Tragic Fire Station Incident: 34‑Year‑Old Sentenced for Pushing Sergeant into 12‑Meter Well
SINGAPORE – In a moment that seemed straight out of a tragedy, Mr Kok Meng Hwa approached the man who had dragged his son into a fire‑station pump well and offered a heartfelt apology. The tear‑laden gesture went largely unreciprocated by the 56‑year‑old construction worker, who simply watched as the scene unfolded.
What Went Wrong?
- On the night of May 13, 2018, Corporal Kok Yuen Chin (22) was participating in a ragging ritual at the Tuas View Fire Station.
- Instead of simply letting him see the pump, Staff Sergeant Mohammad Nur Fatwa Mahmood (34) physically shoved the young officer into the 12‑metre‑deep water well.
- Because Kok did not know how to swim, he drowned almost immediately.
The Legal Fallout
- Nur Fatwa was found guilty of causing death by a rash act and of obstructing justice by urging another officer to delete a video of the incident.
- He received a sentence of 1 year and 4 weeks in jail.
- Four other SCDF officers were also charged in connection to the incident.
Family’s Heart‑Rending Moment
During the sentencing ceremony on Oct 23, Kok’s father and aunts stood in court to witness the verdict. Mr Kok listened in silence as his younger sister, Madam Helen Kok (55), a nurse, delivered a poignant admonition:
“You shouldn’t have played that game. Why didn’t you think about the consequences?”
— Madam Helen Kok
The courtroom was thick with grief and the heavy weight of a decision that will echo within the community for years to come.
Family Showdown at State Courts
On a chilly day in October 2018, the courtroom buzzed with a mix of emotion and tension. Corporal Kok Yuen Chin watched as his aunt, Nur Fatwa, tried to make amends while still on bail.
Apology & Remorse
- Nur Fatwa repeatedly held her hand and offered a heartfelt apology, looking like a man between a confession and a prayer.
- After she left, Kok Meng Hwa couldn’t help but grin. “From his expression, I could sense his remorse,” he told reporters in Mandarin — a cue that the nephew’s regret was genuine.
Acceptance? Not really.
- When asked if the family had accepted the apology, Madam Karen Kok (aunt number one) shrugged. “It makes no difference to them,” she said with a sigh.
- She added, “Things have already happened, and my nephew won’t be coming back. They shouldn’t have been playing around like this.”
Thoughts on the Sentence
- Mr. Kok remained silent when reporters asked about the length of Nur Fatwa’s sentence. “I have nothing to say because no matter how long it is, my son won’t return,” he replied, reflecting the finality of the loss.
- He added that if the ragging was just “fun” and not malicious, he wouldn’t want his friends to face a heavy sentence. “But I can’t ask him about this because he’s no longer here,” he concluded, showing the weight of grief.
Although the SCDF (Singapore Civil Defence Force) had made a cameo in related coverage, the real drama happened right in the courtroom, where a family’s hurt and hopes were on full display.
