In the Spotlight

On the morning of 15 September 2020, Clement Tan Zhi Hao was waiting at the bus stop in front of Block 201 Pasir Ris Drive 1. Mr Tan realised something was amiss as the bus was stopped at the bus stop and did not move off. Many commuters were also alighting from the bus at one go. Mr Tan then noticed that a commuter had an altercation with the bus captain on board the bus, and called the police.

Muhammad Mu’tasim bin Kassim, who was also at the same bus stop, saw the bus captain trapped in his seat with the commuter confronting him. He too called the police.

When the commuter punched the bus captain, Mr Tan, Mr Muhammad Mu’tasim and a third commuter (unknown) rushed in to subdue him. The three of them managed to pin down the assailant until the police arrived. They also spotted and removed a kitchen knife from the assailant’s pocket.

The actions of Mr Tan and Mr Muhammad Mu’tasim not only helped subdue the assailant who had assaulted the bus captain, but also safeguarded other commuters.

Clement and Mu'tasim receiving the Caring Commuter Award 2020 from Minister of Transport Ong Ye Kung at National Kindness Award - Transport Gold 2020 held on 27 Jan 2021.

Photo: Ministry of Transport

The Caring Commuter Award recognises commuters who have demonstrated acts of care to others in need during their daily commute on public transport.

Jointly launched by the Public Transport Council and Singapore Kindness Movement in 2019, the award is presented as part of the Caring SG Commuters movement.