S'poreans share in the grief

Nov 29, 2008
Mumbai terror attacks

S'poreans share in the grief

Acting PM expresses Government's sadness at the death of hostage
ACTING Prime Minister S. Jayakumar said last night that all Singaporeans shared in the grief of the family of lawyer Lo Hwei Yen, 28, who was killed in Mumbai.

In a statement expressing the Singapore Government's sadness at her death in the terror attacks in the Indian city, he said: 'The loss of any life to terrorism is sad, but the loss of a fellow Singaporean is a pain more keenly and more closely felt by every Singaporean.

'I know that all Singaporeans feel deeply for the family, and our hearts go out to them in their time of sorrow and grief.'

He said that Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) officials have been with the victim's family in Singapore, and on the ground in Mumbai, since they first learnt that Ms Lo had been taken hostage.

The ministry issued a statement saying it was deeply saddened by the death of Ms Lo, a lawyer married to Mr Michael Puhaindran.

MFA said its officials in Mumbai confirmed only at 9.35pm Singapore time yesterday that she was among the dead.

'A positive identification was made by the husband, accompanied by our High Commissioner,' it said.

'We would like to convey our sincere condolences to the family of Ms Lo Hwei Yen. This is a tragedy for all Singaporeans.

'We have been in touch with her father-in-law and one of her aunts to convey this tragic news. Our officials in Mumbai are currently with her husband and another aunt.'

It said that the ministry and officials of the Singapore mission in Mumbai would assist the family.

'We wish this tragedy had not occurred,' it said. 'MFA is currently assisting the family and will ensure the safe return of the body once the Indian authorities release the body.'

Extending sympathies to the families of other hostages killed in Mumbai, the ministry said: 'Singapore strongly condemns the Mumbai terrorist acts and reiterates its commitment to work closely with the international community in combating terrorism.'

In his statement, Professor Jayakumar also said the tragedy served as a reminder to Singaporeans that 'terrorism is a threat that spares no one, nowhere'.

'This tragic event underscores the imperative for all of us to be constantly vigilant and the need for the international community to band together to combat this threat,' he said.

Mr Pasuni Maulan, the chairman of the Tentera Di-Raja Mosque, also expressed sympathy to the family of Ms Lo and condemned the attacks in Mumbai.

'I am very sorry to hear about the death of Ms Lo and my heart goes out to her family,' he said last night.

'All Singaporeans, regardless of race and background, feel the pain of this senseless act of violence.

'The law of the jungle adopted by the extremists must be condemned by all mankind.'