SAF'S TRAINING SAFETY PROCEDURES "IN PLACE"

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has reviewed its procedures governing physical and endurance training, and "is satisfied that they are in place and being followed".

Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean said this on 14 Jun.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a community event in Pasir Ris, Mr Teo said such reviews "remind all the soldiers and commanders of three basic issues - training, medical and safety".

The SAF has resumed all its physical and endurance training activities as of 14 Jun.

A three-day time-out to review the procedures of physical and endurance training was imposed following the deaths of Recruit Andrew Cheah and Second Lieutenant Clifton Lam last week.

Addressing concerns about the comprehensiveness of the medical screening process, Mr Teo said these protocols were reviewed regularly by top specialists in Singapore, including cardiologists.

"So we go by what they recommend to us as the best and most appropriate protocols, and we review them regularly. The last review was done in September 2007 and as medical technology progresses, we will continue to update and review these protocols and procedures," said Mr Teo.

"The reality is that training continues to be tough, realistic, but I would say that the training systems and the medical coverage we have are better than before," he added.