Indonesian father still shaken after daughter killed in Chinatown accident

An Indonesian father is receiving embassy and community support after his six-year-old daughter was killed in a road accident in Chinatown on 6 February 2026.

The incident occurred near the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple along South Bridge Road at around noon, when a car struck the child and her mother as they were crossing the street.

Ashar Ardianto, 30, was pushing a stroller with the couple’s two-year-old son and was slightly ahead when the vehicle hit his wife, Raisha Anindra Pascasiswi, 31, and their daughter, Sheyna Lashira Smaradiani.

Sheyna suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) at 12.44pm that day.

According to the Indonesian Embassy, a hospital autopsy determined that the cause of death was cranio-cerebral injuries.

Raisha sustained serious internal injuries and fractures. She remains in SGH’s High Dependency Unit, where she has regained consciousness and is able to communicate, though doctors say she is still weak.

Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas Ardian Siregar told CNA that Mr Ashar has been “very shaken” by the loss.

“Physically, he appears fine. But emotionally, he is clearly very shaken,” Mr Thomas said.

He added that Mr Ashar sometimes pauses mid-conversation and continues to struggle psychologically to accept his daughter’s death.

Mr Ashar has declined media interviews.

Embassy arranges accommodation

The Indonesian Embassy has arranged accommodation for Mr Ashar so he can remain in Singapore while his wife receives treatment.

He is currently staying at the ambassador’s residence after Ambassador Hotmangaradja Pandjaitan agreed to host him.

“For now, Mr Ashar is staying at the Ambassador’s Residence while we await his wife’s treatment at the hospital,” Mr Thomas said.

He added that the arrangement allows embassy officers to respond quickly should assistance be needed.

Separately, hospitality group The Ascott Limited offered complimentary accommodation, saying it had reached out to the embassy to support him during this difficult period.

Community fundraising efforts

Indonesian community groups in Singapore and beyond have mobilised to raise funds for the family, particularly to help with mounting hospital expenses.

Mr Thomas said the embassy was “touched and grateful” for the empathy shown.

“Support like this strengthens the victim’s family, especially as they face these difficult days,” he said.

Raisha’s former classmates and the University of Indonesia Alumni Association (ILUNI FIB UI) have launched fundraising initiatives.

Reynilda Hendryatie, leader of the Indonesians in Singapore Communication Forum (FKMIS), told CNA on 11 February 2026 that her organisation has been spreading information about the family’s situation through its diaspora network.

She clarified that FKMIS does not directly handle donations, which are being collected by a family representative and channelled to the family.

“Mostly for hospital expenses, because the hospital bill is piling up,” she said.

Investigation under way

The Singapore Police Force said on 8 February 2026 that a 38-year-old female driver had been arrested for driving without reasonable consideration causing death.

She had earlier been assisting with investigations.

Police said the family had been crossing the road near the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple at about 11.50am on 6 February 2026 when the accident occurred.

The Indonesian Embassy said it remains in close coordination with the police to monitor developments in the case.

Eyewitnesses have publicly described the incident on social media.

One witness, Nguyen Thi Hanh, wrote in a Facebook post that the vehicle appeared to exit a car park beside the temple and turn right before colliding with the mother and child.

She alleged that the driver did not immediately realise she had struck anyone and that the vehicle continued moving briefly, worsening the injuries.

Another bystander, Hannah Đặng, said the girl’s father ran back to the scene after the collision and held his daughter while calling for help.

Videos circulating online showed bystanders shielding the victims with umbrellas while waiting for emergency services.

The accident occurred near Maxwell MRT station, a busy pedestrian area in Chinatown.

According to official traffic statistics, accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities increased by 7.4 per cent from January to September 2025, with 5,765 cases recorded compared with 5,368 in the same period in 2024.

Separately, Sheyna’s remains were repatriated to Jakarta on 8 February 2026 and she was buried the same day at Tanah Kusir Public Cemetery.