Death of Benjamin Lim - Revision history

SGPolitico at 00:08, 14 May 2026

2026-05-14T00:08:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:08, 14 May 2026
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	~~{{Infobox-person~~
	~~\|name=Benjamin Lim~~
	~~\|othername=~~
	~~\|image=Benjamin Lim.png~~
	~~\|field01=Current Role~~
	~~\|data01= • ''Pending'' <br /> •~~
	~~\|field02=Past Roles~~
	~~\|data02= • ''Pending'' <br /> •~~
	~~\|field03=Others~~
	~~\|data03= • ''Pending'' <br /> • ''Pending''~~
	~~\|Input 1st Header=Background~~
	~~\|field04=Education~~
	~~\|data04= • ''Pending'' <br /> • <br /> • <br /> •~~
	~~\|Input 2nd Header=Personal Details~~
	~~\|field05=Age~~
	~~\|data05={{#expr:{{Age\| 1900}}-1}}-{{Age\| 1900}}~~
	~~\|field06=Others~~
	~~\|data06=''Pending''~~
	}}

	The '''death of Benjamin Lim''' occurred on 26 January 2016, in Singapore, following a police investigation involving the 14-year-old secondary school student.		The '''death of Benjamin Lim''' occurred on 26 January 2016, in Singapore, following a police investigation involving the 14-year-old secondary school student.

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2025-02-12T14:10:13Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 14:10, 12 February 2025
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	~~[[File:~~Benjamin Lim.png\|~~thumb]]~~		{{Infobox-person
			\|name=Benjamin Lim
			\|othername=
			\|image=Benjamin Lim.png
			\|field01=Current Role
			\|data01= • ''Pending'' <br /> •
			\|field02=Past Roles
			\|data02= • ''Pending'' <br /> •
			\|field03=Others
			\|data03= • ''Pending'' <br /> • ''Pending''
			\|Input 1st Header=Background
			\|field04=Education
			\|data04= • ''Pending'' <br /> • <br /> • <br /> •
			\|Input 2nd Header=Personal Details
			\|field05=Age
			\|data05={{#expr:{{Age\| 1900}}-1}}-{{Age\| 1900}}
			\|field06=Others
			\|data06=''Pending''
			}}

	The '''death of Benjamin Lim''' occurred on 26 January 2016, in Singapore, following a police investigation involving the 14-year-old secondary school student.		The '''death of Benjamin Lim''' occurred on 26 January 2016, in Singapore, following a police investigation involving the 14-year-old secondary school student.

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2025-02-08T20:15:03Z

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SGPolitico at 16:53, 21 November 2024

2024-11-21T16:53:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:53, 21 November 2024
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	\|A decision is made to bring Lim to the Ang Mo Kio Police Division to further assist in investigations. He is not handcuffed or restrained throughout the journey.		\|A decision is made to bring Lim to the Ang Mo Kio Police Division to further assist in investigations. He is not handcuffed or restrained throughout the journey.
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|11.20am
	\|Lim is interviewed by a senior investigation officer at the officer’s open plan workstation. The interview and statement recording process is visible to anyone who walks past the area.		\|Lim is interviewed by a senior investigation officer at the officer’s open plan workstation. The interview and statement recording process is visible to anyone who walks past the area.
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
	\|According to the police, Lim admits that he had followed the victim into a lift, where he had deliberately dropped his mobile phone and taken the opportunity to touch her thigh while standing up.		\|According to the police, Lim admits that he had followed the victim into a lift, where he had deliberately dropped his mobile phone and taken the opportunity to touch her thigh while standing up.
			\|-
			\|12.15pm
			\|Police interview concludes
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|

SGPolitico at 11:45, 19 November 2024

2024-11-19T11:45:17Z

@@ Line 103: / Line 103: @@
 ==== '''CCTV Footage and the Alleged Incident''' ====
-The coroner reviewed the CCTV footage of the incident multiple times and concluded that Lim's hand had touched the girl’s back. However, the coroner emphasized that the contact was momentary and did not appear to involve grasping or groping.
+On 25 January 2016, while Lim was coming home from school, Lim was said to have made a detour and went to another HDB block in the neighbourhood, before going home.
 ==== '''Emotional Impact on Lim''' ====

SGPolitico at 09:41, 19 November 2024

2024-11-19T09:41:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:41, 19 November 2024
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	In April 2017, the Singapore Children’s Society was appointed by the National Council of Social Services (NCSS) to pilot the scheme.		In April 2017, the Singapore Children’s Society was appointed by the National Council of Social Services (NCSS) to pilot the scheme.

