The Minister of Home Affairs K Shanmugam posted on his Facebook about the video of the elderly man seen crawling on the ground in Chong Pang and said that Chong Pang CC and Touch Cluster Support have been reaching out to the elderly man to try to provide support and aid.
Here is his statement:
“I was sent a video relating to an elderly man in Chong Pang. He is seen having mobility difficulties and using a small wooden board with wheels to move around.
This gentleman is Mr Lee. The grassroots, Chong Pang CC and Touch Cluster Support, have been assisting and providing community support to Mr Lee and his family since 2015. Chong Pang volunteer organisations have also been regularly helping his family with support for essentials.
A wheelchair was bought with help of the senior mobility fund.
However Mr Lee does not prefer to use the wheelchair. On many occasions, our volunteers have tried to persuade Mr Lee to use the wheelchair but to no avail.
A neighbour built the wooden board with wheels for him to move around the home. His preference seems to be to use it outside as well. Based on our interactions with him, our assessment is that he is independent, and knows his mind.
I thank those who have given feedback; we will continue to provide help and assistance to Mr Lee and his family.”