Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They
AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German
Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who
By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Government
Education
Search
Search:
Husband of hostage killed in Mumbai recalls last few agonising hours
Channel NewsAsia - Thursday, December 4
SINGAPORE: Their final few weeks of marriage were truly the best time of his life. Breaking his silence for the first time, husband of Singaporean hostage Lo Hwei Yen killed in the Mumbai attacks, Michael Puhaindran gave an insight into the life of the 28—year—old.
Michael proposed to Lo Hwei Yen in the Maldives within eight months of meeting her.
He said: "Everything I did, I did for her. My whole life revolved around her and she truly was the meaning of my life."
But after a beautiful Bali wedding, things went horribly wrong last Wednesday.
The first sign of trouble came when Michael received a call at midnight Singapore time when Lo Hwei Yen heard gunshots while having dinner.
"About 15 minutes later, she or I called. We spoke. She said she was in a stairwell on the 10th floor and she was with security and some staff and they were waiting for the police,” he said.
After that phonecall, was a few agonising silent hours of waiting.
Then came another call in the early hours of the morning which confirmed Michael’s fears.
"She was talking in a very steady voice, she was extremely brave. Her voice didn’t even waver. (She said) that she was being held hostage by gunmen and she said they were armed with machine guns and grenades," said Michael.
He contacted Singapore authorities.
And then came the final call.
"She said they said they still see activity, still in a very steady voice and still talking to me. I was trying to remain calm as well. Only in her last sentence, she said please tell them to hurry up. And that’s when I couldn’t really take it and said that I love her very much and she said the same thing. So at least the last words I said to her were those words," Michael continued.
Michael recalled her last final e—mail.
"This one came in about 6.36 am Singapore time. She ended off by saying if I don’t make it out of here I love you all. Despite everything she was facing, she still had the strength and courage to tell her friends she loved them. I do want you to tell people she was a brave Singaporean," Michael added.
Finally on Friday, he was let into the Oberoi hotel.
He said: "They were still detonating grenades. Initially they did not want us go back but MFA got us permission to get to the 19th floor. Everything was pitch black because there was no electricity. The floors were slippery. I think the sprinklers must have gone off. Then (they) showed her to me and I was able to touch her cheek and she still looked very beautiful."
While questions remain unanswered about the siege, for many like Michael Puhaindran who lost loved ones, picking up the pieces from here will now be hardest.
"She would want me to live my life but it’s going to be very hard,” said Michael. —CNA/vm
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (1 vote)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Singapore
COE prices up in most categories, except for vehicles & busChannel NewsAsia - 1 hour 59 minutes ago
MND announces another 10 temporary dorm sites for foreign workersChannel NewsAsia - 2 hours 50 minutes ago
Director—General of UNESCO to visit SingaporeChannel NewsAsia - Thursday, December 4
CATS musical returns to S’pore in April 2009Channel NewsAsia - Thursday, December 4
Indonesia to host ASEAN foreign ministers' meetingReuters - Thursday, December 4
Enlarge Photo
Husband of hostage killed in Mumbai recalls last few agonising hours
Most Popular – Singapore
Viewed
Wall Street plunges as recession becomes reality
Sweden to come to rescue of struggling carmakers Saab and Volvo
World stocks tumble as economic fears deepen
Love handles increase death risk: study
Islamist leader calls on pirates to free ships
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular