A passing thought. A faded photograph. A bedroom empty for 10 years. And two syllables, whether fallen from her own lips or formed by another’s: Stephen.

These instantly draw tears from Cathy Tan, as will the slightest reminder of a beloved son cruelly, unnaturally taken.

One of five dragonboaters who drowned while representing Singapore at a race in Cambodia in 2007, Stephen’s death was both abrupt and horrific – but a decade on, Cathy and her family believe they have reached some measure of closure.

“The pain will still be there, all the time,” she said. “You lose a son, you never, never forget. He’s always in the heart.

“But life has to go on, and we have to go on with life. Carry on with life.”

“Stephen passed on doing something he loved,” his youngest brother Gideon reflected. “We carry the pain, definitely, but we try to honour his memory by remembering him.

“For the number of years he was with us, we should just enjoy what we had of Stephen.”

“MA, I THINK SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENED”

Ask Cathy’s husband Victor Loh and his first and perhaps fondest impression is of losing a four-year-old Stephen in the supermarket. “We searched frantically but we couldn’t find him,” said the father, who sports a healthy shock of hair and robust build for his 74 years of age.

“We were about to report to security when we found him at the main entrance. I asked him ‘How come you’re here?’ and he just said ‘Surely you will come out this way’.”

Then there was the time when, in Primary Two, Stephen insisted on avoiding the school transport because of a particularly stern bus aunty. “I asked if he was sure – because that meant taking two public buses to school, and two buses back home,” Victor recalled.

He said yes, and later, aged 14, Stephen would extend this independent streak by getting himself baptised before telling his parents. In church groups made up of older people, he would also have no problems getting along with them, said Victor.

As a 31-year-old man, Stephen was all the more capable of taking care of himself – hence it didn’t initially register for Gideon when Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA) officials, accompanied by Member of Parliament Fatimah Lateef, came knocking at their door late at night on Friday Nov 23, 2007.

“They asked if I was a family member of Stephen, and they wanted to speak to my parents. I said ‘Okay, it’s rather late, they might be sleeping already’,” Gideon, now 36, recounted.

“But Dr Fatimah said ‘No, we have to speak’, and as I went up to call my parents it slowly sunk in.”

Said Cathy: “I still remember very clearly, it was 11 plus in the evening. Gideon came in and said ‘Ma, I think something serious happened’.

“Then they told us the boat had capsized, they were not sure exactly why, but five were missing, Stephen was one of them, and they were still trying to find them.”

“That whole night, we couldn’t sleep,” said Victor. “We drove to the SDBA headquarters in Kallang but we couldn’t find anybody. We couldn’t get any information.”

“OF ALL PEOPLE, YOU?”

In the aftermath of the accident, it was widely reported that Stephen, an impressive physical specimen, was also a commando officer – one who emerged top 10 in his cohort while earning a sword of merit which now adorns the stairway in the Loh household.

“It was a proud moment,” said a beaming Cathy. The petite 69-year-old – who runs her own travel agency – was crying before the interview even began, but here her smile stayed put as she went on to describe her son’s academic achievements.

“Where studies were concerned, he didn’t give us any problems,” said Cathy. “He did engineering in NTU – his love for dragonboat started here – then also did his masters there, sponsored by Chartered Semiconductor.”

That Stephen possessed brains and brawn was apparent to all – and it left many bewildered by the nature of his death. One grieving fellow commando officer posted on a memorial blog, asking ‘Of all people, you?’ and his parents, too, had held out hope as they flew to Phnom Penh the day after hearing their son was missing.

“We thought maybe they would find him struggling somewhere alive,” said Victor.

That was all the father and mother could lean on as they, along with the other parents, lingered at their hotel for the day, holding out for news of any sort.

“On Sunday morning, we were waiting at the lobby when we got a call.” Victor paused as he remembered the moment when their worst fears were realised.

“It was very traumatic.”

They were then taken to the hospital, which due to a lack of space had placed the five bodies outdoors, in a container under a tent.

“Either one of us had to identify him, and I told my wife not to go in. So I went. The picture is still in my mind … Because he had been in the water since Friday evening …” Victor’s voice trailed off as he struggled to find the words.

Cathy softly muttered, under her breath, that she wanted to remember Stephen as he was.

