14-year-old jumps to his death after unaccompanied police interrogation for Molest

[kuasimi]

Death of 14-year-old student: Police and Minister Shanmugam are unwilling to answer questions claims TOC, while Shanmugam explained why he cannot
By The Independent - March 1, 2016


http://theindependent.sg/death-of-14...why-he-cannot/


The Online Citizen (TOC) has responded to the Law and Home Affairs Minister, Mr K Shanmugam’s allegations in Parliament today that the socio-political publication falsely reported on the death of the 14-year-old schoolboy, Benjamin Lim’s death.

TOC said:






Mr Shanmugam in his Prezi presentation which gave a quick overview of his Ministerial statement said:

[kuasimi]

Death of Benjamin Lim – Minister Shanmugam slammed TOC for putting out false statements
By The Independent - March 1, 2016


http://theindependent.sg/death-of-be...se-statements/



The Law and Home Affairs Minister, K Shanmugam, took the online publication, The Online Citizen, to task in Parliament today. The following are excerpts of his speech:

“There has been a number of inaccurate statement that had been put out. We say inaccurate based on the facts the police have. Some of the inaccurate statements which are false, is that the police were not in plain clothes when they went to the school to identify Benjamin. Effectively alleging that the police were lying to Singaporeans when they put out their statement on 1 February. That allegations that Benjamin was interviewed and intimidated by five police officers. That he must have been coerced to make an admission to an offence that he did not commit. Some have even suggested that the girl may not have been molested and might have made a false police report.

A number of these falsehoods have been put out by The Online Citizen (TOC). It has gone on a planned, orchestrated campaign using falsehoods. And has published about 20 articles or so, as part of this campaign. One example of the falsehood, as I said earlier, police said on 1 February that they went down in plain clothes. Yet TOC published an article on the 5th of February, stating that police wore an attire stating the words ‘police’. Suggesting that the police were lying to Singaporeans.

They had supposedly relied on a posting by a lady Mary Anne Pereira. She said that her son saw police officers with polo t-shirts in the word ‘police’. Police checked with Ms Periera. She said that she had gotten it wrong. She got her dates mixed-up.

She is wrong because the police went to the school in plain clothes on the 26th of January. She has taken down her post. People make many statements online. They can be mistaken. This is why there is a court process to establish the truth. The overall narrative and impression carried by the various TOC articles are, 1. police were lying, 2. the police intimidated the boy, and 3. the police put pressure on him to confess to a crime that he did not commit. Allegations, implications, which are false.

Practically leading people to conclude that Benjamin committed suicide as a result.”


The Law and Home Affairs Minister also said that “it is sad to see the level of dishonesty and politicisation of this matter. Where the police are wrong – we must and will take action. But we should not allow deliberate, dishonest attacks.”

Mr Shanmugam further said that Benjamin’s family has asked for the coroner’s inquiry proceedings to be held in private, and that the “AGC will give the request careful consideration. Ultimately it will be up to the court to decide.” Any allegations being publicly aired now could be treated as Sub Judice – where cases still before the court could prejudice the verdict – the Minister warned.

“Once the coroner announces his findings – people can then offer their viewpoints and criticism on what the Police and the Ministry did, or did not do.

The various pronouncements, suggestions, statements which imply that five officers interviewed him; that the Police intimidated, pressured Benjamin, into wrongly admitting to guilt; other allegations, like that Police were lying when they said they went to the school in plainclothes; and that these must have been among the reasons why he probably committed suicide – these allegations may possibly infringe the principles of Sub Judice.

It is understandable when the family says some things. But TOC and its ilk should not engage in this, prior to the coroner’s inquiry.”

“The Rules of Sub Judice generally preclude discussions which may tend to influence proceedings. But public officials can make statements, if they believe it to be necessary in the public interest – even if there is a hearing pending. Among other things, public confidence in the Police must be maintained,” the Minister explained why he was commenting on the case now.

Mr Shanmugam said that such discussions however, should not become an automatic precedent for the future and that the Government will relook at the law to see how it can try and achieve this better.

[ComplainKing]

Welcome back TS . Though I may not agree with some of your postings . Just a suggestion however you might want to take your source of information from a more " reputable one " like AsiaOne . Please also don't go spamming other threads . Just stick to one thread will do. Also if possible do prvide possible solutions on how the matter can be solved or improved .