	~~The scheme provides trained independent volunteers, known as Appropriate Adults (AAs), to accompany young suspects under the age of 16 during police interviews.~~ After a successful trial, the program was implemented islandwide in 2019.		After a successful trial, the program was implemented islandwide in 2019.

	Parents and guardians are not permitted to serve as AAs to maintain neutrality.		Parents and guardians are not permitted to serve as AAs to maintain neutrality.

SGPolitico at 09:38, 19 November 2024

2024-11-19T09:38:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:38, 19 November 2024
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	He noted that such a warning would not have led to prosecution or a criminal record. However, there was no indication that Lim had been made aware of this during the process.		He noted that such a warning would not have led to prosecution or a criminal record. However, there was no indication that Lim had been made aware of this during the process.

	One specific falsehood cited was a claim in a ''The Online Citizen'' article (5 February 2016) that police officers at the school wore shirts with the word “Police.”		One specific falsehood cited was a claim in a ''The Online Citizen'' [https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/02/05/student-said-plainclothes-officers-at-school-wore-t-shirts-with-police-at-its-back/ article] (5 February 2016) that police officers at the school wore shirts with the word “Police.”

	This was based on a social media post by a woman named Mary Anne Pereira, who later retracted her statement after the police clarified the facts with her.		This was based on a social media post by a woman named Mary Anne Pereira, who later retracted her statement after the police clarified the facts with her.

SGPolitico at 09:37, 19 November 2024

2024-11-19T09:37:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:37, 19 November 2024
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	=== '''Coroner's Findings''' ===		=== '''Coroner's Findings''' ===
	A coroner’s inquiry heard by State Coroner Marvin Bay was held on 3-~~4 August~~ 2016, to determine the cause of Lim’s death.		A [https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/08/28/summary-of-the-coroners-findings-on-the-death-of-benjamin-lim/ coroner’s inquiry] heard by State Coroner Marvin Bay was held on 17-18 May 2016, to determine the cause of Lim’s death.

	The state was represented by State Counsel Wong Woon Kwong, while Lim’s family was represented by lawyer Choo Zheng Xi.		The state was represented by State Counsel Wong Woon Kwong, while Lim’s family was represented by lawyer Choo Zheng Xi.
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	==== '''Role of the School and Counsellors''' ====		==== '''Role of the School and Counsellors''' ====
	The coroner also addressed the role of the school in Lim’s emotional state. He noted that while the school had acted with Lim’s welfare in mind by recommending he stay home from the camp, the decision was communicated only to Lim’s mother. The coroner suggested that a school counsellor should have explained the reasoning directly to Lim to prevent misinterpretation. The lack of direct communication may have led Lim to perceive the decision as punitive rather than supportive.		The coroner also addressed the role of the school in Lim’s emotional state. He noted that while the school had acted with Lim’s welfare in mind by recommending he stay home from the camp, the decision was communicated only to Lim’s mother.

			The coroner suggested that a school counsellor should have explained the reasoning directly to Lim to prevent misinterpretation. The lack of direct communication may have led Lim to perceive the decision as punitive rather than supportive.

	==== '''Recommendations from coroner''' ====		==== '''Recommendations from coroner''' ====
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	He criticized the manner in which Lim was taken from school by five police officers without waiting for family members to arrive, stating, "The school, in my opinion, should never have handed over my son to five police officers during recess hours without having to wait for the arrival of family members."		He criticized the manner in which Lim was taken from school by five police officers without waiting for family members to arrive, stating, "The school, in my opinion, should never have handed over my son to five police officers during recess hours without having to wait for the arrival of family members."

