NSF'S BODY FOUND; FLOWN BACK FOR MILITARY FUNERAL

Corporal (CPL) Muhammad Fahrurrazi Bin Salim's body was flown back in a Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 transport plane on 14 Aug. More than 300 soldiers from the 1st Transport Battalion of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), together with the late CPL Fahrurrazi's family and friends, attended the military funeral at Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery subsequently.

On behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the SAF, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, has written a letter to the family of the late CPL Fahrurrazi, expressing his deepest condolences for their loss.

Chief of Army Major-General Ravinder Singh said: "We are saddened by the demise of the late CPL Fahrurrazi. We extend our condolences to his family and will continue to support them during this difficult time."

CPL Fahrurrazi's commander Lieutenant Colonel Foo Tee Jong spoke fondly of him: "Razi was a great soldier and was well liked by everyone here. We will miss him dearly."

Transport operator LCP Abdul Rafiq Bin Ideris, who was CPL Fahrurrazi's buddy, said: "Fahrurrazi was a good friend. We had known each other since our enlistment in December 2010 and had gone through a lot together. He always supported me as well as the rest of us whenever we had problems. He was also our soccer team captain. We will really miss him."

Prior to the incident, the late CPL Fahrurrazi was recommended and approved for a promotion on 16 Aug. In view of the unfortunate developments and his contributions to the SAF, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal posthumously on 14 Aug.

MINDEF said it would be conducting a full investigation into the incident, and thanked the Royal Brunei Armed Forces for their tremendous assistance in the search operations and the conduct of religious rites for the late CPL Fahrurrazi after his body was found.