Edmond Yao Zhi Hai, a 47-year-old Singaporean with Indonesian citizenship, received the maximum three-year jail sentence on May 26, 2026, for failing to report for National Service (NS) in Singapore since 1997 [1, 2]. He defaulted on his full-time NS and post-ORD reservice obligations for 21 years and 9 months [1, 2].
Born in Singapore in 1978 to a Singaporean mother and Indonesian father, Yao obtained Indonesian citizenship and passport shortly after birth while holding a Singapore NRIC from 1990 [1, 2]. He studied in Singapore from 1984 to 1996, attending Catholic High School, Raffles Institution, and Raffles Junior College [1, 2].
Yao failed to enlist for NS in January 1997. Police issued an arrest warrant the same year, but he evaded capture by using Indonesian passports with different names and by not presenting his Singapore passport upon arrival [2].
In October 2003, Yao sought to renounce his Singapore citizenship, but the Central Manpower Base deferred approval until he fulfilled his NS obligations [1, 2]. After marrying a Singaporean woman in 2005, his application for permanent residence was rejected due to his Singapore citizenship status [1, 2].
At trial, Yao claimed he believed Indonesian law forbade serving in foreign military service, so he thought enlistment was unnecessary [1, 2]. His defence lawyer argued he was confident serving in Singapore would cost him Indonesian citizenship [2].
The prosecution described Yao’s conduct as among the worst category of NS defaulters, stating he gained an unfair advantage while pursuing personal goals during the default period and urged the court to impose the maximum penalty [2]. The judge said, "His conduct falls within the worst category of NS defaulters" [1].
Alongside his jail sentence, Yao was fined S$3,000 for immigration offenses including failing to present his Singapore passport on arrival and using Indonesian passports with different names [1, 2].
