China-born former Singapore PR fined S$9,000 after admitting national service default during COVID-19 period

SINGAPORE: A Chinese national who previously held Singapore permanent resident status was fined S$9,000 after admitting to offences under the Enlistment Act stemming from his failure to fulfil national service (NS) obligations after leaving the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to state media CNA, You Jiahao, 23, pleaded guilty to two charges under the Enlistment Act, while another two charges were taken into consideration during sentencing on 25 June 2026.

The court imposed a S$9,000 fine, which he paid in full.

Left Singapore during pandemic

The court heard that You obtained Singapore permanent residency in January 2014 at the age of 11 and later attended Outram Secondary School until Secondary 4.

In March 2016, an exit permit information letter was sent to his last known registered address, informing him that he would become subject to the Enlistment Act from his 13th birthday.

You departed Singapore in August 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several months later, in April 2021, authorities sent a registration notice directing him to log into the NS portal and complete his national service registration.

However, he did not do so, prompting the issuance of a police gazette after officials discovered that he had left the country.

Contact with CMPB

In July 2022, You contacted the Central Manpower Base (CMPB) by email seeking assistance to renew his re-entry permit.

According to court proceedings, he acknowledged that he was required to serve national service but requested permission to defer his obligations until he had completed his studies in China.

CMPB informed him that he had already committed offences by failing to register for national service and by remaining outside Singapore without a valid exit permit. He was also instructed to return to Singapore.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority revoked his Singapore permanent resident status on 1 August 2022 after he failed to renew his re-entry permit.

From that date, he was no longer subject to the Enlistment Act and therefore ceased to be liable for national service obligations.

Arrest upon return

You did not return to Singapore until 27 March 2025, when he arrived at Changi Airport and was arrested.

Court documents showed that he had remained outside Singapore without a valid exit permit for one year, 11 months and six days.

During sentencing, the prosecution sought a fine of at least S$9,000, noting that the duration of the default was only marginally below the two-year threshold at which custodial sentences are typically considered.

The prosecutor argued that the period was not longer only because the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority had administratively revoked You's permanent resident status, ending his liability under the Enlistment Act.

Mitigation before the court

You was unrepresented during the proceedings and addressed the court through an interpreter.

In mitigation, he acknowledged wrongdoing and said: "I know that my actions have had a negative impact on Singapore's national service policy."

He also told the court: "It was not my intention to evade my NS obligations. It was during COVID period so I had to return to China and I was not able to return to Singapore."

Explaining his understanding of the law, You added: "I just thought that I had to serve NS after I had finished my university studies. Whatever it is, I have realised my mistake and I have returned to Singapore to deal with this matter."

Under the Enlistment Act, the offences carried potential penalties of up to three years' imprisonment, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.