, dismissing the arguments of lawyers for Pte Lee’s family.

    Mr Irving Choh, who acted on behalf of Pte Lee’s family, had argued the detonation of six smoke grenades – as opposed to the regular two – was an act that was “extraneous” to the scope of the officers’ duties – simply because it constituted a breach of the TSR.

    ENLISTMENT NOT A “CONTRACT”, BUT A “DISCHARGE OF DUTY” MANDATED BY LAW

    Besides Captain Najib and Major Chia, Pte Lee’s family also named the Attorney-General (AG) as a defendant in the suit. They claimed the AG had breached a contract under the Enlistment Act but JC Ramesh rejected this as well.

    “There is no freedom in the formation of the relationship which one would see as a necessary ingredient in the formation of the consensual relationship that is a contract”, the JC wrote.

    The enlistment of a serviceman is an act done as “a discharge of duty imposed on him” by the law, explained the JC. “Therefore, (Pte Lee’s family) could not sue the AG for breach of contract.”

    Pte Lee died on Apr 17, 2012, after experiencing difficulty breathing following the detonation of six smoke grenades during an exercise.

    He collapsed and lost consciousness, and was pronounced dead the same day. A Coroner’s Inquiry found Pte Lee’s cause of death was acute allergic reaction due to the inhalation of zinc chloride fumes released from the smoke grenades.

    JC Ramesh ordered Pte Lee’s family to pay the legal costs of the AG (acting on behalf of the SAF) and the two officers, however this was later waived by the Ministry of Defence and lawyers for Captain Najib and Major Chia. No criminal charges have been brought against the officers involved, but the Ministry of Defence has said they have been dealt with, under military law.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • SAF – Integrating The Newcomers

    SAF – Integrating The Newcomers

    How has National Service (NS) — which has been described as a social glue — brought new citizens and permanent residents closer to Singaporeans, and shaped their lives? PIONEER speaks to three to find out.

    2LT Scott Alexander
    Permanent Resident / Country of origin: United Kingdom

    How come angmo (Hokkien for Caucasian) need to do NS? This is a question that 2nd Lieutenant (2LT) Alexander often gets from taxi drivers.

    The 20-year-old London-born is a second-generation Permanent Resident (PR) who came to Singapore as a toddler. His father and mother are PRs working here.

    Despite growing up in Singapore, he did not interact much with the locals, having studied in an international school since Primary 3. Imagine the kind of culture shock he had when he enlisted for NS in 2014!

    “Obviously I was very nervous,” he recalled. “It was a big culture shock, but in a good way. I’ve met people from all over Singapore, from all different walks of life.”

    For 2LT Alexander, NS has helped to build his character. The most challenging experience for him so far was the nine-day Jungle Confidence Course where he had to survive on just two days’ worth of combat rations. “I’d never felt so hungry before,” he recalled. “But it helped to build my mental strength. I learnt that if I set my mind on something, I can do it.”

    Now a staff officer in the Training and Development Branch, Officer Cadet School, he cherishes the special bonds and friendships that he has developed in the Army.

    “I feel that NS has brought me closer to Singaporeans. It is a common ground for everyone. No matter if you are a junior college or polytechnic student, or from any background, everybody serves two years,” said 2LT Alexander, who hopes to get his citizenship in the near future.

    “If you run out of conversation topics at a dinner table, you always have NS to fall back on — the times you had to crawl in the mud and dig trenches.”

    CFC Anuraj Rajesh
    New Citizen / Country of origin: India

    When Corporal First Class (CFC) Anuraj enlisted for NS in 2014, he got to know a different world — one that was markedly different from the one he grew up in.

    The 20-year-old comes from a well-off family, and studied in the United World College of Southeast Asia, an international school. In contrast, one of his section mates had to juggle work and studies in order to support his family. Another was already a father of a baby.

    Living and training with them enabled him to understand the struggles of people of different backgrounds. “In NS, they put you right in the middle of it. You start to understand and appreciate the hardship that others go through,” said CFC Anuraj, who came to Singapore at the age of four, and became a citizen in 2013.