	During the coroner's inquiry, discrepancies emerged between the family's recollection and the accounts provided by school staff. The family's lawyer noted that Lim's mother had a different recollection of conversations with the school counsellor regarding his participation in a school camp, indicating a divergence in understanding between the parties involved.		During the coroner's inquiry, discrepancies emerged between the family's recollection and the accounts provided by school staff<ref>https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/coroners-inquiry-into-benjamin-lims-death-differing-accounts-from-school-and</ref>. The family's lawyer noted that Lim's mother had a different recollection of conversations with the school counsellor regarding his participation in a school camp, indicating a divergence in understanding between the parties involved.

	The family also disputed certain observations made during the inquiry. For instance, when a school counsellor suggested a correlation between Lim's stress levels and his mother's tone during a phone conversation, the family's lawyer clarified that such a suggestion would be "very upsetting" to the mother, emphasizing the family's sensitivity to interpretations of their interactions with Lim.		The family also disputed certain observations made during the inquiry. For instance, when a school counsellor suggested a correlation between Lim's stress levels and his mother's tone during a phone conversation, the family's lawyer clarified that such a suggestion would be "very upsetting" to the mother, emphasizing the family's sensitivity to interpretations of their interactions with Lim.

SGPolitico at 09:32, 19 November 2024

2024-11-19T09:32:50Z

SGPolitico: /* Police Investigation */

2024-11-19T09:30:30Z

Police Investigation

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 He was interviewed at the Ang Mo Kio Police Division without a parent, teacher, or legal representative present, as was allowed under the law at the time.
 After the interview, Lim was released to his parents and returned home.
@@ Line 32: / Line 56: @@
 He had learned from his mother shortly before his death that he would not be attending a school camp scheduled for the next day.
-The school had recommended that he stay home with his family during this time, but the decision had not been explained directly to Lim, which the coroner later noted could have contributed to a misinterpretation of the situation.
+When Mdm Teng last saw Benjamin, he was playing with his handphone.
 His death was ruled a suicide. Lim did not leave a suicide note, but his family later stated that he had been distressed following the police investigation.
@@ Line 81: / Line 111: @@
 The coroner noted that Lim was likely unaware that, at most, he could have faced sanctions focused on rehabilitation, such as a stern warning or probation.
 While police had informed Lim’s mother about possible outcomes, there was no evidence that Lim himself had been made aware of these potential consequences. This lack of understanding may have exacerbated his fear and anxiety.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:08, 14 May 2026
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	~~{{Infobox-person~~
	~~\|name=Benjamin Lim~~
	~~\|othername=~~
	~~\|image=Benjamin Lim.png~~
	~~\|field01=Current Role~~
	~~\|data01= • ''Pending'' <br /> •~~
	~~\|field02=Past Roles~~
	~~\|data02= • ''Pending'' <br /> •~~
	~~\|field03=Others~~
	~~\|data03= • ''Pending'' <br /> • ''Pending''~~
	~~\|Input 1st Header=Background~~
	~~\|field04=Education~~
	~~\|data04= • ''Pending'' <br /> • <br /> • <br /> •~~
	~~\|Input 2nd Header=Personal Details~~
	~~\|field05=Age~~
	~~\|data05={{#expr:{{Age\| 1900}}-1}}-{{Age\| 1900}}~~
	~~\|field06=Others~~
	~~\|data06=''Pending''~~
	}}

	The '''death of Benjamin Lim''' occurred on 26 January 2016, in Singapore, following a police investigation involving the 14-year-old secondary school student.		The '''death of Benjamin Lim''' occurred on 26 January 2016, in Singapore, following a police investigation involving the 14-year-old secondary school student.

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:32, 19 November 2024
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	He was interviewed at the Ang Mo Kio Police Division without a parent, teacher, or legal representative present, as was allowed under the law at the time.		He was interviewed at the Ang Mo Kio Police Division without a parent, teacher, or legal representative present, as was allowed under the law at the time.

