When Dinner Turns Into a Heroic Night in Singapore
Picture this: two old friends were enjoying a relaxed dinner at 2 a.m., sipping on some late‑night brew when chaos rocked the scene. A woman, tears streaming, yelled for help outside the Ulu Pandan Park Connector. It wasn’t a subtle cry—it was a full‑blown SOS.
The Quick‑Thinkers: Vinodh & Ramizah
- Vinodh Rajendran – 31, a chef at North London Collegiate School, who sprang into action and spotted a man trying to pin the woman down.
- Ramizah Banu Abdul Rahman – equally quick on her feet and just as decisive, she called the police fast.
The assailant didn’t even get past the twins’ heads before a frantic, five‑minute chase ended with Vinodh apprehending him. Meanwhile, Ramizah was on the line, dialing for help. The police later busted him for the “outrage of modesty” offense.
Vinodh said, “I was more stunned than shocked. Singapore is known to be safe, yet watching this crime unfold right beside me almost felt surreal.”
And what struck him the most was that the woman, visibly shaken, shouted “If you hadn’t been there, I’d have just given in.”
Honours: The Public Spiritedness Award
On Tuesday, June 7, six people were recognized for keeping the streets safer:
- Vinodh Rajendran – A brave act in Ulu Pandan.
- Ramizah Banu Abdul Rahman – Heroic caller and quick rescuer.
- Mohamed Subhan – A loss‑prevention officer who seized a shoplifter in VivoCity.
- Benedict Ng Sheng Chao – Calmed a brawl in a hawker centre.
- Alagar Ravi – Assisted police with theft cases.
- Lim Wei Hao – Same as Alagar, helped with theft investigations.
Subhan’s story is straight out of an action film—he spotted a thief sneaking sandals into his bag. He chased him after he left the store, leading the thief straight to the staff office where the goodies were found. The thief was eventually arrested.
“Being a loss‑prevention officer for 15 years, I’ve seen plenty of shoplifting. It was like a norm,” said Subhan, though he kept a calm composure during the arrest.
Where the Plaques Were Given
A ceremony held at the Clementi Police Division witnessed the presentation of plaques to Vinodh and Subhan by Assistant Commissioner Marc E. Madam. Ramizah, however, missed the event.
Other Awardees Beyond the Hall of Fame
- Benedict Ng – Disarmed a confrontation at a hawker centre.
- Ramizah’s supporters – Assisted police in theft cases.
AC Mark E summed it all up: “When the public puts their hearts into it, crimes get easier to solve, and wrongdoers think twice before messing up.”
Community Partnership Award: When Corporates Join Forces
Three big names deserve a shout‑out for partnering with the police on crime prevention:
- Shopee – Headed by Winston Goh, who claimed, “We’re key to e‑commerce in Singapore; educating our users on scams is a must.”
- FairPrice
- Resorts World Sentosa
These organizations have teamed up to lie down on the hurdles of security operations, keeping the city safe from scams and shady dealings.
At the end of the day, the headline moments were all about community spirit, quick thinking, and a shared sense that no one should feel unsafe in a city that prides itself on order. The men and women who stepped up became stories for the ages—reminding us all that a single brave act can light up the night.
