The deceased’s next of kin should sue the MSM for the distress caused by their unprofessional reporting.

This demonstrates the power of the media. They can make people believe what they want people to believe & brainwash people as they please. I’m sure almost everyone who read the newspapers believed that he slit his wrist. There is no way to ensure absolute accuracy in any event. & there is definitely no absolute truth in the media.

This reminds me of those famous/infamous words of the Prime Minister in 2006 National Day rally:

“So they have to adapt but they have to remain objective, maintain a high quality newspaper and if you read something in the Straits Times or on CNA, you must know that it’s real, it’s quite different from reading this say on Talkingcock.com. You know which is the serious place and which one is for fun. Inform, educate, entertain, but play a constructive role in a newway in Singapore.”

It’s the people in the MSM that are not reliable because they are biased and pander too much to the agenda of the Leadership without checking their very own consciences.

They failed to check the accuracies and truthfulness of their write-ups, more and more people are getting very pissed-off with the MSM and the damages they wrought are becoming more extensive. Many of these Media People are guilty of impropriety and at times intentionally misleading.

good job for reporting accurately! theonlinecitizen.com!!

shame on you! the “main stream” media….

hahah , look at who is the more credible one ????

Speaking from personal experience, yes, the media do not always report “facts” as opposed to hearsay, extrapolation etc etc…

The mainstream media is keeping quiet and their “play, play” reporting is a top down sickness of trying to put blame on individuals……..

Shame on them – it is expected that the local media must at least apologise…

Can the main stream media be sued for wrongful reporting ?

The main stream media reported negatively on the student and praised the NTU professor, this is too much biased, not professional in their work. Better to read on line citizen rather than ST or CNA which are not that reliable. !!

all is speculation. obviously the family of the deceased feel aggrieved at the reporting that their son was a psycho. we have the media’s side, with have the family’s side, we have the online media’s side which just takes the side opposite of the media, but we have yet to hear the ntu prof’s side. only then, we can decide what is the shady truth.

I’m very thankful that we now have the internet. I dread to think how much we were misled in the past (pre-internet era).

I am usually a very fair person, having read reports from both sides. I can only say that this case is very unfortunate as there is no witness as to the happenings in the the prof’s room and whose knife is it. Anyway a knife can also change hands.

I think there are too many one-sided assumptions and flawed logic on the side of the Indonesians. I can understand that the emotional strain is tremendous for them, especially the family.

The singapore media has too little to work on.

The best way forward would be to have an independent inquiry and let the actual facts be told, if mistakes were made, let’s make restitution.

Let’s not cover up, let’s not have more small talks and rumors. Its not good.

As David was the chairman (i think) of the NTU electronics club, club committee members and members should speak up truthfully. So are those closest to him and stayed nearest to him.

Actually, didn’t TOC also perpetuate the mistakes by linking to those articles in the first place?

Years of psychology research have shown that eye-witness accounts can be highly unreliable, especially in such shocking and stressful situations.

The reporters have to strike a balance between rushing out the news and double-checking their sources, I think it’s tough.

But now that these discrepancies are highlighted, I hope the newspapers would do follow-up articles instead of trying to sweep them under the carpet.

First we need to establish whether indeed he had slit his wrists. Do we take for granted that his parents are telling the truth? Maybe they did not want to admit or tell the world that their son committed suicide?

If it was such gross inaccuracy being reported, surely the parents would make a move to clarify this position. Or the police. As yet, we have neither. Where does that leave us?

aiyoyo

now pay $ for newspaper & get the ‘news’

then still need to be able to differentiate accurate/not accurate news

why pay $ & still need to be so mind boggling?

thought news published is true + correct?

aiyoyo

the student’s parent shouldnt have his body cremated so soon. they might be able to find out more if evidence are still there.

Just like the case of the ND Rally
everybody heard LHL says “Mee Siam My Hum” (mee siam without cockles)
the nexty day, MSM inorder to spare him embarrassment reported
that he said ” Mee Siam My Hiam” (mee siam without chillies)
We should read our local papers and watch our news with a
sackful of salt

That being the case, and if everyone (including TOC) believes in what David’s brother and Mr Tjoing claimed and attested to be the truth, then why not make a police report right away, instead of making further speculations and discussions here.

