S'porean taking photo dies in cliff fall

It was to have been a trip in celebration of his recent graduation but, just a few hours after landing in Bali, tragedy struck Singaporean Mohamed Aslam Shahul.

He arrived in Bali with eight friends on Thursday, three days after his graduation from Temasek Polytechnic.

The group travelled later that day to Sandi Bay Beach on Nusa Lembongan island, off the south-east coast of Bali, where Mr Mohamed Aslam, 21, fell off a cliff into the ocean.

"He could not control his balance when he was hit by a wave. He slipped and fell into the ocean," Nusa Penida police chief Gede Arianta told local media.

He added that Mr Mohamed Aslam's body was found at a depth of 5m and doctors later declared him dead.

Local media reported that Mr Mohamed Aslam had fallen in while taking a selfie on the cliff, but a relative who spoke to The Straits Times yesterday said he had in fact been taking pictures of the sunset.

"According to the friends who were with him there, he wasn't taking a selfie," said the relative, who added that two friends tried to jump in to save him but were foiled by strong waves.

His body was brought back to Singapore yesterday.

Remembered as "a very outgoing person" who was helpful, cheerful and loved marathons, Mr Mohamed Aslam leaves behind two siblings and his parents.

hpeishan@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on May 23, 2015.
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