suspended following alleged
indecent acts
SINGAPORE: A regular in the Singapore Navy has been suspended
following charges of alleged acts of indecency committed in
Australia.
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said 21—year—old Lieutenant
(LTA) Benedict Ang Yong Chuean was training at the Australian
Defence Force Academy in Canberra.
The academy is a partnership between the Australian Defence
Force (ADF) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) which
provides training and education for Navy, Army and Air Force cadets
from Australia and 16 other defence forces around the world.
Channel NewsAsia understands LTA Ang was a top officer cadet,
having won the navy’s Sword of Honour.
The sword goes to the top officer cadet in his or her training
cohort.
Australian media reports said LTA Ang was arrested on Sunday
after he allegedly entered the room of a female cadet in Canberra
on May 6.
LTA Ang has been charged with two counts of indecency without
consent.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges on Tuesday in the
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Magistrates Court.
Reports said he has been granted bail, on the condition that he
not make contact with five other cadets at the Academy.
MINDEF’s director of public affairs Colonel Kenneth Liow said
LTA Ang was scheduled to appear again in court on August 9.
— CNA/wm