Commentary: Aftermath of the NTU stabbing
Written on Mar 05 09 // Rants.
I was shocked when I was told that a professor (Chan Kap Luk) was stabbed in NTU by a Indonesian Chinese student, and the perpetrator himself has jumped to his death on Monday, 2 March 2009. I would have considered the matter to be water under the bridge by now until I chanced upon these rumors. There’s really nothing much to talk about these rumors but it reminds me that when the perpetrator is a foreigner, rarely is his community sympathetic to the real victim of the case. Very often, his community will some how find the ‘reasons’ to portray him as a victim. In the particular incident in NTU – he is now a victim of conspiracy and coverup. How intriguing! I will not go into the details of these rumors nor will I bother to refute hearsay passed on by simpletons who are usually simply too lazy to verify what they have been told. But let us look at some other cases involving foreign nationals, in which there were more sympathy – in my opinion without any reasoning or evidence – for the perpetrator charged with the crime. We first look at the case of Michael Fay, who was caned by Singapore for theft and vandalism. The matter had massive media coverage, and in most cases, the public opinion was against Singapore. Then President Bill “ So, instead of being guilty of vandalism, Michael Fay now becomes a victim of excessive punishment. Neat, isn’t it? Fortunately for us, Michael Fay went home and vindicated the verdict of our courts with his own actions. Next, we look at the case of Flor Contemplacion. For those who are unfamiliar with the case (and I suspect that means much of the blogging community who are probably still children when this case happened), you may refer to the Wikipedia article here. 1995 was the year when I first got my SingNet dialup account. I recalled the heated arguments in the newsgroup soc.culture.singapore on USENET. If I am not wrong, there was strong resentment among the Filipino community pertaining to this case. Relations between Singapore and the Philippines was strained and a C130 Hercules of the Philippines Air Force flew into Singapore to pick up any Filipinos who chose to leave. What was most interesting was that two Filipino witnesses claimed that the father of the murdered child, Nicholas Huang, framed Contemplacion. Thus, Flor Contemplacion became a victim of wrong judgement under the harsh and inhuman laws of the Singapore, if not an exemplary heroine who fought against the abusive and exploitative working conditions that many Filipino domestic workers and laborers suffered abroad. Unfortunately for us, it will never be proven to satisfaction for those who disagree with the verdict of the court that Flor Contemplacion is guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Finally, we look at the case of Caleb Nguyen Van Tuong, an ethnic Vietnamese from Melbourne, Australia. Nguyen confessed to have in his possession 396.2g of heroin when he was caught in transit at Changi Airport on 10 December 2002. Since anything more than a mere 15g would mandate a death sentence under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act, the Singaporean High Court sentenced Nguyen to death for this crime on 20 March 2004. As the day of his execution draws near, it triggered a massive response from Australia and there was intensive media coverage. The Australian government, Amnesty International, the Holy See, as well as other individuals and groups all pleaded for clemency on his behalf. And what was the general impression of Singapore? Singapore is called the ‘Death Capital’ of the world, where we are accused to have executed even more people when compared to *gasp* the People’s Republic of China! Caleb Nguyen becomes a victim of a country not only with the laws of the Dark Ages, but incapable of pardon and forgiveness. It doesn’t matter how many lives that 396.2g of heroine will ruin if he was never caught! I am thinking, if I commit a capital offense in a country with death sentence, and I am proven guilty and sentenced to death, few Singaporeans except my parents and some of my closest friends would have shed tears, much less make a big fuss of the issue. In fact, I would probably have been condemned as vehemently by my fellow Singaporeans, just like the poor guy sleeping on the priority seat of an MRT with his photo taken and posted on STOMP. Here’s the best part… why aren’t the jokers making all the noise keeping it up for my fellow Singaporeans sentenced likewise?I did not have sex with Monica Lewinsky” Clinton called the punishment prescribed by Singapore as extreme and mistaken, and the U.S. Embassy even tried to argue that the punishment does not fit the crime as vandalised cars can be repaired while emotional and physical scars from the caning can never be removed.
Cartoons:
Tags: NTU stabbing
Josephine
Mar 05, 2009, 13:18Two points highlighted in the “rumors” need to be addressed:
1) Widjaja’s wrists were not slashed;
2) But there was a slash on his neck
To dispell the doubts, all the Singapore police need to do is to release the photos of the body, at site and in the mortuary. Will they do this? If not the Indonesian embassy should insist.
2009-03-5 @ 13:46
You have a point there. But I doubt the family of the deceased would have allowed that to happen.