Just my 1 cent worth .

[kuasimi]

Originally Posted by ComplainKing

Welcome back TS . Though I may not agree with some of your postings . Just a suggestion however you might want to take your source of information from a more " reputable one " like AsiaOne . Please also don't go spamming other threads . Just stick to one thread will do. Also if possible do prvide possible solutions on how the matter can be solved or improved .

Just my 1 cent worth .

Check my reply to your post in this thread. Thank you for your support.

Asiaone belongs to SPH so not much difference.

MSM = PAP.
Internet = Private Individuals.

[kuasimi]

Law Minister’s warning: Commentators on Benjamin’s case may face prosecution from Sub Judice laws
By admin - March 2, 2016

http://statestimesreview.com/2016/03...b-judice-laws/


In an attempt to silence increasing criticisms over the Singapore Police’s mishandling of the interrogation process with a minor, Singapore’s Law Minister K Shanmugam sent a chilling warning to Singaporeans who comment on the high profile suicide case that they may face prosecution from the Sub Judice laws. In a response to a MP’s enquiry, K Shanmugam reminded everyone that “the law of contempt applies both online and offline”.

The Law Minister also discredited online media, theonlinecitizen (TOC), for relentlessly following up on the case with over 20 articles published to date after weeks of blanket silence from the government. Minister K Shanmugam shot down suggestions that the government was cornered into making a response only after TOC kept following up on the case despite having the government-controlled mainstream media Singapore Press Holdings giving the news a media blackout.

“The suggestion that the Benjamin Lim case would have died down if not for social media is ridiculous.

TOC published an article on Feb 5 saying that police wore attire emblazoned with the word “Police”, when investigations found that all officers in the case were in plainclothes. The suggestion is that the police were lying to Singaporeans.”

Minister K Shanmugam has not yet apologise or acknowledged any form of accountability on the teen suicide case. He has however commented that Benjamin would have likely only gotten a warning considering his age and the evidence presented, insinuating that the teen had over-reacted.

Related articles:
Home Affairs Minister defend himself by slamming online media and Law Society
Benjamin’s case failed Education Minister’s SOPs

[kuasimi]

Deceased teen’s father: Education Minister was lying
By admin - March 3, 2016

http://statestimesreview.com/2016/03...ter-was-lying/

The deceased teen’s father has hit back at Education Minister Ng Chee Meng, testifying that the school did not call to enquire about his son’s well-being after he came home from the police interrogation.

In the phone call between the school staff and Benjamin Lim’s mother, there was no discussion over whether to deny Benjamin from attending the school camp. The family was merely informed about the decision.

“When the school’s counsellor called Benjamin’s mother at 4.13pm, he merely informed her that the school had a meeting, and Benjamin will be excluded from the camp. Before the mother could ask any further questions, (he hung up).

(In) the entire conversation … there were no questions asked about (Benjamin) at all … zero questions about (his) well-being.”

In his Parliament speech delivered on Tuesday (1 March), Education Minister Ng Chee Meng claimed that the school has done its due diligence ensuring the well-being of Benjamin Lim. The statements from the boy’s family clearly indicated that the Education Minister has lied.

Related article:
Benjamin’s case failed Education Minister’s SOPs
Law Minister’s warning: Commentators on Benjamin’s case may face prosecution from Sub Judice laws

[kuasimi]

Home Affairs Minister defend himself by slamming online media and Law Society
By admin - March 1, 2016

http://statestimesreview.com/2016/03...d-law-society/


Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam today (1 Mar) defended himself in Parliament slamming online media, theonlinecitizen (TOC), and the Law Society for spreading falsehoods regarding the Benjamin Lim’s suicide case.

K Shanmugam said that TOC’s articles gave the impression that the police was lying and that they had intimidated the boy to confess to a crime he did not commit.

The Minister then cited an example where TOC mentioned 5 police officers wore shirts printed with “Police” on their back, but in fact, the police has sent 5 officers in plainclothes instead.

“It has gone on a planned, orchestrated campaign, using falsehoods, and has published about 20 articles or so as part of its campaign.

It is sad to see the level of dishonesty and politicisation of this matter. Where the police are wrong – we must and will take action. But we should not allow deliberate, dishonest attacks.”

