From ‘Where’s the soul?’ 4 may 2010, Voices, Today online
IN his May Day message, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on Singaporeans to work together to sustain growth.
I would say it is equally important that Singaporeans must have a soul in them.
My life-threatening experience on Feb 21 showed otherwise, alas. Not only was I – as a 71-year-old taxi driver – ignored by passers-by when I lay on the grass verge at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 for about half an hour, I was also robbed of my night’s driving income in my distress.
I was subsequently hospitalised for three days for a suspected heart attack.
Ed: ‘Lay on the grass verge’ sounds like a relaxing bask in the sun. Still, tales of personal tragedy are hard to verify on public forums and the bystander effect appears to be a universal phenomemon, not just in soulless Singapore. Simple kindness in the form of giving up seats to the elderly is one thing, risking writing a tedious report as a witness to death while trying to be a hero is another. More tales of the heartless here.
Filed under: 2010, Politicians, Taxi drivers Tagged: | bystanding, Lee Hsien Loong, Politicians, Ugly Singaporeans