On top of which, I doubt there’s a need for the SPF to do anything to refute those claims. I would like to point out the person who ‘highlighted’ these have to be close enough to the body to made these points. And if such a guy exists and the police didn’t take this guy in for questioning when he is that close to the body, then there’s a serious case of investigation failure here.
Christopher
Mar 05, 2009, 17:55A well written post. written with excogiitation. Yes, it is very disturbing.
It is reported that David wrist was slashed, but not all reporters are brave enough to look at dead bodies at crime scene, most stories were from interviewing bystanders at crime scene, and Police would not gave details, that would hampered the investigation.
Victim putting up a defense struggle with his predators is expected, so predators were often hurt too. Do not forget Prof Chan had a knife stabbed in his back. Prof Chan would not self inflict that.
David clashed through the glass roof, as such any part of his body can be slashed by the broken glass roof.
Family and close friends who cannot come to term with their close ones death. Few individual started these conspiracy, would lead to the whole community here and back in their home to cause stress, finally their government would be pressured, and lead to strain relationship.
Close relationship with family members and close friends are the best avenue to avert such misdemeanor as compared with school councilors. Assurance and strong support by family members is most comforting.
Anyway details would be released br the coroner court, our pathologist are very professional and internationally respected. What is the reason for covering up, if any?
My condolences to the Widjaja family. Best wishes for Prof Chan for a speedy recovery.
anonymous
Mar 08, 2009, 1:40“Anyway details would be released fr the coroner court, our pathologist are very professional and internationally respected. What is the reason for covering up, if any? ” If what you assert is really true, why cant they tell and publicise how did the neck wound come about.
“It is reported that David wrist was slashed, but not all reporters are brave enough to look at dead bodies at crime scene, most stories were from interviewing bystanders at crime scene..”
Again, then are you trying to say that Singapore media is not reliable and should not be trusted?
“Police would not gave details, ” why not?
“that would hampered the investigation.”
how would it hampered the investigation? Isnt it also proper to give public the correct info and facts?
“Family and close friends who cannot come to term with their close ones death. Few individual started these conspiracy, would lead to the whole community here and back in their home to cause stress, finally their government would be pressured, and lead to strain relationship.”
What a fallacy..
1st sentence-> put yourself in David’s family’s shoes and you were implying you would not have done the same thing?
wow..
Btw who started out, or rather who give out the opportunity and holes for – what you called as- conspiracy theories?
“Prof Chan would not self inflict that.” What make you thing that this was not possible?
anything if possible if one has a motive.
“What is the reason for covering up, if any?”
OMG somebody is not seeing the picture.
Would NTU and Singapore reputation be somehow affected?
THE INFORMATION AND STATEMENTS WRITTEN IN THIS ARTICLE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE AUTHOR DOES NOT INTEND TO OPPOSE SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INVESTIGATING THE CASE OR ANY OTHER AUTHORITIES. THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT REPRESENT THE VIEW OF ANY OTHER ENTITIES EXCEPT THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR DOES NOT ASSERT THE VALIDITY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE. THE AUTHOR CAN NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES CAUSED AFTER READING THIS ARTICLE. READ OR BELIEVE IN THIS ARTICLE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
2009-03-8 @ 10:53
Let me point out the questionable nature of the conspiracy theory regarding the person’s death, by making several logic assumptions:
1) Assuming a student in NTU saw the details on the body before the police arrived:
Who is the person who saw the wounds on the back of the body or the lack of the cuts on the wrist? Let him come up and stand by his assertions. I must say he / she is quite a brave individual ‘with iron balls’ who hasn’t freaked out after seeing someone plunge from several floors, and actually went to take a look at the body. I am also surprised that this person didn’t come up and confront the false reports if it was really true.
2) Assuming the information came from members of the family during body identification:
I haven’t come across any supporting news articles on that. The only reference to this was found on the evening Shin Ming tabloids which is most occasions I consider the news to be suspect since it reports the most outrageous news – from dead people appearing in dreams to provide winning 4D numbers to superstition based stories regarding to some tragic accidents. If it was the family who asserted this, then why don’t they hold a press conference? I am sure the Indonesian Embassy can assist in that. Or if the family has told this to one of the deceased’s close friend, then why doesn’t this person stand up and stand by his comments?
3) Assuming the information came from a source which examined the body,:
The police? The medical staff who examined the body? Or the ones who removed the body from the site? The assumption here is the public official response to this matter is not the same as the results of the official examination of the dead body. If so, where is the source of this information?
