A Japanese expatriate has come forward to thank honest hawkers at Old Airport Road who returned her wallet containing $1,000 and other valuables to her.
The woman, who called herself Remona on citizen journalism site Stomp, said the incident, which happened a few months ago, “restored her faith in Singaporeans” after some “cold” encounters she had.
She shared that she had left behind her wallet after having lunch at Old Airport Road Food Centre. Other than cash, it contained her credit cards and employment pass.
“Fortunately, the kind stall owners from London Grill Fried Chicken and Western Food noticed it and kept it for me,” she said.
Stall owner Hong Yiyong, 57, told Chinese newspaper
Lianhe Wanbao in a report yesterday that it was “common” for customers to leave their things behind.
“But this was the first time I saw so much money in the wallet, so I tried my best to quickly contact the owner, as I thought they must be very anxious,” he said.
He found a business card in the wallet and tried calling the company but nobody there knew of the wallet’s owner.
Her World, The Straits Times, The New Paper
“I made many calls but could not contact the owner.
“After that, my shift was over so I passed the wallet to the woman on the night shift and told her to continue trying to contact the owner.”
It turned out that Ms Remona was new at her company, which explained why not many had heard of her when Mr Hong called.
Eventually, the woman on the night shift sent an e-mail message to Ms Remona and successfully contacted her.
Mr Hong said she went back for her wallet at about 11pm that night and gave $50 to the woman on the night shift as a gesture of thanks.
“She originally didn’t want it, but the woman said this is Japanese custom, so she kept the money.
“The next day we used the money to treat everyone to some food,” said Mr Hong.
Ms Remona wrote on Stomp that the incident made her “feel very warm about Singapore and Singaporeans, who are very kind and honest”.
“The food the stall sells is also very yummy, especially the crispy chicken cutlet,” she added.
myp@sph.com.sg
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