Minister K Shanmugam then fired at the Law Society’s president, Thio Shen Yi, claiming that the latter made several false statements. K Shanmugam said that Thio Shen Yi implied that the suicide was a result of police intimidation, when the latter should have sought assessments from experts like psychologists.

“Mr Thio has a duty to be fair to the police officers involved. He need only to have referred to the police statement on Feb 1 to know that his facts are untrue.”

Minister K Shanmugam did not apologise, offer any words of comfort to the family or admit there is anything wrong with the police procedures in this suicide case. His conclusion from the case is to “study how the police and other institutions can respond in future to such falsehoods”.

The Minister is here clearly attempting to intimidate critics, implying defamation lawsuits against anyone who criticize the Singapore Police and government.

[kuasimi]

Benjamin’s case failed Education Minister’s SOPs
By admin - March 1, 2016


http://statestimesreview.com/2016/03...inisters-sops/


In Parliament today (1 Mar), Education Minister (School) Ng Chee Meng gave a detailed outline of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) the Ministry of Education adopt, but the teen suicide case failed it’s criteria.

Here are the SOPs and the fact that happened:

1) Minister: “First, teachers or staff will be discreet when bringing the student to meet with the police to ensure that no “undue attention” is drawn to the student.”
Fact: Undue attention has been drawn from several school educators onto Benjamin Lim. It is unknown how many school educators were present in the office where the interview was held. It is also unknown if Benjamin made a confession in their presence which could have shamed the student.

2) Minister: “Second, the school leaders will first ascertain the student’s physical and emotional well-being before letting the police speak to the student.”
Fact: Benjamin Lim was brought to the principal’s office without being ascertained by the staff that he is in a healthy state of mind to be spoken to by the police.

3) Minister: “Fourth, should the police decide to bring the student to the police station for further questioning, the school will request that the police first contact one of the student’s parents to inform them of the situation and where the student will be taken to. The school will also ensure that the student has something to eat or is not hungry.”
Fact: The school did not send any representative to the police station, and also did not assess if a 14-year-old can accept a police interrogation by himself. With the absence of a school representative at the police station, Benjamin could have gone hungry in the 3.5 hour long interrogation. Another critical question is why was Benjamin’s mother disallowed from attending the interrogation with her son, and also why are interrogations of minors allowed in the absence of a parent’s consent.

4) Minister: “Sixth, after the student is released by the police, school staff will keep in touch with the parents of the student to render support and to work out any follow-up steps to look after the well-being of the student.”
Fact: The school only made a single phone call to the family and did not send a school counsellor to Benjamin’s place after the police interrogation. No support was rendered and no follow-up steps were mentioned. Benjamin ended up informed that he was disallowed to the school camp on the next day, and the school failed to notice the psychological impact of the ban.

The Education Minister did not apologise for the suicide incident or admit any fault on the MOE’s part. However he said that the MOE will participate in the upcoming police procedures review when dealing with minors under investigation.

[kuasimi]

Ng Chee Meng: Not a practice to allow teachers in police car with a student


https://www.facebook.com/The-Alterna...8759327518739/

Why is the PAP minister going on and on about "practice" when a young boy's life has been wasted?


https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ng-chee-me...inkId=21784764



Nicholas Yong
March 1, 2016


It is not the practice of the police to allow teachers and school staff to accompany a student in the police car, when the student’s presence is requested at the police station, said Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng.

Ng noted that current police protocols also do not allow other persons to be present when the student is being questioned at the police station.

Speaking in Parliament on Tues (1 March), Ng addressed concerns expressed by members of the public regarding the death of 14-year-old Benjamin Lim. The North View Secondary School student had been questioned by police on 26 January, following an allegation of outrage of modesty.

Benjamin was found dead at the foot of his block of flats on the afternoon of the same day.

Questions on the case were tabled by eight Members of Parliament, including Non-Constituency MP Dennis Tan and Jurong GRC MP Ang Wei Neng. Both MPs wanted to know what procedures are being followed when students are asked to assist the police in their investigations, and how the welfare of the students is ensured.

Ng noted that each year, secondary schools in Singapore deal with an average of 1,350 arrest cases involving students. These involve offences ranging from theft to sexual offences to endangerment to life.