I would clearly have expected a varsity undergrad – if you are one – to have at least the minimum logical sense to consider VERIFYING THE SOURCE of these allegations. In short, I am asking you, do any of you actually know where the source of this really is, met him / her / them and spoke about it? Or because you hear it from your own buddies, and because the guy might be also from your community, that you simply ASSUMED that it is true?
I can understand the knee-jerk response. But I can only say it is simple-minded, and stupid.
Thank you for your response.
Christopher
Mar 09, 2009, 14:01“If what you assert is really true, why cant they tell and publicise how did the neck wound come about.”
Coroner Courts are just as other Subordinate Court, Magistrate and High Court, there were be queue for the hearing, interested parties can attend., whereby evidence would be produced, and judgment made. In fact, from my previous experience, investigation to such case would not be closed yet.
“how would it hampered the investigation?”
f Police is to provide every single piece of evidence and details to the public, how to conduct investigation? Evidence can be destroyed or protected , witness can be gagged.
Drawing from the details as reported from the scene of crime, unless there is a third person who had throw or push David down the building, it can only be one verdict suicide. Heard there are witness, their statement would be recorded by the Police, and be investigated.
“Again, then are you trying to say that Singapore media is not reliable and should not be trusted?”
Try to imagine yourself as reporter, how do you get the news. Be at a crime scene, and be interview by a reporter and give your bullshit side of the story, and see for yourself what is printed, but please dont give the same thing to the police officer, which may be recorded, and get yourself into trouble. If the newsprint were to wait for the verdict or judgement to give the true details, then there would not be any news.
“Would NTU and Singapore reputation be somehow affected?”
Which is more important, the J ustice System and its integrity or the reputation of NTU and Singapore? over what? possibly a scandal?
I repeat, I find this very disturbing. Grievous had written a very good post, by detailing all the previous incidents, especially Flor Contemplacion case. I hope everyone tried to read more details into that case.
As I had said in my previous comment, wait for the verdict or judgment, dont expect a fast answer, the team of investigating officers need to read into the case at different angles and worked on evidence collected.
Dont help small group of people starting a conspiracy, to pressure for an answer flavourable to them. and even start facebook group to solicit for support and make Singapore looking like an idiot, now that people in Indonesia are saying that (Singaporean are saying themselves: there is conspiracy- as in the internet). Especially the Indonesian Election is round the corner, and let them politicize on it.
Go and attend the Court session, and hear for yourself the evidence available, the photos of the deceased would also be shown, and see for yourself.
DK
Mar 09, 2009, 15:19I agree with Christopher.
A lot of people forgot that this is a case of unnatural death. And in such cases, a coroner report is required to be submitted to court. But such report takes time. They need time to investigate. They also have other cases on hand. Just wait and everything will be reveal in court.
I find it funny when there are people who said there is cover up. What is there to cover up? Just because the full details are not out, people start jumping. I tell you all, if the full report is out the next day after the incident, THEN you should suspect that there is a cover up. Cause they couldn’t have finish their findings so fast.
I might have lost faith in our Main Stream Media. But I still have faith in the Singapore legal system.
DK´s last blog post: Who is Joo Koon anyway?
arzhou (adrian)
Mar 09, 2009, 15:40People will always like conspiracy theories and the drama surrounding it. Like DK said, people got to be patient.
arzhou (adrian)´s last blog post: Graduation Trip Post #1 – Diving @ the Great Barrier Reef
shanyao
Mar 10, 2009, 10:14Wait for the coroner’s report, and only then the speculations can be meaningful, otherwise it is immaterial.
My suggestion to the family members is to appoint a good lawyer to attend and IF they feel necessary, challenge the report.
I have no inkling as to what could have happened but I do feel that our mainstream media has failed the high journalistic standards expected EVEN IF what actually happened was as exactly reported.
I have read reports from the English and Chinese media, and to reach the conclusion that David stabbed the professor, slit his own wrist, jumped to his death is simply irresponsible even if it turns out to be completely true. A responsible journalist will state clearly his/her sources, and reported the story as such – a best possible scenario as understood by the journalist, not as facts, as clearly implied.
I have full faith in the police investigation, which has not been released and I advise all parties to be patient and wait for the official report.
Shanyao
2009-03-10 @ 10:38
I have gone thru these two articles:
1. Debunking the erroneous reporting in the mainstream media: the David Hartonto Widjaja’s story
2. Stabbing incident in NTU — is it really an “attack”?
I must say that the only reasonable conclusion I can draw from them would be this: the journalism standards of our local media is deplorable.
For anyone to call it a cover-up and a conspiracy, or to call for the ‘truth’ is ridiculous. As we all know, the truth will be revealed when the reports come out in Court.