AGONISING SEARCH FOR ANSWERS
Jenna’s parents told CNA that they still have no official explanation for how she died or who may be responsible. Feeling they had no choice, they began their own investigation.
Jenna’s mother, Dr Jennifer Liauw, said some of the school’s efforts to reach out focused more on remembrance than answers.
“They’re talking about a memorial book, but I need an (investigation) report. I don’t care for all these platitudes, I need to know what happened to my child,” said Dr Liauw, 54.
The family launched a website, Justice for Jenna, which includes a video outlining what they believe occurred and a list of questions they say remain unanswered.
In April, Jenna’s father, Mr Alan Chan, travelled to the Maldives to seek answers. There, the 59-year-old obtained several CT scans detailing Jenna’s injuries but said he received no substantial updates from the police on how the investigation was progressing.
In May, officers from the Maldives Police Service flew to Singapore to interview four students and a teacher who had been on the trip. Dr Johnston confirmed that SJII facilitated the interviews.
“As the incident occurred in the Maldives, the powers of investigation rest in the hands of the Maldivian authorities, and the Maldives Police Service is still conducting its investigations,” said Dr Johnston.
Mr Chan has also contacted Singapore agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), but said this had not helped his push for information.
In response to CNA’s queries to several government agencies including MFA and the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Ministry of Education said the Singapore government has been in contact with the family since the incident and is providing support where possible, “within the ambit of our laws and regulations”.
A ministry spokesperson reiterated that Singapore authorities do not have legal jurisdiction to investigate incidents that happen overseas.
“Nonetheless, the SPF has been rendering assistance to the Maldivian authorities who have primary responsibility and jurisdiction over the case.”
CNA has also made repeated attempts to contact the Maldives Police Service for more information.
Calls to the main hotline listed on the agency’s website were answered by an operator, who confirmed that CNA’s email queries had been received. The operator said the case was being handled by a separate department and advised calling them directly.
However, repeated calls to that department went unanswered. Follow-up attempts to reach the main hotline were subsequently disconnected.
