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CNA
30-07-2025
- General
- CNA
Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Migrant workers who rescued driver invited to Istana
SINGAPORE: The seven migrant workers who rescued the driver from the Tanjong Katong sinkhole last weekend have been invited to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Istana, his office said on Wednesday (Jul 30). The President's Office told CNA that it had invited the migrant workers involved in the sinkhole rescue, along other guests, to the Istana open house this Sunday. They are: Site foreman Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah, 47, and his co-workers Mr Velmurugan Muthusamy, 27, Mr Poomalai Saravanan, 28, Mr Ganesan Veerasekar, 32, Mr Bose Ajithkumar, 26, Mr Narayanasamy Mayakrishnan, 25, and Mr Sathapillai Rajendran, 56. "There will be opportunities for interaction between the guests - including the migrant workers – and the president during the Istana open house," it added. The site where the sinkhole opened up along Tanjong Katong Road South is adjacent to an active PUB worksite involving the construction of a 16m-deep shaft to connect three existing sewer lines. A concrete component in the shaft "failed" at around 5.50pm last Saturday, according to the national water agency. Around the same time, a sinkhole formed on the adjacent road, causing a car to fall in. Mr Subbiah's quick thinking, along with that of his workers, helped pull the woman to safety with a rope within minutes. The seven migrant workers were on Sunday evening awarded with a Friends of ACE appreciation coin by Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash. The coin is named after Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) Group, a division that aims to support migrant workers' well-being. It is a "token of appreciation" presented to migrant worker volunteers and partners who have made meaningful contributions towards supporting and caring for the migrant worker community. "It is also awarded to migrant workers who demonstrate courage, initiative or public spiritedness in times of need," the ministry added. While there has been some discussion on social media about whether the coins were an appropriate way to recognise the migrant workers' heroic act, MOM said it was "encouraged" to receive feedback calling for more forms of appreciation. Charity and migrant worker support organisation ItsRainingRaincoats said on Wednesday that it had reached its donation campaign target of raising S$70,000 (US$54,260) for the seven migrant workers. "Thank you Singapore for your overwhelming kindness and generosity to the brave sinkhole rescue migrant worker heroes!" it said on its Facebook page, adding that the funds raised will be divided between the workers involved and transferred to their bank accounts. According to its campaign page, the donation raised S$72,241 from 1,639 donors.
New Paper
30-07-2025
- General
- New Paper
'It's embarrassing': Netizens criticise MOM's appreciation coins for migrant workers in sinkhole rescue
Netizens are questioning why authorities have not done more to reward the efforts of the migrant workers who rescued a woman from the Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole. A thread posted on the r/Singapore subreddit captioned "That's so sad, wish they were given something more useful", featuring a video of Minister of State (MOS) for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash presenting commemorative coins to the workers, has quickly gained traction. Mr Dinsh, who paid a personal visit to the workers' dormitory on the evening of July 27, said the coins are a small token of appreciation that goes a long way in recognising the contributions of migrant workers in Singapore. The coins, presented in red boxes and akin certificates of commendation, are similar to those given to four migrant workers who helped rescue children from a shophouse fire in River Valley in April. 'It's embarrassing': Netizens criticise coins But many commentors on the Reddit thread expressed frustration and disappointment over the gesture. One called it "embarrassing", suggesting that the workers should have been given something more official, such as formal certificates that could support them in future job applications. Others questioned why the workers were not offered something more practical such as cash or vouchers. "Does this coin mean anything to the workers?" one asked, adding that a monetary reward, even if modest, "would mean the world to them". Should good deeds always be rewarded with money? While public sentiment appears to have been largely critical, it also raises a broader question: should good deeds be rewarded with money? Associate Professor Tan Ern Ser, a sociologist at the National University of Singapore (NUS), told The New Paper that he believes it is "inappropriate" for acts of bravery or civic responsibility to be routinely rewarded with cash. Financial incentives and rewards like cash gifts "could undermine the intrinsic rewards of helpfulness," said A/P Tan. Financial support is what workers value: IRR Local charity ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR) recently launched a fundraiser that has since exceeded its target of raising $70,000 for the migrant workers involved in the sinkhole rescue. In an interview with The New Paper, IRR founder Dipa Swaminathan said she believes financial support is what the workers truly value, and is "incredibly proud" of the amount raised. Ms Swaminathan also highlighted the emotional significance of the support: the validation the workers would feel, and the goodwill such gestures could foster. "It would be tremendous for them," she said. MOM had not responded to TNP's queries as of press time.
New Paper
30-07-2025
- General
- New Paper
Tanjong Katong sinkhole: More than $20K raised for foreign workers who rescued driver
A fundraiser for the seven migrant workers that came to the rescue of a driver who fell into a sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road South has so far raised more than $20,000. Local charity ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR) aims to raise $50,000, which will go directly to the seven men. More than 440 donors have contributed as of press time. The workers, led by foreman Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah, threw a nylon rope into the sinkhole and pulled the driver to safety. Videos of the rescue have circulated widely online, garnering much praise. According to IRR, netizens have called for the men to receive National Day Awards, permanent resident status, and even citizenship. 'Bravery deserves to be honoured' "This campaign is our way - your way - of saying thank you," said IRR on the fundraiser campaign page. "Funds raised will help recognise their contribution in a meaningful, tangible way. "Because bravery deserves to be honoured. Because these men are not just workers -- they are the backbone of our nation. Because if we can't give them medals, we can still give them dignity." Recognition from authorities Netizens questioned why authorities have not done more to reward the men's efforts. During a visit to the workers' dormitory on July 27, Minister for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash also presented each of them with a commemorative coin from the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM's) Assurance, Care, and Engagement (ACE) Group. Mr Dinesh commended the workers for their quick thinking, noting that the coins - akin to a certificate of commendation - were a small token of appreciation to them. But netizens criticised the gesture, questioning why the workers were not given something more practical, such as cash or vouchers. The New Paper has reached out to IRR and MOM for comment. In a Facebook post on July 26, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) also praised the workers for the driver's rescue. "We will be reaching out to the workers to commend them for their bravery and prompt action in saving a life."
