Criminal proceedings over the death of a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) full-time national serviceman (NSF) may be initiated by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on Wednesday, May 16 a Board of Inquiry (BOI) will be convened to review the incident, where the NSF fell into a pump well and died.

The BOI will make recommendations to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

Arrests made and promotions withheld

Corporal Kok Yuen Chin, 22, died on Sunday, May 13 after falling into the Tuas View Fire Station’s pump well.

He was celebrating his impending operationally ready date (ORD) with his squad mates.

Two SCDF officers were arrested on Monday.

Four other officers who were slated to be promoted on June 1 will have their promotions withheld pending conclusion of the investigations.

The two officers who have been arrested will be interdicted from service on half-pay pending the outcome of investigations.

Damaged credibility

The SCDF Commissioner Eric Yap had told SCDF officers in a message that this NSF death has “damaged the credibility of the Force” and was a clear violation of its rules.

Yap had attended Kok’s wake in Malacca with a few colleagues on Tuesday.

Yap said: “With a heavy heart, on behalf of all of us, I expressed our deepest condolences to his family. I personally assured his father that the SCDF will cooperate fully with the Police investigation and the Board of Inquiry and the outcome will be made known to the family.”

Yap briefed SCDF Commanders on Tuesday and told them that all Unit Commanders will be held responsible for any unauthorised initiation or ragging activities by any personnel under their charge.

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