    On one occasion, CFC Anuraj, an assistant investigation officer in the Military Police Command, escorted a drug offender for a house search.

    Upon entering the house, the offender collapsed to his knees and apologised to his mother for what he had done. She was crestfallen to see him in handcuffs, but there was no scolding — just tears and hugs from mother and son. “I couldn’t show my emotions as I needed to remain professional, but I was tearing inside,” he recalled.

    Part of his job requires him to assure the accused that they have a future if they learn from their mistakes. “My biggest takeaway from NS is having the chance to understand the different backgrounds that people come from, and being able to make an effort to help them in any way possible,” he said.

    LTA Tee Chze Hao
    New Citizen / Country of origin: Malaysia

    During his Full-time NS, booking out from camp meant a long journey across the Causeway. Lieutenant (LTA) Tee was then a second-generation PR, but resided in Johor Bahru. His Malaysian parents are PRs who have been working in Singapore for decades.

    “The journey didn’t bother me. I see meaning in NS. This country has given so much to me, it is only natural that I serve,” said the 26-year-old, who graduated from the National University of Singapore last year.

    He came to Singapore to study when he was in Secondary 3. So when he enlisted in 2009, LTA Tee did not have any problem integrating with the locals. He was clueless about the Army though. “I was very focused on my studies and didn’t know much about what’s Basic Military Training or command school.”

    However, the Army is where he found his calling. LTA Tee excelled in the School of Infantry Specialists (now Specialist Cadet School), and received the Silver Bayonet. He also received the NSF of the Year award in 2011 when he was a platoon sergeant in 4th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (4 SIR).

    After getting his citizenship in 2012, he became a career soldier. He was commissioned earlier this January, and received the Sword of Honour for being the top officer cadet in the Infantry Formation.

    One of his reasons for signing on was so that he could make an impact on the lives of others. He broke into a wide smile when he shared stories about how some of his former 4 SIR soldiers — delinquents with troubled pasts — went on to become better sons, and husbands, with successful careers.

    “That’s what we, as commanders, want to see. These are examples that make us feel that we have done a good job,” said the Company 2nd-In-Command in 5 SIR.

     

    Source: www.mindef.gov.sg

  • Family Of Dominique Sarron Lee: Our Fight Is About Justice, Not Money

    Family Of Dominique Sarron Lee: Our Fight Is About Justice, Not Money

    Following the Facebook post by Dominique’s mum, we have been surprised and touched by the show of support and words of encouragement from members of the public. We, the family, would like to sincerely thank those who have given their support and encouragement.

    The family would like to clarify our position and address some of the misconceptions that have arisen due to lack of accurate information.

    CI AND COI FINDINGS
    MINDEF in its Facebook posting today (Key Findings from the Death of PTE Dominique Sarron Lee, 7 March 2016), stated that Dominique’s death was “unlikely to have been predicted”. If this was the case, why then is there a Training Safety Regulation to limit to 2, the number of smoke grenades to be used in the specific exercise that Dominique was involved in to begin with? How did SAF decide on this limit as being within safety regulation of such an exercise?

    MINDEF has also repeatedly iterated that the coroner had noted that Dominique “had under played and under declared his asthmatic condition.” Yet the coroner had also opined that asthma had a weak correlation to the allergic reaction that Dominique suffered in the exercise. Furthermore, the Minister for Defence himself had said that even those without asthma may be affected by the effects of zinc chloride. So our question is, did Dominique’s alleged under play and under declaration of his condition contribute directly to his untimely demise? Our layman conclusion is that it does not.

