Hawker dies of overexertion after 18-hour workdays to repay debt

New Straits Times

08-06-2025

SINGAPORE: A trader who worked more than 18 hours a day to repay debts has died from overexertion.
Ang Yong Seh, 65, who co-owned a hawker stall along Sin Ming Drive in Upper Thomson, died earlier this year, Shin Min Daily News reported.
His wife, Lilian Chua, said Ang had suffered from a persistent cold for three weeks but continued working until just four days before his death.
"I was worried about his health, but he said, 'Don't worry, I still have a few good years.'
"That night, he complained of breathing difficulties and was rushed to the hospital. By 5am, he was gone," Chua recalled.
She stayed by his side at the hospital, urging him to keep fighting.
"I told him, 'If I lose you, I won't have the strength to keep the stall going. We've always worked like one pair of hands. Now I've lost one.'
"He couldn't speak, but he gripped my hand tightly. Only after I promised to keep the business going did he let go peacefully."
Chua revealed that the couple had depleted their savings and fallen into significant debt during the Covid-19 pandemic, suffering losses for three consecutive years.
"Our monthly rent was over S$9,000 (RM30,000), and we paid our workers S$4,000 (RM13,200).
"But during the pandemic, some days we made barely S$100. It was unsustainable."
To repay their debts, Ang pushed himself to the limit.
"Before the pandemic, we took one or two days off each month. After that, we only rested for four days during Chinese New Year.
"He would leave home by 5am and return around 11pm every day," she said.
Although Ang had no chronic medical conditions, doctors confirmed that he died from physical overexertion and a severely weakened immune system.