Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam has called for an audit be conducted into the death of Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) full-time national serviceman Kok Yuen Chin on Sunday, May 13, calling the incident a "clear violation" of rules.

Clear violation of SCDF rules

Two SCDF regular officers have been arrested on Monday over the incident.

Shanmugam said the “conduct of some of the people involved” was in “clear violation” of the SCDF’s rules, during a media doorstop on the day of the arrests.

He described the incident as a “celebration gone wrong” and “tragic loss” of a “young man full of potential”

"The facts I've been given so far, they make it quite clear that conduct was quite wrong of some of the people involved. It was in clear violation of SCDF’s rules, it should not have happened, unacceptable, period," he said

“Details will be released in due course.”

"I’ve also asked SCDF to do an audit," he added. "Any other evidence of such conduct, take action, because we have to send a clear message."

“Action has been taken before when conduct which is not sanctioned has taken place, celebrations or otherwise,” Shanmugam added. “But after a while, people forget and break the rules again.”

Earlier on Monday, the minister had met Kok’s family members, including his father, aunt and aunt’s husband.

Media queries

When asked by The Straits Times if this was a "ragging" incident, Shanmugam said he did not want to "give a descriptor to the incident".

You can view the relevant portion from the 4min 55sec mark. Here is a transcription of what was said:

ST: Is this the first such death from a ragging incident?

Shanmugam: Well, I don’t want to give a descriptor to the incident, but I’m sure there have been...

(Gestures to SCDF deputy commissioner Chong Hoi Hung)

(Deputy Commissioner Chong shakes his head)

Shanmugam: No deaths. This is the first death.

ST: So is this considered ragging?

Shanmugam: I don’t want to put a descriptor. I think we let the facts come out, yea?

ST: Sure.

Shanmugam: The facts will come out. We will investigate and they will come out.

Facts revealed so far

Due to complete his full-time national service stint on Wednesday, Kok, who held the rank of corporal, had been celebrating with his squad mates.

One of the activities involved getting him into the well, a SCDF statement said on Monday.

Kok was found unconscious at about 9.20pm on Sunday at the bottom of the Tuas View Fire Station’s pump well, a reservoir of water used for training and testing the pumps of fire engines by personnel.

Kok was pronounced dead after he was taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and efforts to revive him at the scene proved fruitless.

SCDF doesn't condone unauthorised activities

SCDF’s deputy commissioner Chong Hoi Hung told the media: “SCDF will not condone unauthorised activities and we have been telling our commanders to brief the men properly to ensure they do not (commit them).”

Police are currently investigating the matter to ascertain how Kok ended up falling into the pump well and whether any parties are criminally responsible for his death.

The ages of Kok and the two SCDF officers who were arrested have not been disclosed.

A Board of Inquiry, under the SCDF Act, will also be convened to look into the case.

The SCDF will also be conducting briefings at all its fire stations and bases while also looking into whether any similar activities were conducted in the recent past.

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Recent tragedy

This latest death comes just two weeks after an NSF, Corporal First Class (CFC) Dave Lee, died on April 30 after suffering from heatstroke.

CFC Lee had been warded in Changi General Hospital on April 18 and was a guardsman in the 1st Battalion Singapore Guards.

The 19-year-old enlisted on Jan. 5 and completed his Basic Military Training on March 11.

An inquiry will be convened into his death.