I am sure the police will need to clarify on the claims made, once it is an official police report. We can then use their clarifications as official response to the whole incident to further determine whether or not the police and the MSM had lied, or Mr Tjiong and David’s Brother had misinterpreted what they saw. Hence, I believe many would appreciate if TOC, Mr. Tjiong or David’s Brother can take the lead in making such a police report!

Until then, it is difficult for us to take side, and we need to stay rationale and factual on such serious claims make by 3rd parties.

I extend my condolences to David’s family!

I still recall the first media report comprised of a few lines of unverified information about how David Widjaja met his death with more than half of the report mostly a glowing CV of the Professor’s academic credentials.

So all these while our msm have been sensationalising many issues since day one? If they can sensationalised such tragic event, I am beginning to doubt about other news they reported: like the foreign workers, the local economy, the tight labour force, the job credit scheme, budget 2009 and other matters concerning the livilihood of all Singaporean. Playing with the mind of Singaporeans is very risky, unprofessional and unethical if the truth are not properly reported to save the image of a few elites.

Good to always heard the other side of story

In this case our local media tends to protect NTU and its professor. Too many assumptions are made to their favor.

To Hansolo,

yes as I mentioned in the article, even the people at TOC were swept away by the bias. But we re-evaluated our position and decided to be objective. It has become so commonplace for students to go to their colleges with guns ablazing that we automatically assume the student’s at fault.

And if you think ST is biased, go read lian he wan bao. You’ll be shocked. Lol.

Good point by Andrew #3 – “This reminds me of those famous/infamous words of the Prime Minister in 2006 National Day rally:

“So they have to adapt but they have to remain objective, maintain a high quality newspaper and if you read something in the Straits Times or on CNA, you must know that it’s real…”

So perhaps the press secretary or the infamous PM himself to rethink his infamous words.

1 say his wrist got wound,
the other say no wound.

how can the observations be 2 worlds apart?
1 party seems to be wrong.

My guess is they just copied each other’s articles and ended up in this mess. I mean, a student sees his hand covered in blood, and perhaps he said he saw David slit his wrist instead, and everyone else followed suit besides Today. What to do…so little time to dig, so much time to speculate. And Editors also slacking on their jobs.

Are the authorities trying to hide something or protect someone?

it was very distressing comments not only to family and friends but to everyone that read or heard this news.
He didn’t slit his wrist or jumped to his death and not becaise of scholarship or mental disorder issues.
How could such a highly respected media could mention such a report without a factual proof or eye witnessed?
Why didn’t they wait until everything being clarified by the victim’s family, friends, the prof, police?
They could wait and said this issue is still being investigated.

why make things up?why made a defamation?
The family could sue the media. It has mislead everyone who didn’t really into this problems.
I just don’t understand, singapore always has the best thing.
But the media ended up in accusing late David.

Why they didn’t investigate the proffesor?
What happened with the victim’s wound in the neck?
Why did he go to fourth floor if he wanted to commit suicide?
And if he really did want to commit suicide he can either slitted his wrist or jumped frm the building?why did both?
And there was not wound in his wrist.

Is this a manipulation or sth to protect the image of NTU?
I did not dare to comment.
But there were a lot of rumours.
Hope singapore give a fair explanation n punishment.
One more thing,the media must say sorry about the FAKE news.
Maybe this is a KIA SU attitude which is the tradition

BUDDHA,GOD,LORD, HEAVEN AND EARTH can’t be lie.
Remember there is KARMA.

Now that the Injured Professor, one of the involved party, is discharged from hospitalisation, the Police Investigations on the Case would be able to get all the facts from him(the Professor). Interested Singaporeans and Indonesians should wait for the Authority and NTU to issue their respective reports of the Case. Hopefully, the Reports will be made public to stop all the unhealthy conjectures

The lies perpetuated by the MSM is a testimony to the desperadoes in govt today.

Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall. Now all the emperor’s horses and all the emperor’s yes men are trying desperately to put H-D back together again.

Let’s not all get too caught up in beating the MSM down. It’s not meant to be a witch-hunt of the MSM,

Thanks Darren for highlighting the erroneous reporting of PAP-controlled media. You have confirmed my belief that when it comes to home news, MSM are neither objective nor credible.

hi terence,

nope I don’t read wanbao because it’s blatant sensationalism.

Anyway, my point is that news reports can change as more information become available. But you’re right that journalists shouldn’t jump to conclusions, and should word their articles with care.

So I guess the lesson for TOC here is not to parrot the MSM.

Witch hunt for MSM? MSM always seizes the opportunity to smear foreigners to make Singaporeans believe the world outside Singapore is scary, fearful and full of danger, which suggests that PAP-led Singapore is the only safe place in the world. Propaganda! Propaganda! Propaganda!

sorry to disappoint you between this n MSM
I still think mainstream media is more credible
(this matter aside)
but I think with the speed of on line postings
conventional processes such as official investigations
press releases etc got to be speeded up For
example if you took one month before
the Internet age you may have to take say two
weeks …….

#34

Or you think ST would sing praise to malaysia or thailand government propaganda and encourage singaporean to migrate to australia or indonesia?

Its all PAP play. Its made to make you belive what you have in SG is the best.

bigvice585: You do realise that MSM never reports about civil demonstrations but only reports about violent demonstrations that have gone horribly wrong, yeah?

Definately fishy …there are people working in NTU ..and they know something is not right. Many facts reported by the mainstream media are not accurate, cover-up comes to everyones mind.

My guess is that maybe the guy who hang himself was a witness to a “more than meets the eye” story between the prof and the student. A student commiting sucide when hes scholarship got rejected by a prof…is a totally absurd tale..plus a stuff who knows the prof and student hangs himself …is a big clue!

Heard that the profesor is refusing to meet up with the parents of the deceased student. WHY? Shouldnt the prof be the first person to offer he’s sincere condolences?? My guess is that that suicide of the student is a cover-up story.

Every bone in my body is screaming FOUL PLAY. And cover-up is most likely ..plus A-levels just finish and intake exercise is nearby so NTU zip its mouth. Pls correct me if I am wrong. Just my thoughts on this case.

I think those media can be sued soon. they’re really something on it. they’re trying to cover it as they want to be and making a fake information without think it twice.. but we want the truth over there. I hope NTU can be generously to tell the truth about this tragedy, including all the witness. let them said about what happened to them (David and Zhou Zheng), you dont have to cover it … and please investigate the prof. chan. he’s the only one stayed on this and we need to know about what happened.

Ethan Liu

This is also what cause David’s body to be cremated as soon as possible there, while they could actually first bring the body first to indonesia and ask for the second opinion in indonesia. If the family knew that there are a lot of mysteries behind David’s death, they wouldn’t have cremated the body asap. Too bad that time the media has made them believe that David was doing suicide and therefore they need to cremate him asap so that his spirit can rest in peace.

media got the false story from a source. we must find out the source. the man who make the false story could be the man behind the series murders at NTU.
let us together fight against crime!

41) The Professor, was discharged from hospital and must have recovered somewhat, knows all on about the incident between him and the Indonesian Student and the Investigations into the Case certainly will be able to reveal all the facts of the Case. The Professor knows everything and he has to tell the truth. Let the people understand the Case instead of let them guessing and speculate with all kind of theories.

1) Durai tried to sue SPH for defamation before and looked what happened.

5) Brown-nosing won’t get you points. MSM and online media must be taken critically. While the MSM gave their own version, David’s brother has his own because of vested interest. Grow a brain.

18) Agree. All is speculation now and turning into a MSM vs TOC brawl.

41) Correct. The professor holds the missing piece to the entire picture. He must talk as this is a criminal case, unless he indeed does have something to hide.

Brilliant detective work, Andrew (#3)!