    In the Facebook statement, MINDEF stated that “the coroner noted that more smoke grenades than necessary were used during the exercise, but could not ascertain whether the acute allergic reaction was due to concentration and/or the mere exposure of zinc chloride fumes”. We had learnt anecdotally from SAF personnel, immediately after the tragic incident, that Dominique had taken part in a similar exercise before where the TSR had not been breached. This to us, suggests that the fatal allergic reaction occurred due to concentration of rather than mere exposure to zinc chloride fumes, which brings us back to the question of MINDEF’s TSR of 2 smoke grenades as being within safety limits. If the safety hazard has to do with mere exposure to zinc chloride fumes, then the regulation on the number of smoke grenades would be irrelevant as the grenades should not even be in use at all. In that regard, we would like to ask MINDEF about the new N452 smoke grenades that have be introduced since the incident. How are they an improvement to the previous smoke grenades? Has any test been done to ascertain if the concentration and/or mere exposure to the fumes would result in acute allergic reaction? Can MINDEF/SAF share the safety aspect(s) of such an assessment (if any) with the public? What are the chemical compound(s) found in these new smoke grenades?

    It is a fact that Dom died from the effects of the smoke grenades thrown. It is also a fact that the number of smoke grenades thrown exceeded thrice the safety limits. We do not know how more direct a link one can infer from this, about the factors leading to Dominique’s untimely death. The Coroner’s Inquiry is to ascertain the cause of death. The Coroner’s Inquiry does not determine whether or not the 2 officers or MINDEF is/are culpable or not. Can MINDEF kindly make this point clear in its statement? The Minister for Defence, in his Parliamentary Statement in November 2012, stated that the COI concluded that the two officers were negligent. But in the Facebook statement, BG Chan stated that the COI “did not find that the two officers were directly responsible for PTE Lee’s death”. Can MINDEF again, kindly clarify if the Ministerial Statement or the Facebook statement was erroneous?

    ACCOUNTABILITY OF MINDEF/SAF
    MINDEF/SAF has not apologized formally to the family for the incident resulting in Dominique’s death. We had previously requested that the Minister for Defence offer the apology directly to Dominique’s mum as acknowledgement of the negligence on their part, and of the grief she has suffered, but we were rebuffed. We were told by the MINDEF representative, in no uncertain terms, that the Minister will never apologise for the incident, nor will any senior official from MINDEF/SAF.

    Subsequently, we offered an olive branch to MINDEF. Instead of the personal apology, we requested for MINDEF to pay for Dom’s tomb as a symbolic gesture, but this was again rejected. Legal constraints were cited as the reason for the rejection. It is only today (7 March 2016) that we see the first statement of apology from MINDEF in their Facebook statement addressed to the general public.

    We have repeatedly asked for details on how the two officers have been dealt with as the Minister for Defence had said in Parliament in November 2012, that they had been negligent in their duties. The COI had also found that they did not comply with safety regulations.

    We are not out to persecute the two officers, nor asking for them to be crucified. We do not believe in an eye for an eye. We are only asking for MINDEF/SAF to be accountable. Minister K. Shanmugam himself had said in Parliament in May 2012, that “justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done”. But MINDEF/SAF has thus far, refused to show us how the justice has been done. All we know for sure from recent Facebook postings by netizens, is that one of the officers was promoted in July 2014. To our layman understanding, this seems to be a contradiction of the assurances by MINDEF/SAF that the negligent officers have been duly dealt with, that justice has been done.

    Could MINDEF kindly clarify their statement in the Facebook posting, that ‘‘administrative and disciplinary action against the two officers” have been taken? Please inform the public how the two officers have been “punished according to military law” so that the public can see for themselves that the justice has been served, and not just know it to have been served.

    IMPROVEMENTS TO SAFETY

    It is of small comfort to the family to know that following Dominique’s death, improvements have been made to ensure the safety of all National Service men, with “the setting up of a Safety and Systems Review Directorate, the convening of a Respiratory Medicine Specialist Advisory Board to review medical classification Asthma, and the deploying of more safety officers on the ground as full-time Unit Safety Officers”, as well as the introduction of “new N452 grenades … to replace the smoke grenades used in that training exercise”. We wish all these safety measures had been in place sooner so that it would not have taken a death, Dominique’s death, for the SAF to realize their lapses in ensuring the safety of all National Service men.

    SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY
    MINDEF’s statement revealed that we had “previously taken out a pre-action discovery application, which [we] subsequently withdrew” and that the court had “awarded costs to MINDEF”, which they had waived. What the statement does not mention is the fact that the said application was withdrawn because we accepted the AGC’s request to enter a mediation with MINDEF, and the agreement was made on the condition that the legal fees were waived. The mediation did not go as planned as MINDEF was not willing to accede to our request for either the Minister to apologise to the family or MINDEF to pay for Dominique’s tomb. Left with no other recourse, the family made the difficult decision of seeking redress in a civilian court.

    We would like to clarify that this law suit has never been about money. It has always been about getting answers to our questions. We would not have taken the legal route had MINDEF been fully “committed to assisting and providing” us with the answers we seek.

    To concerned members of the public, we would like to clarify that to date, we have not accepted nor received any compensation from MINDEF/SAF for Dominique’s untimely demise. The family has repeatedly rejected offers from MINDEF/SAF to discuss monetary compensation. We have only accepted a funeral grant to defray the cost of the funeral, on the same day Dominique was sent back home in a coffin. This grant, according to the SAF, is not part of the compensation.

    Finally, we would like to appeal to the public be fair to Dr Chee Soon Juan. We had initiated the meeting with Dr Chee as we are at our wit’s end. We do not intend nor wish for this to be a political issue. We had, over the past 3 years, approached no less than 4 PAP MPs, including an anchor Minister and a GPC Chairman for their assistance. We had even written to the Prime Minister several times, pleading for help in getting answers. All they did was to direct our questions to MINDEF for their reply. Such help is as useful to us, as a comb is to Michael Jordan. We are not siding with any political party; we are just seeking answers to get some closure. We only seek accountability from MINDEF and SAF.
    We are not asking Singaporeans to change the government; We are asking Singaporeans to demand that the government change the laws to achieve “justice and equality” for all. How can we continue to trust the government when we now know that they have set lower standards of accountability for themselves in law, when In fact they should set higher standards for themselves?

    Unlike MINDEF, we do not have a team of lawyers or PR personnel to craft out statements. While their spin doctors spin ambiguities to manage the fiasco that they have created for themselves through their high-handed handling of our case, we can only rely on our own heartfelt responses to speak about what we intrinsically know to be an injustice to not just us, but the people of Singapore. We lay all our cards on the table. MINDEF, we ask that you do the same. Please be transparent. We do not think that Dominique’s death is in any way a matter of national security that requires secrecy. While you are at it, kindly, with our permission, reveal to the public the compensation that you had intended to offer the family, so that all Singaporeans will know how much the life of a promising young man is worth to MINDEF.

     

    Source: In memory of Dominique Sarron Lee

  • ARMY TRADOC General: Officers Responsible For Pte Lee’s Death Disciplined

    ARMY TRADOC General: Officers Responsible For Pte Lee’s Death Disciplined

    The SAF offers our deepest condolences to the family of the late PTE Lee Rui Feng Dominique Sarron. We are deeply sorry for the untimely and tragic loss, and the anguish and distress brought to his family. We respect the wishes of the family to determine the reasons behind PTE Lee’s death. When any of our soldiers are injured or killed, the SAF will do its utmost to determine the cause and improve our safety standards to prevent any recurrence. Those responsible through their rash and negligent acts will be held accountable under our Military Court and Criminal Law Courts.

    On 3 March, the High Court struck out the lawsuit filed by the family of the late PTE Lee against the SAF and the two officers involved in the incident. To clarify issues that have risen in response to this judgement, we set out the key findings as determined by the Committee of Inquiry (COI) in 2012 and the Coroner’s Inquiry (CI) in 2013.

    CORONER’S FINDINGS

    The CI was an open hearing that had provided for all interested parties to make their representation, including the family of the late PTE Lee. At the conclusion of hearings, the coroner found that PTE Lee had “died from acute allergic reaction to zinc chloride due to inhalation of zinc chloride fumes”. The coroner also found that this acute allergic reaction was “unlikely to have been predicted”.

