Porridge stall owner showered with praise for seeking customer who paid $540 for $5.40 meal
Photo: Mun Zuk FB
SINGAPORE: The owner of a porridge stall in Westgate mall has drawn widespread praise from netizens after she launched a search for a customer who accidentally paid $540 for a $5.40 meal.
The incident took place on Tuesday (June 10) at around 2pm, at Mun Zuk , a well-loved local eatery. According to Mrs Tan, the stall's owner, the customer had paid using PayNow — but instead of $5.40, he entered $540 into the transaction.
'This gentleman scanned our QR code for the PayNow transaction, keyed in the amount himself and left,' Mrs Tan shared in a Facebook post, 'Our staff was busy during the time of the incident as it was lunch time.'
It wasn't until after the lunch rush had passed that staff realised the massive overpayment. Alarmed, they began searching the mall for the customer but were unable to locate him. 'We waited for him to come back, but he didn't,' Mrs Tan said.
The eatery has since taken to social media in hopes of reaching the man and returning the excess $534.60. A CCTV image of the customer was shared in the post, along with a heartfelt message: 'No questions asked — we just want to return the money to its rightful owner.'
The post quickly gained traction, with many commending Mun Zuk for its integrity. Comments flooded in, lauding the stall for its honesty and commitment to doing the right thing, even when they could have quietly kept the money.
In a time when businesses are struggling, Singaporeans said they are heartened to see such honesty. Some commenters were so impressed with Mrs Tan's honesty that they vowed to visit Westgate just to support her stall.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
How Newcastle graduates are shaping the future across borders and industries
In the devastating wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed more than 200,000 lives across Southeast Asia and beyond, Mr Anwar Abdullah and his colleagues from the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management moved swiftly into action. To strengthen regional cooperation on disaster prevention, preparation, response and recovery, they spearheaded the creation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER). As he helped manage the intense discussions and negotiations among all 10 ASEAN member nations, Mr Anwar drew on skills he first developed during his undergraduate studies at the University of Newcastle, Australia, from which he graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Economics (Honours). Ranked among the world's top 40 institutions according to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, the University of Newcastle established its Asia-Pacific hub in Singapore in 2006. The Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education partners local and regional organisations and institutions to deliver high-quality academic programmes and drive transformative research. 'The university's focus on global citizenship, critical thinking and inclusive leadership gave me the intellectual foundation and interpersonal skills that shaped my work with ASEAN and on the international stage, particularly during the negotiation and eventual ratification of AADMER in 2009,' Mr Anwar shared. Mr Anwar's contributions to AADMER are just one example of how Newcastle graduates are making a difference across borders and industries. As the University of Newcastle celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2025 – alongside SG60 and six decades of strong ties between Australia and Singapore – its alumni continue to push boundaries, creating new opportunities that advance excellence, sustainability and equity at home and around the world. LEARNING TO LEAD IN THE REAL WORLD Mr Anwar, who is currently CEO of credits his leadership learning at the University of Newcastle for his successful career as deputy commissioner in the Singapore Civil Defence Force and chief executive of the Home Team Academy (HTA), a position he held until early this year. 'The University of Newcastle nurtured in me a sense of responsibility to lead with integrity, serve with empathy and remain courageous in the face of uncertainty,' said the former president of the university's Singapore Students Association. 'The university's encouragement of innovative thinking also greatly influenced my leadership style and has driven many initiatives at HTA, such as adopting new training technologies and reimagining curriculum frameworks.' Under Mr Anwar's leadership, HTA forged strategic alliances, nurtured public-private partnerships and established four Centres of Excellence in a boost to its global public safety and security training reputation. Exposure to diverse worldviews and wide-scale challenges during his undergraduate education was also key to Mr Anwar's tenure at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs from 2012 to 2021, where he served as a co-chair of the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group Guidelines Review Committee. Tasked to lead the revision of international search and rescue protocols, Mr Anwar recounted collaborating with global partners, drawing on operational insights and cultural intelligence to improve global disaster response frameworks. 'My time at the University of Newcastle prepared me well for a career and a purpose-driven journey in service and innovation. Whether it's protecting a nation, supporting students or shaping international humanitarian standards, service transcends borders.' For Dr Sunny Johar, the University of Newcastle offered a springboard to a global career. Drawn by the university's academic reputation and its emphasis on equipping students with real-world skills, Dr Johar pursued her Bachelor of Business degree there. 'The University of Newcastle stood out for its strong academic programmes, global recognition and commitment to equipping students with the skills to lead in an interconnected world,' she explained. 'Its focus on combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience aligned with my aspirations.' Since graduating in 2014, Dr Johar has risen to become managing director of Southeast Asia and group head of digital strategy at KRDS Digital. She credits her ability to thrive in fast-evolving environments to the foundation built during her time at Newcastle. 'The knowledge I gained about strategic operations and running a business has directly contributed to my career progression, helping me to lead teams with purpose and clarity,' she shared. Dr Johar aims to expand KRDS Digital's reach by driving continued innovation in digital marketing, advertising and technology, while nurturing a high-performing team. She draws inspiration from the faculty at the University of Newcastle, who encouraged students to think critically about complex global challenges. Those lessons have shaped her journey as a business leader. 'The faculty emphasised the importance of being humble, curious and striving to be better every day. As a leader, I strive to instil a culture of learning and continuous improvement, empowering my team to adapt quickly and make data-driven decisions while retaining their creativity, curiosity and strategic thinking.' Mr Anwar is also a firm believer in the value of continuous learning. After earning his Master of Science in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management from the University of Leicester in United Kingdom in 2005, he has remained committed to personal and professional growth. He said: 'By continually acquiring new skills and knowledge, lifelong learners become more innovative, resilient and better equipped to make meaningful contributions to their professions, communities and society.' As the University of Newcastle marks its 60th anniversary, Dr Johar hopes that graduates across Australia, Singapore and the region will embrace the opportunities ahead. 'The world is changing rapidly, and with the right blend of academic excellence, practical skills and an entrepreneurial mindset, Newcastle graduates are poised to make a significant impact in their fields,' she noted. 'I hope they will apply the lessons learned at the university to create a future that is not only successful, but meaningful.'
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Stock take today: Tame inflation brings gains, Asian equities rally on US-China "deal"
CNA938 Rewind On the daily markets analysis on Open For Business, Andrea Heng and Susan Ng speak with Kai Wang, Asia Equity Market Strategist at Morningstar.
Independent Singapore
an hour ago
- Independent Singapore
Income Insurance to fully reimburse policyholders with Jetstar Asia bookings after July 31
- Advertisement - Income Insurance has announced it will fully reimburse affected policyholders who made flight bookings after July 31 following Jetstar Asia's closure announcement, despite the event not being listed under its insured perils, Singapore Business Review reported. This includes hotel stays, theme park tickets, and transport costs, as long as they can show non-refundable proof. On June 11, Qantas announced that its Singapore-based budget airline will cease operations on July 31, affecting more than 500 employees. Singapore Business Review reported that the company closure is part of its move to shift $500 million in capital towards upgrading its fleet and focusing on core operations in Australia and New Zealand. - Advertisement - Jetstar Asia's 13 Airbus A320 aircraft will be redeployed to Australia and New Zealand to support local operations, which will create over 100 new jobs there. While 16 intra-Asia routes will end, Jetstar Airways and Jetstar Japan operations will continue. For this financial year, Jetstar Asia is expected to report an EBIT loss of $35 million. /TISG Read also: Changi Airport too costly for a budget airline like Jetstar? The prospects and pitfalls for low-cost carriers
