A SINGAPOREAN SOLDIER who was caught on camera letting his maid carry his backpack has undergone counselling following a backlash over his behaviour.

The country’s Ministry of Defence has written to Singapore’s biggest newspaper The Straits Times explaining that an investigation has been carried out after the serviceman was pictured with his female maid carrying his military-issue rucksack.

The incident has been widely reported in the region’s media and has been branded a saga. It has proven to be an embarrassment for Singapore’s conscript-based military after the soldier was called a ‘softie’. It follows criticism that troops-in-training undergo easier training drills than previous generations because of parental concerns.

Colonel Desmond Tan from Singapore’s Ministry of Defence says that the recruit identified himself to his commander and that he is “remorseful for his actions and realises that it was wrong for him” to allow the incident to occur. He also explains that the serviceman, who was undergoing physical training prior to a Basic Military Training Phase, has received counselling.