Recent official statements have hardly eased the fears and disquiet among Singaporeans over the death during training of full-time national serviceman (NSF) Dominique Sarron Lee.
The punishment of delayed promotions for the officers concerned that resulted in lost earnings amounting to half a year's salary would, in the minds of many, amount to less than a slap on the wrist for actions that resulted in the death of a conscript ("2 officers lost sum worth 'half their annual salary'"; March 25).
Most would consider detonating six - instead of the maximum prescribed number of two - smoke grenades by trained instructors a rash and negligent act.
Did pathology findings ascertain if Pte Lee would not have died, had two grenades been used instead?
It is not surprising that to many people, there are still many unanswered questions.
There should be no suspicion that the outcome of the civil suit would have been different, had more top or expensive legal advice been sought by the family concerned.
It is important that the public see that the issue has been comprehensively dealt with and that there would be no recurrence of preventable deaths.
Lim Chew