'STOLEN RIFLE' CASE: SOLDIERS NEGLIGENT

THE negligence of several servicemen contributed to 'security lapses' in the incident of the soldier who allegedly escaped from camp with a rifle last September.

This was the finding of a board of inquiry convened by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen told Parliament yesterday.

Ms Indranee Rajah (Tanjong Pagar GRC) had asked for an update on the case where 20-year-old Corporal Dave Teo Ming, a full-time national serviceman, allegedly left Mandai Hill Camp with an SAR-21 assault rifle and eight bullets.

He was arrested 20 hours after he left camp.

As the criminal case against him was pending, it was inappropriate to comment on his case, Dr Ng said.

However, he said that those who were found negligent had been, or were being, disciplined.

Apart from this, the board's conclusion was that 'the SAF's systems and processes are generally adequate'.

Following the incident, the SAF has improved various aspects of camp security.

But Dr Ng cautioned: 'No system is perfect unless we remain vigilant.'

FIT ENLISTEES: 50% GOT REDUCTION IN NS

MORE than half the enlistees last year were so physically fit that they qualified for a two-month cut in their national service.

And the Defence Ministry (Mindef) will continue working with schools to further improve this, Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, the Minister of State for Defence, said.

And while the Singapore Armed Forces continued its emphasis on fitness, safety was equally important.

To prevent heat-related injuries, the army is working with a research institute on a device that could provide early warning of high core body temperature, he said.