In a surprising turn of events, Soh Choon Wee, a man who had deserted his national service post with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) over two decades ago, resurfaced in Singapore due to the COVID-19 situation. This incident has led to significant legal ramifications, and Soh’s story is one that brings attention to the importance of fulfilling national obligations. This article delves into the details of Soh’s case, the sentencing arguments presented in court, and the impact of his actions on the broader context of national security and family ties.
The Background
According to CNA, In December 1990, Soh Choon Wee enlisted as a full-time Construction Brigade national serviceman. He was later posted to the Construction Brigade Monitoring Unit at Jalan Bahar Camp to continue his National Service (NS) in October 1992. However, on November 16, 1992, Soh failed to report for NS duty, which led to his arrest by the police at his registered address in March 1993. He was then instructed to report back to camp, but Soh chose to evade arrest and disappeared from official records.
Life in Exile
Rather than facing the consequences of his actions, Soh decided to live in exile. He worked part-time as a handyman until 1998, after which he left Singapore and traveled to Malaysia via the causeway. Subsequently, he settled in the United Kingdom, where he lived and worked in a Chinese restaurant. For 23 years, Soh remained out of sight, disconnected from his family and responsibilities back in Singapore.
The Return to Singapore
In January 2021, over two decades since his desertion, Soh Choon Wee returned to Singapore. The driving force behind his return was the deteriorating COVID-19 situation in the United Kingdom. His mother, worried about his safety, advised him to come back to Singapore. Additionally, Soh expressed a deep longing to be reunited with his family, especially as his parents were getting older. Upon his return, he was placed on a stay-home notice for several weeks before being arrested by the SCDF for desertion from NS.
The Sentencing Arguments
During the court proceedings, the prosecution argued for a severe sentence, recommending seven-and-a-half to eight-and-a-half years’ jail for Soh. They highlighted the prolonged desertion period, his evasion of arrest, and the fact that his age now made it impossible for him to fulfill his NSF obligations. On the other hand, Soh’s defense lawyer, Wee Hong Shern, sought a more lenient sentence, requesting four to five years’ jail. He emphasized that Soh believed he was given a chance to leave Singapore in 1998 without facing consequences.
Soh’s Health Challenges
Soh Choon Wee’s defense also shed light on his client’s health challenges. In March 2021, Soh suffered a stroke that required immediate medical attention, and he underwent an operation for it. Furthermore, he was also coping with kidney failure, necessitating dialysis treatments three times a week. These health issues, according to the defense, made serving a lengthy jail term an immense physical and emotional burden for Soh.
The Court’s Decision
Despite considering Soh’s clean record during the period of desertion and his voluntary return, the judge handed down a stern sentence. Soh received a six-and-a-half-year jail term, believed to be the longest ever given for such a desertion offense. The judge deemed Soh’s personal circumstances insufficient to warrant a more lenient sentence, as the importance of National Service to Singapore’s security and the sacrifices of NSmen and their families cannot be understated.