Later, an offer was made to fly home on the military transport aircraft carrying the five bodies. Victor declined: “To sit together with the coffins inside there – emotionally, the trip would be terrible.”

The couple, however, acknowledged that finding Stephen’s body had provided some resolution. “We were very worried that we would be unable to … There have been instances of people disappearing in water and never found,” said Victor.

“That, we would never have closure because we would always be thinking that he’s somewhere,” said Cathy.

“I WOULDN’T BE WHERE I AM TODAY WITHOUT MR LOH”

For all his model behaviour as a son, Stephen did give his parents a bit of a scare when he suddenly announced he was giving up engineering, Victor recalled with a chuckle.

“We got a shock. We had expected him to go for a PhD but he said he had no passion for engineering,” said the father. “I was disappointed at first, but later said to him, ‘It’s up to you – it’s your life’.”

Stephen soon applied to NIE to be a teacher – a decision now fully appreciated by his parents, after they combed through dozens of student letters revealing a sterling legacy built over a mere 11 months of teaching full-time, on top of earlier practicums at various schools.

“From what we read, he really energised the students, and he was somebody that they are still very touched by,” said Cathy.

Added Victor: “Teaching suited him. He really cared a lot for students – his subject was physical education, but he would stay back and coach them in maths. He also taught them life skills and moral character… he’s impacted quite a number of students.”

A letter from one secondary school student described Stephen as his “best” and “most dedicated” teacher ever, who had no qualms setting aside his own time on weekends to tutor him.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without Mr Loh,” the letter read. “Without him, I would still be lost and wandering without an aim in life.”

“He really served as an inspiration,” said Gideon, now a teacher as well.

Nowhere was this more evident than during Stephen’s wake. As his pet cat Scratchy lay curled up below his coffin, hundreds of students came by to pay final respects, congesting the road outside their house and creating parking problems, Victor recounted.

In the end, over S$40,000 was collected in contributions. Along with a compensatory S$50,000 each from SDBA and the then-Singapore Sports Council, every cent went into either setting up scholarship awards at Stephen’s alma maters and schools he taught at, or donations to the family’s church and SPCA, said Victor.

“WE ALREADY ACCEPTED THAT HE’S NO LONGER”

Separately, the NTU dragonboat community also managed to raise S$250,000 for a bursary fund – in honour of Stephen and fellow fallen national and university teammate Poh Boon San, and with the aim of helping financially-needy paddlers.

So it is that even in his absence, Stephen continues to be felt as he was – an understated, unassuming force from behind the scenes.

“He’s never been the most talkative chap,” said Gideon. “He’ll do his own thing in his own way.

“When I was studying in Australia, he’d started working not that long ago, but he said if I ever needed money he’d be happy to help out. I said thanks and he said, ‘Don’t worry about it. We are brothers. That’s what we do’.”

Added Gideon: “I’ve always looked up to him. He was an all-rounder and a good role model. Growing up I’d try to emulate him… now in my daily job I do try my best to live up to him.”

Somewhere in that fresh-faced demeanour of Gideon’s, his elder brother’s signature quiet strength soldiers on. The same can be detected beneath his mother’s polished stature and father’s stoic calm – a trait brought to the fore amidst much angst and bitterness over the controversial circumstances in which the accident occurred.

Chief among the points of contention put forth by parents was the fact that the paddlers were not wearing life vests, as well as the lack of safety or risk assessment procedures applied to the event.

Nonetheless, Victor said he never intended to sue SDBA. “Even if we get money, what for? He’s gone already. We just wanted an apology from SDBA, but they refused.”

“It was too painful for us to go through, and it can’t bring back our children. It’s over … We already accepted that he’s no longer,” said Cathy, gazing wistfully into the distance.

Every year, they visit his niche at Mandai Crematorium twice: On his birthday, and on the accident anniversary. The latter trip is made with the other parents, as the five urns are placed side by side, despite each individual having a different religion. “That was a good decision,” Cathy nodded.

In the strongest sign yet of their path to closure, Stephen’s parents returned to the accident site in 2014, on the exact date of November 23. “We said a prayer, sang a hymn, threw flowers onto the water,” said Victor. “The memory was still fresh then, but we wanted this.”

