SAF doc dead
in Melbourne
Body under s bridge; he was absent without leave from SAF from
Oct
A 27-YEAR-OLD Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) doctor, absent
without official leave since last October, has been found dead in
Melbourne.
The body of Captain (Dr) Allan Ooi was found under the Westgate
Bridge in the south Australian city on Tuesday, police from the
state of Victoria told The Straits Times.
The 2,600m long bridge across the Yarra River is a vital link
between the city centre and Melbourne's western suburbs.
A police spokesman there said the young man was seen getting out
of his car on the bridge before 4am that day, and that the police
did not believe anyone else was involved in the incident.
She added that witnesses were still being interviewed and that a
report was being prepared for the Coroner's Court.
Capt (Dr) Ooi had not been to work since last October and the
SAF had been trying - unsuccessfully - to get in touch with him,
said Mindef spokesman Colonel Darius Lim.
Capt (Dr) Ooi was believed to have been in Melbourne all this
while, though it is not known where in the city he was, nor with
whom he was staying.
In a statement issued to The Straits Times from Melbourne, his
brother Adrian said: 'He was a gifted doctor and a kind and
respected friend. But to us, he was and always will be our beloved
son and brother.'
It is unclear when the family will be returning home with the
body, but Adrian said the family hoped to 'celebrate Allan's 27
years of achievements and life with us with very fond memories of a
remarkable person'.
An
all-rounder, go-getter
AN ALL-ROUNDER who excelled at everything, the death of
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) doctor Allan Ooi shocked all who knew
him.
The 28-year-old was found dead below a busy bridge in Melbourne
on Tuesday. He had disappeared for months, including having gone
AWOL (absent without official leave) from the army since October
last year. The SAF had tried unsuccessfully to contact him,
according to a spokesman.
A friend who went to medical school with Capt Ooi, speaking to
The New Paper on condition of anonymity, said that Capt Ooi was the
'most brilliant' person he knew and 'excelled at everything he put
his mind to'.
He recalled that Capt Ooi picked up the popular game 'Warcraft'
really quickly, and in a short time, became one of the top 10
Warcraft players in Singapore and was among the top 100 in the
world. The friend added that, unlike most medical school students
he knew, Capt Ooi had a 'rich life' outside of school. 'He was a
sportsman - he swam competitively, and was an excellent pool
player. He was also really funny, with a great sense of humour,'
the friend added.
An alumnus of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and
Anglo-Chinese Junior College, Capt Ooi was a school water polo
player and swimmer. TNP reported that he was a go-getter who also
took part in pageants such as the International Man Singapore
pageant where he was crowned Mr Continents in 2001, and the Mr
Singapore pageant, which he won the same year.
Capt Ooi also emerged near the top of his cohort in Officer
Cadet School and then Medical Officers Cadet Corps.
It is believed that Capt Ooi had suddenly left home and flown to
Melbourne, but it is not known who he had been living with
there.
A family friend, who declined to be named, said it was known
that Capt Ooi had been unhappy at work 'for a long time'. He had
been serving his bond with the SAF and left friends and family
bewildered when he left without a word. It is not known how many
years of his bond he had served.
Melbourne police are still speaking to witnesses and are
preparing a report that will be sent to the Melbourne Coroner's
Court, TNP reported. A spokesman for the Melbourne police said Capt
Ooi was seen getting out of his car on the bridge before 4am on
Tuesday.
'Allan had a magnetic personality and loved his family deeply,'
said a friend. A poignant statement, as his family is in Melbourne,
making arrangements for his body to be flown back to Singapore.
