Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for Defence (a) whether physical punishments of servicemen by way of enforced physical exercises or physical drills for disciplinary infringements are still allowed in the SAF; and (b) if not, when have such punishments been prohibited in the SAF.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: 

Physical exercises in the form of push-ups and sit-ups, or foot drills, and non-physical punishment such as additional duties and weekend confinements, can be meted out by SAF commanders as disciplinary measures to soldiers for their disorderly behaviour and improper attire. These forms of discipline are strictly prescribed in the SAF's Joint Manpower Directive which states the number of repetitions that are allowed for specific exercises, the number and duration of additional duties or confinement and the seniority of the commander who are allowed to mete out such disciplinary measures.  

SAF personnel who mete out unauthorised punishments, or have wilfully or negligently infringed training safety regulations in the conduct of punishment, have been dealt with and prosecuted within the SAF or criminal prosecution in the State Courts.