538 Transport Heroes Recognised for Exemplary Service and Acts of Care at the 21st Kindness Awards – Transport Gold

This news release was issued by Singapore Kindness Movement

The 21st Kindness Awards – Transport Gold recognised a record number of 530 service staff in the Transport Industry, for going the extra mile in their work to help others in need. 24 Outstanding Winners were presented with the award at the LTA Auditorium on 27 January 2021, by Guest-of-Honour, Minister for Transport, Ong Ye Kung. The ceremony also saw 8 Caring Commuters receive recognition for their acts of care on public transport; an increase from the 5 winners from the year before.

Started in 1999 as a fringe event alongside the National Courtesy Campaign, The National Kindness Award – Transport Gold is a joint effort by the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM), Land Transport Authority (LTA), and all the public transport operators and associations. The National Kindness Award – Transport Gold awards staff within the public transport service sector who have displayed exemplary service and gracious behaviour in their course of work and hopes to influence their colleagues in contributing to a more pleasant and gracious society. In 2019, the Public Transport Council (PTC) and SKM jointly launched the Caring Commuter Award category, which is the first category dedicated to commuters.

The ceremony, which was postponed from last October due to the pandemic was held in accordance with Safe Management Measures. The scaled down event was held at the LTA Auditorium, where 24 Outstanding Award winners and 8 Caring Commuter Award winners were invited to the ceremony.

One of the Outstanding Award winners was Cab Driver Henry Koh Chee Wee of ComfortDelGro Taxi, who saved a foreign worker suffering from an acute asthma attack. Mr Koh had just completed a trip when he caught sight of a frantic man, asking for help for his friend. Henry Koh immediately offered to send the foreign worker to the emergency department at National University Hospital. Not only did Mr Koh ensure that the foreign worker was attended to at the hospital before leaving, he also did not collect any fares for the trip. This selfless act of kindness saved this man’s life, who later approached a member of the public to write in to commend his valiant efforts.

Commuters were also recognised for their acts of care on public transport. Financial consultant Mr Clement Tan Zhi Hao and undergraduate Mr Muhammad Mu’tasim bin Kassim were awarded the Outstanding Caring Commuter Award for helping an assaulted bus captain. They stepped forward to subdue the commuter who had punched the bus captain, and removed a knife from the assailant’s pocket. In the process, they also helped safeguard other commuters on the bus.

“Kind acts happen all the time, with or without us noticing. During the circuit breaker period, when most people stayed home, our transport workers put their duties first and continued serving Singaporeans daily. I thank all of our transport workers for their strong commitment in ensuring that everyone gets to their destination quickly, safely and comfortably every day.” Minister of Transport, Ong Ye Kung said.

“The year 2020 will forever be remembered as the year of unplanned disruptions, but it has also brought out the best in many of us. As a nation, we need to continue to stay vigilant and united, and I urge Singaporeans to be understanding towards these rules, which are meant to keep the situation under control. I would like to thank our transport workers for not only ensuring a safe and comfortable journey for commuters, but for being at the frontlines and keeping us safe in the fight against the virus. I believe both transport staff and commuters can strive to be greater and kinder, and together, make Singapore a more gracious society to live in.” Dr William Wan, General Secretary of Singapore Kindness Movement remarked.

Click here to download Kindness Awards – Transport Gold images. Kindly credit images to the Ministry of Transport. 

Click here for the speeches of Minister for Transport, Mr Ong Ye Kung and  General Secretary of Singapore Kindness Movement, Dr. William Wan, TGA 2020 Programme booklet and  TGA Fact Sheet 2020.

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About the National Kindness Award – Transport Gold

The National Kindness Award – Transport Gold 2020 was held on 27 January 2021. The event is in its 21th year running and recognises individuals in the transport sector who have displayed exemplary service and gracious behaviour. This award inspires the recipients to continue to shine and influence their colleagues in contributing towards a more pleasant and gracious society. From 1999 to 2020, more than 6,300 courteous staff and drivers have been recognised at the Transport Gold Award Ceremonies.

For more information, please visit: kindness.sg/national-kindness-awards 

About Caring SG Commuters and the Caring Commuter Award

The “Caring SG Commuters” movement began in August 2017, when the Public Transport Council (PTC) launched its first two co-creation trials. The trials provided warm platforms for commuters to interact with fellow commuters, encouraging a caring commuting atmosphere to make everyone’s travel experience more pleasant, inclusive and welcoming.

The Caring Commuter Award recognises public transport commuters who have demonstrated acts of care during their daily commute. The Caring Commuter Award 2020 is jointly launched by the Caring SG Commuters Committee and Singapore Kindness Movement, and is also part of the Caring SG Commuters movement.

For more information, please visit: caringcommuters.gov.sg

About Singapore Kindness Movement

Kindness is in everyone. The Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) wants to encourage everyone to start, show and share kindness. We aspire to inspire graciousness – one kind act at a time. By sparing a thought for the people around us, we hope to create a gracious society, and make life better for you and me. SKM is a non-government, non-profit organisation, as well as a registered charity and Institution of Public Character.