6 SAF Servicemen Fined Between $1,800 to $4,500 Over NSF Dave Lee’s Death

By
Boon Hun
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In case you forgot, NSF Dave Lee’s death was one that shook the entire nation when it happened.

Singaporean parents handed their sons over to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), fully aware that they’ll be going through tough times but they’ll be safe.

Unfortunately, the Dave Lee incident proved that while the system was in place, commanders may not necessarily follow them to a T.

And now, 2 years after an inquiry found Lee’s death to be entirely preventable, justice has been dealt.

6 SAF Servicemen Fined Between $1,800 to $4,500 Over NSF Dave Lee’s Death

On 24 Sep 2020, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said that all 6 SAF servicemen who were involved in NSF Dave Lee’s death has been fined.

They were all fined between $1,800 and $4,500 by a military court.

Three of them were even demoted.

All six individuals had pleaded guilty, it was heard.

The Exact Charges

  • First Sergeant (1SG) Chia Zhi Xuan was convicted on one charge of disobedience of general orders under Section 21 of the SAF Act and was fined S$2,500.
  • Second Sergeant (2G) Koh Ren Zhong was guilty of one charge of negligent performance of a lawful duty under Section 17(2) of the SAF Act. He was fined $1,800.
  • Corporal (NS) Tan Jin Yang was convicted of two charges of negligent acts endangering life under Section 41(b) of the SAF Act and was fined S$4,500.
  • Three others, CPL (NS) Chng Pheng Heng, CPL (NS) Jonas Ang Kai Jie and CPL (NS) Yep Ren Jie, were fined S$2,500 each and demoted from their Third Sergeant (3SG) rank.
  • They were each convicted of one charge of disobedience of general orders under Section 21 of the SAF Act and one charge of abuse of authority under Section 29 of the SAF Act.
  • A captain, Tan Baoshu, who was charged in 2018 for causing the death of the NSF by rash act, was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal. He had died on 13 Feb 2020 after being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

Lee’s mother had reportedly visited Tan after he received his cancer diagnosis and forgave him for his part in the death of her son.

NSF Dave Lee’s Death

On 18 Apr 2018, Pte Lee Han Xuan Dave, a soldier in the 1st Guards Battalion took part in an 8km fast march.

He “displayed signs of heat injury” after the march and was attended to by a SAF medic. He was evacuated to the medical centre, after which he was sent to Changi General Hospital.

His condition worsened in the hospital and he passed away on 30 Apr 2018 and posthumously promoted to Corporal First Class  (CFC).

Because the SAF was perceived to be hiding information then, a big hoo-ha was created, along with ex-guardsmen coming out to defend, and attack the system.

A Committee of Inquiry (COI) set up found that the tragic incident could’ve been prevented.

Not only was his platoon punished late the night before, resulting in shorter rest hours, the treatment given to him after he collapsed was also inadequate.

It was determined that if Lee had been evacuated earlier, he would’ve survived. However, suggestions to the commanders for Lee to be evacuated were reportedly brushed off.

Then, Mindef had said that if the COI refuses to press charges, they will proceed to convict them in a military court.

You can read more about the incident here:

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Boon Hun
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