A memorial service was held Sunday for a Singaporean actor and soldier who died from injuries at a military exercise, a case that has renewed scrutiny of the tiny Southeast Asian nation's system of mandatory conscription.
Reservist Aloysius Pang, 28, was taking part in military training in New Zealand last weekend when he was crushed while repairing an artillery vehicle. He died Thursday after several surgeries.
With a population of just 5.6 million people, Singapore sees conscription as a key element of its national security strategy. It requires most men from after the age 18 to serve full-time in its armed forces, police force or civil defense force for two years and after that take part in training obligations for another 10 years.
Those who dodge their service are arrested and jailed.
Pang is the fourth conscript to die from training since August 2017, leading to calls for more protections for soldiers and greater accountability on the part of the military.
Christina Goh was waiting in line to pay her respects Saturday at memorial that was attended by Pang's family members, politicians and dozens of celebrities before it was opened to thousands of members of the public.
She said Pang's case makes her worry about her own 21-year-old son, who is done with his full-time service but will still be called up for the reserves.
"A few army boys already have this problem. They will say we will be careful, we will take action," she said of the military. "It's too late."
In that briefing, Chief of Defence Force Melvyn Ong said that the armed forces has a "good system" in place and has fully implemented recommendations on improving safety "be it in the areas of heat injuries or be it in the areas of vehicle safety."
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