Sheng Siong kidnap victim takes the stand

For the 12 hours she was held hostage, 79-year-old Mdm Ng Lye Poh's world went dark. 

Blindfolded with a black cloth, she could only recall her ordeal in terms of sound and movement - she said she heard her handbag being unzipped, her phone being thrown into the back of a car, driving over uneven road and being transferred into another car. 

Mdm Ng, now 81, testified against Lee Sze Yong on Thursday (Sep 1), the third day of Lee's kidnap-for-ransom trial. 

Lee, 44, lured Mdm Ng into his car at about noon on Jan 8, 2014 and demanded S$20 million from her millionaire son for his mother's release. 

Her son is Mr Lim Hock Chee, who owns the Sheng Siong chain of supermarkets. Forbes estimates Mr Lim's net worth at S$730 million. 

Mdm Ng told the High Court that though she had not been tied up, she could not remove her blindfold, as her captor beat her hand away when she tried to "take a peek". 

The elderly woman also said Lee, whom she said she is now unable to recognise, threatened to tie her up if she tried to remove her blindfold again. 

Lee tricked Mdm Ng into getting into his rented car by telling her Mr Lim had suffered a serious fall in the office, and that he would take her to him. 

Mdm Ng testified that after she had got into the car, and before she was blindfolded, she took her mobile phone out of her handbag intending to call her daughter. 

However, the battery was flat and she kept the phone. 

The elderly woman also denied Lee had assured her he would send her home safely that day. In his statements to the police, Lee repeatedly said he had assured the woman he would send her home eventually, knowing the diabetic was due for her daily insulin jab. 

Another point Mdm Ng denied was drinking from a can Lee had offered her, in case she was thirsty. Though her DNA was found on the half-empty can, Mdm Ng insisted she did not consume any drink while she was with Lee. 

After her 40-minute testimony, the frail Mdm Ng, who is recovering from an operation, was helped back into her wheelchair by her domestic helper and police officers. 

Lee will take the stand next to defend himself.