Darren Boon
When news of a stabbing incident on the Nanyang Technological University campus broke on Monday morning, the mainstream media descended like a pack of wolves onto the story.
However, the likes of OMY, Today, Channel News Asia, Asia One, and to a certain extent The Straits Times, had misrepresented information in their stories.
The Online Citizen had received an email from Mr Edwin Lesmana Tjiong who is a friend of the deceased (David Hartonto Widjaja), alleging an inaccuracy in the media reports.
Together with some other Indonesian students, Mr Tjiong was at the International Student Center on the night of the incident and had spoken to the deceased’s parents.
Mr Tjiong reports that the parents had seen the body and stated that there were no wounds on the deceased’s wrists, a fact confirmed by the police.
“I assumed that his parent would not lie. It means that all media news about ‘David slashed his wrist’ were fake,” Mr Tjiong said.
Mr Tjiong also reports a slash wound which was found on the deceased’s neck.
The Online Citizen has clarified with Mr William Hartonto Widjaja, older brother of the deceased, about what Mr Tjiong said.
“The police who investigating David’s case, himself, is the one who reported it to me. We asked whether there is a wound found on David’s wrists because media reported that David slit his wrists. The policeman said that there is no wound found on David’s wrists and he asked me not to trust the media,” Mr Widjaja said.
Mr Widjaja also attests to the above points reported by Mr Tjiong to The Online Citizen to be true.
Mainstream report
We would like to highlight some of the more speculative reports by the mainstream media which seem to be based on nothing more than the reporters’ assumptions.
Channel Newsasia (2 March)
This was one of the earliest reports regarding the incident. As you can see, the highlighted parts were reported as though they were facts or factual. As the police is still investigating the case, one is left wondering why Channel Newsasia allowed such a report to be published.
The official press release from NTU said that Widjaja had fallen off the building. Why did Channelnewsasia state that Widjaja jumped off the building? They had also stated that Widjaja had slit his wrist which is now proven erroneous from the account by David Widjaja’s parents and brother.
Omy (2 March)
The Omy report mentions the following…
学生疑在顶层刺伤教授之后，跑下４楼天桥，然后割腕…
据探知，他在坠楼前曾经割脉，双料自杀。
Omy made the same mistake as CNA as to state that the deceased had slit his wrists before he fell. Omy’s suggestion that the deceased had attempted a dual suicide bid is pure speculation and can be distressing to both friends and family of the deceased.
Straits Times (2 March)
The Straits Times had been slightly cautious in its reporting, but they still could not resist mentioning the part of the slit wrists.
Asia One (2 March)
Asia One here states as though it is concluded fact that Widjaja had stabbed the professor. The report then attributed a “Chinese daily” for the report of the stabbing, resulting in one assumption being perpetrated further.
Straits Times (3 March)
Some mind-boggling questions. How did the don’s colleagues know what had happened when they were not even in the room? How were they able to relate the incident vividly? Who were the colleagues that were interviewed? The source was not stated. Who did the reporter know who said that the deceased slit his wrists before running out of the office? Was this the exact chain of events or just pure speculation on the reporter’s part?
Straits Times (3 March)
Note that in the statement issued by NTU, there was no mentioned about the slit wrists, yet in this report by Teh Joo Lin, Teh mentions that Widjaja had slit his wrists before falling to his death.
Straits Times (3 March)
While the official statement states that Widjaja had fallen to his death, the report here is a little presumptuous in stating the deceased ‘leaping to his death’ when it may not have been the case. It sounds as though the deceased purposefully caused his own demise.
MSN (3 March)
Drawing on other news reports, MSN (Microsoft Network) also reports the deceased had slit his wrists before leaping to his death. It is still unclear if the deceased had leapt to his death. It is clear that he had fallen. So why did MSN state he leapt to his death?
Today (3 March)
Today had a more vivid and sensational description. “Mr Widjaja then walked off to a linkway between two blocks. Blood was pouring from his wrists.” (Do notice “wrists” is in the plural here.)
While Today attributed the source of the information to a contractor who wishes to known as Mr Tuen, the rest of the media did not quote their source or sources. But if this is so, wouldn’t what Mr Tuen saw contradict what the deceased’s parents had said, that there were no wounds on David’s wrists?
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A Facebook group has been set up calling for the truth behind the NTU stabbing incident.
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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.