Benjamin Lim was ‘cringing’ after speaking to his mother over the phone: Investigating Officer
Schoolboy Benjamin Lim, whose death sparked a public outcry over the treatment of minors in police custody, appeared “scared and stressed” after speaking to his mother, said Inspector Poh Wee Teck.
The investigating officer who questioned Benjamin at North View Secondary School on 26 Jan this year, testified that the conversation only lasted “five to seven seconds”. However, the exchange was “very loud”, even though the phone was not on speaker mode.
“That was when we sensed that something is not right. From my observation, he was holding very tight to the phone,” said Inspector Poh. At that point, school counsellor Karry Lung signaled for Benjamin to end the phone call. Poh added that it was right for Lung to step in, as it was “felt that Benjamin might break down”.
Poh was speaking on Wednesday (18 May), the second day of a Coroner’s Inquiry into Benjamin’s death. The student was found dead at the foot of his block in Yishun on 26 Jan, after he was arrested over an allegation of outrage of modesty.
An open letter by Benjamin’s father that denounced the treatment of Benjamin by police and his school went viral in February. It prompted lengthy parliamentary statements on the matter by Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam and Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng.
The investigating officer had interviewed Benjamin Lim in the North View Secondary School principal’s office. Following their conversation, Benjamin called his mother with his mobile phone to inform her that he would be going to the police station.
In the same phone call, Poh also spoke to Mrs Lim to inform her that Benjamin was assisting in investigations and would not be handcuffed. When he handed the phone back to Benjamin, he observed that the boy had “some body reaction” while speaking to his mother.
When State Coroner Marvin Bay asked if Benjamin was “cringing”, Poh agreed.
School counsellor’s account
School counsellor Karry Lung, who was present when Poh questioned Benjamin, agreed that the boy appeared to be upset while speaking to his mother.
“At first, he replied. Then his voice became softer and softer. From his body language, he started frowning,” said Lung, who was speaking through a translator. Lung added that she could not hear the actual conversation between Mrs Lim and Benjamin.
Lung also testified that, based on his facial expressions and body language, Benjamin appeared to be under “a certain degree of stress” while being questioned by Poh.
Choo Zheng Xi, counsel for the Lims, noted that it would be “very upsetting” to suggest that Mrs Lim speaking loudly on the phone might have further upset her son.
Benjamin’s parents cannot be named as the court has granted their request not to be identified.
The hearing resumes on Wednesday afternoon.
