Pedestrian struck by right-turning car at Upper Thomson junction; police investigating
SINGAPORE: A pedestrian was hit by a right-turning car while crossing at the junction of Marymount Road and Upper Thomson Road Wednesday afternoon (May 28), sparking public concern over road safety and driver attentiveness.
The Singapore Police Force confirmed that a report had been lodged and that investigations are currently ongoing. No further details were released on the condition of the pedestrian.
The incident came to public attention after a video was shared in the Facebook group SG Road Vigilante, which often posts footage of traffic incidents across the island. According to the group, the accident occurred at approximately 1:16pm.
In the video, a pedestrian wearing a black top and holding an umbrella is seen walking on the designated crossing when a car, making a right turn, fails to slow down and strikes the individual. The footage has since garnered widespread attention online.
The video triggered a flurry of comments from netizens, with many condemning the driver's apparent lack of caution.
'Don't people look at the side of the road when they turn now?' wrote one commenter. Another asked, 'Is the driver looking at his phone or navigation?' Others expressed disbelief, questioning how the driver could miss seeing someone with an umbrella in broad daylight.
However, not all responses were critical. A few commenters suggested that the driver's view might have been momentarily blocked—possibly by a roadside bollard or other visual obstruction.
Some also reminded pedestrians to remain vigilant, with one noting, 'I always look both ways even when it's my right of way.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Certis sick leave policy to address abuse may erode trust, affect workers' well-being: Experts
SINGAPORE: Certis' medical leave policy requiring officers on sick leave to remain at home or to share their "live" location via digital devices if they are not home could reduce trust and affect employee well-being, experts said. They were commenting on security company Certis' statement issued on Saturday (Jun 28) on the matter. The company said it does not terminate employees' work contracts solely because they are not at home when on medical leave. This was after WhatsApp messages about a change in its sick leave policy were published online. It is not known when the change was made. In its Whatsapp messages, Certis said that if employees are not home, they should share their live location or conduct a video call with their manager. It also said that a warning letter would be issued if employees are not home without a valid reason. "Please be aware that any non-compliance identified may result in disciplinary action, which could include termination," one of the messages stated. In response to CNA's queries on Saturday, Certis said that most of its employees use medical leave responsibly, but it has safeguards in place to ensure this system is used "appropriately and fairly". On Monday, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said that sick leave is a statutory entitlement and employees should be able to take it to address their health needs while using it responsibly. 'Employers must not discourage employees from taking sick leave when ill, for the well-being of the latter and their co-workers.' The ministry encourages employers to regularly engage with workers to address concerns and ensure company employment policies are well-communicated. 'This will help to build trust between employers and employees, and create a positive workplace culture,' it added. If there is a suspected case of misconduct, employers should engage employees to understand the situation and conduct thorough investigations before deciding on disciplinary action, MOM stated. 'For example, there could be legitimate reasons as to why an employee might not be at home when ill,' the ministry said. 'This should not be taken as conclusive evidence of misconduct.' MORE STRESS, LESS TRUST Human resource consultant Christine Chan said that Certis' policy raises serious concerns regarding employee privacy and implies a lack of trust in workers' honesty and responsibility regarding their medical leave. 