“Ever since the incident, both of us, before we leave for work, we will now sit down and say a short prayer for family, for friends, for protection,” he said.

“Because life is fleeting. Like Stephen, who was at his prime when …”

For a split second there, Victor wears a look of sheer grief – but it is just as quickly replaced by a twinkle in his eyes and the same warm, wide grin which accompanied each precious recollection of his son during this interview.

“You know, during his 31 years, he really gave us much joy.”

This is the third part of a series marking the 10th anniversary of an accident in Cambodia which left five Singaporean national dragonboaters dead. Read the first and second parts.

SINGAPORE: The total number of people injured in the recent train collision at Joo Koon MRT station has risen to 38, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in an update on Sunday (Nov 19). 

There were two walk-in cases at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital on Friday, both of whom were discharged on the same day after receiving treatment, said LTA. 

The authority said two other patients who had been warded at the hospital since Wednesday were also discharged, while the one at National University Hospital “remains warded for observation and SMRT continues to be in touch with the patient’s family”.

The collision, which also injured two SMRT workers, was the result of a software glitch in the East-West Line (EWL) signalling system. Train services between Joo Koon and Tuas Link stations were suspended on Thursday. 

In its statement, LTA confirmed that train services along the four stations of the Tuas West Extension will resume on Monday, and that bridging bus services between Joo Koon and Tuas Link MRT stations will cease. 

However, the Tuas West Extension, which runs on the new signalling system, will be separated from the rest of the EWL, which runs on the old system. 

SMRT added in a tweet on Sunday that there will be no train services between Joo Koon and Gul Circle as its engineers conduct further checks on the signalling system for a month.

As such, westbound passengers headed for Gul Circle, Tuas Crescent, Tuas West Road and Tuas Link MRT stations will have to alight at Joo Koon MRT station and catch a free shuttle bus service to the onward station, Gul Circle, LTA said in its statement. A similar arrangement is available for the opposite direction.

“Passengers who use this shuttle will not be charged a new fare when they re-board the MRT train. The trip will be treated as a single journey,” it added. 

JOHOR BARU: Many Singaporeans endured the traffic jam and large crowds on Sunday (Nov 19) to visit IKEA’s newly opened outlet in Johor Baru.

IKEA Tebrau, which opened its doors last Thursday, is the Swedish company’s largest outlet in Southeast Asia.

Although it is located just 16km from Woodlands Checkpoint, some Singaporeans who drove across the Causeway faced congestion lasting up to two hours on Sunday morning.

The traffic jam at Woodlands Causeway was exacerbated by the first school holiday weekend for Singaporeans.

“It’s not usually this bad,” said Mdm Fatimah Amin, who left her home at Tampines at 9am and reached IKEA Tebrau at noon.

“I wanted to check out the new IKEA store, and perhaps buy some kitchenware. Jam or no jam I think you can’t deny that the prices here are much cheaper than the stores in Singapore,” added the 48-year-old school teacher. 

Mdm Fatimah purchased a Behagfull 24-piece kitchen cutlery set at RM139 (S$45). The same set costs S$55 at IKEA Singapore outlets. 

Many other Singaporeans Channel NewsAsia spoke to on Sunday shared similar sentiments as Mdm Fatimah. 

Engineer Mr Richard Hu said the currency difference made it “inevitable” that the goods at IKEA Tebrau would be cheaper than its Singapore outlets at Tampines and Alexandra. 

“You can’t deny the currency difference. Everything is cheaper, and if you buy in bulk, the amount you save adds up,” he added. 

Channel NewsAsia compared the prices of several products on the catalogues of IKEA Singapore and IKEA Tebrau, and found that the goods sold at IKEA Tebrau were largely cheaper.

The IKEA Malm bed, for example, is priced at RM969 (S$317) at the Tebrau outlet, compared with S$549 at the Singapore branches.

Meanwhile, the Klasen barbeque set – comprising a charcoal barbeque pit and trolley – is priced at RM1,435 (S$469) at IKEA Tebrau, more than S$90 cheaper than IKEA Singapore. 

A three-seat Landskrona sofa set, meanwhile, costs RM5,095 (S$1,660) at IKEA Tebrau, compared with S$2,019 at IKEA Tampines. 

