In the early hours of 23 May, I was asked to write a statement. They had no time to waste. I was tired, sleepy and cold. They said I could sleep after my statement was written and they, meaning Sim and DSP Benny Lim, his pleasant, chubby-faced assistant, would help me with my statement. Yes, I was relieved that at least someone was going to help me write a statement and after the statement, I could sleep! …
It must have been about 11 a.m. when I completed my statement. I had a good hot chai tow kuay (radish cake) breakfast, sharing it with Sim and not having the slightest idea that he was the deputy director of ISD. After breakfast, I was sent off to the cell which Sim called the “Shangrila suite”, the best in the detention centre…
Three days of stress were over and I could sleep. It was torturous not to be allowed to sleep for three long days. Dressed in cotton top and trousers, the cold from the air-conditioners was not at all pleasant. Worse, when you saw ISD officers with sweaters and thick jackets. The cold was unbearable. And the strong spotlights strained the eyes.
The day was incredibly hot. I waited for the promised soap and towel. Totally exhausted, I pushed two dusty wooden tables together and immediately fell asleep on them. It was paradise…
