The Widjaja family tells their side of the story

The Widjaja family tells their side of the story

Friday, 26 June 2009,

Xue Jianyue / Reporter

Family insists that David Widjaja could not have committed suicide, as he appeared “talkative” and cheerful”. This contrasts with evidence found on his laptop, which portrayed him as suicidal.

24, 25 JULY 2009 — THE family of David Hartanto Widjaja put up a spirited defence against allegations of his suicide and attempted murder during the last two days of the coroner inquiry.

The Widjaja family also made a surprise attempt to change their lawyer on the last day, causing a delay in the proceedings that resumed only at 11am.

In addition, they expressed deep unhappiness with NTU’s alleged statements about David shortly after his death.

David Widjaja, a final-year student from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), is alleged to have stabbed a professor before he plunged four storeys to his death on 2 March.

David ‘close’ to family

The family, represented by David’s brother William Widjaja as witness, said that the deceased had been very close to his family.

William, 24, said that his brother had communicated via MSN daily with him, called his parents regularly, and even forwarded NTU email to William.

In fact, when he personally called his mother to tell her about the scholarship termination, she said: “it is okay, it is already the last semester.” She also said that the family would have no problems paying for the fees.

The Widjaja family also knew that David attended a church and felt that it was “okay, as long it is good for him”.

They were also aware that he liked playing computer games, and advised him from time to time to reduce his playing duration.

When David visited his family during Chinese New Year this year, he appeared talkative and cheerful. When asked about his Final Year Project (FYP), he said that it was about ‘image processing’ and “he will finish it soon”.

According to his family, David never discussed suicide or murder, and it was highly unlikely he would think of these as he is “not one to pick a fight’.

Unhappiness with NTU

The Widjaja family also expressed unhappiness that NTU made claims that their son “committed suicide, stabbed his professor and slit his wrists” so soon after his death on 2 March.

“How can NTU make such a statement even before the police had completed their investigations?” a visibly upset William Widjaja said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

When the family was shown around the crime scene on the night of David’s death, they were surprised that the area has been cleaned up. The police tape was also absent, according to William.

He also said the family were not informed by NTU or the police about the extent of David’s injuries until they found out about it themselves when they were preparing to fly back to Jakarta.

William also alleged that NTU had “pressurised” the family to bring the body back to Indonesia or cremate it in Singapore.

In response, NTU released a statement on Wednesday saying that their officers who handled this tragedy “appreciate the grief and anger the family feels” and “sought to act with sympathy and respectfulness of their understandable pain.”

The university said that they had had given every assistance and support to the family during their time of need, arranging for accommodation, as well as in funeral and administrative matters.

The attempt to change lawyers

The Widjaja family submitted a letter directly to State Coroner Victor Yeo requesting, for a second time, to suspend the proceedings, listiing the names seven more witnesses.

They also requested that their Singapore lawyer Mr Shashi Nathan be replaced by criminal lawyer Subhas Anandan.

However, Mr Anandan said he would not be able to take on the case unless proceedings were further adjourned to allow him sufficient time to prepare for it.

The State Coroner rejected the family’s application, explaining that this was already the last day of the second tranche and that “in the interest of justice” it would be better for William Widjaja to finish giving his evidence.

In the end, the Widjaja family opted to continue with Mr Nathan, who said that he can “put aside his disappointment” and help the family and court complete the proceedings.

End of proceedings

Towards the end of the proceedings, Station Inspector Soh Chee Eng presented his investigative report, which contains accounts given to the police from 94 individuals.

The report also took into account the suicide note found in David’s laptop, his bag, scholarship termination letter, and also academic results.

As the lead investigator, the SI Soh also reaffirmed the accuracy of photographs taken at the scenes involved in the cases.

The Widjaja family also took the initiative to apologise to Mr Nathan after the inquiry ended.

Mr Nathan told the media that the changing of lawyers was not the family’s idea, but that they were badly advised by their Indonesian lawyer.

He also said that it was because of his empathy for the family’s feelings and his duty to the court that he agreed to continue acting for the Widjaja family till the verdict is out.

The coroner will announce his verdict on 29 July.

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