‘The family can find peace now; Daniel has come home’: Boy who drowned in Kallang River laid to rest

SINGAPORE – The 13-year-old boy who died after falling into the Kallang River while fishing was buried on Feb 27, surrounded by a small group of family members and his teachers.

A few colourful umbrellas stood in contrast with the stark landscape of fresh earth and concrete at the Pusara Aman Muslim Cemetery in Lim Chu Kang, where Muhammed Qayyim Daniel Putra Rosli was laid to rest.

Daniel’s body was retrieved from the waters off Kallang MRT station late on Feb 26, more than 24 hours after he went missing in the same area while fishing with his friends.

But both the shelter and hue of the umbrellas brought little comfort to the 20 or so people gathered to say goodbye to Daniel amid the mid-afternoon heat and a muted atmosphere.

Daniel’s mother, who earlier gave her name only as Siti, was stoic as she scattered flower petals into his grave, flanked by her two other sons, aged 14 and 11, during the funeral. The eldest child wore a blank expression, with tears welling in his eyes at times.

The eldest boy’s secondary school teachers had visited him at the cemetery earlier, and told The Straits Times that he had not been doing well since Daniel went missing on Feb 25 and that they would give him their full support when he returns to his studies.

Earlier, Daniel’s father, who is in prison, was shackled as he was escorted into a room where Daniel’s body was being prepared for burial. The father left in a prison van after about 15 minutes, without attending the funeral.

Also in attendance during the burial preparations was Queenstown MP Eric Chua – Madam Siti said in an earlier interview that she lives in Redhill.

Mr Chua, who is also Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, and Law, was seen speaking to Madam Siti, and handed her an envelope.

Among Daniel’s pallbearers were teachers from NorthLight School, where he had studied, and one of his uncles, who wanted to be known only as Mr Sham.

Designated the family representative, Mr Sham had the grim task of identifying the boy after his body was recovered on Feb 26 just before midnight.

“At least, the family can now find peace, as Daniel has come home,” he told ST earlier.

The father of Daniel’s best friend was also among the pallbearers. Giving his name only as Mr Zul, the 55-year-old logistics worker said Daniel came over to his home regularly to play video games, and that his son had wanted to join Daniel to go fishing on Feb 25.

“But I told him no... He ended up giving me updates whenever the others caught a fish, but then he suddenly said Daniel fell in the water.

“I thought it was nothing too serious, until I heard the SCDF was involved,” Mr Zul said, adding that he was unsure how his son was coping with Daniel’s death.

In a Facebook post on Feb 27, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim expressed his condolences for Daniel’s family, adding that the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, or MUIS, and its community partners will support the family, where needed.

He said: “I am deeply saddened by Daniel’s passing. Like many of you, I had been hoping and praying for a different outcome. This tragedy comes during Ramadan, a time when many families are usually gathered with loved ones.

“That makes this loss feel even heavier for the family and for the community. No parent should have to go through this. My heart goes out to his parents and family as they face this painful loss.

“We ask that the family be given space and privacy to mourn, and that we continue to keep them in our thoughts during this very difficult time.”

He also thanked the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) for their efforts, as well as residents, volunteers and community partners who came forward to help.

Madam Siti also received an envelope at the funeral from the residents of Kallang Trivista, the cluster of HDB flats in Upper Boon Keng Road nearest to where Daniel fell into the water.

A message on the envelope read: “Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. We hope this contribution will help you in one way or another.”

Daniel reportedly fell into the water at about 4.30pm on Feb 25, after he tried to untangle a fishing line from a net in the water.

Another boy who also fell into the river was rescued by friends, but Daniel was swept away.

Access to the river is blocked by a waist-high railing. A visible “No Fishing” sign and a lifesaver are located next to a staircase that leads down to the river.

In an earlier interview with ST, Madam Siti said that Daniel was not a strong swimmer and had no experience fishing.

The police and SCDF, including the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, mounted a four-hour search operation the same day before it was called off because of low visibility.

The authorities, along with Daniel’s family members, which included Madam Siti and Daniel’s brothers, continued their search the following day, before the boy’s body was discovered floating in the water and retrieved.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Buddhist monk turned up on the morning of Feb 27 to leave white flowers by the river bank and a note in Chinese wishing Daniel peace in the afterlife.

In a media reply on Feb 27, NorthLight School principal Sung Mee Har said: “We are deeply saddened by this incident. Our thoughts are with his family, and we have extended assistance to them.

“We have also engaged school staff and students, and are offering counselling support to affected students.”