by Chen Jingting

THE student who stabbed him did not seem 'different from other students', Associate Professor Chan Kap Luk told the Coroner's Court yesterday.

They shared 'a normal, supervisor-student relationship', Prof Chan said, when State Counsel Shahla Iqbal asked him to describe his relationship with Nanyang Technological University student David Hartanto Widjaja, 21.

He was testifying on the second day of the inquiry into the death of Mr Widjaja, who fell four storeys in March after allegedly stabbing Prof Chan, his final-year project supervisor, in the back.

When asked by the Widjaja family's lawyer, Mr Shashi Nathan, if they have had meals or coffee together, Prof Chan, 45, replied flatly: 'No.'

Describing the day he tussled with his student, the lecturer recounted how Mr Widjaja had entered his office and stood behind him on his right, stammering and speaking in a 'shaky' voice.

Prof Chan then felt a 'punching' sensation in his back 'a few times'. When he turned around, he saw an 18cm knife 'coming' towards him. Trying to evade the blade, he fell onto the ground and a struggle ensued, with Mr Widjaja on top of him, he testified.

Prof Chan said he managed to grab the blade of the knife and snap it off from its handle, tearing a tendon in his right index finger as he did so. He then kicked Mr Widjaja - causing the student to fall against a metal cabinet - before running for safety, he said.

While trying to reach his colleagues outside, Prof Chan said he glanced back once because he heard Mr Widjaja shouting that he was blaming the professor for the 'whole thing' .

He added that he did not notice if Mr Widjaja was injured.

The inquiry continues today.

jtchen@sph.com.sg

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