25-9-2023 (SINGAPORE) A private-hire driver has ignited a wave of criticism after engaging in a racist tirade against a passenger over a child seat requirement. The incident was captured on video and subsequently shared on social media platforms, sparking outrage among netizens.
The altercation unfolded during a ride that took place on Saturday in Pasir Ris Drive 6, according to reports from The Straits Times. The video, originally posted on TikTok by user Rhiley36746 and later shared on Wakeupsingapore’s Instagram account, shows the driver expressing frustration in broken English about the height of the passenger’s child.
In the footage, which spans over a minute, the driver can be heard saying, “Your baby is less than 1.35 meters tall, I already give you a chance.” The passenger attempts to explain that her nine-year-old daughter is 1.37 meters tall, but the driver dismisses her, stating firmly, “You don’t argue with me, the meter is 1.35 only.”
As the conversation escalates, the passenger responds with a casual remark, saying, “Ok, complain.” The driver retorts, “Complain is good. Because you are very illegal.” The female passenger then questions the driver, asking, “Illegal for what, uncle?” The driver insinuates that she had asked him to go in the wrong direction, leading to a heated exchange.
In an aggressive manner, the driver warns the passenger, “Don’t haolian” (a term in Hokkien dialect meaning “show-off”) before exclaiming, “You are Indian… I am Chinese, people know that you are Indian, I am Chinese, you are the very… worst customer.”
The passenger, clearly taken aback by the sudden outburst, expresses her surprise audibly. She informs the driver that she is Singaporean-Eurasian, but he continues unfazed, claiming, “No worry… I know you Indian. I’m Chinese, you try to be funny with me.”
Undeterred, the passenger asserts, “Regardless, there are Singaporean-Indians, by the way… You are racist.” The driver dismisses the conversation, stating, “I’m just a driver only, nothing to do with you,” shortly before the video concludes.
The video quickly went viral, attracting over 300 comments on the Wakeupsingapore version alone. The majority of commenters condemned the driver’s behavior and demanded that appropriate action be taken against him, including termination of his employment.
@rhiley36746 This tada driver was being racist to by aunty and younger cousin #fp#fyp#fyp#fyp#viral#racist#racsim#viral# fyp#fyp#foryou#singapore#Tada ♬ original sound – Rhiley
