SAF training incident: my birthday has become the day of his death | World

SINGAPORE, Nov. 6 – This was supposed to be a feast day, but last Saturday, Corporal First Class (CFC) Liu Kai's family was tragically tragic when she heard the news of her death at from a training that had taken place earlier in the morning.

"We were waiting for the return of my younger brother in the afternoon, but my birthday has become the day of his death," said one of his two older sisters to the press today. in Mandarin.

With CFC Liu's father, she was speaking to reporters who were under the leadership of CFC Liu in Woodlands.

The family did not want to reveal his names or his age.

CFC Liu, 22, the youngest son of the family, was killed during a field training exercise at Jalan Murai, near Lim Chu Kang, when a Bionix armored vehicle entered the Land Rover in which he was there.

The carrier of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) West Transport Center was declared dead by licensed doctors about 25 minutes later.

CFC Liu will be offered a military funeral and will be cremated at the Mandai Crematorium today.

Commenting on the moment when the family learned of his death, his father said stoically, "Our heart was really painful. To suddenly receive this kind of information about your son, your own child, I could not accept it. But it is the duty of every citizen to do the national service (NS). "

He added, "We were waiting for him to come home to celebrate (his sister's birthday). We will usually celebrate with family. It was someone who loved the family. "

He had "a very good relationship" with his mother and told him everything, said Liu.

Her only son would remind her to take care of her because his wife was diagnosed with thyroid cancer around April or May this year. She is recovering now, but remains fragile.

Ms. Liu said that the family of five had immigrated from China to Singapore more than 10 years ago and that permanent residents were applying for Singapore citizenship.

She added, "We never expected that to happen. (CFC Liu) really wanted to become Singaporean and represent Singapore. We are proud that he sacrificed himself for his country. "

CFC Liu was a "very kind and cheerful" man who studied long into the night. He also helped his friends review their homework, Liu said.

When they needed help, he encouraged them to see things in a positive light.

An active church member who attended weekly Sunday services, CFC Liu had planned to move to Nova Scotia next month to travel to northern Thailand, on a mission to attend a meeting. help the children of the area. He had also planned to enroll at the university after completing his NS in April 2020, and he wanted to work as an engineer.

His fellow soldiers loved him all because he had never complained, even when training was difficult, noted his sister.

"He's always felt proud to serve (NS). He really liked being in the army. He always invited us to photos to take pictures, "Liu said.

CFC Liu's father and sister refused to comment on the incident until investigations by an independent commission of inquiry and the police were completed.

The CDI will investigate the circumstances that led to the incident before publishing its report.

Ms. Liu stated that her family was convinced that she "will do us justice" and she did not ask for monetary compensation from the Ministry of Defense or SAF.

The day after CFC Liu's death, a photo showing the scene of the incident was reported on social media.

When asked about this, Ms. Liu said, "I hope everyone does not listen to what's on the Internet. (They should) believe only what we or Mindef say.

"We hope that all Singaporeans, because of what is being said on the Internet, do not understand a lot of things. Do not misunderstand Liu Kai. "

Moved towards the end of the interview, she added, "We hope that all Singaporeans will be able to come to the Liu Kai Memorial and send it tomorrow, and let Liu Kai see the Singaporeans for the last time."

Security "of utmost importance"

Yesterday afternoon, the Chief of Staff of the Army, Brigadier-General Goh Si Hou, expressed his condolences to the family of CFC Liu.

Goh, who visited the wake earlier in the day, said, "He has served with pride … his commanders remember him well for his dedication and commitment to service, and I must add that he was appreciated and respected by his peers for his positive attitude and his (being) always willing to help his fellow soldiers. "

S addressing reporters on the sidelines of a visit to Sungei Gedong camp, where he observed soldiers undergoing exercises, Mr. Goh pointed out that security was one " capital importance "for the army and that zero goal of training" should be our goal ".

He added, "Every death in training is a death too much. This unfortunate training accident should not have happened.

Goh also urged members of the public "not to jump to conclusions" and let investigations take their course.

An unlimited security period, called Saturday after the incident, will extend to local and overseas training, said the Army Chief. The Trident Exercise, a bilateral exercise held in Rockhampton Australia, is due to start Tuesday.

During this period, the soldiers will participate in rehearsals and exercises such as recoil exercises of vehicles, for example in armored training.

Goh said, "At the level of trainers and commanders … to ensure that we have proper supervision and security on the ground. At the system level, we are also taking the opportunity to review all high-risk training to ensure that all our training and security systems are in place. "

The same thing will apply to the Trident exercise, he added.

The death of CFC Liu is the second incident involving a Bionix armored vehicle in just over a year in a year.

On September 17, the third sergeant (3SG) Gavin Chan, 21, vehicle commander of the 41st Battalion of the Armored Regiment of Singapore (SAR), died after the passage of the Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle that had been killed. he was guiding on a difficult terrain overturned during an exercise abroad Australia.

When asked about this, BG Goh stressed the need to let the investigation into the incident involving CFC Liu "take its course".

"The safety of training is not important in a single training," he said.

"This is important in all parts of our military, and we will seize this opportunity to revamp and ensure that all security systems are in place for the military, not just Bionix systems."

The Defense Minister, Ng Eng Hen, had declared in Parliament in May – after the completion of all the investigation process, including those of the Queensland authorities – that the hard ground and the decision of 3SG Chan to position a "significant part of his body" outside Bionix's command was among the factors that led to his death. – TODAY & # 39; HUI