Wow, how come the credibility of “these” media can really so unreliable.
Next time read some big news also difficult to believe wheater it is genuine or not… Integrity is so much difficult to find these days.

nice one hal, had similar thoughts.

lets us not kid ourselves by making generalization about the MSM. True that MSM has made some mistakes, but to denounce them all as incredible is a big mistake, and definitely a harsh one.

Let us not suffer from selective memory when it was the good Straits’ Times that uncovered the truth about T.T. Durai and the legend of the gold tap. Even at the prospect of being sued, ST stuck to their guns, backed their reporter, won the suit and exposed the NKF scandal to all Singaporeans.

If we only focus on the dark spots of MSM and not recognizing their contributions will only make us look foolish for not then not walking the talk.

Media got the false story from a corupted source, most probably from the criminal who want to hide the truth. The man who made the false story could be the man behind a series murders at NTU. Let us together fight against crime.

There are 46 comments posted, but when I clicked it, it only shows 4 comments.
Is there a problem with the browser. The problem is only for this particular article in TOC.

Talking about Media, especially in SGP, quite different compare to some others country, where the Media/ Pers usually play as the controlling and balancing news.

Maybe controlled by the Gov, no creativity nor courageous to view different angle or simply interview David’s Parent, their close friend, etc. Somehing the media purpose to.

But in other side, i do salute the police, they honestly told david’s parent about his wrists and neck . Thats good sign – hope

Browser Problem (#49),

I actually see 50 comments on this article’s commentary thread.

Am I the only one or did this comments thread had a serious purging. There was 40+ comments here and now all gone?

I think this is the case of one speculative initial report resulting in many other reports using the earlier report without further verification, treating the first report as a verified report.

This is not right!
David didn’t kill, stab or even think to kill the professor.
The media just assuming that David stabbed the professor but actually there are no proof that he did it. Moreover his FYP(final year project) is almost done and in a very good condition, and i am sure that nobody want to make a suicide in that situation. what i can see is the professor is the one who ****** ***** ** ** ********* ****.

You have the choice to remain silence after committing mistakes. Wait and see attitude may work and hopefully people forget or forgive.
Or you can find scapegoat after committing mistakes. At least just sacrifice the reporter alone and save the bigger ass. How about sacrificing the informant instead? See whoever is easier to blame.
Or you can simply blame ‘confusion’ or ‘miscommunication’ after committing mistakes and (perhaps) apologize for the magnified ‘miscommunication’ caused.
Ermm… How about expert’s advice? The most politically correct way to handle this premature conclusion in media?
It’ll be fun to watch…

Hohoho… what’s going on here?

Miscommunication? I would rather think that a LACK of communication could be the predicate cause of this backstabbing issue in the first place. And how apt too that “backstabbing” should be used when in reference to a place like NTU.

As for the scapegoat, everyone’s looking for it. Hell, even the police are looking digging underground if they have to find the culprit! Can someone tell me why this should be just either David’s or Chan’s fault to blame?

In my opinion, Chinamen are no less the innocent ignorant victims when it comes to commiting acts of decit and violence, They’d even go to the extent of sacrificing their new born daughters for the sake of concieving a son back in the old days, what makes one so sure that this demented mentality has changed even now? Indonesians are no more the better than the devil staring back in the mirror as well, with their backward mentality and suicidal attempts at tempting fate, who would want to assume that they are a peace-loving people?

Besides, prior to typing my response, I had a short glimpse of the photo above alongside the news post and could swear I saw a splitting image of Jason Voorhees superposed on his silluotte for that fraction of a second.

Dear Inodnesian who wants to save David. His FYP which spanned 1 year (2 semesters) was managable by university standards. It amazes me how such a project could have driven him to want to kill a worthless supervisor who had thought up of such research work in the first place?

I have done this and much much more in the span of half the time and achieved results 10 times in magnitude of comparison to the success of this project had it been completed to it’s heighest levels of its endevour; or as #52 would say: “in a very good condition”.

Before you start ranting again, consider this:

Fact:

1) David’s FYP project was on the brink of failure.

2) David’s Scholarship was withdrawn early in the semester before the completion of his FYP.