'Requiring employees to share their live location is a substantial intrusion, particularly when they are already vulnerable due to illness.' This can damage the employee-employer relationship and significantly affect workers' morale and productivity, she added. Pointing out the risk of the policy being misused by managers, Ms Chan said that workers may also potentially face unfair disciplinary actions. Mr Lee Boon Huat, Asia-Pacific chief growth officer at workforce solutions provider Visier, said that such a policy might foster or reinforce a culture of "presenteeism", where employees go to work even when they are sick so as to avoid scrutiny, potentially spreading illness and decreasing overall workplace efficiency. 'A low-trust environment can lead to disengagement, increased attrition and difficulty in attracting talent,' he added. Singapore Human Resources Institute's chief executive officer Alvin Goh said that even if Certis' policy is aimed at deterring habitual absenteeism, such measures may have unintended consequences. When high-performing, responsible officers are subject to these rules, it can erode morale, reduce trust and damage the employer's reputation over time, Mr Goh added. WHY IMPLEMENT IT AT ALL? In the case of the security industry, some operational concerns are understandable because of its intensive nature, Mr Goh said. Since security roles are manpower-intensive and officers are expected to remain alert and vigilant, frequent absences could lead to contract breaches and strain on remaining staff members. The change in Certis' policy may have come about due to organisational challenges and could be a response to persistent no-shows, he added. 'When organisations turn to strict monitoring or surveillance-like tactics, it often reflects deeper cultural challenges that remain unresolved.' IS IT LEGAL? Mr Mark Yeo, director of law firm Fortress Law, said that companies are allowed to create their own policies for sick leave and enforce them through disciplinary measures, including termination, if workers are found to have breached medical leave guidelines. Regarding Certis' location-tracking policy, Ms Chan the human resource consultant said that its legality hinges on the Personal Data Protection Act and employment law. 'The key question is whether tracking an employee's location while on sick leave is a 'reasonable' measure for managing the employment relationship.' The policy can be challenged if workers feel that their privacy is unduly justified or if it is used to unfairly target or discipline employees, Ms Chan added. HOW COMMON IS IT TO REQUIRE SICK WORKERS TO REPORT LOCATION? The practice of requiring employees to stay home or share their live location while on medical leave is generally uncommon in Singapore, the experts said. Ms Jaya Dass, Asia-Pacific managing director at human resources solutions agency Randstad Enterprise, said that in contrast, many companies are increasingly offering greater flexibility around paid medical leave, such as not requiring a medical certificate for one-day paid medical leave. Mr Lee from Visier noted that some industries with critical operational requirements might have stricter attendance monitoring, but Certis' policy appears to be an outlier. 'Generally, human resource best practices in Singapore lean towards fostering a culture of trust and accountability, rather than employing intrusive monitoring measures,' he said. 'The emphasis is typically on clear communication of leave policies and performance management.' WHAT OTHER MEASURES CAN EMPLOYERS CONSIDER? Rather than moving towards a 'check and catch' culture, companies that are concerned about medical leave abuse should adopt more constructive alternatives, Mr Goh from Singapore Human Resources Institute proposed. This includes clearly communicated absenteeism guidelines and better supervisor training to identify patterns of concern without compromising dignity or privacy. Similarly, Mr Lee said that employers should focus on strategies that promote a 'high-trust, high-performance' culture. If managers are concerned about productivity, they can focus more on monitoring performance trends and review overall workload and well-being initiatives, he suggested. 'High absenteeism can sometimes be a symptom of broader issues like burnout, excessive workload or a toxic work environment,' Mr Lee added. 'Addressing these root causes can be far more impactful.' Ultimately, surveillance may drive short-term compliance, but long-term engagement comes from treating people as trusted contributors, not suspected rule-breakers, Mr Goh advised. 'At the end of the day, responsible people practice hinges on trust, accountability and empathy,' he added. 'When organisations invest in these foundations, most staff members repay that confidence many times over.'
