Teo Chee Hean
Singapore
“The second point first, Mr Speaker. Certainly, it could have been a factor. But to the Panel which reviewed the thing, it was not an acceptable excuse or reason. The agencies still have to be responsible for what they are doing, whatever season of the year it is.”
“On the balance in ACRA, I would not say it is a conflict, but you have to strike the right balance between the functions that ACRA is meant to provide, which is to have a registry which promotes corporate transparency, and you have to balance that against how you protect personal data.”
“That means, if you do find a bug or you do find a way in which you can penetrate a Government system, you let us know, and there is a bounty for it. And this is evergreen. But we also do, from time to time, have a hunting season. So, for certain of our systems, we invite white hatters to attack those systems.”
“Then, he asked when the political office holders got involved in the public communications on the Bizfile portal issue. They got involved, I think, almost as soon as it became apparent that there was public anxiety. Next question about paragraph 40 and the email to senior officers, yes, the July 2024 CM was emailed to officers.”
“In fact, we monitor the dark web for a variety of things, including this, and we have not seen any sale of NRIC numbers as such. On the question of collection and use of NRIC numbers, actually, in the communication with the Government agencies, I think it is important to know who you are communicating with.”
“So, you actually make your email address available to others. But for authentication purposes, it is quite different. You do not tell your password to others. That is something which you keep for yourself and your email service provider knows. So, there is a difference between an identifier and an authentication.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,689 lines we hold for Teo Chee Hean, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 33 of 34.
“The maximum fine is proposed to go up from $150 to $500 for Third Sergeant and below, and from $500 to $1,500 for Second Sergeant and above. Clause 4 proposes an increase in the maximum fines that a Superior Commander can impose, from $500 to $2,000 for Lieutenants and Warrant Officers, and from $1,000 to $3,000 for Captains and Majors. Clauses 5 and 6 propose to increase the maximum fines that the Service Chiefs and the Chief of Defence Force can impose on Lieutenant-Colonels and Colonels from $1,500 to $6,000. Clause 7 is a consequential amendment on the provision dealing with detention in default of fine. Clause 8 proposes to increase from $1,500 to $10,000 the maximum fines that can be imposed on officers of the rank of Brigadier-General and above. A substantial increase in the maximum fines for this category is proposed as these are very senior officers for which a wider range of fines is appropriate to be commensurate with the wide range of seriousness of the offences that they may be charged with. They will be dealt with by a Senior Disciplinary Committee consisting of not less than three members of the Armed Forces Council. Clause 9 proposes an increase in the maximum fines that the Subordinate Military Courts can impose. For officers, the maximum will increase from $2,000 to $10,000. For soldiers, it will be from $1,000 to $5,000. The maximum fine quantum of $10,000 is similar to the maximum fine quantum that can be imposed by our district courts. Presidents of the Subordinate Military Courts are legally qualified operationally ready NSmen who are serving or have served as magistrates or district judges. Sir, the increase in the maximum fine quantum for summary trials does not mean that all servicemen will henceforth receive proportionately heavier fines.”
“The effectiveness of the current fine quantum has declined over time when compared with current salaries and NS allowances, in particular the substantial increase in NS allowances instituted in 2002. The NS allowances for ranks typically held by our full-time National Servicemen are: for a Recruit $350 a month, for a Third Sergeant $560 a month, and for a Second Lieutenant it is $870 a month. For Lieutenants it is $1,050 a month. These are the typical ranks and NS allowances of our full-time National Servicemen. NS allowances are thus substantially higher than Members of this House will have experienced during their own NS days. The quantum of increase in maximum fines proposed in the Bill better reflects these current NS allowances and should be able to serve the needs of the SAF for at least the next five to 10 years. The maximum fines for the junior ranks are typically less than one month of their NS allowance if they appear before a Junior Disciplinary Officer and 1.3 months if they appear before a Senior Disciplinary Officer respectively. The maximum fines for the more senior ranks are typically 1.3 to two months of NS allowance to reflect the wider range of seriousness of the offences that they may be charged with. Sir, I would like to highlight key aspects of the Bill. Clauses 2 to 8 deal with the fine quantum for summary trials while clause 9 deals with the fine quantum for general court martial. Clause 2 proposes an increase in the maximum fine that a Junior Disciplinary Officer can impose. The increase is from $100 to $300 for a soldier of the rank of Third Sergeant and below, and from $300 to $1,000 for a soldier of the rank of Second Sergeant and above. Clause 3 deals with the maximum fine that a Senior Disciplinary Officer can impose.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Bill before this House seeks to amend the Singapore Armed Forces Act to increase the maximum quantum of fines that the Subordinate Military Court and SAF disciplinary officers may impose on servicemen found guilty of the charges against them. The SAF is a military organisation where discipline is of utmost importance. The Singapore Armed Forces Act spells out the legal provisions that help uphold the level of discipline in the SAF. The Act applies to all members of the SAF, including regulars, full-time national servicemen and operationally-ready NSmen when they are called back for in-camp training or other activities. It does not apply to those who have yet to enlist for national service. The Act provides for serious offenders to be dealt with by means of general court martial and less serious offenders to be dealt with by means of summary trials. It provides for a range of penalties for those found guilty of misconduct. These include discharge from service, detention, reduction in rank, forfeiture of seniority, fines and reprimand. Even though the SAF is not facing any problem with its state of discipline, MINDEF actively conducts periodic reviews of the discipline framework. In its most recent review, MINDEF found the discipline provisions in the Singapore Armed Forces Act to be still relevant and appropriate, with the exception of the maximum fine quantum prescribed in the Act. The maximum fine quantum in the Act was last amended 15 years ago in 1991. Since then, our environment has changed. There is a need to increase the maximum quantum to make the fines more effective, both as a deterrent and as a penalty.”
“I am not in favour of granting an amnesty, Sir. For many of them, they have had long periods to think over this matter. Some of them have waited for a very long time. I am not in favour of granting an amnesty. Dr Geh Min, for example, said that Melvyn Tan left at a time before National Service. That is not true. Melvyn Tan left in 1969. National Service, as an institution, began in 1967. He decided not to enlist for National Service. He knew very well that there was National Service. This was already in the 1970s. I think that when persons default from National Service, they know that they are doing something wrong. So I am not in favour of an amnesty period.”
“Yes, certainly, there are. That is why they are put on the Gazette. And that is why when they come to Singapore, they will be picked up. That is why many of them are a little wary of attempting to come to Singapore. Many of the average 100 cases a year are actually overseas. We know that they are overseas. A number of them have dual citizenship and they may well have decided that they are not going to return to Singapore in any case, and just have not gone through the process of renouncing their citizenship and so forth, which they could have been allowed to do so. So a number of these cases are like that, but they remain as defaulters and on the Gazette. That is the situation.”
“Our statistics show that there are about 100 unresolved cases a year. There may be defaulters, there may be a number beyond that, but many of those are for short periods and for technical infringements and so forth. We deal with them summarily, eg, we compound fines and so forth. There are about 100 cases a year, about 0.5% of the NS cohort who remain unresolved each year.”
