Taxi drivers. Stabbed Passenger. Jail. Three very different terms, and three terms you wouldn’t think to connect in the same sentence. After all, aren’t taxi drivers supposed to be friendly, wise old men who reminisce about the good old days and have a soft spot for beautiful ladies?
Well, it seems that the headline has blown that stereotype clear out of the waters.
Gone are the friendly taxi drivers of old. Taxi drivers are now confrontational, impatient, and from the looks of it…
Rather ready to kill.
Taxi Driver Who Stabbed Passenger Coz He Waited Too Long Sentenced To Jail
According to Channel News Asia, a taxi driver stabbed a passenger in the chest with a pair of scissors, after launching into an argument over having to wait for him.
He was sentenced to seven months’ jail on Monday (10 Feb) for one count of “voluntarily causing hurt with a stabbing instrument”.
According to the same report, Chua Ah Soon, 71, was an SMRT taxi driver at the time. He picked up the victim, 27-year-old Saifuddin Norrudin, at Victoria Street at around 3.30am on 16 May last year.
The victim intended to go to Gay World Hotel at Geylang.
When they arrived at the designated location, the passenger attempted to look for a black file, which he had misplaced and was unable to find.
He then instructed Chua to go to the Shell petrol station at 203 Geylang Lorong 7, as he had gone there earlier and wished to look for the file there.
Chua complied; upon arrival, the passenger alighted and headed into the kiosk to ask about the file.
At this point, the taxi meter was still running, according to Deputy Public Prosecutor Amanda Han.
Patience Is A Virtue? Nah
Less than five minutes later, Chua went into the kiosk and vented his unhappiness at having to wait. He then asked the victim when he was going to make payment, as well as the duration he had to wait.
In response, the passenger answered that he intended to return to Bugis area, and would make the full payment later.
The two men started arguing, and Chua reportedly retrieved a pair of scissors from his taxi.
As they quarrelled, Chua pushed the passenger in the neck, forcing the latter to take a couple of steps back and get into a defensive position.
The taxi driver then charged towards the victim and stabbed him twice with the scissors.
The victim fled, with Chua close behind, and requested help from a pump attendant.
The attendant assisted by paying the cab fare for the victim, and Chua left.
The passenger then dialled for an ambulance, saying:
“I got stabbed, I got two open wounds.”
The call was swiftly routed to the police, though Chua also made a police report. According to Channel News Asia, Chua told the police that a dispute had erupted between him and his passenger, but neglected to mention the stabbing.
He was apprehended later that day, and his scissors were confiscated.
8cm Laceration On The Back Of His Neck
Meanwhile, the victim was taken to hospital, where he received treatment for an 8cm laceration on the back of his neck and a stab wound on his chest.
He was admitted for a week and granted hospitalisation leave for a month.
In court, the prosecutor stated that it was important to deter offences committed against those using public transport.
“Such offences directly affect public safety and security given that public transport is an indispensable part of many people’s daily lives; there is a need to send a strong message that people should be able to go about their daily affairs without any fear of physical violence,” said the prosecutor.
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For intentionally causing hurt by means of a stabbing instrument, Chua could have been jailed up to seven years and fined. As he’s above 50, caning’s not permitted.
Same Wavelength?
Lest you’re wondering, Chua’s not the only cabby in recent times to have struck a nerve with his passenger. Back in November last year, a Trans-Cab taxi driver was captured on video cursing at his passengers, as well as kicking and punching another driver’s car.
However, taxi drivers aren’t the only aggressors here. In July last year, a taxi driver was struck on the face and had to seek medical treatment.
And so that begets the question; is the private-hire industry truly as safe as the average layman would presume?
Only time will tell.
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Meanwhile, passengers need not fear taxis just yet. Notwithstanding the recent cases of aggression, taxi drivers are, on the whole, still a friendly bunch. So sit tight and wear a mask, because the Coronavirus should be the only thing you’re worried about.
