Public angered over old videos of ‘ragging ritual’ before ORD, case being investigated by SCDF
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is investigating two videos that show the ‘ragging ritual’ that supposed to be similar with the one that caused the death of Corporal (CPL) Kok Yuen Chin in…
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is investigating two videos that show the ‘ragging ritual’ that supposed to be similar with the one that caused the death of Corporal (CPL) Kok Yuen Chin in the Tuas View Fire Station pump well on 13 May.
The two videos were provided to Channel NewsAsia by a member of the public on Monday (21 May) and are said to have been made at the old Jurong Fire Station in early 2017.
On Thursday evening, CNA made a report with screenshots of the videos shown. It is said that the videos were 16 seconds and 40 seconds long, and have been passed to the SCDF.
SCDF has confirmed the content of the videos as a ‘ragging incident’.
According to CNA, the first video shows what appears to be an SCDF officer being dragged along the floor by several colleagues. The second involves what appears to be the same officer struggling in a water-filled well.
In the first video, an officer wearing a crew T-shirt, work pants and boots is seen being dragged along the floor by two similarly dressed officers. Two other officers, one wearing an SCDF T-shirt, are following them.
Reaching a flight of steps, the officer being dragged sits up and raise his hands and says, "I'm not doing it."
But his colleagues continue to drag him by the arms and ear down the steps and past a fire engine. Laughter can be heard in the background.
The second video also opens with laughter, with what appears to be the same person struggling in a well, with water reaching up to his neck. He is holding on to edge of the well with one hand, while holding onto an SCDF life jacket with the other.
Later in the video, voices can be heard saying: "ORD (Operationally Ready Date) already is it?"
The video ends with the officer in the well grimacing and saying: "This is deep."
Someone is heard replying: "Do you know how deep it is? Deeper than what I told you."
SCDF in its Facebook post on Thursday has said that CPL KOK had been celebrating his impending ORD with his squad mates, and one of the activities involved getting him into the pump well. Investigations of how CPL Kok ended up in the well are still ongoing,
The term "celebrating" is largely contested by members of public and it was revealed by Kok's family members and girlfriend that they had adviced him from going back to his unit as he was distressed over what is to happen to him.
The person who gave the videos to CNA said he was a fireman during National Service.
"These rituals are a real act of nuisance and fun to those who are the bullies. It has never been fun to those who are getting bullied or the victim of the hazings," the person has said.
Many readers at the CNA's Facebook page reacted negatively to the news.
Most expressed anger towards the perpetrators and SCDF as an organisation. Some even directed it to the whole idea of National Service (NS):
Jane Pak wrote: “What have the seniors in SCDF been doing? They are getting paid for not doing their job! Young lives are sacrificed due to their incompetence! Head of department should bear full responsibility for not doing their job!”
Nic Sun Tan wrote: “A group of born losers and retard being put in charge of SCDF. No bloody pride in carrying out your duties, you will go down in Singapore history as the born loser firemen.”
Kathy Shiao Voon Tan wrote: “Murderers. Are all sons in Singapore performing patriotic duty as NS men being sent to their potential deaths?”
Brenda Sim wrote: “Murderers!! Including all the commanders n the heads of SCDF! All will be haunted for the rest of their life!”
Magdeline Tay wrote: “Crazy!!! Instead of saving life, you guys just killed an innocent life!! Really feel sorry for the parents!!!”
Tanya Gurtu Karan Kalkat wrote: “Shocking!!! Completely unacceptable!! It had to take death of a young man for stricter penalties to be imposed 😢 It’s unbelievable that these were not highlighted or reported before SCDF was unaware?? Really?? Very sad! Bullies don’t realise they are endangering & putting lives at risk.”
Hui Zhen wrote: “Childish act of human causing a precious life...a precious man who have a better future...and most importantly a precious son of others to lose his life. How heartbreaking it is for his parents and family members to see this article?! You called yourself SCDF OFFICERS?!”
Tan Thiam Hock wrote: “Death as a result of ragging should be accorded a criminal severity along the lines of manslaughter or that which best befits the severity of the act & consequence.”
Fiona Sim wrote: “Such an irony.. SCDF's mission statement is To Protect and Save Lives and Property.... what's happening here??!!?!?!”
Fang Dewang wrote: “Your team mates are very important, education are very important, everyone should look after each others but not bullying. Recuit time all should go thru some form of training classes on bullying and care for the weak. The only time we did some crazy staff during NS was carrying one of our lazy mate to shower and we shower for him as he always dislike shower. There are laughter from him and during field trip we would powder shower him.”
Katherine Wong wrote: “It is not enough that 2 men were arrested over the recent death. What about the rest of people there who cheered them on. What about the department head and higher ranking officers from warrant officers to Sargent to Commissioner . Aren’t they guilty for turning a blind eye to this dreadful culture. I don’t see anyone bowing to the parents in apology of the system failing their son.”
Elf Seah wrote: “SCDF chief needs to hand in his apulets and step down.”
Comments also came from parents, feeling the grieve and lost of CPL Kok’s parents, and also parents whose sons are in or going to join the National Service:
Tay Lee Lee wrote: “It's sad and heartache watching these photos if you are a parent you will understand.”
Hazlinda Mohd Lahir wrote: “Now I worry for my sons when they go for National Service next time. Be it army, police or scdf. Here we are, entrusting our sons to serve the nation but these things happen. It is so sad!”
Sharimah Binte Shariff wrote: “My son served with SCDF for his NS. I’m grateful that he had a good team. This is uncalled for and cruel. As a mother, I am not only sad but very angry reading this. Please put a stop to this senseless practice. There are other ways to celebrate ORD. My condolences to the family.”
Janet Chew wrote: “My son also NSF in fire station..we hope the chief of SCDF will assure the safety of the NSF after the tragedy!”
Christine Ng wrote: “This is so painful to watch, especially for parents, SCDF please do something for our sons!”
A view other readers posted comments from their various different perspectives:
Eric Loo wrote: “Install CCTV immediately in all camps whether is SCDF, Army, Air Force or Navy.... etc. Proactive and not reactive.”
Cecelia Ng wrote: “Not only in NS, everywhere when there’s any orientation, some just think it is just fun... and they think playing ‘dangerous’ stunts are so just fun that they forgotten the safety aspects. Hope that wont happen in any Uni orientation when they also have water games!”
Lovella Riwis wrote: “Whistleblower obviously unable to report evidence directly to SCDF, instead had no choice but to send it to CNA.”
Bee Chew wrote: “Some one must die, then rules changed. Singapore Law Minister style. Who is the real murderer?”
Mah Seong Wee wrote: “SCDF ex-commissioner with corruption disgraced the force. Now such bullying acts tarnish the whole reputation again.”
This entry was posted in Comments, Crime.
