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Death of Benjamin Lim: Difference between revisions
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== | == Background == | ||
Lim is described as a sweet, loving son at home, a mild-mannered teenager in school and a well-liked cadet in NPCC<ref>https://www.thebeautifulmemories.com/in-memoriam/benjamin-lim-jun-hui/</ref> | Lim is described as a sweet, loving son at home, a mild-mannered teenager in school and a well-liked cadet in NPCC.<ref>https://www.thebeautifulmemories.com/in-memoriam/benjamin-lim-jun-hui/</ref> | ||
"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 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." | ||
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After reviewing CCTV footage, the police identified Benjamin Lim, a 14-year-old student from North View Secondary School in Yishun, as a suspect. | After reviewing CCTV footage, the police identified Benjamin Lim, a 14-year-old student from North View Secondary School in Yishun, as a suspect. | ||
== | == Police Investigation == | ||
On 26 January 2016, five plainclothes police officers visited Lim’s school to escort him to the police station for questioning. | On 26 January 2016, five plainclothes police officers visited Lim’s school to escort him to the police station for questioning. | ||
He was interviewed at the Ang Mo Kio Police Division without a parent, teacher, or legal representative present, as was allowed under the law at the time. | He was interviewed at the Ang Mo Kio Police Division without a parent, teacher, or legal representative present, as was allowed under the law at the time. | ||
Lim's mother, Mdm Teng, said she received a call from her son’s handphone in that morning<ref>https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/01/31/14-year-old-jumps-to-his-death-after-unaccompanied-police-interrogation/</ref> | Lim's mother, Mdm Teng, said she received a call from her son’s handphone in that morning.<ref>https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/01/31/14-year-old-jumps-to-his-death-after-unaccompanied-police-interrogation/</ref> | ||
A police officer informed her that Lim was assisting in an investigation of a case of molestation, and told her to pick him up from the police station at around 3pm. | A police officer informed her that Lim was assisting in an investigation of a case of molestation, and told her to pick him up from the police station at around 3pm. | ||
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After the interview, Lim was released to his parents and returned home. | After the interview, Lim was released to his parents and returned home. | ||
== | == Death == | ||
He had learned from his mother shortly before his death that he would not be attending a school camp scheduled for the next day. | He had learned from his mother shortly before his death that he would not be attending a school camp scheduled for the next day. | ||
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His death was ruled a suicide. Lim did not leave a suicide note, but his family later stated that he had been distressed following the police investigation. | His death was ruled a suicide. Lim did not leave a suicide note, but his family later stated that he had been distressed following the police investigation. | ||
== | == Parliamentary Discussion on Benjamin Lim’s Case (1 March 2016) == | ||
On 1 March 2016, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam delivered a ministerial statement in Parliament addressing the death of Lim and the controversies surrounding the case. | On 1 March 2016, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam delivered a ministerial statement in Parliament addressing the death of Lim and the controversies surrounding the case. | ||
=== | === Addressing Falsehoods === | ||
Shanmugam highlighted the spread of “deliberate falsehoods” about the case, which he said had unfairly tarnished the Singapore Police Force. | Shanmugam highlighted the spread of “deliberate falsehoods” about the case, which he said had unfairly tarnished the Singapore Police Force. | ||
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This was based on a social media post by a woman named Mary Anne Pereira, who later retracted her statement after the police clarified the facts with her. | This was based on a social media post by a woman named Mary Anne Pereira, who later retracted her statement after the police clarified the facts with her. | ||
== | == Coroner's Findings == | ||
A [https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/08/28/summary-of-the-coroners-findings-on-the-death-of-benjamin-lim/ coroner’s inquiry] heard by State Coroner Marvin Bay was held on | A [https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/08/28/summary-of-the-coroners-findings-on-the-death-of-benjamin-lim/ coroner’s inquiry] heard by State Coroner Marvin Bay was held on 17–18 May 2016, to determine the cause of Lim’s death. | ||
The state was represented by State Counsel Wong Woon Kwong, while Lim’s family was represented by lawyer Choo Zheng Xi. | The state was represented by State Counsel Wong Woon Kwong, while Lim’s family was represented by lawyer Choo Zheng Xi. | ||
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The coroner’s findings were released on 18 August 2016. | The coroner’s findings were released on 18 August 2016. | ||
=== | === CCTV Footage and the Alleged Incident === | ||
On 25 January 2016, while Lim was coming home from school, Lim was said to have made a detour and went to another HDB block in the neighbourhood, before going home. | On 25 January 2016, while Lim was coming home from school, Lim was said to have made a detour and went to another HDB block in the neighbourhood, before going home. | ||
According to the girl who made the police report, Lim had followed her into the lift and dropped his mobile phone, which he then bent down to pick up<ref>https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/events-leading-benjamin-lims-death</ref> | According to the girl who made the police report, Lim had followed her into the lift and dropped his mobile phone, which he then bent down to pick up.<ref>https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/events-leading-benjamin-lims-death</ref> | ||
The girl claimed that she felt a ‘soft tap’ on her left buttock and when she glanced down, she saw Lim's hand moving away from her. | The girl claimed that she felt a ‘soft tap’ on her left buttock and when she glanced down, she saw Lim's hand moving away from her. | ||
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=== | === Emotional Impact on Lim === | ||
The coroner suggested that Lim may have engaged in "catastrophic thinking," a common phenomenon among young people. | The coroner suggested that Lim may have engaged in "catastrophic thinking," a common phenomenon among young people. | ||
