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SINGAPORE: She was the dead woman's best friend, and the pair were so close that they were each other's guarantors when they borrowed money together from loan sharks.
But Ms Koong Fong May, 45, did little to stop Madam Wee Chiok, 67, from setting herself ablaze in a West Coast Park public toilet on February 6 this year.
The coffee shop assistant told investigating officer Senior Staff Sergeant (SSSGT) Steve Tan that she felt that she could not change Madam Wee's mind and accepted her decision to die.
The younger woman said she was "lost and confused" when Madam Wee told her to wait outside the toilet, shortly before she self-immolated.
The court heard that the deceased had expressed her desire to commit suicide to her friend several times after being pestered by loan sharks.
Ms Wong had also lamented that none of her seven children had provided her with any financial assistance to get her out of her predicament.
SSGT Tan told State Coroner Victor Yeo, who recorded a verdict of suicide in the case, that a search on Madam Wee's mobile phone revealed that she had taken some loans from illegal moneylenders.
While the total amount owed is unknown, Ms Koong said she was aware that the deceased had borrowed S$1,500 from loansharks last year.
On the day of her death, Madam Wee had suggested that they go for a walk at West Coast Park. They arrived there at around 7.50pm. The pair then decided to go to the toilet and entered separate cubicles.
Some time later, on smelling petrol fumes coming from Madam Wee's cubicle, Ms Koong decided to check on her friend.
Madam Wee opened the cubicle door, removed two bangles from her left wrist and told Ms Koong to hand the jewellery to "Ah Lin", who is believed to be Ms Wee's daughter.
The deceased also instructed Ms Koong to ask "Ah Lin" to come to the toilet to collect her body before telling her to wait outside. Ms Koong complied and only shouted for help when she saw her friend on fire.
- CNA/sc
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