SAF warrant officer who died after getting hit by falling branch in Brunei gets final send-off

The Third Warrant Officer (3WO) who died in Brunei on Tuesday (Oct 9) was given a final send-off by members of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) on Wednesday (Oct 10).

As reported in an earlier Stomp article, 3WO Muhammad Sadikin Bin Hasban, an Assistant Company Chief Trainer, died after he was hit by a fallen branch while supervising contractors who were performing maintenance work at a helicopter evacuation site in Brunei.

His body was flown back to Singapore in a military aircraft and was buried at Lim Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery, where servicemen from the 9th Singapore Division/Infantry and the Army had gathered for his send-off.

In a Facebook post by The Singapore Army, the caption said: "The late 3WO Sadikin was a dedicated and committed leader who always gave his best in everything he did.

"He was well-respected not just by his subordinates, peers and superiors but also all the trainees he took charge of.

"The positive attitude he exuded never failed to resonate with the people he engaged with.

"He had shown the utmost professionalism in the way he conducted himself as a soldier, trainer and more importantly as a commander, who put everyone's interest before himself."

The 33-year-old was also described by friends and family members as a man with a bubbly personality who loved the outdoors and cared for his fellow soldiers, reported The Straits Times.

3WO Sadikin, who had been an SAF regular for 13 years, loved his job so much that he had extended his service in Brunei from a year to three years.

"He was very happy-go-lucky, and loved family bonding time very much," said his father-in-law, Mr Kamilan Subari.

He described 3WO Sadikin as a kind-hearted person who took good care of his daughter.

A cousin, who declined to be named, added: "He had this selflessness about him.

"He was a very generous guy who was always there for his friends and family."

"When we were with him, he was always smiling," said 33-year-old former classmate Hairulnizam Mustafa.

More than 200 relatives, friends and colleagues from the SAF attended his funeral.