“It has, over the past four decades, come to be accepted and embraced by Singaporeans as a key milestone in every male Singaporean's life. Sons follow fathers into National Service. And I wish every Singaporean had a mother like Dr Amy Khor to explain to their son why National Service is important and why he needs to do it. I am heartened by the strong support that Singaporeans have shown for National Service and the commitment that NSmen have for National Service. These bode well for the future of Singapore. Sir, anyone who has led men, or who have done National Service, knows how strong the spirit is in our National Service units. They strive for each other. They want to do well for each other. There is a great spirit of comradeship, and that is because they know we are all in it together. So we must continue to ensure that those who fail to serve National Service are dealt with appropriately in order not to erode the support for National Service. Melvyn Tan's case has highlighted an inadequacy in penalties for those who have defaulted for so many years that they are no longer able to discharge their National Service obligations in full. Perhaps MINDEF should have acted earlier. I concede that. But MINDEF will now be acting to address this inadequacy by asking the Prosecutor to press for jail sentences in serious cases of NS defaulters. This will help to send a clear signal that defaulting on National Service is not acceptable. Sir, I would like to, once again, thank Members of the House for sharing their views and comments and for their strong support for National Service.”
“But we do not believe that the fine is sufficient compensation as replacement for a person who has failed to do NS. What we intend to do is that for those who return after a relatively short period of default, we will not object if they were only fined. They will continue to serve their National Service after that. But for longer periods of default, we will press for jail sentences - initially, short jail sentences and, subsequently, longer jail sentences. Some of the Members asked: what message are we sending to defaulters? Are we sending the message, "Defaulters, don't come back." I think the message to defaulters is: if you have defaulted, do come back as early as possible to settle your account and do your National Service. And best of all, do not default. Do your National Service duties like 700,000 other Singaporeans have done. Sir, several Members have argued emotionally that we should be more accepting of National Service defaulters, particularly those who have reached an older age. In order to maintain the institution of National Service, we have to apply National Service universally and equitably. Unfortunately, if we do not do that, the whole concept of National Service and the commitment of our young men who serve National Service will be undermined. This is the greater good that we have to maintain. Several Members have expressed sympathy for Melvyn Tan. Sir, I ask them to consider: who will shed a tear for Singapore if there is no Singapore for such people to return to, because the institution of National Service has been undermined, young men do not serve, no one defends Singapore and Singapore is no longer there for them to return to? Who will shed a tear? Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, National Service is a key cornerstone of our security and prosperity.”
“This is why we currently take into account, together with other factors, the fact that such ex-PRs have failed to serve National Service when they subsequently applied for a student pass or Work Pass to study or work in Singapore. And there is no automaticity for them to be able to be restored. Such ex-PRs who refuse to do NS should be considered in that light. Should we be more welcoming of ex-PRs if they offer to serve NS again? As ex-PRs, they are no longer liable for National Service. That is a technical legal issue. And, in fact, they cannot be drafted for National Service. By renouncing their PR in order to pursue their personal goals and then later offering to return to serve National Service, they are, in effect, trying to choose when to serve their National Service. This is an option which is not open to Singaporeans. A Singaporean cannot say, "I suspend my Singapore citizenship. I go abroad to study and then I come back and reclaim my Singapore citizenship." He cannot choose when to do NS. He has to do NS when the nation calls. So we have to look at PRs in that light. We recognise that some PRs may decide not to do NS and renounce their PR. But each year, a substantial number of PRs answer the call and do serve NS. If we freely allow the return of those who have chosen not to do NS, we would also be unfair to those PRs who have answered the call of duty when they were asked to do so. A number of Members asked about alternative punishments for defaulters who come back and there have been a number of creative ideas proposed. If I may reiterate what MINDEF is proposing to do. We are proposing to amend the Enlistment Act to increase the fine from $5,000 to $10,000.”
“If NS-liable PRs fail to register or enlist for National Service, they would also be treated as NS defaulters. However, PRs have the option of renouncing their PR status. We cannot stop them from doing so since they are PRs and not Singapore citizens. Upon renunciation of their PR, they would no longer be liable for National Service. Mr Chew Heng Ching asked about MINDEF's policy towards PRs who have renounced their PR status without serving NS and subsequently, changing their mind and wanting to study and work in Singapore and are prepared to serve their National Service. He argued that some of these PRs may be talents who would be able to serve to contribute to Singapore. Sir, PRs, who are liable for National Service, are like Singaporeans in many ways. Many of them studied alongside their Singaporean counterparts in our schools and they benefited from living in Singapore like Singaporeans. So, like Singaporeans, they are expected to play their part in defending Singapore and the fundamental NS principles of universality and equity would apply to them. After all, they have benefited from the security provided by the many batches of NSmen who served diligently before them. Unlike Singaporeans, such PRs can renounce their PR status without serving NS. This is fair for those PRs who have decided that they do not want to make Singapore their home. But what about those who subsequently want to return? Would it be fair to allow them to do so unconditionally? After all, their initial action of renouncing their PR status to avoid serving National Service calls into question their commitment to Singapore. It would also not be fair to Singaporeans who have to serve their National Service.”
“He was quite indignant and quite outraged that those who did not serve their NS could get away so lightly, and he was quite insistent that everyone has to perform his duties. He had just, incidentally, completed his ICT before rushing off to Manila to be with the team. Sir, these are the kinds of people and the type of commitment that we need in order to maintain our defence. Dr Tan Cheng Bock asked about citizens who left at a young age. Basically, Sir, the parents have to decide. And as Mr Iswaran has pointed out just now, many Singaporean parents who have young children who live abroad want to retain their Singapore citizenship, want to retain their roots with Singapore and have urged their children to do National Service. I think that is the right way. We cannot be such that we want to keep our options open all the time and then, at a later stage in life, we jump whichever way the options appear best. And then, we want not to be able to do National Service, but then to be able to come back and enjoy the fruits of those who have performed their National Service dutifully. Mr Tan Soo Khoon asked about Permanent Residents and their liability for National Service. Perhaps, I should take this opportunity to expand on this subject a little. Permanent Residents are liable to serve National Service under the Enlistment Act. First generation Permanent Residents who are able to contribute to Singapore economically immediately upon the grant of PR status are administratively exempted from National Service. Second generation PRs, who are sponsored by their parents for PRs and those granted PRs at a young age based on their potential to contribute to Singapore in the future, are required to serve National Service.”
“In fact, one could argue that you should complete your service obligations early so that you can proceed with the rest of your career without interruptions, because after you have finished your graduation, you may get a $1 million job offer - as many of our Singaporeans do - because you are very talented and able. You may get a very attractive offer to do your post-graduate studies. So it is better for Singaporeans to finish their National Service as early as possible before they move on to the next phase of their life. Mr Sin Boon Ann also asked whether those with special talents can serve in a different way or be deferred from NS so as to fully develop their potential. I think Dr Tan also asked similar questions. MINDEF has exercised flexibility, for example, in allowing pre-enlistees who are top athletes who are chosen to represent Singapore to defer their enlistment for a few months in order to train and compete at key games. These deferments are for limited periods and for specific purposes and the pre-enlistees will be enlisted once their deferment period is over. You must recall that Melvyn Tan actually was granted deferment for a finite period and was asked to return on the completion of the finite period of deferment. Any such deferments are finite and the person has to return to perform his National Service when his deferment period is over or he will become an NS defaulter, and must face the consequences. Sir, I was at the SEA Games recently in Manila and I was with many athletes. I had a very loud and indignant response from a former national athlete who is now in the management committee of one of our sports associations.”