In these cases, the interest and well-being of students are a “key priority,” stressed Ng. For example, school leaders will ascertain a student’s physical and emotional well-being before letting the police speak to a student. They will also request to be present if an initial interview is conducted at the school.

However, Ng noted, “Some members of the public have suggested that the schools’ duty of care extends to shielding students from the police, and not releasing them to the police without their parents’ consent. This sounds plausible, but it is not so straightforward.”

Noting that schools are obligated to cooperate with police investigations, Ng said that it is the prerogative of the police to decide where an interview with a student suspected of committing an offence takes place.

In the case of Benjamin Lim, he was quietly brought to the principal’s office when police officers requested to speak with him. The principal and other staff were present when the officer spoke to him.

Benjamin was told to call his mother at the end of the meeting in the school, while the principal ensured that she knew he was being taken to the police station.

The school counselor was also instructed to contact Benjamin’s mother on the same day, to check on his well-being. Given that Benjamin was scheduled to attend a three-day school camp from 27 January, the counselor and the mother agreed that it would be better for him to stay at home instead.

Upon learning of Benjamin’s death, school leaders and staff were “shocked and distraught”, said the Minister.

“Just as Benjamin’s passing is mourned by his family, the school community and many others are also mourning.

Teachers and counselors will continue to provide support to Benjamin’s classmates and friends,” said Ng.

“Whilst I know that nothing I say today will bring Benjamin back, it is of utmost importance that we all learn from this tragedy.”

The Minister concluded by saying that the Education Ministry is also participating in the police review of the matter.

[kuasimi]

https://www.facebook.com/35875932751...type=3&theater


The imperious and arrogant PAP Minister Shanmugam had some choice words for TOC and the Social Media during his Parliamentary address on the Benjamin Lim issue.

As if nursing a pathological hatred for the online media, Shanmugam used the term "ilk" to describe online sites and went on at length to accuse TOC of spreading falsehoods and orchestrating a campaign to politicize the issue.

Now, for a person to preach certain values, he has to ensure the consistent application of these values regardless of situation.

Where was Shanmugam when his ilk at the SPH primarily Lianhe Zaobao and Straits Times published allegations of WP candidate Daniel Goh engaging in extramarital affairs with his student?

Did he castrate the Editors of both lapdog sheet when that happened?

And coming back to the issue at hand, does he have proof that TOC was "orchestrating a campaign"?

Shanmugam then lashed out again calling "ridiculous" the claim that Benjamin Lim case would have died down if not for social media.

We know many of these claims were made on Social Media. If these claims are ridiculous, why does Shanmugam even bother to pay attention to them, let alone highlight this in Parliament?

Note:

Pls avoid commenting specifically on the Benjamin Lim case as the Law Minister has threatened sub justice punishment on anyone who does so.

Let's all wait for the Coroner's Report.

[kuasimi]

https://www.facebook.com/35875932751...type=3&theater


Has anyone noticed that the PAP seems to have become much more arrogant after securing 69% of the votes in the last GE through a combination of fear-mongering, plain pork barrel politics and millions dollar propaganda created at taxpayers' expense?

Note: Text at last line should read "with impunity".

[kuasimi]

https://www.facebook.com/The-Alterna...8759327518739/

Family of 15-year old Benjamin who committed suicide following police interrogation and poor handling of the issue by his school set up webpage to remember him.
The imperious Minister for Law and Home Affairs Shanmugam is due to deliver a ministerial statement next week in Parliament on this, after weeks of silence and failure to show empathy.
In the meantime, Grace Fu who was newly appointed to head the Ministry for Culture, Community & Youth has completely shunned the issue.



http://www.thebeautifulmemories.com/...n-lim-jun-hui/



Dearly Missed and Forever Loved by:

Grandparents
Daddy
Mummy
Elder sister
Second brother
Uncles and Aunties

Benjamin Lim Jun Hui

Benjamin was a sweet, loving son at home, a mild-mannered teenager in school and a well-liked cadet in NPCC. He was hardworking; he worked part-time in McDonalds on weekends and school holidays. He kept part of his salaries for himself, and contributed the rest to his mother for household expenses. He was always looking forward to school camping and outdoor activities. He would use his own pocket money to buy all the necessary items for such excursion, and did his own preparation. He was a thoughtful young man; his untimely passing on January 26, 2016 left friends and family stunned and heartbroken.

