Shot cyclist may have hidden route through Singapore military live-firing zone, say sources
Sources told The Straits Times (ST) that the 42-year-old man, identified only as L, did not immediately inform police or hospital staff that he had been in the vicinity of the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) Nee Soon Range when he was struck by a bullet slug on June 15.
Although L was taken to the National University Hospital (NUH) at about 1pm, police were not notified until 11.55pm — over 12 hours later.
The projectile, which lodged in his lower left back, narrowly missed his kidney. NUH said he underwent surgery at 10pm, when the foreign object was removed and identified as a bullet slug.
'During triage and initial clinical assessment, the patient did not report that he had been shot. There were no overt signs to indicate a firearm-related injury...
'Once the cause of the external wound was definitively determined, we notified the police immediately,' a hospital spokesman said.
Both NUH and the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said they are cooperating with police, who are now investigating whether L deliberately withheld key information.
Meanwhile, checks by ST showed that L, a regular user of the Strava cycling app, had entered the Woodcutter's Trail — an unofficial and restricted track — from Chestnut Nature Park at about 11am with a group of roughly 10 riders.
Another cyclist, W, a frequent riding partner, has since deleted his June 15 data from Strava. However, the route was still visible on his public Garmin profile.
Mindef said the incident occurred around 11.40am, during an SAF live-firing exercise. L initially denied being in a restricted zone but admitted it the following day.
The Gurkha Contingent was deployed to sweep the area that night.
Strava logs reviewed by ST show L had used the trail regularly since 2014, with at least 10 rides logged there in 2025 alone.
After ST visited a Pasir Panjang-area bike shop frequented by L and W, W made his tracking data private and L deleted his social media accounts. Other cyclists also began removing photos and videos of their rides in the area.
Mindef reiterated that SAF training zones are off-limits under the Military Manoeuvres Act to protect public safety.
Investigations are ongoing.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Match-fixing arrests rock Singapore basketball league
SINGAPORE, Aug 20 — Singapore's Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) has arrested nine individuals for their suspected involvement in match-fixing in this year's K. Star National Basketball League Division 1. CPIB said that it had arrested eight Singaporeans and one permanent resident, aged between 19 and 35, including players from participating teams in the competition. 'One of the alleged fixed matches was between Tagawa and Tong Whye, which took place on Aug 1, 2025,' it said in a statement on Tuesday. The agency added that investigations are ongoing under the Prevention of Corruption Act. CPIB reiterated Singapore's strict zero-tolerance stance on corruption, stating that match-fixing in any form is not condoned. 'CPIB will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against any parties involved if they have given, received, or offered bribes to fix a match,' it said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Singapore workplaces struggle to stamp out vaping despite national ban
SINGAPORE, Aug 20 — As vaping gains ground despite being illegal, companies here are grappling with how to enforce workplace bans. Some have opted for zero tolerance while others rely on warnings or internal whistleblowing, CNA reported today, adding that enforcement remains uneven. International education group EtonHouse is among those that have codified their stance, spelling out disciplinary action including termination in its employee handbook. 'Vaping is illegal in Singapore, and EtonHouse takes compliance with local laws seriously,' a spokesman told the Singapore-based news agency. Other firms such as Busy Bees, Red Crowns Senior Living and several food and beverage outlets said vaping is banned on their premises, with staff reminded to use designated smoking areas if they wish to smoke. A logistics worker recalled her manager vaping during video calls, while another communications professional said her 'biggest boss' frequently vaped indoors. 'If the top guy is already doing it, then everyone else who vapes would also just do it without any fear of consequence,' one employee who asked to be named only as Lim was quoted as saying. The Ministry of Manpower said vaping is an offence under the Tobacco Act and encouraged companies to set human resource policies to deal with offenders, including disciplinary measures. Industry groups such as the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Singapore National Employers Federation have urged members to review handbooks and align workplace rules with national efforts. Both organisations said they had received queries from firms struggling with staff who continued vaping despite counselling. Public agencies have also drawn a line. The Public Service Division said officers found vaping will face internal disciplinary action on top of penalties imposed by the Health Sciences Authority or the courts. Banks such as OCBC similarly warned that staff risk disciplinary consequences if caught. Lawyer Jennifer Chih said workers can report offenders to the HSA anonymously, though many still fear retaliation.
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Malay Mail
From S$300 fines to expulsion, Singapore higher learning centres get strict on campus vaping
SINGAPORE, Aug 20 — Universities and polytechnics are stepping up enforcement against vaping on campus, with penalties ranging from S$300 fines to suspension and even expulsion. At Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the crackdown has been most visible, with the institution declaring a zero-tolerance stance and empowering security officers to conduct random bag checks and patrol smoking hot spots, CNA reported today. 'Any student or employee found vaping will be subject to disciplinary action, including mandatory counselling and, in serious cases, possible expulsion or termination,' the Singapore news outlet cited the NTU as saying in an email to students and staff. First-time offenders risk a S$300 fine and eviction from student housing, with repeat cases referred to the university's Board of Discipline for tougher sanctions. Other institutions, including the National University of Singapore, Republic Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and Singapore Management University, have tightened patrols, introduced whistleblowing channels and in some cases installed vape detectors to curb the habit. The clampdown comes amid a national push against vaping, with the government reclassifying it as a drug issue. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said during his National Day Rally that Singapore would roll out stiffer penalties and stronger enforcement, alongside public education in schools and higher learning centres. Currently, anyone caught purchasing, using or possessing e-vaporisers faces fines of up to S$2,000, while those selling them may face jail sentences. A 'Bin the Vape' scheme has also been launched, allowing devices to be surrendered without penalty. Can such steps succeed? Despite the harsher measures, some students say vaping was once a common social activity on campus. AK, a final-year NTU student, recalled how vapes were casually shared in dorm rooms or even during group project sessions. 'It's a very in-the-moment kind of thing, and I guess it also seems less harmful compared to smoking. So I guess people are more willing to kind of give it a try,' he was quoted as saying. Concerns are not limited to students. A staff member at NUS who gave his name as John said colleagues have openly vaped in enclosed offices. 'I find myself being a bit concerned as to, like, what am I breathing in?' he was quoted as saying. Experts caution that enforcement alone may not be enough. 'Certainly, penalties will deter some youths, but not all of them,' Assistant Professor Yvette van der Eijk of the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, who called for more emphasis on safe pathways and support for those addicted, told CNA. Students themselves acknowledge that quitting may not be easy. 'So for them to go from vaping one day to (not) vaping the next day would be quite hard,' one NTU undergraduate who stopped vaping last year told the news portal.
