Clause 21

Every person subject to military law who is absent without leave from service in the Singapore Armed Forces or from the place where he is lawfully required for the time being to be shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction by a subordinate military court to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment authorised by this Act except that it shall be a defence for any person charged under this section to prove that his absence was a result of circumstances over which he had no control.