The man who became a meal

We may be familiar with the sight of the famous rare white tigers lounging in their enclosure.

But on a fateful day in November 2008, the majestic nine-year-old beasts showed the world their natural killer instincts.

Malaysian contract worker Nordin Montong died after climbing into the white tiger exhibit and was attacked by its three inhabitants, a male named Omar and two females, Jippie and Winnie.

The 32-year-old cleaner had deliberately jumped into the moat that separated the tigers from visitors, waded towards the creatures and was subsequently mauled to death - all in full view of shocked onlookers who at White tigers went from being star attractions at the Singapore Zoo to fatal attractions in under five minutes, attacking a cleaner who inexplicably leapt into their enclosure We may be familiar with the sight of the famous rare white tigers lounging in their enclosure.

But on a fateful day in November 2008, the majestic nine-year-old beasts showed the world their natural killer instincts.

Malaysian contract worker Nordin Montong died after climbing into the white tiger exhibit and was attacked by its three inhabitants, a male named Omar and two females, Jippie and Winnie.

The 32-year-old cleaner had deliberately jumped into the moat that separated the tigers from visitors, waded towards the creatures and was subsequently mauled to death - all in full view of shocked onlookers who at first thought it was all a show.

It became a talking point for weeks.

The New Paper got right on top of the horrific incident and stayed ahead of the competition, to the extent of winning a Society of Publishers in Asia (Sopa) award for Excellence in the Reporting, Breaking News Category in 2009.

Our coverage included gripping details from scores of witnesses, as well as exclusive pictures and video footage of the entire incident.

The reports were picked up around the world, making international headlines.

TNP also flew to the victim's hometown of Kuching, Sarawak, to interview his family and show how they were coming to terms with their loss.

We went the extra mile in providing a human dimension to the tragic tale.

"Getting the video, to me, was pivotal. It was really a case of being at the right place, at the right time," former TNP correspondent Desmond Ng, 40, recalled in a TNP interview in March.

Ranking it as "one of his most memorable stories" as he knew he had "a major scoop" on his hands, Mr Ng, who rushed to the venue right after the incident, said he zoomed in on those who were leaving the zoo.

"I overheard a bunch of students discussing the video at the next table. It was jackpot, and I quickly bundled them into my car and sped to the newsroom to show our editors the video."

The grisly attack was filmed from the white tiger exhibit's viewing gallery by 16-year-old student Mohammad Khairul Nizam Zainal , who handed the footage over.

"The police also took a copy of the video for their investigation," said Mr Ng.

The four-minute video clip showed the captive-bred big cats looking on curiously at the man who had intruded upon their territory.

PROVOKED

When Mr Nordin got close, he provoked them using a pail and a broom.

Omar then swiped him with his right paw, and the impact sent Mr Nordin sprawling. The tigers pawed at and bit him as he crouched in a foetal position.

Realising he was at the mercy of the massive predators, he was heard repeating in Malay: "If you want to kill me, go ahead. Forgive me. God is almighty."

Shocked visitors and desperate zookeepers alike hurled various items, including umbrellas and stones, in vain attempts to distract the tigers.

Zoo staff broke open the emergency box and eventually managed to get Jippie and Winnie back into the dens.

Through a fence, a zookeeper poked Omar's head with a metal pole to get him to retreat as well.

Once the tigers were secured, medical personnel attended to the unconscious Mr Nordin.

But it was too late. Mr Nordin had 90 external injuries from top to toe, in addition to fractures of the skull, neck and ribs.

A verdict of suicide was recorded by State Coroner Victor Yeo in 2009.

However, Sun City Maintenance, the cleaning company that hired him, bore the $3,000 funeral and transport expenses.

RE-OPENING

It was back to business for the zoo, with the re-opening of the white tiger exhibit five days after the tragedy and the introduction of more safety enhancements.

Why Mr Nordin courted death in such a public and sensational manner remains a mystery.

He had started work at the chimpanzee enclosure in June 2008.

By all accounts, he was a good worker with no mental health issues, but was often homesick.

According to colleagues, he was also troubled over money matters and pay cuts.

Just minutes before the tragedy, Mr Nordin reportedly exhibited strange behaviour.

He told colleagues at the zoo that they would not see him again as he would "no longer be here".

He also threw his Malaysian driving licence and staff meal vouchers into the crocodile enclosure.

The bizarre circumstances surrounding his death plunged his parents and five siblings into grief and disbelief.

FUNERAL

Former TNP correspondent Teh Jen Lee, 34, contacted his family and travelled to Kuching, Sarawak, for the funeral at the Kampung Sambir Muslim cemetery on Nov 15, 2008.

His sisters asked to view the footage of Mr Nordin's last moments. Even though it was a painful process that had them cringing and crying, it may have been the right decision.

Ms Teh, who went on to do her PhD, told TNP in an interview in March: "Watching their brother cry out Allah's name gave them a sense of comfort that even in that moment, he was still with God. It helped to give them some sort of closure."

But Mr Nordin's parents were spared the truth as it would have worsened their frail health.

Over the years, Ms Teh has maintained ties with his three sisters.

In 2011, elder sister Nora Montong, 39, said she had not celebrated her birthday since her brother died.

Younger sibling Aida, 33, explained: "Nora and my late brother shared the same birthday - April 8...

"She does not want to do anything on her birthday because she would think of him and it would make her sad."

All three of Mr Nordin's sisters just want to forget the past.

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