http://ph.news.yahoo.com/cna/20091224/tap-656-best-friend-unable-woman-life-231650b.html
Best friend unable to stop woman from taking own
life
Channel NewsAsia - Thursday, December 24
Send
IM Story
Print
Best friend unable to stop woman from taking own life
SINGAPORE: She was the dead woman’s best friend, and the pair were
so close that they were each other’s guarantors when they borrowed
money together from loan sharks.
But Ms Koong Fong May, 45, did little to stop Madam Wee Chiok, 67,
from setting herself ablaze in a West Coast Park public toilet on
February 6 this year.
The coffee shop assistant told investigating officer Senior Staff
Sergeant (SSSGT) Steve Tan that she felt that she could not change
Madam Wee’s mind and accepted her decision to die.
The younger woman said she was "lost and confused" when Madam Wee
told her to wait outside the toilet, shortly before she
self—immolated.
The court heard that the deceased had expressed her desire to
commit suicide to her friend several times after being pestered by
loan sharks.
Ms Wong had also lamented that none of her seven children had
provided her with any financial assistance to get her out of her
predicament.
SSGT Tan told State Coroner Victor Yeo, who recorded a verdict of
suicide in the case, that a search on Madam Wee’s mobile phone
revealed that she had taken some loans from illegal
moneylenders.
While the total amount owed is unknown, Ms Koong said she was aware
that the deceased had borrowed $1,500 from loansharks last
year.
On the day of her death, Madam Wee had suggested that they go for a
walk at West Coast Park. They arrived there at around 7.50pm.
The pair then decided to go to the toilet and entered separate
cubicles.
Some time later, on smelling petrol fumes coming from Madam Wee’s
cubicle, Ms Koong decided to check on her friend.
Madam Wee opened the cubicle door, removed two bangles from her
left wrist and told Ms Koong to hand the jewellery to "Ah Lin", who
is believed to be Ms Wee’s daughter.
The deceased also instructed Ms Koong to ask "Ah Lin" to come to
the toilet to collect her body before telling her to wait
outside.
Ms Koong complied and only shouted for help when she saw her friend
on fire.
— CNA/sc