Why was You Jiahao’s overseas stay considered a breach without a valid exit permit?

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You Jiahao's Overseas Stay Constituted a Breach Due to Failure to Obtain a Valid Exit Permit

You Jiahao's extended stay outside Singapore, amounting to one year, 11 months, and six days, was deemed a breach of his national service obligations because he remained overseas without a valid exit permit. This failure to obtain the necessary authorization prior to leaving Singapore and subsequently remaining abroad without it constituted an offense under the Enlistment Act. Despite his permanent resident status being revoked on August 1, 2022, which ended his liability to serve national service, he was still prosecuted for the offenses committed before that date.
Failure to Register and Remain Overseas Without Authorization

You Jiahao left Singapore in August 2020 and failed to register for national service in 2021 after receiving a registration notice. His subsequent contact with the Central Manpower Base (CMPB) in 2022, where he acknowledged his obligation but requested deferment, revealed his non-compliance. CMPB informed him that by failing to register and remaining overseas without a valid exit permit, he had already committed offenses. This indicates that a valid exit permit is a prerequisite for PRs wishing to remain outside Singapore for an extended period, particularly when it intersects with national service obligations.
Revocation of PR Status Did Not Erase Prior Offences

While You Jiahao's permanent resident status was revoked in August 2022, this action only ceased his liability to serve national service going forward. It did not absolve him of the offenses he had already committed by failing to register for national service and by remaining overseas without the requisite valid exit permit. The prosecution proceeded based on these prior breaches, leading to his eventual fine.
Prosecution Based on Offences Committed Before PR Revocation

The prosecution sought a S$9,000 fine, noting that You Jiahao's period of default fell just short of the two-year threshold that could have led to a jail term. The prosecution argued that the only reason his default period did not exceed two years was due to the revocation of his PR status. This underscores that the legal ramifications were tied to the duration and nature of his non-compliance with national service regulations, specifically the requirement for a valid exit permit when residing abroad.

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Why was You Jiahao’s overseas stay considered a breach without a valid exit permit?

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