He insists on working on first day of CNY
Remember that big-hearted uncle whom two elderly women took advantage of?
Well, Mr Tan Soy Kiang, 70, was back to his old giving self again.
This time, he insisted on working on the first day of Chinese New Year (CNY) at the Esso petrol station at Toa Payoh Lorong 2.
In fact, he would have skipped his reunion dinner on Wednesday because of work had he had not fallen sick.
Mr Tan's niece, Ms Pamela Lim, 39, said his colleague called her, saying he had vomited at work. She rushed over to take him home.
"At least he got to have reunion dinner at home with his family on Wednesday night," she said.
RESPONSIBILITY
But why work on the first day of CNY?
"He just feels it's his responsibility to work during this period," said Ms Lim. "He is such a big-hearted person."
On Feb 8, The New Paper on Sunday reported that Mr Tan was the victim of a scam which lasted for 15 years. Two Singaporean women had allegedly convinced him that he owed the Government money, when in reality he did not.
It is believed that over the years, Mr Tan was conned into giving them thousands .
TNP visited him yesterday at the petrol station and saw him rushing about his duties as a pump attendant. He was hard at work filling up petrol and giving the cars a quick buff.
His colleagues were also protective of him, refusing to allow the media to interview him on the premises.
After the story broke, Mr Dan Chen, 28, who works at an international school, started a crowdfunding effort on Indiegogo.
It has surpassed its initial goal of raising US$5,000 (S$6,800) and now, over US$40,000 has been raised.
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