'Family can now find peace': Boy who drowned in Kallang River laid to rest

The 13-year-old boy who died after falling into the Kallang River while fishing was buried on Feb 27, surrounded by a small group of family members and his teachers.

- Aqil Hamzah, Zaihan Mohamed Yusof Senior Correspondent and Fatimah Mujibah

A few colourful umbrellas stood in contrast with the stark landscape of fresh earth and concrete at the Pusara Aman Muslim Cemetery in Lim Chu Kang, where Muhammed Qayyim Daniel Putra Rosli was laid to rest.

Daniel's body was retrieved from the waters off Kallang MRT station late on Feb 26, more than 24 hours after he went missing in the same area while fishing with his friends.

But both the shelter and hue of the umbrellas brought little comfort to the 20 or so people gathered to say goodbye to Daniel amid the mid-afternoon heat and a muted atmosphere.

Daniel's mother, who earlier gave her name only as Siti, was stoic as she scattered flower petals into his grave, flanked by her two other sons, aged 14 and 11, during the funeral. The eldest child wore a blank expression, with tears welling in his eyes at times.

The eldest boy's secondary school teachers had visited him at the cemetery earlier, and told The Straits Times that he had not been doing well since Daniel went missing on Feb 25 and that they would give him their full support when he returns to his studies.

Earlier, Daniel's father, who is in prison, was shackled as he was escorted into a room where Daniel's body was being prepared for burial. The father left in a prison van after about 15 minutes, without attending the funeral.

Also in attendance during the burial preparations was Queenstown MP Eric Chua - Madam Siti said in an earlier interview that she lives in Redhill.

Mr Chua, who is also Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, and Law, was seen speaking to Madam Siti, and handed her an envelope.