● 632 awards were given out to staff members of transport service providers for outstanding service during their course of work
● 27 Outstanding Award winners were presented with the award by Guest-of-Honour, Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Mr S Iswaran at the ceremony, held at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre
● Dr William Wan, General Secretary of Singapore Kindness Movement, highlighted that the commitment of the winners has helped to establish Singapore’s world-class transport system
2 December 2022 ━ A record number of 632 service staff in the Transport Industry were recognised at The 23rd Kindness Awards – Transport Gold Award, for embodying the values of kindness while on the job. Out of the awardees, 27 Outstanding Awards winners were selected for their exemplary service. Held at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Guest-of-Honour, Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Mr S Iswaran, presented the awards.
The National Kindness Award – Transport Gold is a collaborative effort between the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM), the Land Transport Authority (LTA), and all public transportation operators and associations. It recognises employees in the public transportation service sector who have demonstrated exceptional service and gracious behaviour in the course of their work. The intention of The National Kindness Award – Transport Gold is to commemorate these outstanding transportation workers for their contribution toward a more pleasant and gracious society, and encourage their colleagues to follow their example.
One of the Outstanding Award winners is Khairiah Hanim Mazlan, a 44-year-old driver for Gojek Singapore. In the past four years, Khairiah has convinced four passengers who had suicidal thoughts to seek help at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) instead. On one occasion in 2020, she waited for three hours at the emergency department of IMH with a distraught passenger.
She sensed something was wrong when she noticed the young woman weeping silently in the back seat while staring blankly out of the window. Encouraged by Khairiah to talk about what was troubling her, the woman said her boyfriend had just threatened to circulate nude photos of her. Khairiah learned that the woman had no one else to turn to, as her friends had chided her for staying with the boyfriend even though they advised her to leave him. Khairiah convinced her to go to IMH and stayed with her until she saw the doctor. Khairiah also comforted and assured the passenger, as the woman was worried that if she was warded she might lose her job and her friends might see her differently.
Another outstanding winner is Chuah Eu Soon, a 43 years old Assistant Interchange Supervisor who is working for SBS Transit. In January 2022, a middle-aged lady approached him at the Passenger Service Centre with a request. She had injured her leg and would like to borrow a wheelchair to get to a nearby clinic for treatment. Seeing her in pain, Eu Soon offered to call for an ambulance which she declined. He then helped her into a wheelchair and insisted on pushing her all the way to the clinic. At the clinic, Eu Soon waited with her and then accompanied her to purchase a pair of crutches. After that, he walked with her to the taxi stand and when he was sure that she had boarded a taxi safely, he returned to the interchange to resume his work.
“Singapore has a world-class public transport system, and as seen today, we have top-notch transport service staff and gracious commuters to complement it as well. It shows that our transport service staff and commuters are people who are proactive and take every opportunity to improve our transport system, making it more enjoyable and pleasant for all. A kinder you, a stronger us,” Dr William Wan, General Secretary of Singapore Kindness Movement remarked.
Click here for the speeches of Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Mr S Iswaran and General Secretary of Singapore Kindness Movement, Dr. William Wan, Programme Booklet, Fact Sheet and Press Release.
About the National Kindness Award – Transport Gold
Tthe National Kindness Award – Transport Gold 2022 was held on 2nd December 2022. The event, now in its 23rd year, honours individuals in the transportation industry who have demonstrated exemplary service and gracious behaviour. This award motivates the recipients to continue shining and influencing their colleagues in order to contribute to a more pleasant and gracious society. From 1999 to 2022, the Transport Gold Award Ceremonies recognised over 7,500 courteous employees and drivers.
For more information, please visit: kindness.sg/corporate/national-kindness-awards/
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.