Reply to Lianhe Zaobao Forum Letter on "Mastermind in IPPT Cheating Scheme Jailed for 18 Months"

We refer to the letter by Mr Lan Run Xing on the access to camps for IPPT ("Mastermind in IPPT Cheating Scheme Jailed for 18 Months", 25 Mar 2017).

We would like to assure Mr Lan that the SAF takes a serious view of this case. The impersonator managed to gain access to camps using identity cards supplied by the NSmen, due to the large numbers processed during IPPT sessions. All NSmen caught cheating have been punished.

We acknowledge the lapse in security. The SAF has since stepped up the verification of facial checks against identity documents not only at the camp gates, but also more regularly at IPPT registration counters and IPPT stations. 

To further strengthen security of entry into SAF camps, biometric fingerprinting has been progressively introduced since 2015. By 2018, NSmen taking their IPPTs will be required to undergo biometric fingerprinting to gain entry into SAF camps.

Colonel Andrew Lim
Assistant Chief of General Staff (Training)