Tragic Bus Incident on Jalan Boon Lay
What Happened
On the morning of Nov 8, 2023 at around 6:30 am, a double‑deck SBS Transit bus took a brutal detour into the road and ran into Ms. Tan Meow Hian – a 46‑year‑old Malaysian woman. The hit was fatal; Ms. Tan didn’t make it out of the ambulance, dieing of multiple injuries two hours later at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
At the time, the bus was cruising down the three‑lane stretch of Jalan Boon Lay. The nearest pedestrian crossing was roughly 300 m away – a distance that seemed far enough to keep her out of reach. But Mrs Tan chose to step onto the road anyway, and poor Mr. Kwa Ah Bah, the driver, was not even keeping his eyes on the street.
Legal Stakes for the Driver
- Disappointed: Deputy Public Prosecutor Senthilkumaran Sabapathy wants two weeks in jail and a five‑year driving ban for Mr. Kwa, who’s 67.
- Why? Because the bus was a heavy vehicle, and the accident directly caused a death.
- Mr. Kwa has no longer worked for SBS Transit and has pleaded guilty to causing a Singapore permanent resident’s death by negligent driving.
- Sentencing is set for next Thursday under Judge Ng Peng Hong.
Defense’s Counter‑Pitch
Defence lawyer Simon Tan is pushing for a lighter outcome: a fine and a ban from driving any class of vehicle. He wants his client’s 40‑year career at SBS Transit—and a basically clean driving record—to be taken into account.
“Look,” Tan told the judge, “there’s a big barrier right in the middle of the lane divider meant to stop pedestrians from walking in this area. The road is wide, three lanes, and it’s risky for anyone to cross without a designated crossing.”
Current Status
Mr. Kwa received a $10,000 bail and is awaiting sentencing. He faces up to two years in prison and a fine if convicted of causing death by negligent driving. The court, however, has not yet decided on the final sentence.
Key Takeaway
The case underlines a grim reality: a single moment of peril on a road with no close pedestrian crossing can lead to a tragic loss of life and serious legal repercussions for drivers. The outcome hinges on balancing Mr. Kwa’s long service record against the grave consequences of his negligence.
