SINGAPORE – Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugan today (Oct 15) said he was “quite upset” with how the actions of an irresponsible contractor led to a four-year-old boy falling to his death from his Yishun flat last week.

The minister’s remarks came after he visited the bereaved family and had the parents of the boy recount the story as to what happened. The contractor had failed to install window grilles, which they had agreed to do earlier, and attempts to contact the contractor were unsuccessful.

“There must be steps taken against such contractors – if what the father says is correct,” Mr Shanmugam said. “We must help the family to get legal recourse. It won’t bring back the child, but there has to be some justice done. I have told we will help find a lawyer for the family.”

Giving details, Mr Shanmugam said the contractor had failed to install some of the agreed items, which includes window grilles, when the family moved in, on top of having delayed the family’s move-in date for eight days.

“The father was particularly concerned about the window grilles as he had young children. He told the contractor this, and exchanged WhatsApp messages with the contractor. The contractor had removed the previous grilles but did not install new ones!” said Mr Shanmugam.

“According to the father, when he finally suggested to terminate the contract, the contractor asked to meet him, but did not turn up at the agreed date and time!” he said. “After a few days, the contractor contacted him to say that his company will send a cancellation letter. The letter never arrived.”

Following the four-year-old’s death, the father attempted to contact the contractor, but there was no response.

“No apology, no visit, and the father thinks the contractor has even blocked him, from messaging the contractor,” said Mr Shanmugam.

He said the parents were stoic when he visited and recounted the story without rancour.

“If these facts are true, then the conduct is shameful, irresponsible and has contributed to the tragedy,” he said in a Facebook post titled ‘Tragedy that could have been avoided’.

“One can understand the parents’ anger, anguish. To lose a child like this. Because someone has not done what he is supposed to have done. And the conduct after the tragedy is shocking.” WONG PEI TING