3) For the duration of the project, only 2 people were in full awareness of it’s progress and it’s intended outcome; Chan and David.

4) The ASEAN scholarship awards panel were not aware of David’s progress or Chan’s work. Much less David’s intended awarded grade for his project or Chan’s intended awarded grade to David for his project.

5) They had made no/minimal contact prior to the occurance of the incident. No evidence of dispute or any such source exist in tangible written or electronic form.

6) This does not mean that no such evidence existed in non-tangible forms, verbally or implied through bodily actions, eye-contact or other such forms thereof.

Fallecy:

1) David is innocent.

2) Chan is innocent.

3) The project was in a stage through to its final phases of competion.

To KGB: Now I am sure you are crazy… Whatever country, there are bound to be some “defect” people living there (we are not talking about race yet. Who do you mean Indonesian here? Native Indonesian or Chinese Indonesian as they are world apart!) but there is no reason for your stereotyping. Go get a religion and have your peace of mind.

@kgb: are u chinese or in disguise?coz 3 of them chinese.
One indonesian, china and singaporean.
I think u just don’t get it here don’t you?
Stupid..like KIA SU = singaporean. So u mean every singaporean KIA SU?
I don’t think so. I just think NTU and the GOVERNMENT. Coz it’s own by government.
But not every one of the NTU and government people are KIA SU.
Only the one in power. That”s why this case so complicated.
Although they didn’t change their report in newspaper etc..

But they will also be remembered by bloggers around the world, netian and people who care about this.$
You know what, singapore education system will expect a signoificant drop from indonesian student especially chinese indonesian.
And maybe from china students.
Why?coz I backed for good to medan.and I have a very good connection.
I have asked the paper here to publish everything that from the blogger.
Believe me, expect a significant drop. Many chinese indonesian have been informed about this case.
America, europe, malaysia, china, hongkong, taiwan and other country with indonesian student.

This will lead them to tell their friends, family, cousin not to go to KIA SU place.
Goodbye and may buddha and god and heaven bless david and ZZ.
Everone believe in RETRIBUTION. You have to.

Since when did MSM reports on any matter that are totally true and accurate, especially when those matters concerning the bad image that will tarnish our society or things that are directly or indirectly linked to any of our govt ministries? Never did we really hear about bad things other than hear only the good stuff, or twisted stories that would make as though they are of no fault of anyone other than the victim himself or herself. Nothing new here.

tiredsingaporean…disagree with you, what about the NKF story that ST exposed huh?? Don’t forget, the patron then was non other than Mrs Goh Chok Tong, so, please don’t make sweeping statements just for the sake of doing so, OK?

@Yan:

I was mearly replying to poster #52, not you. However, since you feel so inclined to bother so much, alright, I shall answer your question. There is no need to get so uptight about my comments. I was merely stating the facts. The UNBIASED, TRUTHFUL FACTS that have been uncovered thus far.

If you bother to take a read at how your fellow indonesians responded to this case, it is quite evident that they are making claims that are heavily biased against Chan.

I see this to be true of the Chinamen who replied to this issue on this or other similar threads as well. By the way, Chan is not a singaporean, he is a Chinaman. His identity says: “Permanent Resident”. He is a China National.

Likewise, indonesians are indonesians, native or chinese. If you can’t agree with the laws of your country and choose to sterotype between races within your own country, then please, stop giving me advise on religion and the likes.

@#58:

Please refer to comments I have made to Yan above. Everyone is Kia Su. Not Just singaporean. And you don’t have to be singaporean or chinese to be Kia Su. I admire your network of friends and your good connection. However, if this is your idea of criticizing the edcuation and judicial system here is singapore, wake up your idea.

We singaporeans and the authorities in singapore are doing the best we can making sure that an explaination of the truth can be uncovered. We don’t just merely complain like you do. Every other indonesians you know; cousins, friends, gang, family, possie, etc dosen’t matter to us (true blue) singaporeans at all. Beacuse ultimately, it’s all down to facts and fallecies.

And the fact is that David took his own life, whether he jumped or fell.

