Update on Death of a Singapore Armed Forces Full-time National Serviceman

A Committee of Inquiry (COI) has been convened by the Armed Forces Council to investigate the circumstances leading to the incident. The COI will be chaired by a Cluster Superintendent from the Ministry of Education, with a medical specialist from the public healthcare sector as one of its members. In addition, the death will be independently investigated by the Police. Based on the outcome of the Police investigation, a Coroner's Inquiry may be held.
 
The COI has full powers and access to information and personnel to investigate the circumstances leading to the death, determine the contributory factors and make recommendations to rectify any lapses uncovered. Recommendations from previous COIs have been implemented to improve the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)'s safety systems and processes. This includes the setting up of the External Review Panel on SAF Safety (ERPSS), consisting of prominent safety experts and professionals from outside the SAF to advise the SAF on its safety management system, enhance the robustness of safety-related policies and promulgate best practices across the Services.
 
The SAF takes the safety of our servicemen seriously and will make things right if there are inadequacies uncovered. The Army declared a safety timeout for all training on 30 Apr 18. Training resumed today, following a review of training and safety management plans to ensure that all appropriate safety measures are in place. The Army is committed to ensuring that our soldiers train realistically and safely.
 
The Army's focus is on rendering assistance and support to the family of the late CFC Dave Lee during this period of grief. An SAF Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to support the family. Family Support Officers and counsellors from the SAF Counselling Centre are also on standby to support. 
 
The late CFC Dave Lee will be accorded the honours of a military funeral on 5 May 2018.