Arlina Arshad<\/strong> \u201cWe are seen. We are held. We are loved.\u201d<\/p>\n With these words, the family of an Indonesian girl who died in an accident<\/a> in Singapore\u2019s Chinatown thanked members of the public, medical staff, and officials in Singapore and Indonesia for their support.<\/p>\n In a heartfelt four-page statement issued on April 6 through their lawyers, Mr Ashar Ardianto and Ms Raisha Anindra paid tribute<\/a> to their six-year-old daughter Sheyna Lashira Smaradiani, who died on Feb 6.<\/p>\n The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore previously said that Sheyna died from cranio-cerebral injuries, as determined by a hospital autopsy. Her remains were repatriated to Indonesia on the morning of Feb 8 and she was buried in the Tanah Kusir cemetery in South Jakarta later that day.<\/p>\n On April 8, the driver, a 38-year-old woman, was charged in Singapore\u2019s State Courts with two counts<\/a> of driving without due care and attention, causing death and grievous hurt.<\/p>\n Prosecutors said she had allegedly failed to keep a proper lookout while making a right turn out of an open-air carpark in Spring Street, knocking into two pedestrians near the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.<\/p>\n The case was adjourned for six weeks for investigations to continue. It will be heard again at a pre-trial conference on May 13. A gag order was granted as the woman\u2019s six-year-old son, who was in the car at the time, is a potential witness. The woman\u2019s lawyer has applied for a gag order to be imposed under the Children and Young Persons Act.<\/p>\n According to the couple\u2019s statement, the family had been transiting through Singapore from Japan en route to Indonesia. On the morning of Feb 6, the family had breakfast near their hotel before heading out around midday to explore the area. The couple were travelling with their two children and Mr Ashar\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n The statement said that \u201cin a moment so swift it defied comprehension, joy was extinguished\u201d and Sheyna, while holding her mother\u2019s hand, \u201cwas taken from them\u201d.<\/p>\n The couple described Sheyna as \u201ca child of incandescent vitality; joyful, spirited, and deeply loved\u201d.<\/p>\n At the time, Ms Raisha was seriously injured and admitted to Singapore General Hospital. The Indonesian Embassy said earlier that she sustained internal injuries and fractures, and was treated in the hospital\u2019s high dependency unit. As such, she was unable to \u201csay goodbye\u201d to her daughter.<\/p>\n The statement said: \u201cRaisha has since emerged from critical danger, though her journey towards recovery remains long and arduous.\u201d<\/p>\n They added that the care and dedication of the hospital team \u201chave given her not just medical support, but hope\u201d.<\/p>\n The family also expressed appreciation to members of the public who assisted at the scene.<\/p>\n \u201cStrangers became guardians in moments of chaos\u2026 That act, quiet and human, will never be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n They also thanked Indonesia\u2019s ambassador to Singapore, Dr Hotmangaradja Pandjaitan, and embassy staff for their assistance since the day of the accident.<\/p>\n They said the ambassador had opened his home to Mr Ashar and supported the family as he carried out the arrangements to take Sheyna home for burial before returning to Singapore to be with his wife.<\/p>\n In Indonesia, friends and former classmates of Ms Raisha launched a fund-raising effort to help with her medical expenses.<\/p>\n The family also acknowledged The Ascott Limited<\/a> and staff at Robertson House, where they stayed for nearly four weeks, describing the support as providing \u201cnot merely accommodation but also sanctuary\u201d and treating them like family.<\/p>\n \u201cTo the people of Indonesia and Singapore, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Terima Kasih banyak dari lubuk hati kami yang paling dalam.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\n
The Straits Times<\/strong>
April 8, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Stomp](\"https:\/\/www.stomp.sg\/assets\/stomp-comment-COLiWNMD.png\")
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