A prank by a 19-year-old boy about dying from Covid-19 caused major disruptions in National Service training and resulted in legal consequences
A 19-year-old Singaporean boy, Siew Hanlong, turned a joke about dying from Covid-19 into a serious incident that disrupted National Service operations on Pulau Tekong. His social media prank, which was not immediately clarified as a joke, led to a series of events including his acquaintance being sent home as a precaution, a bunk being deep-cleaned, and a halt to that day’s training schedule.
On November 2, Hanlong pleaded guilty to two charges under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act for transmitting a false message. While the situation may seem comical in hindsight, it highlights the serious repercussions of making light of public health concerns, particularly in a sensitive environment like National Service.
