PM’s letter to Ms Lo Hwei Yen’s family.

Written November 29, 2008 in Personal

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As we all mourn for the loss of a fellow Singaporean in the Mumbai incident, we must never forget that such incidents can happen in Singapore, and we must remain careful and vigilant. Below is PM Lee’s condolence letter to Mr Michael Puhaindran.

29 November 2008

Mr Michael Stephen Puhaindran

Dear Mr Michael Stephen Puhaindran

I am deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of your
wife, Ms Lo Hwei Yen. On behalf of all Singaporeans, please accept
my deepest condolences to you and your family.

I first learnt about the terrorist attacks in Mumbai when I
was in Santiago, Chile. My immediate concern was whether any
Singaporeans were caught up in the situation. Many Singaporeans
travel and work all over Asia. So I was sure a good number would
have been in Mumbai when the attacks happened. As reports came
in, we learnt that several Singaporeans were either in the vicinity of
the attacks, or trapped in the Oberoi and Taj Mahal hotels. We also
learnt from you that Hoei Yen had been taken hostage by the
terrorists.

I knew that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had arranged for
you to fly to Mumbai, and was in touch with the Indian government. I
wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to express Singapore’s
support and to offer our help to secure the safe release of the
hostages. Tragically, despite the efforts of the Indian security forces,
they could not rescue Hwei Yen.

This is the first time a Singaporean has been a victim of a
terrorist attack. Terrorism is a threat that knows no boundaries. This
is a family tragedy for you, but it also brings home to all of us the
reality of this terrorist threat, and how important it is to keep up our
guard and defeat it.

All Singaporeans feel for you and your family in this time
of grief. Words will not count for much, but I hope the knowledge that
you are in our thoughts, and have the sympathies of all of us will
comfort and support you at this dark and painful moment. The
Singapore Government will do everything necessary to assist you and
your family.

With deepest sympathies

Yours sincerely

Lee Hsien Loong