“Unfortunately, different persons, particularly individuals who are affected by not being allowed deferment, will often feel that we have not been fair to them, that somehow or other, we should have let them go. But in the end, we have to look at the totality of the cases and decide in as fair a way as possible, in order to be fair to all those who serve. Members have also suggested that we should take into account the talents and contributions that NS defaulters can make to Singapore when dealing with them. They are concerned that if we are too harsh, such NS defaulters may not want to come back and Singapore may end up losing their talents. As I have explained earlier, universality and equity are two of the fundamental principles of National Service. NS defaulters, regardless of talent, must be dealt with in an equal manner. We will be seen as being unfair if we were to treat talented NS defaulters more leniently than others. Besides, the fact that they are talented and can contribute to Singapore does not detract from the fact that they have defaulted on their NS duties. Everyone, regardless of talent, must play their part in our nation's defence. And I cannot put it more eloquently than Mr Iswaran did just now. Members have also made the point that post-graduate studies are more important today and so forth. But there is nothing to stop Singaporeans from going on to post-graduate studies after they have finished their National Service. In fact, many Singaporeans do and more Singaporeans do today than they did in the past. The important thing is that you should complete the service obligations before you move on.”
“So the concept of self sacrifice and postponement of personal gratification is an inherent part of National Service and it is not possible to have a system where the person's personal gratification is completely fulfilled and yet, at the same time, he serves National Service. These two things are not completely compatible. But more importantly, we must bear in mind our fundamental principle of equity, not just in terms of whether one serves National Service or not, but also in terms of when one serves National Service. A deferment policy can be flexible only to the extent where equity is maintained. Otherwise, as I have said, there will be a loss of morale and commitment if it is perceived that some can get deferred to pursue their personal goals while others have to serve. As far as possible, we also want pre-enlistees of the same school cohort to enlist for National Service at around the same time. This helps in terms of bonding - the cohesion of the units and their fighting spirit - and also ensures equity in that they all bear similar interruptions to their studies or careers. Sir, Mr Tan Soo Khoon cited an example of the flexibility that MINDEF has exercised in allowing deferment of a few months for the World Cyber Games. So indeed, MINDEF is flexible. But Mr Tan Soo Khoon, on the other hand, also criticised MINDEF for being inequitable for allowing Mr Stanley Aw to be deferred for the World Cyber Games but not other people to be deferred to pursue personal goals in their studies and so forth. Therein lies the dilemma that we have to face and we have to deal with this all the time in MINDEF, to try to balance flexibility with equity, and we try to do it in the best way that we can.”
“Sir, indeed, MINDEF does agree that we should apply flexibility and allow Singaporeans, as far as possible, to fulfil their individual goals. But this flexibility has to be exercised within that principle of equity. If we do not exercise flexibility within the principle of equity, then a sense of unfairness will prevail, and again the commitment to National Service will be undermined. Let me give some examples of flexibility though Members may not consider these to be flexibility. The Enlistment Act provides for an enlistment age of 18 years old and as Dr Loo pointed out to me just now during the break, we had people, certainly during Dr Loo's time or even my time, classmates who were drafted at the age of 18 years old, regardless of what they were doing. They might be studying but they were required to do National Service while they were studying - part-time in the Police National Service and in the Special Constabulary. While the rest of us were studying and could enjoy life, they had to spend two nights a week doing National Service, even during examination period, as Dr Loo reminded me. Today, MINDEF does exercise flexibility. We do not insist on young men being enlisted immediately after their 18th birthday. And we do grant deferments to allow them to complete their 'A' levels or polytechnic diplomas before enlisting for National Service. This, in fact, also contributes, in a sense, to equity because we allow them to proceed to the same level of education before we require them to serve. However, deferment cannot be free for all. The concept of National Service does involve making a sacrifice or postponing a person's individual gratification or pursuit of his own personal life goals to serve the nation when the nation needs his service.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, first of all, let me thank Members of the House for sharing their views and comments on this very important issue of National Service. Sir, I am heartened to hear Members of the House expressing their very strong support for National Service and to hear that their support is shared by their constituents. Indeed, it is such support for National Service and the commitment shown by our NSmen that make our nation's defence work. As I said, 700,000 Singaporeans have served National Service or are serving National Service and, without their commitment, we will not have the modern thriving Singapore that we have today. [Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr S Iswaran) in the Chair] 6.00 pm Sir, let me address now some of the specific issues that Members have raised. One is alternative forms of National Service. As I have explained earlier, National Service has served a critical need and that is, in my view, the first principle of National Service. Firstly, criticality, secondly, universality, and thirdly, equity. That critical need is national defence and we should not be trading that off against other forms of service, whether it is in the social sector, in the arts or in sports, because they do not rank in the same way as that necessity for national defence. MINDEF feels that we can apply the principle of National Service which is to compel a person to serve only if it is to serve a critical need. We cannot apply that principle to compel a person to serve in the arts or in sports or in other areas. That would not make sufficient sense and would not be a strong enough justification. Many Members talked about the need for flexibility.”
“The Government looks forward to the recommendations of the RECORD IV committee. Conclusion Mr Speaker, Sir, the response to Melvyn Tan's case has highlighted that Singaporeans feel strongly that defaulting on National Service is wrong and defaulters should face serious consequences. The Government agrees with this view. NS defaulters must face the Court to answer for their offences, and thereafter must discharge their National Service liabilities. Whether such NS defaulters, who have answered for their offences in Court and paid the penalty, should be eventually accepted back into our fold, is not something that MINDEF can determine. It is for society to decide. And society will also look at whether such individuals, apart from having paid a penalty, are sincerely contrite for having failed to serve our nation, and whether they have attempted to make amends. Mr Speaker, Sir, National Service remains critical for our national survival. Singaporeans serve willingly out of a sense of duty, and also a sense that the system is fair. Every citizen does his part, and nobody can dodge his responsibility to serve without severe legal and social sanctions. The Government will strenuously uphold the National Service system, and preserve its fairness and equity. This is essential to maintain the commitment that Singaporeans have shown over four decades of National Service. Mr Speaker, Sir, pursuant to Standing Order No. 44, I beg to move that the Ministerial Statement on National Service be considered by Parliament.”
“Yet there is a strong commitment to National Service among our NSmen and a belief in the importance of National Service. In a survey of NSmen conducted last year, an overwhelming majority indicated that they will defend Singapore if it should come under threat (96%), and that they will risk their lives to fight for Singapore in a war (92%). The survey findings are supported by what MINDEF has observed of NSmen during their in-camp training. They take their training seriously and many are keen to offer suggestions on how training and operating procedures can be improved. While we continuously seek to upgrade the SAF's hardware and software, we know that it is very important not to lose sight of the heart-ware. MINDEF and the SAF have therefore been working at eliciting higher levels of commitment and ownership in our nation's defence. To cement the bonds of commitment of our people, the Army has embarked on the Army Culture and Experience, or ACE movement. The aim is to shape a positive army experience for all NSmen and to build a strong culture that will inspire confidence and commitment to collectively defend our country. May I request the Clerk to distribute some brochures describing the ACE programme. [Copies of brochure distributed to hon. Members.] Sir, we have come a long way since National Service was introduced 38 years ago. MINDEF is greatly heartened by the commitment of our NSmen and Singaporeans' support for National Service. The Government will continue to give recognition to the commitment and contributions of NSmen to the defence of our nation. The RECORD IV committee chaired by Dr Ng Eng Hen will soon be announcing its recommendations on ways to further recognise and enhance the contributions of NSmen to Total Defence.”