It is here that we recognize and remember the life he lived.

A Lovely Son

Ah Hui, no matter how many years go by, no matter how far you’re away from us, we want you to know that you will never be forgotten! You are forever our 心肝宝贝!

Love,
Daddy & Mummy

Love from Sister

Benjamin, Jiejie hope you’re happier now… We all miss you a lot. Don’t worry about anything here okay. Always remember, Jiejie love you a lot a lot. You’ll always be living in my heart.

Love,
Zhi Qi

Love from bro

Ah Hui, don’t have to worry too much about daddy and mummy, Christina and I will take care of them alright. Please take good care of yourself wherever you are. All of us will always believe in you and love you.

Love,
Jason

A pillar of strength for his friends

Benjamin was the pillar of strength in his school’s NPCC unit and he was the person to whom everyone looked up when there was any problem that needed to be resolved…

Love,
Friends

[kuasimi]

SAF indemnified from being sued for negligence for deaths and injuries

http://forums.$$$$$$$$$$$$.com.sg/ea...s-5315408.html

SINGAPORE - The High Court on Thursday (March 3) struck out a lawsuit brought against the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) by the family of a full-time national serviceman who died in 2012 after an allergic reaction to smoke grenades during a military exercise.

The family of Private Dominique Sarron Lee had also sued his platoon commander as well as the chief safety officer of the exercise, alleging negligence on their part.

However, all three defendants applied to strike out the claim on the grounds that there is no reasonable cause of action and that the suit is frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the court process.

The defendants relied on a provision in the Government Proceedings Act, arguing that they are indemnified from being sued for negligence for deaths and injuries if the acts are certified to be attributable to service.

In a chambers hearing on Thursday, Judicial Commissioner Kannan Ramesh accepted the arguments and ruled that the provision applied to Pte Lee's case.

He also dismissed the arguments of Mr Irving Choh, who acted for the family, that there was a contract between SAF and Pte Lee and so, his family was entitled to claim damages from SAF for breaching its contractual duty to ensure the highest standards of training safety.

On April 17, 2012, Pte Lee suffered breathing difficulties and passed out during an exercise in Lim Chu Kang, which involved the use of six smoke grenades.

The 21-year-old former track athlete from the Singapore Sports School, who was asmathic, was evacuated to Sungei Gedong Medical Centre before being warded at National University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 2pm the same day.

A coroner's inquiry in August 2013 found that he had died from an acute allergic reaction to zinc chloride, a key compound used in smoke grenades.

An independent Committee of Inquiry in 2012 said that the number of smoke grenades used in the exercise exceeded the limit of two specified in safety regulations.

Pte Lee's family filed the civil suit last year. Platoon commander Captain Najib Hanuk Muhamad Jalal was defended by Mr R.S. Bajwa while safety officer Captain Chia Thye Siong was defended by Mr Laurence Goh.

Mr Goh told The Straits Times on Thursday that his client is also saddened and affected by the incident. "My client sincerely hopes that the family of the late Dominique will finally have closure over the matter and move on with their lives."

[kuasimi]

[BREAKING] Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam is addressing Parliament on the death of a 14-year-old


http://forums.$$$$$$$$$$$$.com.sg/ea...d-5314025.html

[kuasimi]

School and Benjamin's father say different things


http://forums.$$$$$$$$$$$$.com.sg/ea...s-5315465.html

SINGAPORE: Although a school counsellor had called his wife that day, the father of Benjamin Lim said the call was not to check on their son’s well-being.

Neither was there a discussion between the counsellor and his wife on whether it would be better for Benjamin to skip a school camp starting the following day so he could be with his family, the father added.

Mr Lim was disputing the actions taken by his son’s school before the 14-year-old fell to his death on Jan 26, as set out by Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng in Parliament on Tuesday (Mar 1).

“When the school’s counsellor called Benjamin’s mother at 4.13pm, he merely informed her that the school had a meeting, and Benjamin will be excluded from the camp. Before the mother could ask any further questions, (he hung up),” Mr Lim said.

“(In) the entire conversation ... there were no questions asked about (Benjamin) at all ... zero questions about (his) well-being.”