61776.1
Man torn between family responsibilities and national service went AWOL
January 2nd, 2012
A 21-year-old man was sentenced to 5 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to an offence under the Enlistment Act.
The defaulter, Mr Chen FuQuan had failed to report for National Service as required under the Enlistment Act.
In mitigation, Mr Chen who is not represented by a lawyer said that he loves his country (Singapore) but he loves his family more. If he had reported at the date specified under the Enlistment Notice, it would sent his family into grave financial difficulties hence he choose to stay away – to make more money for the family.
However, after 9 months of being on the run, he felt that this cannot be allowed to go on and thus decided to face the music by surrendering himself to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) which he was supposed to report to.
The court heard that Mr Chen is married with 2 kids, the elder one being 4 years old and the younger one is 1 month old.
Those convicted for an offence under the Enlistment Act can face up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine not exceeding S$10,000 or both.
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