“But what is more important is having committed NSmen who are willing to serve, and who believe that they have something to fight for and to die for, if necessary. As Mr Ivan Michael Pung wrote in his letter to The Straits Times on 1st December last year, and I quote "the reason why we answer the call-up is not to enjoy the rewards cited, like HDB concessionary loans, IPPT monetary awards and New Singapore Shares. We all serve National Service so that our parents, siblings and loved ones will sleep well each and every night. We know that we must defend what belongs to us." Mr Pung is not alone in his commitment. Singaporeans can sleep well knowing that there are many others like him who are committed to the security and defence of our country. I recently met a young man at my meet-the-people session. He came to see me about his National Service call-up. It was a heart-warming meeting. MINDEF had exempted him from National Service on medical grounds, but he wanted to serve and felt that he could contribute despite his medical condition. He told me that National Service is something all Singaporean men had to do and he wanted to do his National Service too. I was most impressed by his determination to live a normal life and to serve our country in any way he can, in spite of his illness. This young man is still studying in a post-secondary institution, and MINDEF will review his case when he has completed his studies. If it is appropriate, we will enlist him and deploy him to serve in a role that is compatible with his medical condition. Sir, ours is a compulsory National Service system. Singaporeans do not have a choice whether or not to serve National Service.”
“However, from now on, MINDEF will ask the prosecutor to press for a jail sentence in serious cases of NS defaulters, and explain why we consider a jail sentence appropriate in a particular case. Serious cases include those who default on their full-time National Service responsibilities for two years or longer from the time they were required to register or enlist, or from the time their exit permits expired for those granted deferment, whichever is later. We believe that it is in the public interest that such NS defaulters face a jail sentence, unless there are mitigating circumstances. I would like to provide some illustrations of what MINDEF considers to be sentences appropriate to the nature of the offence or commensurate with its gravity: (a) Where the default period exceeds two years but the defaulter is young enough to serve his full-time and operationally ready NS duties in full, MINDEF will press for a short jail sentence. (b) Where the defaulter has reached an age when he cannot serve his full-time NS in a combat vocation or fulfil his operationally ready NS obligations in full, a longer jail sentence to reflect the period of NS he has evaded may be appropriate. (c) Where the defaulter has reached an age when he cannot be called up for NS at all, a jail sentence up to the maximum of three years may be appropriate. In all instances, we expect that the Court will take into account whatever aggravating or mitigating circumstances there may be in each case to determine the appropriate sentence. Commitment is key Mr Speaker, Sir, we need the appropriate laws and regulations, the fines, bonds and penalties to maintain our principles of universality and equity for National Service.”
“I will provide details of the changes in the exit control measures at a later sitting when I move the Bill to amend the Enlistment Act. Let me deal with the issues regarding the penalty regime. MINDEF considered whether, in the context of current conditions and the number of NS defaulters, it is necessary to change the nature and scale of punishments in the Enlistment Act. In particular, we looked at whether the maximum jail sentence of three years is adequate, whether we should specify a mandatory minimum jail sentence, and whether the maximum fine that can be imposed is adequate. MINDEF will be proposing to the House to increase the maximum fine provided for in the Enlistment Act from the current $5,000 to $10,000. This will be in line with the amendment to the Singapore Armed Forces Act which is now before the House. While the maximum fine will be higher, it is important to note that the fine, like the bond, is not a substitute for serving National Service. The fine is a penalty for failing to fulfil his obligations under the Enlistment Act, and the defaulter remains liable for National Service. MINDEF has concluded that the maximum jail sentence of three years is adequate, as it is longer than the current full-time National Service duration of two years. Whether or not a particular offence merits the maximum punishment of three years' imprisonment would be a matter for the Court to decide based on the facts of each case. MINDEF does not consider it necessary at this time to seek a minimum mandatory jail sentence for Enlistment Act offences, as the circumstances of the cases vary widely.”
“The majority of cases so far have been those who returned at a relatively young age and were still able to fulfil their National Service obligations. Half of those charged in Court over the past 20 years returned at age 21 or younger, and 80% returned at age 28 or younger. A fine for such NS defaulters was not inappropriate as they were still able to serve their National Service obligations in full. However, Melvyn Tan's case has highlighted an inadequacy in penalties for those who have defaulted for so many years that they are no longer able to discharge their National Service obligations in full. Since the appeal case in the High Court in 1993, besides Melvyn Tan, there have been 13 other cases of convicted defaulters who were sentenced only to a fine and who were not subsequently enlisted because they were already over 40 or almost 40. This is something that we need to look into more closely, especially as there may now be more defaulters who are 40 or older coming before the courts with the passing of time. Review of Enlistment Act Sir, in the middle of last year, MINDEF embarked on a periodic review of the Enlistment Act and the Singapore Armed Forces Act. This review focused on the penalty regimes in the Acts. The review of the penalty regime in the Singapore Armed Forces Act was completed in November last year and a Bill to amend the Singapore Armed Forces Act is up for Second Reading now before the House. The proposal is to increase the maximum fine quantum provided for in the SAF Act. The review of the Enlistment Act has taken longer because, in addition to reviewing the penalty regime, MINDEF is also studying how to modify the exit control measures to take into account the impending introduction of the biometric passport.”
“Over the past 20 years, 185 NS defaulters have been convicted in Court for Enlistment Act offences. Of these, 43 received jail sentences, 140 were fined and two were punished in connection with other civil offences. Of the 140 who were fined, 35 were ultimately jailed when they did not pay their fines. Of the 185 convicted defaulters, 127 were enlisted or are awaiting enlistment for National Service following their convictions. Two were supposed to enlist but defaulted again prior to their enlistment. 33 were not drafted as they were unsuitable for enlistment for security or medical reasons - they would not have been enlisted in any case even if they had not defaulted on NS. The remaining 23 were not drafted because they were either above the statutory age limit or no longer Singaporeans. Of note is that the High Court had, in a 1993 case, reduced the sentences of two NS defaulters - two brothers - from eight months' imprisonment to a fine of $3,000 on appeal. This was an unusual case where it could be said that there were mitigating circumstances. Since then the Subordinate Courts have been using this case as a guideline, and not imposed a jail sentence on single-instance defaulters, no matter how long the default period was. The courts have imposed jail sentence on single instance defaulters only in cases where there are aggravating factors, such as repeated Enlistment Act offences, past criminal records, concurrent charges of other civil offences, and absconding during investigation. It is for the Court to decide on the appropriate punishment for individual cases of NS defaulters. MINDEF had not been pressing for custodial sentences, nor had it appealed for heavier sentences.”
“The legal framework for National Service is contained in two pieces of legislation - the Enlistment Act and the Singapore Armed Forces Act. The Enlistment Act applies to all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents from age 16½ to 40, or age 50 in the case of officers. The Act provides for the registration and enlistment of those liable for National Service, and also for the requirement to apply for an Exit Permit or to notify MINDEF when going overseas. Those who fail to comply with the provisions of the Enlistment Act are dealt with in the civil courts regardless of whether they are pre-enlistees, full-time NSmen or Operationally Ready NSmen. On conviction, they can be sentenced to a jail term of up to three years, or a fine of up to $5,000, or both. The Singapore Armed Forces Act deals with those in the service of the SAF and contains provisions pertaining to their conduct and discipline. Those in the service of the SAF comprise regulars, full-time NSmen, and Operationally Ready NSmen who have been served an order to report for service. Pre-enlistees are not subject to the Singapore Armed Forces Act as they are not yet in the service of the SAF. Servicemen who commit offences under the Singapore Armed Forces Act are dealt with either in the Subordinate Military Court or by SAF disciplinary officers. NS defaulters are dealt with under the Enlistment Act as they have failed to respond to orders to register or enlist for National Service, or failed to comply with Exit Permit requirements. MINDEF's approach in dealing with NS defaulters has been to charge them in Court for Enlistment Act offences and let the Court impose an appropriate sentence based on the circumstances of each case and the provisions of the Enlistment Act.”
