Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on Whether an Independent Board of Inquiry Will be Convened to Investigate the Death of the SCDF NSF During the 8 December 2022 Firefighting Operation

Question:

Mr Murali Pillai: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether an independent Board of Inquiry will be convened to investigate the circumstances leading to the death of the SCDF NSF firefighter who died during the firefighting operation on 8 December 2022 with a view to determine the contributing factors that led to his death and make recommendations to rectify any lapse in the firefighting operation that may be uncovered from the review.

Answer:

Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development:

1.   Sir, the Police are currently investigating into the death of SGT1 Edward Go.

2.   When investigations are completed, the Police will inform the Coroner of their findings. The Coroner will consider the Police’s investigations, and make a finding on the circumstances relating to SGT1 Go’s demise.

3.   We have decided that we will also convene a Board of Inquiry (BOI) under the Civil Defence Act to conduct a review of the incident. Since the BOI is also a fact finding body, it will be held after the Coroner’s findings are established. The BOI will then also be able to consider the Police and the Coroner’s findings, in the assessment of the matter.

4.   The BOI will submit its report to the Minister for Home Affairs and we will share the Board’s findings and recommendations at an appropriate juncture.

Supplementary Question (on 27 February 2023):

Question:

Mr Dennis Tan: MOS mentioned about Coroner’s findings. Can I just get the clarification that there will be a Coroner’s Inquiry held in public for this incident leading to the death of the serviceman. Thank you.

Answer:

Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development:

1.   Thank you for allowing me to make a clarification.

2.   With regard to my reply to the supplementary question asked by Mr Dennis Tan, during the oral reply for Parliamentary Question number 1 at the Sitting of 24 February 2023, I mentioned that there would be a Coroner’s Inquiry and that it would be public information.

3.   I should clarify that the State Coroner may decide to hold a Coroner’s Inquiry, as I had previously shared in January. It will be held in Open Court and it will be public information, unless the Coroner has sufficient reason not to do so.