Mother of late NSF Dave Lee: I demand severe punishment to those involved, not for Dave who is gone forever, but for the nation

The mother of the late full-time national serviceman Corporal First Class (CFC) Dave Lee took to social media to call for severe punishment of those involved in acts of negligence during national service.

Her post came after the army captain in charge of an 8km fast march after which a 19-year-old soldier died of heatstroke was on Wednesday, October 31, charged with causing the death by performing a rash act.

Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) captain Tan Baoshu, 30, was also accused of disallowing the necessary treatment, which CFC Dave Lee needed after collapsing following the march in the morning of April 18 at Bedok Camp.

CFC Lee died on April 30, around two weeks after he was admitted to Changi General Hospital.

According to a statement from the police, six other SAF servicemen who were involved in the incident were referred to the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) for investigations.

Mindef issued a statement on Wednesday saying it will defer its internal proceedings against the six servicemen until after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings against Tan, so as to prevent any prejudice arising from parallel proceedings.

They also added, “SAF personnel who conduct unauthorised activities, or who wilfully or negligently fail to comply with training safety regulations, will be severely dealt with and prosecuted under military law… or under criminal law before the civil courts.”

Earlier in the year, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen told Parliament that the relevant people involved in the incident have been removed from command and could face criminal charge or military prosecution.

If convicted, Tan may be jailed for up to five years and fined.

Many netizens spoke out about the incident and shared stories of their own.

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