An elderly Singaporean man was found dead inside a hotel room in Batam, Indonesia, after staff reportedly became concerned when he failed to respond to repeated knocks on his door.
The deceased, identified by Indonesian media as Mr Lim Ah Ling, was believed to be around 70 or 71 years old. His body was discovered at the Great Wall Hotel in the Lubuk Baja district on Thursday, May 21.
According to local reports, hotel employees alerted the police at about 12.30pm local time after they were unable to contact the guest staying in room 209. Staff later entered the room using a spare key together with officers.
Police Say No Signs Of Violence Found On Body
Police officers reportedly found the Singaporean man lying motionless on his back inside the room. Initial examinations did not uncover any visible injuries or signs of foul play.
Lubuk Baja police chief Deni Lengie told Indonesian media outlet Detik that investigations are ongoing while authorities await the results of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
The body was subsequently transported to Bhayangkara Hospital in Batam for further examination.
The incident has attracted attention in both Singapore and Indonesia, especially after reports emerged that a large quantity of medication had been discovered inside the hotel room.
Dozens Of Medication Packs Allegedly Found Inside Room
According to Tribun Batam, various boxes, bottles, and pharmacy-packed medicine pouches were found near the deceased’s belongings.
A local resident interviewed by the media claimed the man might have been suffering from health issues, as the medication allegedly included cholesterol medicine, stomach medication, calcium supplements, vitamin D tablets, and respiratory inhalers.
Some of the medication reportedly came with doctors’ prescriptions and usage instructions attached.
Police later confirmed that a substantial amount of medicine was indeed recovered from the room, though they did not disclose whether the medication was linked to the man’s death.
Investigations Still Ongoing In Batam
At the moment, Indonesian authorities have not classified the case as suspicious. Investigators are expected to rely heavily on the autopsy findings before releasing further details.
The case also comes amid increasing travel between Singapore and Batam, with many Singaporeans frequently visiting the Indonesian island for leisure, medical services, and short getaways due to its proximity and affordable travel costs.
No additional information has yet been released regarding whether the man was travelling alone or if family members have been contacted.