Two SAF servicemen to be charged in relation to Aloysius Pang's death
SINGAPORE — Two Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) servicemen will be charged in military court on Wednesday (31 July) in relation to the death of national serviceman and actor Aloysius Pang in January.
In a media statement on Wednesday morning, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said the two SAF servicemen are Military Expert 2 (ME2) Ivan Teo, 35, and Third Sergeant (NS) Hubert Wah, 31.
The military court martial is presided over by a serving State Courts judge.
ME2 Teo will face three charges: one for disobedience of general orders under Section 21 of the SAF Act; and two for causing death by negligent act under Section 304A(b) of the Penal Code.
A serviceman convicted for disobedience of general orders is liable to imprisonment of up to 2 years. A person convicted for causing death by negligent act may be jailed for up to 2 years, fined or both.
3SG (NS) Wah will face two charges: one for causing death by rash act under Section 304A(a) of the Penal Code, and another for causing death by negligent act under Section 304A(b) of the Penal Code.
A person convicted of causing death by rash act shall be liable for imprisonment of up to 5 years, a fine, or both.
As Pang's death occurred in New Zealand, the Singapore Police Force does not have jurisdiction to conduct investigations into his death.
Investigations into his death were conducted by the SAF's Special Investigation Branch, and the Chief Military Prosecutor has decided to prosecute the two SAF servicemen based on the investigation findings.
Pang, 28, had been taking part in Exercise Thunder Warrior, a live firing exercise, at Waiouru Military Training Area in New Zealand as part of his seventh In-Camp Training.
On 19 January, he was injured while carrying out maintenance work on a self-propelled howitzer (SSPH). He was trapped between the flick rammer and the slew ring of the SSPH turret, and suffered severe chest and abdominal injuries.
Pang died from severe sepsis on 24 January. A Committee of Inquiry into his death found no evidence of foul play or that it was caused by deliberate acts.
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Aloysius Pang's death was preventable if all in howitzer gun complied with safety rules: COI
A final farewell: Military funeral given to late actor Aloysius Pang