Independent Singapore
an hour ago
- Independent Singapore
Hong Kong's China Medical System Holdings plans SGX secondary listing
SINGAPORE: Hong Kong-listed China Medical System Holdings (CMS) plans a secondary listing on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange (SGX), with shares set to trade in July 2025. This is part of its regional expansion strategy to tap investors in the city-state and expand in Southeast Asia's fast-growing healthcare market. The secondary listing is expected to raise its profile and tap a pool of sophisticated healthcare and life sciences investors. The firm has already secured a letter of eligibility from the Singapore bourse. China Medical System is part of the Hang Seng Large-Mid Cap (Investable) Index. Since 2023, it's also been part of the Hang Seng Innovative Drug Index. This is due to its evolving focus on cutting-edge therapies. The last two years have been challenging for the company due to the impact of Beijing's stand on volume-based procurement (VBP) policy. Designed to reduce the cost of drugs and medical devices, the VBP scheme has driven steep price competition, affecting firms with more traditional product lines. This led CMS to transition to an innovation-led business model that focuses on high-value, clinically driven products. According to company reports, it's in gradual recovery from the effects of VBP. It predicts renewed growth momentum, with a pipeline of approximately 40 innovative projects as of the end of 2024. With a regional population close to 700 million, Southeast Asia's growing demand for medicine is fuelled by a mix of factors. This includes a growing regional middle class, the spread of lifestyle diseases, and ageing demographics in countries like Singapore and Thailand. CMS will tap this market through two entities. The first is Singapore-based Rxilient Health, a regional unit focused on global licensing and commercialisation of pharmaceuticals. The second is CMS's associated firm, PharmaGend Global, which has acquired a Singapore-based contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO). This facility spans over 60,000 square metres and can produce up to 1 billion tablets and capsules annually. Rxilient Health has operations in Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. This will enable market localisation, while commercial production in Singapore, which began at the end of 2024, will enable supply to regional customers. The Singapore facility has received a Good Manufacturing Practice certification from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and passed inspections by Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA). FY2024 saw China Medical System face significant financial challenges. Its earnings dropped by 32.5% compared to the previous year, falling to RMB 1.62 billion (~US$288 million or S$367 million). This also saw a decline in gross profit (11.2%) as well as net profit (32.3%). The company is banking on its investments in innovation and overseas market expansion to drive future recovery and growth. The timing of the secondary listing comes amid strong momentum on the Singapore bourse. SGX shares rose 7.2% last week, hitting a five-year high of S$14.72 on Jun 27. The Straits Times Index (STI) closed the week at 3,966.20, up 0.7%. Investors appear to be leaning on Singapore's stability as global concerns over inflation, oil prices, and tariffs continue. Trading activity has picked up noticeably, especially in the small and mid-cap segments.
Independent Singapore
an hour ago
- Independent Singapore
Black Spitting Cobra was spotted too close to the path in Windsor Nature Park; hikers and joggers didn't notice the snake's warning signals to stay away
SINGAPORE: If you're a regular jogger at Windsor Nature Park, you might want to look very carefully the next time you lace up your running shoes because someone very cold-blooded and rather venomous is watching your every step, and you didn't even notice. Yes, we're talking about a very scary Black Spitting Cobra with fangs, venom, hood, and all, which was spotted way too close to the main path at the popular Singapore nature park, with most hikers and joggers either walking or running past it without a single clue. 'This Black Spitting Cobra was resting in an incorrect location…' In her now-viral Facebook post in the Singapore Wildlife Sightings group, Joanne Toh, a 55-year-old cook and avid wildlife photographer, wrote: 'This Black Spitting Cobra was resting in an incorrect location, too close to the path, and hikers and runners failed to notice the presence of a snake. They simply walked or ran past…' Photo: FB screengrab/tohj2 (Joanne Toh) @ Singapore Wildlife Sightings Joanne was making her way through the Venus Loop trail at Windsor Nature Park. She had set out hoping to catch a glimpse of a blue-rumped parrot, but what she found instead was way more spine-tingling, as we further discovered the details of her encounter from MS News. Now, if you're picturing just a little garden snake sunbathing in the bushes, think again. This was actually a full-grown, highly venomous Black Spitting Cobra (also known as the Equatorial Spitting Cobra), and it wasn't just minding its own business quietly. It had taken a defensive stance, coiled around a tree just beside the path, head raised, hood spread like a Halloween prop, ready to strike or spit at anyone who got too close. Unseen danger, just inches away While the average parkgoer might have been admiring the foliage or zoning out to a Spotify playlist, danger was literally hanging by a tree, and the majority didn't even notice. 