According to a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, there have been four more Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers who are linked to the drowning of Corporal Kok Yuen Chin.
They have had their promotions withheld as investigations continue.
The subsequent four had their promotions held, and this comes after another two SCDF regulars were arrested on Monday.
The MHA said in a statement that a Board of Inquiry (BOI), that will be chaired by a senior director from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, will look into the tragedy and make recommendations to prevent similar incidents in future.
According to The New Paper, The BOI, which will include members who are not from the MHA or the SCDF, will submit its report to the Minister of Home Affairs.
They also reported that the state coroner may separately call for an inquiry into Cpl Kok’s death, and that the Attorney-General’s Chambers is also reviewing the case with a view to criminal proceedings.
Following this incident, netizens are furious. On top of demanding answers as to National Service protocols, they worry for their own sons and seem to have lost trust in the establishment.
They question:
There are those who have lost faith in the practice of National Service:
SCDF Commissioner Eric Yap briefed all commanders on Tuesday. He said, “Unit commanders will be held accountable and responsible for any unauthorised initiation or ragging activities by any personnel under their charge. Commanders are entrusted with the responsibility to look after the men and women who risk their lives every day. It is our duty to ensure they are not harmed or demeaned by the actions of others.”
“Let me be clear about this – those of us who are aware of, or have seen such acts being carried out but yet do not stop or report these acts, also bear responsibility. We cannot condone or allow any wrongdoing”, he added.
He ended his brief saying, “Even as we mourn the loss of one of our own, we owe it to Cpl Kok to ensure that this must never happen again”.
obbana@theindependent.sg