Editor's note: This article has been edited to reflect an updated version of the statement from NUS.
A National University of Singapore (NUS) student who strangled his ex-girlfriend has been suspended and is not allowed on campus.
In a statement posted on Facebook on July 20, the university acknowledged the "feedback" it had received regarding Yin Zi Qin, a 23-year-old dental student, and wrote that it stood "strongly against any form of misconduct".
Yin had been sentenced to 12 days of detention.
He is also subjected to a day reporting order for five months with counselling, and must complete 80 hours of community service over a year.
NUS said he was serving a suspension, and is not allowed on campus, pending disciplinary proceedings which are ongoing.
"Students who have breached NUS Statutes and Regulations face severe sanctions, including suspension and expulsion", read the statement.
Additionally, the university noted that it did not have the "jurisdiction to investigate matters beyond the university".
"As such, NUS had to wait for the completion of the court proceedings to gather the facts of the case. We will now move to close this case as quickly as we can."
Strangled his ex-girlfriend who refused to get back with him
In an incident on May 9, 2019, Yin had broken up with his girlfriend over WhatsApp in the morning.
Yin had entered the compound of his ex-girlfriend's home on May 9, 2019, using an access card that she passed to him previously. He informed her that he was at her house, and that he wanted to speak to her.
They met at the basement and entered the victim's bedroom by climbing into her window from an adjacent showroom unit.
He was motivated by a desire to speak to her and presented her with roses seeking to mend the relationship.
However, she rejected Yin.
Feeling upset, Yin placed his hands on her neck and tried to strangle the victim.
The victim struggled and Yin pressed his thumb against her left eye firmly until it bled.
The victim blacked out but regained consciousness shortly after.
Yin apologised and climbed out of the window as he was told to leave.
But he later turned back to seek forgiveness from the victim's parents as he overheard the victim's mother asking her who had hit her as he was about to go.
The victim's mother called the police subsequently.
Pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt
Yin had pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing hurt, according to CNA.
Another charge of criminal trespass was taken into consideration due to him having unlawfully remained in the house, even though he was deemed to have initially entered lawfully.
The maximum penalty for voluntarily causing hurt is jail for up to two years, a fine of S$5,000, or both.
Petition calling for harsher punishment
An online petition has since been started, calling for Yin to be dealt a harsher punishment, and for amendments to the law under which Yin was sentenced.
As of July 20, it has garnered over 9,000 signatures.
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Top image from NUS Faculty of Dentistry's Facebook page