One of my sergeants has passed away. This morning, while riding a motorcycle, he met with an accident.

I heard about the news this afternoon, while I was with Loh Wei at the Esplanade. He received the call from Guo Yong, then he told me, "Sergeant Lim Poh Keng has passed away."

The name Lim Poh Keng flashed around my mind. I don't know if I was stunned from the lack of sleep or the name itself. Because I don't believe Sergeant Lim has passed away.

I don't believe Sergeant Lim has passed away.

"Angkung (tattoo) Lim", as he is fondly called, for the colourful art that graced his entire back and part of his front and upper arms, had been with us in Brunei. He had joined my section during one of the insertions. He was very close with the smokers back in camp.

We all liked him very much. As an army regular, he never behaved like an asshole, which some others do. During our insertion, he was more interested in finishing the work fast, then spending the rest of the time "on holiday". He has this great sense of humour that shows when he tells us stories about the other regulars in our unit.

He's only three years our senior. And he has a family, with a small kid in pre-school. Pray that his wife and kid are okay . . .

And a few days back we had still seen him. I last saw him at the canteen, eating fish and chips, after he and Sergeant Daniel accompanied the Plant vehicles on the barge to the capital, and they missed lunch.

And now he is gone.

The guys whom I messaged, like me, refuse to accept the fact. Rakesh had just smoked with him in Brunei. Alvin had waved to him on the barge. And as a joke, he tried to offer me a ciggy, but I refused, ha-ha . . .

It's not appropriate to comment on this, but I hate the way the army handles things. They used the word "standby" on us: we were told to be ready in case we were "activated" to the wake to help. For goodness, why not let us help out ourselves? Those who truly want to help can go down to the location of his wake and offer their support. Those who go would be those who do so because Sergeant Lim had touched them in one way or another. For goodness don't force others to go! Why do they have to make things so complicated?

Sergeant Lim, I wish you a blissful journey to a better place. You are etched in my memory, even if we knew each other for only a short time.