Shanmugam says no preferential treatment for Schooling & Lim, urges S’poreans to give ‘support & backing’

01/09/2022

Both Joseph Schooling and Amanda Lim received no preferential treatment in the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) investigation, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.

He also noted on his Facebook post on Aug 31 that both swimmers worked hard and brought glory to Singapore and urged Singaporeans to support and back them.

“Schooling in particular scaled heights which I never imagined: Olympic Gold and that too in swimming. I would never forget him lining up against legends – the finals had so many superstars. And he beat all of them.”

“I am sure Singaporeans will be gracious, and remember the wonderful things these two young people have done. And give them our support and backing,” he said.

What happened?

Olympic champion Joseph Schooling confessed to taking consuming Cannabis in May this year when he was on short-term disruption from full-time National Service (NS) to train and participate in the SEA Games in Hanoi.

Amanda Lim was issued a stern warning by the CNB under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

While Schooling’s urine tests for controlled drugs returned negative, Mindef said that it has placed him on an SAF-supervised urine test regime as part of the treatment and rehabilitation process. He was also issued a formal letter of warning. 

The ministry reiterated that the Singapore Armed Forces maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards drug abuse.

“All SAF personnel who test positive during this regime will be charged and sentenced accordingly,” Mindef said.

Schooling will no longer be eligible for leave or disruption to train or compete while in NS.

Both swimmers have since apologised.

Cover photo credit: Joseph Schooling and Muthucumar Suppiah Facebook