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