'Possibly due to the snake feeling threatened,' Joanne speculated, 'which prompted its reaction.' Joanne calmly documented the encounter from a safe distance, managing to snap a rare and rather majestic photo of the snake mid-threat. Photo: FB screengrab/tohj2 (Joanne Toh) @ Singapore Wildlife Sightings She wasn't the only one who noticed, though. A cleaner at the park, ever vigilant, had also seen the snake and immediately stood nearby to warn others and report the sighting to his superior. For about 20 minutes, the cobra maintained its defensive pose, while clueless hikers and joggers continued breezing past. Then, as quietly as it had arrived, it slithered off into the woods — no harm done (at least for this time), but plenty of hearts pounding in hindsight. Venom, vision, and a valiant cleaner Here's a terrifying fact: According to National Geographic and The Times of India , spitting cobras can aim venom at your eyes from over a metre away, and it's not just a party trick — their venom can cause intense pain and temporary or even permanent blindness if not rinsed out promptly. According to Singapore's National Parks (NParks) agency, when threatened, the Black Spitting Cobra raises the front part of its body, flattens its neck to form a hood, and hisses menacingly. If that doesn't send you packing, it goes full artillery mode and sprays venom directly at your face. That day, it didn't spit, but it could have! And that's why we owe that unnamed cleaner a serious high-five! He didn't just spot the cobra — he stood his ground, warned hikers, and waited until it disappeared into the underbrush. Without him and Joanne, you might be reading a very different kind of news story from The Independent Singapore today. Joanne had long heard tales of a 'black beauty' at Windsor land but had never witnessed it with her own eyes — until now. Her stunning photo, shared in the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group, has since attracted over 1,500 reactions, with commenters praising her keen eye and bravery. The real danger: Ignorance This isn't just a story about a snake. It's a cautionary tale about how easily we tune out in nature. We jog, we hike, we scroll through our phones while walking — all in areas teeming with wildlife, and sometimes, the wildlife isn't just chirping in the trees or scampering across the path. Sometimes, it's camouflaged, coiled, and watching you from two feet away. Had the cobra been spooked further, someone could've ended up with venom in their eyes or worse. So, what to do if you spot a cobra (or it spots you first) Based on NParks' advice, here's what you should do if you find yourself face-to-face with one of these elegant yet terrifying serpents: Don't panic (Joanne didn't, and you shouldn't either). Stay still and don't make sudden movements. Do not attempt to get closer for a better photo (you are not David Attenborough). Back away slowly, remaining alert to the snake's behaviour. Warn others nearby and report the sighting to NParks (call: 1800-476-1600) or inform the park authorities. See also Venomous snake spotted at Bukit Panjang fitness corner And for goodness' sake — look where you're going when you go for a jog or hike. Nature's not just leaves and butterflies. The Beauty and the Beast of Windsor Nature Park While the encounter was heart-stopping, it was also a rare privilege. Seeing such a creature in the wild, especially one as elusive and majestic as this, is a testament to Singapore's thriving urban biodiversity. Photo: FB screengrab/tohj2 (Joanne Toh) @ Singapore Wildlife Sightings However, wild beauty comes with its own set of wild rules. Even when snakes are not out to get you, they will defend themselves when threatened, so if you're pounding the pavement with earbuds in, don't forget, for the snake, you're the one who's the threat. Cobra Kai (martial arts comedy-drama) has nothing to do with this… So the next time you're enjoying a morning walk, jog, or whatever at Windsor Nature Park, remember: You're a guest in their home. It's not something to be taken lightly or seen as something funny. You never know who might be watching from the trees, and that's not a joke. It's really a matter of life and death! And if you spot a majestic black hooded figure peeking from a tree, don't assume it's a raven in cosplay — it might just be the black beauty Joanne Toh warned us about. With that, stay safe, stay alert, and maybe leave the capturing of the blue-rumped parrots on camera to the professionals next time. In other news, another photographer who witnessed a potentially dangerous encounter between a crocodile and park visitors urged people to respect animals and give them their space, as the Crocodile was spotted at Sg Buloh, curious hikers got 'too close'