	Lim's mother, Mdm Teng, said she received a call from her son’s handphone in that morning.		Lim's mother, Mdm Teng, said she received a call from her son’s handphone in that morning<ref>https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/01/31/14-year-old-jumps-to-his-death-after-unaccompanied-police-interrogation/</ref>.

	A police officer informed her that Lim was assisting in an investigation of a case of molestation, and told her to pick him up from the police station at around 3pm.		A police officer informed her that Lim was assisting in an investigation of a case of molestation, and told her to pick him up from the police station at around 3pm.
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	Mdm Teng and her daughter then made their way to the Ang Mo Kio Police Division Headquarters and requested to see Lim. However, the request was denied.		Mdm Teng and her daughter then made their way to the Ang Mo Kio Police Division Headquarters and requested to see Lim. However, the request was denied.

	According to Mdm Teng, she waited for about half an hour at the reception area before a police inspector asked her to follow him. She was then brought to an interview room where a Chinese-speaking officer questioned her about ~~Benjamin’s~~ conduct and grades at school.		According to Mdm Teng, she waited for about half an hour at the reception area before a police inspector asked her to follow him. She was then brought to an interview room where a Chinese-speaking officer questioned her about Lim’s conduct and grades at school.

	The interviewing officer then told her ~~Benjamin~~ had confessed to commiting a crime, and that the offence had been captured on CCTV footage.		The interviewing officer then told her Lim had confessed to commiting a crime, and that the offence had been captured on CCTV footage.

	Mdm Teng said she told the officer she could not believe her son would do such a thing and requested to see the CCTV footage. She said the police told her, “This is the police’s investigation, not your investigation.”		Mdm Teng said she told the officer she could not believe her son would do such a thing and requested to see the CCTV footage. She said the police told her, “This is the police’s investigation, not your investigation.”

	~~Benjamin~~ was released at about 2.50pm. Neither he nor Mdm Teng received a copy of their police statement.		Lim was released at about 2.50pm. Neither he nor Mdm Teng received a copy of their police statement.

	After the interview, Lim was released to his parents and returned home.		After the interview, Lim was released to his parents and returned home.
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	He had learned from his mother shortly before his death that he would not be attending a school camp scheduled for the next day.		He had learned from his mother shortly before his death that he would not be attending a school camp scheduled for the next day.

	When Mdm Teng last saw ~~Benjamin~~, he was playing with his handphone.		When Mdm Teng last saw Lim, he was playing with his handphone.

	A little later, she discovered that his bedroom door, which was normally kept open, was closed. Sensing that something was amiss, she used a spare key to get into the room. ~~Benjamin~~ was nowhere to be seen.		A little later, she discovered that his bedroom door, which was normally kept open, was closed. Sensing that something was amiss, she used a spare key to get into the room. Lim was nowhere to be seen.

	Mdm Teng rushed to the ground floor and saw her son’s body lying motionless on the ground.		Mdm Teng rushed to the ground floor and saw her son’s body lying motionless on the ground.
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	Key inaccuracies addressed by Shanmugam included:		Key inaccuracies addressed by Shanmugam included:

	* Claims that police officers were not in plainclothes when they visited ~~Benjamin~~'s school.		* Claims that police officers were not in plainclothes when they visited Lim's school.
	** The minister clarified that all officers were in plainclothes and used unmarked cars.		** The minister clarified that all officers were in plainclothes and used unmarked cars.
	* Allegations that ~~Benjamin~~ was interrogated and intimidated by five police officers.		* Allegations that Lim was interrogated and intimidated by five police officers.
	** Shanmugam stated only one officer spoke to ~~Benjamin~~ in the presence of school staff, and he was later interviewed by one officer in an open-plan office at the police station.		** Shanmugam stated only one officer spoke to Lim in the presence of school staff, and he was later interviewed by one officer in an open-plan office at the police station.
	* Assertions that ~~Benjamin~~ was coerced into making a false admission.		* Assertions that Lim was coerced into making a false admission.
	** The minister pointed out that ~~Benjamin~~ admitted to intentionally touching the girl, which corroborated the victim’s report.		** The minister pointed out that Lim admitted to intentionally touching the girl, which corroborated the victim’s report.
	* Claims that ~~Benjamin~~ was denied food and drink.		* Claims that Lim was denied food and drink.
	** Shanmugam clarified that ~~Benjamin~~ was offered food and drink but declined.		** Shanmugam clarified that Lim was offered food and drink but declined.

