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Mother of boy, 13, missing at Kallang River says he's not a strong swimmer, has no fishing experience
He was reportedly fishing with friends at the river, which his mother said he has no experience in.
February 26, 2026, 04:10 PM
The 13-year-old boy who went missing in the Kallang River in a suspected drowning case is not a strong swimmer, according to his mother.
She spoke to reporters about her son at the river on Feb. 26, as the search for him continued for the second day.
The mother, who gave her name as Siti, is from Surabaya, Indonesia, and currently lives in Redhill, The Straits Times reported.
She identified the missing boy as Daniel, who has two brothers and studies at Northlight School, CNA reported.
Northlight School is a specialised school for students who are less academically inclined, and focuses on vocational studies.
The police were alerted to a suspected drowning in Kallang River at about 4:30pm on Feb. 25, and based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play.
'No experience fishing'
The last time Siti saw her son, he told her he was joining his friends who were going fishing.
She had a bad feeling at the time.
Zaobao previously reported that Daniel had been fishing when he supposedly fell into the river.
"Someone called me at 5pm on Feb. 25 to say my son had slipped into Kallang River while fishing and was missing," Siti told ST. "Why would he go? He has no experience fishing."
In tears, she recalled finding it unusual for him to "salaam" three times that morning before leaving for school, referring to the gesture of kissing an elder's hand or pressing it to their nose or forehead.
She also told CNA her son had never caused her any trouble.
A boy who claimed to be Daniel's friend and schoolmate told AsiaOne they had been fishing together with two others when the incident occurred.
The friend said he saw Daniel fall into the water while they were trying to fix a fishing rod, and due to the strong winds, they were unable to save Daniel.
Keeping vigil
Reporters saw Siti keeping vigil with her two other sons along the Kallang River, near block 8B Upper Boon Keng Road, on Feb. 26.
The 46-year-old mother, who runs a food stall, told ST she had to take them with her because her husband is in prison, and her in-laws are unwell.
When she found out Daniel was missing, she rushed to the river immediately.
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