“Instead, he requested further deferment to pursue a Masters degree in music. The request was rejected, as we did not allow further deferment for postgraduate studies. When Melvyn Tan failed to enlist for full-time National Service after his deferment period was over and his exit permit had expired, the bond his parents furnished was forfeited and he was gazetted as an NS defaulter. Melvyn Tan subsequently took up British citizenship in 1978 and applied to renounce his Singapore citizenship. He was allowed to renounce his citizenship based on the prevailing policy at that time. That policy was subsequently tightened, and someone in a similar situation today would not be allowed to renounce his citizenship and would remain liable for National Service. Over the years, Melvyn Tan made a number of appeals, including one to the Prime Minister in 1995, to be allowed to return to Singapore without being charged for his National Service offences. MINDEF rejected all of his appeals. MINDEF's position was that while he was free to return to Singapore, he would have to answer for his National Service offence in Court, like all other NS defaulters. In April last year, Melvyn Tan decided to return to Singapore to face the Court. He stated that he wanted to return in order to be with his ageing parents. He pleaded guilty in Court and was sentenced to a fine of $3,000. His sentence was similar to that imposed on other NS defaulters under similar circumstances. As Melvyn was no longer a Singaporean and was in any case over 40 years old, he was no longer liable for National Service and could not be made to serve his National Service. Penalties for NS defaulters Sir, let me now touch on the issue of punishment for NS defaulters.”
“The sentence is decided by the Court based on the circumstances of each case. Besides answering to the Court, NS defaulters who are still Singaporeans and below the age of 40 will have to serve National Service. Melvyn Tan Mr Speaker, Sir, allow me now to touch on the specifics of the case of Melvyn Tan. Much has been said about his case and many Singaporeans have expressed strong views. I discern two key concerns in the public debate. The first was that the punishment meted out to NS defaulters was insufficient and not proportionate with the seriousness of the offence. There were many indignant voices who argued that a $3,000 fine was too light considering that other Singaporeans had to diligently serve 2 or 2½ years of full-time National Service and many more years of in-camp training. Such feelings are understandable and I will address this concern later in my statement. The second concern expressed was whether Melvyn Tan had been given special treatment; whether different rules for National Service applied to different people. I would like to assure the House that this was not the case. Melvyn Tan was treated no differently from other NS defaulters in similar situations. Melvyn Tan left Singapore at age 12 in 1969 to study music at the Yehudi Menuhin School in England. In 1974, when he was 17, he won a Foundation Scholarship, jointly funded by the Straits Times Press, Nanyang Siang Pau and the Lee Foundation, to further his music studies at the Royal College of Music. As the course would take him beyond the enlistment age of 18, he applied for and was granted deferment from National Service for three years, after his parents furnished a bond of $30,000. However, Melvyn Tan failed to return after his deferment period ended.”
“Only those who have emigrated at a young age and have not enjoyed substantial socio-economic benefits are allowed to renounce their citizenship without serving National Service. Since 1970, we have required pre-enlistees who are going overseas for an extended period to post a bond as a promise that they will return to fulfil their National Service obligation. The bond quantum was $20,000 in 1970 and it has been increased over the years. Since 1992, the bond quantum has been set at $75,000 or half the combined annual income of the parents, whichever is higher. The bond is however not a substitute for National Service. If a pre-enlistee fails to return to serve his National Service, not only has he broken his bond but, more importantly, he has broken his promise and broken the law by not returning to fulfil his National Service obligation. The bond quantum that is forfeited is the penalty he has to pay for breaking the bond. It is not redemption and not a substitute for National Service. He still has to face the law for failing to comply with his National Service obligations under the Enlistment Act; and he still remains liable for National Service. There is strong support for National Service among Singaporeans. Every year only a small number, about 0.5% of those liable for NS each year, or on average 100 unresolved cases of NS defaulters a year over the past five years, fail to register or enlist for National Service, or fail to return after their exit permits expired. The vast majority of these defaulters are overseas. An average of 12 NS defaulters a year were charged in Court for failing to comply with the Enlistment Act. The offences carry a sentence of up to three years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.”
“MINDEF does not think this is appropriate. We are clear that if we require our people to perform National Service, it must be to fulfil a critical national need. Otherwise there is insufficient reason to compel a person to serve. The second fundamental principle of our National Service is universality. All young Singaporean males who are fit to serve are conscripted. If we have a system in which some are conscripted but others are not, there will be strong feelings of unfairness which will undermine the commitment of our NSmen. This is not unique to Singapore. This was a problem that the US faced during the Vietnam War. Not everyone was conscripted. Some exploited loopholes and technicalities to avoid being drafted. There were exemptions, deferments and alternative forms of service. This affected morale and the will to fight among those who were drafted, and it also affected the American people's support for conscription and the war. MINDEF has always been very clear that National Service must be universal - all who are fit to serve National Service must serve. The third fundamental principle of our National Service is equity. Everyone has to be treated in the same way, regardless of background or status. His deployment in NS is determined by where he is most needed to meet the needs of the national defence. NS defaulters In line with these three principles, MINDEF has consistently taken a tough stand against those who default on their National Service obligations. We have introduced various measures over the years to prevent such persons from evading National Service. For example, the Constitution was amended in 1979 so that those who refused to serve could not escape their National Service obligation by simply renouncing their citizenship.”
“More than 300,000 are currently doing their full-time NS or are active operationally ready national servicemen being called up annually for their in-camp training and standby duties. Another 400,000 have done their duty and completed their operationally ready national service cycle. Sons now follow in the footsteps of their fathers, as a second generation of Singaporeans serves our country through National Service. National Service, both full-time and during operationally ready service, requires significant sacrifice on the part of our NSmen. The sacrifice is shared by their families; and their employers bear inconveniences as well. The Government acknowledges this, and has over the years introduced initiatives to recognise the efforts and sacrifices of our NSmen. But these initiatives can never fully compensate our NSmen for their sacrifice and the effort they commit to serving the nation. Principles of National Service Our National Service policy is underpinned by three fundamental principles. The first is that National Service must be for meeting a critical national need - for it requires considerable cost both to the individual and to the nation. That critical need is national security and our survival. This is why NSmen are deployed only in the Singapore Armed Forces, the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, where they contribute directly to the security and defence of Singapore. Once in a while, there are suggestions that Singaporeans should be allowed different forms of National Service. For example, a recent commentary by Ms Ong Soh Chin of The Straits Times advocated a rethink of the scope of National Service. She suggested that it be extended to include other forms of non-combat service, such as in the social sector or in the arts.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there has been significant public interest recently in the issue of National Service defaulters arising from the case of Melvyn Tan. Members of the House have also submitted questions on MINDEF's policy on NS defaulters, the punishments meted out to them, and whether the punishments provided for in the Enlistment Act are adequate. Need for National Service National Service was introduced 38 years ago in 1967, soon after we became independent. National Service fulfilled a critical need - we had to defend ourselves. It was a matter of survival. As a small country with a small population, the only way we could build a force of sufficient size to defend ourselves was through conscription. It was a decision not taken lightly given the significant impact that conscription would have on every Singaporean. But there was no alternative. Over the past four decades, the need for National Service has been reaffirmed. With National Service, we have built up the SAF into a capable and credible force. The SAF deters aggression, protects our sovereignty and territorial integrity, and allows us to pursue our national interests without yielding to external threats or pressure. In addition, the SAF now also has to deal with a wider spectrum of threats which can derail our peace and prosperity, threats such as transnational terrorism and maritime security. The need for National Service therefore continues to be as critical as ever. National Service and our committed National Servicemen form the backbone of the SAF. It is not an exaggeration to say that the peace and prosperity that Singapore and Singaporeans have enjoyed over the past four decades are built upon the dedication of NSmen who have dutifully served their country. 700,000 have served.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I intend to make a Ministerial Statement on National Service defaulters following Question Time. For that reason, may I request that I deal with Question Nos 1, 2 and 3 at that point in time?”