I am a Christian by religion. And you don’t want to know what Christianity says about people who choose to take their own lives.

well,well…r u sure the singapore government will uncover the truth? look here, there are lots of interested parties here. NTU, for instance, what wud happen to its reputation if the truth reveals that one of its professor isn as innocent as they wud like to think. the government of singapore, too..wudn want to ruin their reputation, shud chan was found guilty, attacking foreign citizen. whatever the truth may be, i dun tink the truth will ever be revealed completely. the police sure takes their own sweet time to investigate the matter. a month for autopsy result to come out? come on!!! even the indonesian police department is waaaaaay much more efficient than that…

Ha..ha..ha.. Totally agree with you, a. Even Indo police can do it faster.

to KGB

i do agree with some of ur statements but if you take from religion view,there will be no end of it.

” And you don’t want to know what Christianity says about people who choose to take their own lives. ”
i quite know about Christianity..and i do that i dont want to know it..what i want to know is what make people take their own lives..

how about if he was killed?! it is not about he jumped or he fell and took his own life..how about if someone killed him?!

religion is religion.. it has nothing to do with judge..

who made a discrimination in this world?!

which religion teaches us to discriminate people by races?

did Christian religion teaches us to discriminate?! i am sorry for being harsh but on ur #52 , you gotta think back what you’ve said..

aint you just made sin by saying things like that..

To Kiki: Well said.

Hi KGB,

What “good” points that you have stated… But… do you consider this:

1. How do you know about “David’s FYP project was on the brink of failure”?
How if that is not true? or the truth, MAYBE….David has done a GREAT job but there is another person who want take the works that David has done. Hence he reported differently?

2. It doesn’t matter where he has scholarship or not.Such a stupid person who wants to kill himself where he is graduating soon…. His family is not a poor family…. Why you can think that he would like to kill himself….Hm… Maybe you are the poor family? :P. Anyway, he is a bright student where it is known by the WHOLE ASEAN (ASEAN SCHOLARSHIP)… or are they so stupid to give him ASEAN SCholarship…. I think he was not stupid like what you think… or maybe… you…. err… Sorry to say… :)

3. For you statement “For the duration of the project, only 2 people were in full awareness of it’s progress and it’s intended outcome; Chan and David.”

Who said??? you don’t know the truth then don’t give any comment… Ha ha ha, follow the news than you know that there is somebody knows about the progress ^_^….

I think…. It is enough for me to expose your knowledge about the tragedy… I hope you will try to think first and give the good reason before you reply in here.

Thanks

KGB….

I just feel something wrong with you…

Are you paid for covering someone?
Or Do you have any relation with the person?

My previous posting is disappear? Why yar?

Look like something wrong ^_^

now that the story has gone to court. doesnt widjaja’s family andf other indonesian friends feel silly about saying:

1. there were NO slits on his wrists.. There was a deep slit on his right wrist.

2. There was a wound on his neck…..this was a slight bruise as a result of the fall appqarently.

3. The autopsy had been mysterious…the only thing mysterious is why they would call it mysterious.

Bottom line is. no one expects their son to something like this. and when it happens. the family’s self defence mechanism kicks in.

Just face the facts and learn to live with it.

yep, this is all a conspiracy and non of which doesn’t make sense.

Just as the video doesn’t make sense as it doesn’t clearly identify the man as David, it also doesn’t make sense that if someone fall off the from a height the neck is not broken.

Again, doesn’t make sense that the roof is so slippery no one can sit there. Also doesn’t make sense that this iranian girl spent 10 minutes doing nothing but talk to him to not jump. THen how can he still jump? Just doesn’t make sense.

When someone tell you don’t jump, u won’t jump one.

Hehe, ok I’m also not making sense.

Point is, I think not only is David delusional and caused this tragedy, it does seem like it could run in the family. I think it’s apparent enough how delusional the family is. Or maybe they are just in a terrible state of denial.

Maybe David isn’t even dead. That is a just a dummy clone the body. The real David is abducted and hidden for research work because of his brain as he is a genius.

Enuff said.