    The coroner noted that more smoke grenades than necessary were used during the exercise, but could not ascertain whether the acute allergic reaction was due to concentration and/or the mere exposure of zinc chloride fumes.

    The coroner also noted that PTE Lee “had under played and under declared his asthmatic condition”. None of the other asthmatics in the same platoon reported any adverse outcome from the exercise or exposure to the smoke.

    Smoke grenades which produce zinc chloride fumes have been in use by many militaries, including the SAF since the 1970s. PTE Lee’s death directly attributable to zinc chloride inhalation is the first on the SAF’s records in over thirty years of use.

    COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY’S FINDINGS

    The independent COI, convened by the Armed Forces Council, found that the number of smoke grenades discharged and the distance between the smoke grenades were not in accordance with the limits and minimum distance specified in the Training Safety Regulations. The COI also noted that PTE Lee’s medical classification and vocational assignment were in line with guidelines, and that medical aid rendered was timely, proper and adequate. These full findings of the COI were presented in Parliament through a Ministerial statement in 2012, including the actions taken to address safety lapses.

    LIABILITY FOR ACTIONS

    We would also like to address the misperception that SAF servicemen injured or killed cannot seek legal recourse under military rules. This is incorrect. SAF personnel can be charged and punished in the criminal courts for Penal Code offences of committing rash and negligent acts, even during the course of their military duties. The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), not the SAF, decides if the evidence warrants this course of action. For example, in 2004, four servicemen were charged in court for causing the death of another serviceman during combat survival training. More recently, a senior instructor was charged and convicted of instigating a full-time National Serviceman to commit a rash act, and attempting to pervert the course of justice. The jeep overturn incident resulted in the death of a full-time National Serviceman. In both cases, the servicemen responsible were found guilty, and sentenced to imprisonment.

    In PTE Lee’s case, the Coroner found that PTE Lee had died of an unforeseen acute allergic reaction to the smoke grenade fumes. As PTE Lee’s acute allergic reaction to the smoke grenades thrown by the Platoon Commander was not reasonably foreseeable, no criminal charges were brought against the two officers.

    The SAF has however taken administrative and disciplinary action against the two officers. While the CI and COI did not find that the two officers were directly responsible for PTE Lee’s death, the two officers were summarily tried in 2013 for negligent performance of lawful order or duty, found guilty, and punished according to military law.

    IMPROVEMENTS TO SAFETY

    The SAF had since 2012 taken several measures to strengthen training safety across the whole SAF. This included the setting up of a Safety and Systems Review Directorate, the convening of a Respiratory Medicine Specialist Advisory Board to review medical classification on Asthma, and the deploying of more safety officers on the ground as full-time Unit Safety Officers. New N452 smoke grenades were also introduced to replace the smoke grenades used in that training exercise.

    SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY OF PTE LEE

    Before the most recent suit, the family of PTE Lee had previously taken out a pre-action discovery application, which they subsequently withdrew. The court had awarded costs to MINDEF, but MINDEF had waived the legal costs.

    MINDEF and the SAF have been extending help to PTE Lee’s family throughout this period, and remain committed to assisting and providing support to the family. Since the incident, welfare grants have been disbursed, and an offer of compensation has been made to the family, based on the full extent allowed by the compensation legislation. To respect privacy and maintain confidentiality, compensation amounts are not disclosed, but are generally two to four times that of amounts provided under the Work Injury Compensation Act for incidents arising from training and operations.

    Once again, the SAF offers our sincere condolences to the family of PTE Lee. The SAF values the life of every soldier and recognises that we are responsible for the sons of Singapore placed under our charge. We will uphold safety standards while ensuring that we build a strong National Service force able to defend Singapore.

    Brigadier General Chan Wing Kai

    Commander Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)

     

    Source: www.facebook.com/notes/the-singapore-army