“Sir, for entry and exit to SAF camp, there is a procedure which each one has to adhere to. So, those procedures are carried out on a daily basis whenever people come to the camps. The safety and security procedures at the camps are audited in the same way as other procedures in SAF units are audited by the inspection agencies. I do not have the frequency of the inspection intervals. POLICE MRT UNITS (Standard Operating Procedures) 2. Dr Chong Weng Chiew asked the Minister for Home Affairs what are the standard operating procedures for the new Police MRT units, particularly with regard to their patrols of MRT stations and other public areas and the use of firearms in these places.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, since September 11 2001, MINDEF and SAF have put in place several security measures and initiatives to protect SAF installations against intrusions. These measures include both a refinement of existing security procedures, and the introduction of new hardware and technology. Our forces providing security at the various SAF facilities have undergone additional training to familiarise themselves with the new threats. Security awareness programmes have been instituted throughout the SAF, including for new recruits, to raise security consciousness and vigilance among all personnel. The 'hardware' measures put in place at our SAF facilities include the installation of intrusion detection devices along security fences and the use of CCTVs to enhance the monitoring of remote places. These are complemented by guards who make frequent patrols to provide added deterrence. These patrols are deliberately executed at irregular intervals so as not to make the routine predictable. All public and commercial access to SAF facilities are regulated by stringent layers of checks. X-ray machines and walk-through metal detectors are employed to screen visitors and servicemen prior to entry. Physical searches by security personnel may also be enforced. Vehicles are also subject to inspections by undercarriage mirrors or cameras and explosives-trained sniffer dogs. To avert the possibility of vehicles charging in at high speeds into our SAF facilities, barriers have been erected to deny vehicles a straight run towards a facility. At key installations, mechanical retractable bollards and rising kerbs have also been installed and can be activated by security personnel should an unauthorised vehicle attempt to barge into an SAF facility.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Car Allowance Scheme for Senior Civil Servants was introduced in 1989 as part of the move towards a clean wage policy: it replaced the earlier scheme where eligible officers were provided with a car, which also was tax free. Hence, the tax-free element was carried over. The allowance was kept tax-free as a way to equalise with the private sector which tended to have equivalent benefits for their executives which also were not fully taxed at that time. However, in 1994, when we moved Public Service salaries to benchmark against the private sector, we imputed the tax on the car allowance when the Public Service Division computes the total remuneration package for senior officers in salary benchmarking against private sector salaries using IRAS data. Hence, it is not the tax-free allowance that is used in the computation of the total remuneration package for benchmarking but the imputed tax is also included in calculating the total remuneration package. Hence, the tax exemption does not cause a distortion in favour of senior civil servants over the private sector. The structure of senior public sector salaries was last revised and debated in this House in 2000 and the various components of the salary, including the car allowance, which is calculated with the imputed tax, are listed. So, that is all in the public domain. As this imputed tax already enters into the benchmarking of salaries, MOF and PSD are currently reviewing the scheme with a view to making the tax element in the Car Allowance Scheme explicit rather than implicit. If this is done, it will not result in any change to either the benchmarking or net after-tax salaries, since the imputed tax was already included.”
“Sir, if I may explain the principles of compensation. When I said that we treat a National Serviceman on the same basis as a regular, what I was referring to was for the purposes of pensions. Because a regular, when he serves in the Armed Forces, if he were to pass away, there will be certain pension benefits due to him because of his service. Therefore, we treat a National Serviceman on that basis. However, on the overall compensation that is provided, the principles are consistent with the legal principles applied by the civil court in assessing compensation for deaths. So the other factors that Prof. Png brought up will be taken into consideration in that overall compensation. With regard to what charges to be preferred against the individuals, as I explained, the Attorney-General's Chambers has primary jurisdiction, and the Attorney-General decided who to prosecute and on what charges. As regards the remaining cases, these cases were prosecuted according to the facts of the case that were available. Column No : 1029 CAR ALLOWANCE FOR SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS (Tax exemption) 15. Prof. Ivan Png Paak Liang asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance if he will cancel the tax exemption for two months' salary of car allowance paid to senior civil servants, as this is inconsistent with a transparent compensation policy and taxation system, and causes an economic distortion in favour of high-income civil servants to the disadvantage of the private sector.”
“Apart from the four servicemen who were dealt with in the criminal court, the investigations had revealed that three other servicemen had committed military offences directly connected to this case. These three were court-martialled on 15th April 2005. They pleaded guilty to negligently performing their duties. The court martial was presided over by a district judge, and there are two other members who are SAF officers. LTA Ryan Toh and LTA Shashi Kumar were fined $1,500 each, and SSG Tan Tian Huat was fined $900. The investigations had also found shortcomings in the performance of seven other servicemen in relation to the supervision or the conduct of the Combat Survival Training course as a whole, but not directly related to the actions against 2SG Hu. Disciplinary action, ranging from fines to Letters of Warning, was taken against them.”
