Romanian diplomat runs/ Singapore wants him back

The inquiry into the death of Malaysian Tong Kok Wai, 30, a Singapore permanent resident, will be held from March 3 to 10.

Mr Tong died on Christmas Day - 10 days after a hit-and-run accident at Bukit Panjang - after he was taken off life support.

The newly-wed and Malaysian waiter Bong Hwee Haw, 24, were walking on the pedestrian crossing at the junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Bangkit Road at about 3.10am on Dec 15 when they were hit by an embassy car. The car sped off and hit an 18-year-old student at the next controlled junction.

Principal Senior State Counsel Lau Wing Yum revealed this in court on Wednesday while giving a brief summary of what happened that fateful day.

He said the Romanian charge d'affaires, Dr Silviu Ionescu, 49, reported the loss of his car at 3.40am that day. The car, with its front windscreen smashed and bonnet dented, was found locked and abandoned at Sungei Kadut Avenue later that day

Senior State Counsel Lau Wing Yum said said extensive police investigations showed that the car was not stolen and that Dr Ionescu was behind the wheel at the time of the two accidents.

Dr Ionescu flew back to Romania three days later. He has since been recalled by the Romanian government.

But Mr Lau said his whereabouts is not known. He added that the Singapore police are in contact with Interpol Bucharest.

Mr Tong's next of kin is being represented by KhattarWong while Hoh Law Corporation is holding a watching brief for Mr Bong, who has since returned to Kuching for rehabilitation due to severe head and bodily injuries.

The Romanian economic counsellor and acting charge d'affaires, Mr Alexandru Nicolae Coseru turned was present at the mention as well.

POLICE yesterday said they have evidence that Romanian Charge d'Affaires Silviu Ionescu was the driver of the car involved in a hit-and-run accident that left one person dead and two others injured last month.

In rare proceedings held yesterday, Principal Senior State Counsel Lau Wing Yum told State Coroner Victor Yeo that Dr Ionescu, 49, beat two red lights and hit three pedestrians while driving an Audi A6 sedan on Dec 15.

Less than an hour later, he made a false police report that the car had been stolen. Three days later, he left Singapore.

Mr Tong Kok Wai, 30, one of the three victims, died 10 days after the accident at the junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Bangkit Road.

Two others, waiter Bong Hwee Haw, 24, and Muhammad Haris Abu Talib, 18, were hurt in the accident.

Yesterday's proceedings were held ahead of an inquest into Mr Tong's death.

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