SINGAPORE - The lapses by two police officers who did not follow operating procedure in Megan Khung’s case was a serious breach which resulted in tragedy.

Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming said this in Parliament on Nov 5, while noting that demands on police officers continue to increase.

Mr Goh said police officers often have to make difficult judgment calls every day and mistakes can happen under pressure.

He said: “In this case, the lapse arose because two officers, who were under pressure, did not follow the established operating procedure.”

Mr Goh’s statement was in response to questions filed by four MPs for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the police processes in Megan’s case.

Megan, 4, died in February 2020 after

suffering a year of abuse

at the hands of her mother, Foo Li Ping, and the woman’s boyfriend, Wong Shi Xiang. Her body was burned and never found.

The case involving the couple’s friend, Nouvelle Chua Ruoshi, 35, is pending.

A review panel’s report released on Oct 23

detailed lapses by various agencies, including the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)’s Child Protective Service, and the police.

The police investigation officer (IO) who handled the first report relating to Megan’s case and her supervisor failed to follow procedures to escalate the case for monitoring and guidance.