“This scheme provides affordable coverage at premiums of $16 per month for every $100,000 of coverage. The maximum amount of coverage is $400,000. 2SG Hu's family also had access to the SAF Welfare Fund, which assists with funeral expenses and provides benevolent funds. Prof. Png has also asked about the disciplinary action that has been taken against the SAF personnel connected to the death of 2SG Hu. Following the completion of the cases in the criminal court, MINDEF has since completed the disciplinary actions against all those involved to bring this tragic case to a close. First, I would like to explain that the Attorney-General's Chambers has primary jurisdiction over whether to proceed with criminal charges. The Attorney-General's Chambers decided to proceed with criminal charges against four servicemen, and they were all subsequently convicted - two of causing death by a rash act and the other two of abetment of a rash act causing death. LTA Divanand and LTA Ng Chin Fong were sentenced to nine months' imprisonment each. CPT Pandiaraj and 2WO Balakrishnan appealed against their conviction but their appeals were recently dismissed by the Chief Justice, and CPT Pandiaraj was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment while 2WO Balakrishnan was given six months' imprisonment. Following their sentencing by a district court on 14th January 2005, the SAF discharged LTA Divanand and LTA Ng Chin Fong from service with effect from 3rd March 2005, after the deadline for them to file an appeal expired. The cases for the discharge of CPT Pandiaraj and 2WO Balakrishnan from the SAF are now being processed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I will first answer the question of compensation to the family of 2SG Hu Enhuai. MINDEF has a framework for compensation which provides for fair and reasonable compensation for a serviceman who suffers injury or death which is attributable to service. Let me explain the various components of this framework. First, the SAF (Pensions) Regulations provide for a National Serviceman and his family to be compensated in line with the compensation scheme set out in the Workmen's Compensation Act, which provides for compensation of up to S$111,000 in the event of death. Beyond this, as I informed Parliament at the Committee of Supply debate last year, MINDEF has decided to treat National Servicemen on par with regular soldiers for the purpose of compensation. This means that for deaths due to military service, we will provide an additional lump-sum payment of a minimum of one year's pay for a regular of the same rank. MINDEF can also grant additional compensation where the circumstances merit such additional compensation. The principles that MINDEF applies in computing the compensation amount are consistent with the legal principles applied by the civil courts in assessing compensation for deaths. In the case of 2SG Hu Enhuai, MINDEF had offered a comprehensive package of financial compensation to his family in line with the above principles. 2SG Hu's family has accepted this compensation, and has not taken any legal action. It would not be appropriate for MINDEF to disclose the amount of the compensation that has been made to 2SG Hu's family. Our servicemen are also encouraged to join the SAF's Group Insurance Scheme. 2SG Hu was insured under this scheme and the insurance was paid to his family in 2003.”
“I do not have comparable data that Dr Ong has asked for. But I have data for the Singapore male population, aged 18-45. And National Servicemen and our operationally-ready National Servicemen are generally of that age range. Over that period, there were 261 cases of sudden cardiac death, which is about 87 cases per year. For the SAF, there were 19 cases of sudden cardiac death from 1996-2005, which was about 2.1 cases per year. There are roughly about three cohorts' worth of males in the SAF at any one time - two cohorts of National Servicemen and another cohort comprising regulars plus operationally-ready National Servicemen who are in for their ICT. So, in round numbers, there are about three cohorts at any one time. There are about 27 cohorts of males between the ages of 18-45 in the statistics I have just cited. So there are nine times more. I think you can do the comparison, with 2.1 cases per year for the SAF and 87 cases per year for the population at large for a roughly similar age group. MEDISAVE ACCOUNT (Removal of maximum limit) 10. Mdm Halimah Yacob asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider removing the maximum limit currently prescribed for Medisave savings so that the entire Medisave contributions can be retained in the Medisave Account instead of transferring the excess amount to the Ordinary Account.”
“If I may just respond to the point on AEDs first. I completely agree with Dr Lim. That is why we have 237 AEDs in the SAF and we will equip it with the numbers that are necessary. I am not a doctor but Dr Lim is an expert in this area. I am told by our doctors that not all conditions are treatable by an AED. There are such things as rhythms that are shockable and things which are not, and even if you have an AED there, it may or may not be of use to the person. In the two cases that I mentioned, the presence or absence of an AED did not arise because the persons were very close to the medical centre and there were medical officers at the medical centres available to treat them, much better than with an AED. On the question of whether or not such conditions can be detected, I will have to be guided by the medical professionals. I imagine that there must be panels which look at best practices in this field and when such practices advance, we will certainly advance with them. I am not able to engage into a detailed discussion on the merits of particular procedures or examinations which I am sure Dr Lim is much better able to do so.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have to be guided here by the medical professionals. As I have said just now, the SAF's routine screening for heart disease in pre-enlistees is equivalent to the standards recommended by the European Society of Cardiology and the International Olympic Committee, and higher than the standards in the United States recommended for competitive athletes. So I believe that the procedures that we have for pre-enlistees' cardiac screening are really quite up to the mark. The state of medical science is such that for this kind of screening, it is not possible to detect all conditions. Of course, at the point of autopsy, it is possible when you open up a person to detect such a condition. But as a medical practitioner, Dr Neo will know that there is also a risk in medical examinations, especially in invasive medical examinations, and the risk and the return must be balanced. We do, as I have said, conduct medical screening for regular servicemen, as well as operationally-ready National Servicemen. This includes resting ECG. And if there is an indication of an abnormality, then we will do a stress test. As I mentioned just now, these measures exceed the Ministry of Health's clinical practice guidelines which recommend that screening begins at 40 in the absence of any risk factors.”
“MINDEF will conduct a rigorous and thorough investigation to examine all possible causes of this incident, eg, whether all safety processes and procedures were properly observed and what other measures might be necessary to prevent such incidents in future. All possible causes of the incident will be considered. The SAF mandated a two-day SAF-wide safety time-out immediately after this incident. This was conducted at the unit level by unit commanders after the commanders themselves were briefed by their service chiefs. The objective of the safety time-out was to remind and refresh commanders, trainers and instructors on the safety system to ensure that safety measures are in place and remind commanders and servicemen that safety is also an individual responsibility. The safety time-out was completed last Friday and SAF training, other than heli-rappelling which has been suspended pending the findings of the investigation, has resumed and so have our exercises and operations.”
“So, in fact, I would say that if a soldier decides to go for a run on his own or with some friends in a camp or camp facility, he probably has better medical cover than the average Singaporean has, if he decides to go out for a run with his colleagues. The second group of incidents concerns those which involve SAF training. SAF training does have inherent risks. We want the training to be as realistic as possible but also as safe as possible. Hence, every type of training in the SAF is carefully audited. There are safety procedures and checks, and these are put into place. Unfortunately, some incidents do occur from time to time. Whenever there is an incident, we will go through a very thorough investigation process and inquiry process to find out what are the causes, and whether all the safety precautions were observed. If not, why? Was there anybody at fault? Was there an oversight? Or, even if all the safety precautions were observed, was there something in the system that could have been done better? And if it can be done better, then we will do so. So, I will group these into two different types of cases. Perhaps I should also update Members of the House on the rappelling incident on 13th July 2005. First of all, I would like to convey my condolences to the family of 1SGT Shiva Mohan and the family of the foreign serviceman. MINDEF's investigation into the incident is underway, and the SAF has suspended all heli-rappelling training, pending the outcome of the investigation. Other SAF training with helicopters and the RSAF's search-and-rescue duties continue.”
“I am not sure where Miss Ng got her data from. The data I have is from the medical sources that I have available. If she is able to provide me with medical data that show otherwise, we will, of course, have a look at them. But from the medical data that I have and the research that has been conducted, these, unfortunately, are the statistics. Whether or not an AED can be used in a specific case depends on the condition of the patient. In certain cases, the use of an AED is not appropriate and may, I suppose, cause more harm than good. In the case of the two servicemen who collapsed, in fact, they collapsed very close to the medical centre. So, they were taken to the medical centre. One collapsed only about 200 or 300 metres from the medical centre and was immediately evacuated there within minutes. The resuscitation capabilities at the medical centre are more comprehensive than those that could be provided with an AED. Unfortunately, he did not survive. Sir, on the issues of safety in the SAF and training incidents, I would like to break these into two groups. In the case of these two runs, I would say that they are not very different in substance from what many Singaporeans, men or women, younger or a little older, would do on an average day, ie, go out for a run with a number of his colleagues. So, these two incidents, I would say, are not directly related to SAF training per se. In fact, on an average day, when a Singaporean goes out for a run, he does not usually carry an AED with him or is he particularly close to a medical centre.”
