STILL HOPING: Lee’s 10-year-old son (wearing face mask) has just come out from visiting her mother. Others are his sisters and relatives.
SIBU: Housewife Lee Sing Kiew who hit her head on the cement ground during a snatching incident at Wisma Sanyan car park on Wednesday night is now in vegetative state.
Her eldest daughter told reporters yesterday the doctor had broken the bad news to them –the brain cells of her 53-year-old mother had died.
Lee went through a four-hour surgery on Thursday noon, and the hospital is managing her condition now.
Although she was in vegetative state, her family members are not giving up hope.
They took her 10-year-old son – the only boy among six siblings – to her bedside to talk to her, pleading her to wake up.
Lee and her son have a strong bond.
Before the tragedy at 8.45pm, Lee was heading to a tuition centre to pick him up after her beauty facial session at Wisma Sanyan.
Two thieves on a motorcycle then snatched her handbag as Lee was going towards her car, causing her to fall.
Initially, family members did not break Lee’s tragic news to her son, but, they decided to take him to the hospital yesterday, hoping for a miracle from this affectionate bond.
Lee’s taxi-driver husband Wong Sing Poh returned to the crime scene on Thursday, and taking Lee’s shirt alone, he called “her soul to return home” – a traditional ceremony to wake up a comatose person.
Sibu police chief ACP Shafie Ismail confirmed the crime yesterday, saying they had identified the two thieves.
He said a manhunt had been launched; he hoped members of the public would help solve the case soonest, as this was a crime of great public concern.
He said the thieves were always on the move.
He vowed to nail them down.
“I understand Lee’s condition has stabilised; I hope she will get well soon.”
Shafie confirmed the crowded area surrounding Wisma Sanyan was a crime hotspot.
He said he had been sending policemen there regularly to patrol, backed up by Rela members.
He hoped members of the public would not blame the police and the Rela for Lee’s tragedy, saying the surroundings of Wisma Sanyan was a huge area, and Rela patrolling team might be at other spots then.
However, Dudong assemblyman Yap Hoi Liong was not satisfied with Shafie’s explanation.
He said he called Shafie on Thursday night to complain on the Rela’s working attitude.
“I told Shafie I have received numerous public complaints about on-duty Rela members spending long time drinking in coffee shop.
Apparently, they are enjoying the hi-tea session while at work.”
Yap, who was at the hospital visiting Lee’s family members yesterday, said: “Snatching thefts and other property crimes in Sibu have flashed red light.
“The police must beef up the security. How can Rela members afford to take easy time drinking in the coffee shops? Put an end to this hi-tea session.”
The assemblyman hoped the police would solve the snatching case that made Lee a vegetable; he also called on members of the public to help the police.
Meanwhile, the daughters of Lee who work in Sabah, Miri and Kuching have returned after they were told of their mother’s tragedy.
Family members and relatives are keeping vigil in the hospital.
Also in the hospital yesterday were Lee’s husband, her parents-in-law and relatives who returned from outstation on hearing Lee’s tragedy.
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