A Cry for Change from the Pang Family
Jefferson Pang — the older brother who’s still shaking his fists at the sheer irony of the world — dropped a banner on Instagram demanding that the Singapore Armed Forces install safety guards so the next family member doesn’t have to suffer a tragic fate.
What the Family Wants
“One loss is enough,” Mr. Pang wrote, snapping back at the scrutiny that inevitably follows a death. “We’re not here to point fingers or assign blame. We want a future where safety isn’t a myth, where anything that could go wrong has already been stuffed out of the box.”
What Happened to Aloysius Pang
- Aloysius, a 28‑year‑old first class corporal (NS) from the 268th Battalion Singapore Artillery, was working inside a Self‑Propelled Howitzer (SSPH) during a training mission in New Zealand.
- He suffered severe injuries on Jan 23, four days later he lost his life.
- The Singapore Army’s Inquiry Committee chalked up the fatal accident to a series of safety lapses by the three soldiers on board.
New Safety Measures
In a rush to prevent a repeat of the tragedy, the army has laid out new safety protocols:
- Bold, eye‑catching markings now flag every safe and potentially dangerous zone inside the SSPH.
- All crew members must drill for the emergency stop button before they ever touch the platform.
- Maintenance techs have a nine‑step drill that walks them through risk checks, dry‑runs, and role clarifications before they press any button.
The Consequences for Those Who Fell Short
Military Expert Ivan Teo Gee Siang and Third Sergeant Hubert Wah Yun Teng faced the military courts:
- Teo: fined $7,000.
- Wah: fined $8,000 and demoted to corporal.
Both received leniency thanks to the Pang family’s appeal to the Singapore Armed Forces, but the sentiment remains that this was a cautionary lesson telling the military: “Watch your safety; you might be watching your life.”
Closing Thoughts
Even amid tragedy, the Pang family keeps a sense of humor while they cry. They’re turning a painful loss into a living guide—not an apology, but a new set of rules. They hope the next family will find solace in the fact that a sturdy safety net is finally hanging over every in‑field operation.