“He was promptly evacuated to the medical centre, where cardio-pulmonary resuscitation was begun and he was given an intravenous infusion and oxygen. The serviceman was stabilised and then evacuated to NUH. He has since returned to work. Sir, I would like to assure Singaporeans that the safety and health of our servicemen are of the highest priority to MINDEF and the SAF. We have comprehensive and rigorous screening regimes for those coming into the SAF, including our Full-time National Service men. And we have appropriate safety measures and medical cover for our servicemen when they are conducting training or rigorous physical activity. Sudden cardiac death is, unfortunately, something that cannot be completely prevented, as the statistics for not just the SAF but the Singapore population at large show.”
“Our SAF medical officers abide by the same professional ethics and standards as their civilian counterparts. They are also bound by the SAF values of professionalism, ethics and care for soldiers. Sir, Ms Irene Ng has asked about the use of defibrillators. There are two types: semi-automated defibrillators used by medical doctors, and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) which can be operated by trained individuals, including our SAF medics. Defibrillators work by delivering electrical shocks to the heart, in order to convert abnormal heart rhythms back to normal rhythms. However, not all abnormal heart rhythms can be effectively treated by electric shock, and an AED would interpret the heart rhythm of a person who has gone into sudden cardio-respiratory arrest and advise the operator whether or not an electric shock is indicated. Studies indicate that if there is early defibrillation when there is a shockable rhythm, 20-50% of victims may survive. AEDs were progressively introduced into the SAF last year to enhance medical coverage. There are currently 237 AEDs in our camps. They are operated by our medics during strenuous activities, such as the IPPT and Standard Obstacle Course test. Since its introduction, the AED has been applied once, when 2SG Ong Jia Hui was brought ashore after a diving incident last month. However, he had no shockable rhythm and the device was, therefore, not activated. Ms Irene Ng has also asked about cases of successful resuscitation after a sudden cardiac arrest. There was a recent case, although this was not with the aid of a defibrillator. In May this year, a 27-year-old regular serviceman collapsed during an IPPT run. He had no pulse and was not breathing.”
“All servicemen (including operationally-ready NSmen) who are 35 years of age or older, undergo medical screening for cardiac risk factors when they are required to take the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT). If the test results are abnormal, the serviceman will be referred for further specialist assessment. If the results are normal, then this medical screening is done once every two years until age 40, and annually thereafter. These measures exceed the Ministry of Health's clinical practice guidelines which recommend that screening begins at age 40 in the absence of any risk factors. The SAF's current medical screening regimes are comprehensive and are based on sound medical evidence of their effectiveness. They are continually reviewed to ensure that they are consistent with current medical knowledge and practice. Sir, training in the SAF is conducted at a progressive pace. For example, during the first week of basic military training, recruits are gradually eased into the camp environment and training tempo. The recruits then go through other basic modules in physical fitness and military skills before moving on to more rigorous training. SAF commanders are always on the look-out for servicemen who may be experiencing problems during training. Apart from progressive training, the SAF has a comprehensive safety management system that includes compulsory adequate rest before strenuous training, compulsory drinking of water before, during and after training, and pre-training screening to identify those who are not feeling well. In fact, our servicemen are regularly reminded to seek medical attention if they feel unwell. Those who seek medical attention are given full access to primary and specialist health care.”
“0% survived to discharge. Even among patients who suffered cardiac arrest in tertiary hospitals, ie, while they were already in hospital, where the best care is available, the survival rate to discharge ranged from 18% to 32%, according to studies from various countries. Unfortunately, death as a consequence of cardiac arrest is the most common outcome even with optimal management. Sir, let me now explain the SAF's medical screening system. Every SAF serviceman, whether a National Serviceman or regular, goes through a pre-enlistment medical examination at the SAF's Medical Classification Centre. There, he is fully assessed to determine the presence of pre-existing medical conditions. The medical assessment includes a resting electro-cardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, blood and urine tests, and a physical examination. Individuals with a history of death in the immediate family before 40 years of age, or sudden death, are questioned more thoroughly and may be referred for specialist assessment and additional investigations. The SAF's routine screening for heart disease in pre-enlistees is equivalent to the standards recommended by the European Society of Cardiology and International Olympic Committee, and higher than the standards in the United States recommended for competitive athletes. Our screening protocols are also similar to those used by other established armed forces. We want to be sure that our servicemen, especially the full-time National Servicemen (NSFs), are medically fit for continuous and strenuous physical training. For regulars, the medical screening includes periodic health examinations commencing at the age of 25.”
“MINDEF's safety investigations into the two incidents concluded that there were no safety breaches in both cases. MINDEF is also convening official Inquiries into the two deaths. Sir, the autopsy on 2WO Teh concluded that he had died from sudden cardiac arrest that resulted from an acute myocardial infarction. In layman's terms, he had suffered a heart attack. The autopsy report on 3SG Ong is not yet ready as the Health Services Authority has not completed its investigations. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) results from sudden cardiac arrest in a person who is usually in a state of normal health. In other words, the person may not exhibit any warning symptoms or signs prior to the attack. In the SAF, over the nine-year period from 1996 to 2005, there were 19 cases of sudden cardiac deaths, ie, about 2.1 cases per year. Of these, five had collapsed during training. The others were not during training. There is no comparable data for the Singapore male population. However, a National Heart Centre study showed that there were 261 cases of sudden cardiac deaths among the Singapore male population aged 18 to 45 over a three-year period from 2001 to 2003, or an average of about 87 cases per year. To put the issue in some perspective, allow me to share some pertinent information on the chances of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest. Dr Lim Swee Han, Senior Consultant and Head of the Singapore General Hospital Accident and Emergency Department, reported in a January 2005 paper that there was a 4.1% survival rate in 968 non-trauma cardiac arrest cases in the five-year period from 1994 to 1999. Dr Marcus Eng Ong Hock, in a cardiac arrest and resuscitation epidemiology study in 2003, reported that from a total of 548 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Singapore, only 2.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Ms Irene Ng has asked about the recent deaths of two SAF servicemen while running - one was a regular and the other was a Full-time National Serviceman. These have understandably given rise to some concern among Singaporeans. I would like to thank Ms Irene Ng for this opportunity to provide more information on this issue. And I take this opportunity also to extend my condolences to the families of the two servicemen, 2WO Teh Kok Lian and 3SG Ivan Ong Peng Ghee. First, allow me to provide some details on the two cases. 2WO Teh Kok Lian, a regular serviceman aged 39, was participating in a routine run on 22nd June when he collapsed at about 8.45 am. He was given immediate medical attention and evacuated to the camp medical centre where the medical officer initiated resuscitation measures. At 9.00 am, he was transported by an ambulance to the National University Hospital. Unfortunately, 2WO Teh passed away at the National University Hospital at 9.40 am. 3SG Ivan Ong Peng Ghee, a full-time National Serviceman section instructor aged 19, collapsed at about 8.45 am after an informal, self-paced jog with several of his colleagues. He was given immediate medical attention and brought to the camp medical centre where the medical officer initiated resuscitation measures. At 9.27 am, a helicopter, which had been activated, took off from Pulau Tekong to evacuate 3SG Ong to the Singapore General Hospital. He passed away about 50 minutes after he arrived at Singapore General Hospital. In both cases, the servicemen were given immediate medical attention on site and at the camp medical centre, and then promptly evacuated to hospital. The medical response was comprehensive and appropriate.”