Lim Ching Hwang, 24, a Singaporan PR who represented Malaysia in various SEA Games swimming competitions, defaulted on his NS obligations and was sentenced to 8 weeks jail earlier today, February 9.
Lim left Singapore in July 2015 and didn’t turn up for his enlistment in November, he then returned 3 years later in June 2018 and enlisted in April 2019.
He was a Singapore Sports School student and was granted PR status in 2014, when he received a NS registration notice but coincidentally, he was offered a scholarship by a private entity to study in a university in the US that same year.
He was granted deferment to pursue his diploma studies at RP but he dropped out and left Singapore.
His father was informed that he needs to book a date for a medical screening to prepare for his enlistment, which he complied because he was worried about not being able to enter Singapore for the 2015 SEA Games.
But he left Singapore again for the US.
Lim then returned to Singapore in 2018 after completing his university studies and only enlisted in April 2019, completing his NS on February 2 this year.
In mitigation, Lim told the court that he regrets his actions and that he has decided to remain in Singapore, adding that he intends to apply for Singapore citizenship in the future.
His sentence has been deferred to February 23.
Image source: Ching Hwang Lim Facebook