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While police had informed Lim’s mother about possible outcomes, there was no evidence that Lim himself had been made aware of these potential consequences. This lack of understanding may have exacerbated his fear and anxiety. | While police had informed Lim’s mother about possible outcomes, there was no evidence that Lim himself had been made aware of these potential consequences. This lack of understanding may have exacerbated his fear and anxiety. | ||
=== | === Role of the School and Counsellors === | ||
The coroner also addressed the role of the school in Lim’s emotional state. He noted that while the school had acted with Lim’s welfare in mind by recommending he stay home from the camp, the decision was communicated only to Lim’s mother. | The coroner also addressed the role of the school in Lim’s emotional state. He noted that while the school had acted with Lim’s welfare in mind by recommending he stay home from the camp, the decision was communicated only to Lim’s mother. | ||
The coroner suggested that a school counsellor should have explained the reasoning directly to Lim to prevent misinterpretation. The lack of direct communication may have led Lim to perceive the decision as punitive rather than supportive. | The coroner suggested that a school counsellor should have explained the reasoning directly to Lim to prevent misinterpretation. The lack of direct communication may have led Lim to perceive the decision as punitive rather than supportive. | ||
=== | === Recommendations from coroner === | ||
The state coroner proposed several measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, including: | The state coroner proposed several measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, including: | ||
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# '''Awareness of Consequences''' The coroner suggested better education for young people about the consequences of their actions. He emphasized the need to provide minors with appropriate perspectives to prevent catastrophic thinking, particularly when they are involved in legal matters. | # '''Awareness of Consequences''' The coroner suggested better education for young people about the consequences of their actions. He emphasized the need to provide minors with appropriate perspectives to prevent catastrophic thinking, particularly when they are involved in legal matters. | ||
== | == Family's reaction == | ||
Following the tragic death of 14-year-old Benjamin Lim in January 2016, his family expressed profound grief and concern over the circumstances leading to his passing. | Following the tragic death of 14-year-old Benjamin Lim in January 2016, his family expressed profound grief and concern over the circumstances leading to his passing. | ||
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He criticized the manner in which Lim was taken from school by five police officers without waiting for family members to arrive, stating, "The school, in my opinion, should never have handed over my son to five police officers during recess hours without having to wait for the arrival of family members." | He criticized the manner in which Lim was taken from school by five police officers without waiting for family members to arrive, stating, "The school, in my opinion, should never have handed over my son to five police officers during recess hours without having to wait for the arrival of family members." | ||
During the coroner's inquiry, discrepancies emerged between the family's recollection and the accounts provided by school staff<ref>https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/coroners-inquiry-into-benjamin-lims-death-differing-accounts-from-school-and</ref> | During the coroner's inquiry, discrepancies emerged between the family's recollection and the accounts provided by school staff.<ref>https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/coroners-inquiry-into-benjamin-lims-death-differing-accounts-from-school-and</ref> The family's lawyer noted that Lim's mother had a different recollection of conversations with the school counsellor regarding his participation in a school camp, indicating a divergence in understanding between the parties involved. | ||
The family also disputed certain observations made during the inquiry. For instance, when a school counsellor suggested a correlation between Lim's stress levels and his mother's tone during a phone conversation, the family's lawyer clarified that such a suggestion would be "very upsetting" to the mother, emphasizing the family's sensitivity to interpretations of their interactions with Lim. | The family also disputed certain observations made during the inquiry. For instance, when a school counsellor suggested a correlation between Lim's stress levels and his mother's tone during a phone conversation, the family's lawyer clarified that such a suggestion would be "very upsetting" to the mother, emphasizing the family's sensitivity to interpretations of their interactions with Lim. | ||
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Overall, the Lim's family expressed deep sorrow and concern over the handling of the events leading up to Lim's death, seeking clarity and justice for their son. | Overall, the Lim's family expressed deep sorrow and concern over the handling of the events leading up to Lim's death, seeking clarity and justice for their son. | ||
== | == Public Reaction == | ||
The incident sparked widespread public debate in Singapore over the treatment of minors in legal investigations. | The incident sparked widespread public debate in Singapore over the treatment of minors in legal investigations. | ||
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Advocacy groups and members of Parliament called for reforms to ensure the mental well-being of minors in similar situations. | Advocacy groups and members of Parliament called for reforms to ensure the mental well-being of minors in similar situations. | ||
== | == Impact and Legacy == | ||
=== | === Reforms to Police Procedures === | ||
In response to the incident, the Singapore Police Force reviewed its procedures for interviewing minors. This led to the implementation of the '''Appropriate Adult Scheme for Young Suspects''' <ref>https://www.childrensociety.org.sg/appropriate-adult-for-young-suspects</ref>'''(AAYS)''' in 2017. | In response to the incident, the Singapore Police Force reviewed its procedures for interviewing minors. This led to the implementation of the '''Appropriate Adult Scheme for Young Suspects''' <ref>https://www.childrensociety.org.sg/appropriate-adult-for-young-suspects</ref>'''(AAYS)''' in 2017. | ||
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Parents and guardians are not permitted to serve as AAs to maintain neutrality. | Parents and guardians are not permitted to serve as AAs to maintain neutrality. | ||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
[[Category:Events]] | |||