PARKING WOES, PACKED RESTAURANT

The potential savings IKEA’s Tebrau outlet presented, however, came with some downsides for some Singaporean customers on Sunday. Many had to jostle with thousands of shoppers for parking space as well as a seat at IKEA’s cafe and restaurant.

By 11am on Sunday, IKEA’s Tebrau’s 1,771 parking bays were already fully occupied, and some customers resorted to parking illegally along the main road outside the store. 

“I fully regret driving here,” said Mr Hu, who had to drive his car up a kerb. “We could have just taken a Grab here from the checkpoint. After all, we’re just buying small items,” he added. 

The 750 seats at IKEA’s restaurants were also packed to the hilt from 11am-3pm, with some customers having to queue two hours for a seat. 

“I haven’t had breakfast yet and it’s already afternoon,” said Mr Hu, who queued for an hour before his family of four found a table.

“But the meatballs and pasta here are so cheap – it would be a waste eating someplace else,” he said.

On its launch day last Thursday, pictures of large crowds of people queuing outside the store went viral. 

But IKEA has clarified with Channel NewsAsia that the long queues were from people queuing to be the store’s first 10,000 customers, in order to win a free goodie bag.  

“LITTLE INCENTIVE FOR SINGAPOREANS TO CROSS BORDER”: IKEA

Despite the difference in prices, an IKEA spokesperson told Channel NewsAsia that the company sees “little incentive” for Singaporean customers to cross the border just to shop at the Tebrau outlet, due to taxes and transportation of bulky items.

“We believe that Singaporeans will still be more inclined to shop at IKEA Alexandra and IKEA Tampines due to the convenience and proximity,” IKEA said. “Customers would also need to keep in mind that delivery and assembly cannot be arranged from the Malaysia stores for Singapore addresses,” it added.

IKEA told Channel NewsAsia that cross-border delivery is not offered “at the moment” but highlighted that IKEA can deliver to “any agency” appointed by the customer, including delivery companies that proved cross-border services. 

Delivery costs from IKEA Tebrau to areas in Johor state ranging from RM80 to RM250 depending on distance. 

Mr Louis Tan, a Singaporean who owns a second property in Johor Baru, told Channel NewsAsia that shopping at IKEA Tebrau will benefit him as he can purchase items and have them delivered to his address in Malaysia.

“I’m shopping for a kitchen cabinet and some items to refurbish my children’s rooms for our home in JB. There’s no way I can fit them into my car, so having them deliver and assemble is important,” said the 54-year-old oil and gas executive. 

Mr Tan added that Singaporeans have to be practical when deciding whether to shop at IKEA Tebrau or the Singapore outlets.

“They have to do their math. Take into consideration everything – taxes at the Causeway, time stuck in the jam, petrol costs and the cost of bringing back the items,” he said. 

“They have to decide if it’s worth it for them.” 

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s economic growth could exceed 3 per cent in 2017, higher than previous forecasts of 2 to 3 per cent.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said this on Sunday (Nov 19) at the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) convention held at Big Box in Jurong.

However, he noted that while economic growth is up, the job is not done, and the Government will have to press on with plans to restructure the economy, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday (Nov 19).

Speaking to about 2,000 activists, he noted that the world economy is looking up, and Singapore has benefitted from that. He pointed out that unemployment remains low, wages have gone up, and more significantly, productivity has also picked up.

But he stressed that the current upswing is cyclical, and Singapore has to press on with plans to restructure the economy in order to sustain economic growth.

“Our workers must acquire the right skills and capabilities, know how to upgrade themselves, and be confident about their futures and livelihoods,” he said. “Our companies too must adapt, upgrade and compete in the global marketplace.”

He noted that the Future Economy Council is progressively implementing the recommendations from the Committee of the Future Economy (CFE), and this is a “major task”.

He added that there are also three major strategies to take care of workers: skills upgrading, job matching and job creation, and the Government has reorganised itself so that it can focus on each of them.

Mr Lee said that restructuring the economy will take effort, and will not be a “totally smooth journey.” But Singapore, he said, has done it before and can do it again.

“The Government will support and help workers and companies. As long as we stick together and make the effort, we will get there.”