Caretaker's Death: Murder, say Police (Bukit Brown)

While researching about Bukit Brown Cemetery, i came across this tragic story in the Straits Times, dated 5 May 1980. Cemetery tomb keeper /care-taker and part-time gardener, Mr. Pasiman bin Sadikan, 70 years of age was found dead with his hands tied and mouth gagged. He suffocated to death and his body was found in his wooden and zinc hut on the fringe of Bukit Brown Cemetery, near Wallace Way off Lornie Road. His 15 years' life savings was missing. Police have classified the case as murder. Mr. Pasiman bin Sadikan, a bachelor, was a care-taker for the graves at Bukit Brown for the past 15 years and earns about $400 a month tending graves and gardening work for the residents in the area. On 2nd May 1980, at around 9 pm, robbers went to his secluded hut and then gagged and tied him. They took Mr. Pasiman's money ($1,235) and his grass cutting equipment and left. His body was found at about 8 am by one of his friend, Mr. Sarip bin Haji Nawawi, 62, a pump attendant. Another friend who declined to be named, said that the deceased have been saving with the intent of visiting his relatives in Java, Indonesia and recently obtained a Singapore International Passport for his first trip. It was a trip that was never meant to be.

Caretaker/ Tombkeeper Pasiman bin Sadikan

There were no signs of injury marks on the deceased body and police spokesperson, Supt. Au-Yong Weng Wah believe that the death was result of suffocation. This also was the same conclusion when the perpetrator of the crime was caught and charged at Court.

Perpetrator

Busroh (Pusroh) bin Katimon was charged in the magistrate court on 27 May 1980 for the murder of Mr. Pasimon bin Sadikan. Pusroh bin Katimon, 23 years old, a factory worker was initially charge with murder, but at the High Courts, the sentence was later reduced to robbery with the intent of hurt. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with 10 strokes of the cane. What about the other robbers? I am unable to find more information on whether the rest of the robbers were caught or whether the sentencing implied that there was only in fact 1 perpetrator of the crime.

Tombkeeper murdered 

References

Slain man was saving for a trip. (1980, May 4). The Straits Times, page 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Caretaker's Death: Murder Say's Police. (1980, May 5). The Straits Times, page 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Pekebun mati tercekek di pondok. (1980, May 4). Berita Minggu, page 1.Retrieved from NewspaperSG
On murder charge. (1980, May 28). The Straits Times, page 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG
Leiaki yg rompak, cederakan mangsa dihukum. (1981, January 27). Berita Harian, page 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG