November 25, 2024

‘You are Indian … you are the worst kind’: Singapore driver hurls racial abuses at woman, faces probe | India News

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NEW DELHI: A Singaporean-Chinese cab driver is under investigation for abusing a Eurasian woman and her nine-year-old daughter after mistaking them for being Indian, reported PTI.
The victim of the racial abuse, 46-year-old Janelle Hoeden, recalled that the driver had shouted: “You are Indian, you are stupid”.
In a heated conversion recorded by Hoeden and posted on her Facebook page, the driver can be seen accusing her daughter of being less than 1.35 metres tall, and calling it “very illegal”.
To this, Hoeden can be heard replying that her daughter is 1.37 metres tall.
According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), all cars in Singapore are required to carry booster seats or child restraints for passengers who are under 1.35 meters in height.
“As he was verbally abusive, I was afraid that he would start getting physical with me, so I told her to record,” she said, as quoted by The Straits Times.
“You are India(n), I’m Chinese… You are the very worst kind…”, the driver can be heard shouting while driving.
Correcting the driver, Hoeden replies, “I am Singapore Eurasian, not Indian.”
“Whether I was tanned skin, or Indian, or otherwise, it’s unacceptable what he said – it was totally uncalled for, that he pulled out the race card,” Hoeden told The Straits Times.
Hoeden had booked the ride through the platform Tada on Saturday around 2pm.
She claimed that everything went smoothly at first, and she was talking to her child while riding when the driver abruptly became angry because a section of the road was shut since an upcoming MRT metro line was being built near the Pasir Ris housing area.
Tada is reportedly investigating the incident.
“At Tada, we do not tolerate racism, discrimination, or abuse. Our team is investigating this issue. Thanks to everyone who brought this to our attention,” a comment on Wake Up Singapore’s Instagram’ post said.
A Tada representative also confirmed to The Straits Times that the company was aware of the issue.
“Remarks or comments that insinuate racial differences directly violate Tada community guidelines and are not representative of our company’s values”, she said.
“We have initiated an internal investigation to fully understand the circumstances and will take all necessary actions based on our findings,” she added.
(With inputs from PTI)



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