	Shanmugam stated that, based on available evidence, Lim would likely have received no more than a stern warning for the alleged offense, given his young age and clean record.		Shanmugam stated that, based on available evidence, Lim would likely have received no more than a stern warning for the alleged offense, given his young age and clean record.

	He noted that such a warning would not have led to prosecution or a criminal record. However, there was no indication that ~~Benjamin~~ had been made aware of this during the process.		He noted that such a warning would not have led to prosecution or a criminal record. However, there was no indication that Lim had been made aware of this during the process.

	One specific falsehood cited was a claim in a ''The Online Citizen'' article (5 February 2016) that police officers at the school wore shirts with the word “Police.”		One specific falsehood cited was a claim in a ''The Online Citizen'' article (5 February 2016) that police officers at the school wore shirts with the word “Police.”
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	Following the tragic death of 14-year-old Benjamin Lim in January 2016, his family expressed profound grief and concern over the circumstances leading to his passing.		Following the tragic death of 14-year-old Benjamin Lim in January 2016, his family expressed profound grief and concern over the circumstances leading to his passing.

	In [https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/02/04/open-letter-from-benjamins-family-to-clarify-what-transpired-on-26-janurary/ an open letter] published by The Online Citizen, ~~Benjamin~~'s father detailed the family's perspective, highlighting a lack of timely communication from both the police and school authorities.		In [https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/02/04/open-letter-from-benjamins-family-to-clarify-what-transpired-on-26-janurary/ an open letter] published by The Online Citizen, Lim's father detailed the family's perspective, highlighting a lack of timely communication from both the police and school authorities.

	He criticized the manner in which ~~Benjamin~~ was taken from school by five police officers without waiting for family members to arrive, stating, "The school, in my opinion, should never have handed over my son to five police officers during recess hours without having to wait for the arrival of family members."		He criticized the manner in which Lim was taken from school by five police officers without waiting for family members to arrive, stating, "The school, in my opinion, should never have handed over my son to five police officers during recess hours without having to wait for the arrival of family members."

	During the coroner's inquiry, discrepancies emerged between the family's recollection and the accounts provided by school staff. The family's lawyer noted that ~~Benjamin~~'s mother had a different recollection of conversations with the school counsellor regarding his participation in a school camp, indicating a divergence in understanding between the parties involved.		During the coroner's inquiry, discrepancies emerged between the family's recollection and the accounts provided by school staff. The family's lawyer noted that Lim's mother had a different recollection of conversations with the school counsellor regarding his participation in a school camp, indicating a divergence in understanding between the parties involved.

	The family also disputed certain observations made during the inquiry. For instance, when a school counsellor suggested a correlation between ~~Benjamin~~'s stress levels and his mother's tone during a phone conversation, the family's lawyer clarified that such a suggestion would be "very upsetting" to the mother, emphasizing the family's sensitivity to interpretations of their interactions with ~~Benjamin~~.		The family also disputed certain observations made during the inquiry. For instance, when a school counsellor suggested a correlation between Lim's stress levels and his mother's tone during a phone conversation, the family's lawyer clarified that such a suggestion would be "very upsetting" to the mother, emphasizing the family's sensitivity to interpretations of their interactions with Lim.

	Overall, the Lim family expressed deep sorrow and concern over the handling of the events leading up to ~~Benjamin~~'s death, seeking clarity and justice for their son.		Overall, the Lim's family expressed deep sorrow and concern over the handling of the events leading up to Lim's death, seeking clarity and justice for their son.

	=== '''Public Reaction''' ===		=== '''Public Reaction''' ===