SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): The girl who died after an accident in Chinatown in Singapore on Feb 6 was a pleasant child who brought joy to others, according to her aunt.
She is identified in various Indonesian media reports as Sheyna Lashira Smaradiani, and her mother, who was injured in the accident, as Raisha Anindra Pascasiswi.
“Sheyna was definitely a very kind and cheerful child. She was truly like a fairy, always making people happy,” Ms Rara told Indonesian media outlet Kumparan on Feb 8 at Sheyna’s funeral in Jakarta.
The child had been studying in a kindergarten in Jakarta, she added.
According to Kumparan, Ms Rara is the sister of Sheyna’s mother, who remains hospitalised in Singapore.
Indonesian media reported that Sheyna’s body was taken back to Jakarta on the morning of Feb 8. She was buried on the same day at the Tanah Kusir Public Cemetery.
Photos of the funeral show flower petals scattered over Sheyna’s grave, which was decorated with sunflowers.
Ms Rara said the family hopes Sheyna’s mother, Ms Raisha, can return to Indonesia soon to be with family.
Ms Raisha’s brother-in-law, Mr Satrio Wicaksono, told Kumparan on Feb 9 that she is still being treated at Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
“She’s in fairly good condition, although she has internal bleeding and fractures to her ribs and hip,” said Mr Satrio, who was with her at the hospital.
He said the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore had helped with the repatriation of Sheyna’s body.
Mr Satrio added he hoped that justice for the victims would be served.
In Singapore, members of the public grieved and paid tribute to Sheyna on social media.
In a post on Feb 8, Facebook page Death Kopitiam Singapore wrote: “A parent’s grief is perpetual. Our hearts in Singapore go out to this young family. Little sayang, please rest in peace. Goodbye!”
Parenting site theAsianparent on Feb 9 shared a letter it penned to Sheyna on its Facebook page.
“You should have been safe. You should have had many more tomorrows.
“Your absence will be felt forever. Your memory will remain. Rest in peace, little sayang,” read the letter.
Sheyna and Ms Raisha, who were reportedly on holiday in Singapore with Sheyna’s father, were involved in an accident outside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown on Feb 6.
They were both taken to hospital, where Sheyna died from her injuries.
The driver, a 38-year-old woman, was arrested the same day for driving without reasonable consideration, causing death. Investigations are ongoing. -- The Straits Times/ANN
