The Holland – Bukit Timah GRC Member of Parliament and Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Development, Sim Ann, said in a Facebook post that an inter-faith prayer session was organised with a group of volunteers from different religious organisations, to pray for the 11-year-old boys who were found dead at a drain at Greenridge Crescent playground.
Here is her Facebook post in full
I wish to thank the religious representatives and residents who joined us for the inter-faith prayer session conducted at Greenridge Crescent Playground this morning. Sharing here the remarks I made at the start of the session:
“Two days ago, during the evening of 21 January, our community here at Greenridge Crescent was startled by the realisation that something terrible had happened at this very playground.
The details were not immediately clear, as different residents had seen or heard different things. But there was strong Police presence on the ground, suggesting a crime of a serious nature.
This was alarming and distressing to our residents.
Our fear turned into shock and sadness the following day when the media reported that the bodies of two young children had been found in this vicinity.
This shock and sadness was shared by fellow citizens and residents throughout the country, and the very unfortunate facts were subsequently confirmed by the Singapore Police Force.
I am sure that all of you would also be aware of the update that the Singapore Police Force provided late last night stating that the father of the two boys has been arrested and will be charged in court tomorrow.
This turn of events has only deepened our community’s collective grief and horror.
The idea of the untimely demise of two young children is heartbreaking even for those of us who do not know them personally, and it is especially heartbreaking for those of us who are parents.
I know that in the minds of many, there may be questions as to how such a tragedy could come about. I believe that answers will be forthcoming in the fullness of time and in the days to follow.
Right now, we do not have these answers. What we are gathered here this morning to do is to give expression to the collective grief that many in the community have been experiencing ever since it became clear that two young lives have perished.
This is why, after consulting neighbourhood volunteers, we have decided to organise an inter-faith prayer session here – so that we may each, in our own way, wish peace upon the souls of the departed.
Undoubtedly, the demise of these boys has devastated those who have known, loved and cared for them – their family, neighbours and friends. We wish to pray for them too.
My volunteers and I would like to express our gratitude for the swift response from several religious organisations who have sent representatives here to make this session possible. They are:
Imaam Md Idris from Al-Huda Mosque
Venerable Rui Zhen from Beeh Low See Temple
Father Francis Lim from the Church of St Ignatius
Reverend Roy Koh from Glory Presbyterian Church
Mr Gan from Ling Xuan Services; and
Mr Karu and team from Sri Arasakesari Sivan Temple
We have provided a simple programme sheet so that residents can follow the proceedings.
We invite you to join the prayers in any way that you prefer, but silently and in your heart please. We also thank everyone for observing safe distancing measures.
Thank you for being here.”