Melvin Yong, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC and chairman for Tanjong Pagar town council, posted a photo of him awarding a Certification of Appreciation to a Bangladeshi cleaner on Facebook last night.
Kalam has been working as a cleaner at Tanjong Pagar Town Council for the last 10 years.
He was carrying out his block washing duties last Saturday at Block 103 Commonwealth Crescent when he was approached by an elderly resident who lives at the block.
According to Kalam, the lady looked pale and was clutching her stomach. She revealed a pink vertical scar on her stomach and said she was recuperating from a recent surgery.
She asked for his help to buy food as she was too sick to walk to the market.
Without hestitation, Kalam said he had to help as that was the least he could do for her.
He then rushed back to his storeroom, where cleaners keep their belongings, and retrieved the lunch box which he had prepared for himself the previous night.
It was a packed lunch of rice and curry.
As the elderly flat was about 10 minutes away from the storeroom, Kalam asked a resident whom he’s familiar with, if he could borrow his e-scooter and quickly rushed to Block 103.
However, he was stopped by three neighbourhood police officers as he was making his way there.
Kalam said cleaners are not allowed to use scooters for work. It was for their own safety as well as the residents.
After he explained to the police officers, they understood and even took a moment to compliment him for his selfless act.
Kalam’s supervisor, who declined to be named, said it was not the first time that Kalam has done something like this as he shares his food with elderly residents all the time.
The supervisor also commended him for being one of the kindest people he has met.
Photo credits: Melvin Yong Facebook, Queenstown Neighbourhood Police Centre, Channel NewsAsia
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