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Foreign workers who rescued woman from sinkhole given tokens of appreciation
SINGAPORE – Seven foreign workers who rescued a woman from a sinkhole along Tanjong Katong Road South on July 26 were given tokens of appreciation on the night of July 27. Mr Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah, Mr Velmurugan, Mr Saravanan, Mr Veerasekar, Mr Ajithkumar, Mr Chandirasekaran and Mr Rajendran each received a coin from the Ministry of Manpower's Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) Group. Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash gave the Friends of ACE coins to the workers personally when he visited them at their dormitory on July 27, he said in a Facebook video on July 28. The coins, which are presented in red boxes, are similar to certificates of commendation. In April, four construction workers involved in saving children from a River Valley shophouse fire also received these coins for their efforts. A section of Tanjong Katong Road South collapsed at around 5.50pm on July 26. It caused two lanes of the road to cave in, just adjacent to a PUB worksite. A woman and the black car she was driving fell into the sinkhole when the ground suddenly gave way under the vehicle. The workers, who were at the worksite, pulled the female driver to safety using a nylon rope. Mr Dinesh said in the Facebook video: 'All of them have, in their own ways, leaned forward to support the lady who was in need, and that made a big difference to a situation that would have otherwise been very different.' He added that the coins were a small token of appreciation for the workers, who have travelled very far from home to 'not only build Singapore, but also to make sure that when they are required, they step forward and they can help others as well'. Mr Dinesh commended the seven workers for reacting quickly, moving forward to help the driver and stopping traffic to prevent further incidents from taking place. 'Not only do (these migrant workers) work in the worksites and build Singapore – especially in the construction sector, but they also step forward and make themselves counted when it's important for them to do so,' he added. Mr Subbiah, a 46-year-old construction site foreman at Ohin Construction, had told the media that he and his colleagues saw the female driver fall into the sinkhole and wanted to help her as quickly as possible. He noted that one of his colleagues wanted to go down to help her, but Mr Subbiah advised him against doing so as he was worried they would not be able to climb out. He then instructed a group of workers to toss the woman a nylon rope so that they could pull her out. The entire rescue effort lasted three to five minutes. The woman was taken conscious to hospital. On the evening of July 26, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on Facebook that the driver was rescued by workers before SCDF arrived at the scene. 'We will be reaching out to the workers to commend them for their bravery and prompt action in saving a life,' it added. The Straits Times has contacted SCDF for more information. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Foreign workers who rescued woman from sinkhole given tokens of appreciation
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash gave the tokens of appreciation to the workers when he visited them at their dormitory on July 27. SINGAPORE – Seven foreign workers who rescued a woman from a sinkhole along Tanjong Katong Road South on July 26 were given tokens of appreciation on the night of July 27. Mr Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah, Mr Velmurugan, Mr Saravanan, Mr Veerasekar, Mr Ajithkumar, Mr Chandirasekaran and Mr Rajendran each received a coin from the Ministry of Manpower's Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) Group. Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash gave the Friends of ACE coins to the workers personally when he visited them at their dormitory on July 27, he said in a Facebook video on July 28. The coins, which are presented in red boxes, are similar to certificates of commendation. In April, four construction workers involved in saving children from a River Valley shophouse fire also received these coins for their efforts. A section of Tanjong Katong Road South collapsed at around 5.50pm on July 26 . It caused two lanes of the road to cave in, just adjacent to a PUB worksite. A woman and the black car she was driving fell into the sinkhole when the ground suddenly gave way under the vehicle. The workers, who were at the worksite, pulled the female driver to safety using a nylon rope . Mr Dinesh said in the Facebook video: 'All of them have, in their own ways, leaned forward to support the lady who was in need, and that made a big difference to a situation that would have otherwise been very different.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Thailand, Cambodia agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole backfilled; road to be repaved after PUB tests Singapore Ong Beng Seng set to plead guilty on Aug 4 in case linked to ex-transport minister Iswaran Asia Gunman kills 5 security guards near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Singapore COE quota up 2.6% to 18,701 for August to October Business Resilient economy versus uncertain outlook splits views on Singapore's monetary policy Singapore HPB looking for vaping, smoking counselling services for up to 175 secondary school students Singapore Jail for former pre-school teacher who tripped toddler repeatedly, causing child to bleed from nose He added that the coins were a small token of appreciation for the workers, who have travelled very far from home to 'not only build Singapore, but also to make sure that when they are required, they step forward and they can help others as well'. Mr Dinesh commended the seven workers for reacting quickly, moving forward to help the driver and stopping traffic to prevent further incidents from taking place. 'Not only do (these migrant workers) work in the worksites and build Singapore – especially in the construction sector, but they also step forward and make themselves counted when it's important for them to do so,' he added. Mr Subbiah, a 46-year-old construction site foreman at Ohin Construction, had told the media that he and his colleagues saw the female driver fall into the sinkhole and wanted to help her as quickly as possible. He noted that one of his colleagues wanted to go down to help her, but Mr Subbiah advised him against doing so as he was worried they would not be able to climb out. He then instructed a group of workers to toss the woman a nylon rope so that they could pull her out. The entire rescue effort lasted three to five minutes. The woman was taken conscious to hospital. On the evening of July 26, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on Facebook that the driver was rescued by workers before SCDF arrived at the scene. 'We will be reaching out to the workers to commend them for their bravery and prompt action in saving a life,' it added. The Straits Times has contacted SCDF for more information.
