NS defaulter gets sentenced reduced to a S$5,000 fine

[lauhunku]

NS defaulter gets sentenced reduced to a S$5,000 fine
By Leong Wee Keat | Posted: 21 July 2010 1324 hrs
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SINGAPORE: A national service defaulter, who had been sentenced to 18 months' jail, had his punishment reduced to a S$5,000 fine instead on Wednesday.

Seow Wei Sin, who's 48, had defaulted on his NS liability for more than 23 years and was arrested last year.

But his lawyers argued that the jail term was excessive as he had left Singapore for Malaysia when he was just one year old and had not enjoyed any benefits as a citizen here.

Since leaving, Mr Seow had set up a business in Malaysia, married a Malaysian and had five children, who are all Malaysians.

His lawyers also argued that previous similar cases were also given fines.

Taking these previous cases in account, Justice of Appeal Chao Hick Tin felt Seow's case did not warrant a custodial sentence.

He will issue his reasons for doing so in a written judgement later.

Under the Enlistment Act, NS defaulters can be fined up to S$5,000 or jailed up to three years. - CNA/vm

 

[Teo Kok Eng]

This guy shouldn't be fined, he was only one year old, not his fault