Chicken rice seller gives $2,500 a month to his parents

More than half of what he earns through serving plates of chicken rice goes to his parents.

Mr Michael Poh, an only child, gives his 67-year-old mother about $1,000 a month in allowance. His 70-year-old father receives $1,500 a month because he goes out more.

"I give the money to them in $50 bills, twice a month," explains the owner of a chicken rice stall at a Tampines food court.

The 33-year-old does not ask his parents what they use the money for, but reckons the amount is justified, given Singapore's high standard of living.

"I think they use the money to go out to eat, or buy their own things," he says casually.

"I'm just doing my part as a son. After all, they did their best for me while I grew up," he states matter-of-factly.

Both Mr Poh's parents are too old to work, which makes the hawker the family's sole breadwinner.

Utility and telephone bills, along with groceries, come up to another $500 to $600, which he also pays for.

His mother, who has lung cancer, has chosen not to undergo painful chemotherapy. Instead, she is turning to traditional Chinese herbs to buy time. He also pays for those, although he says the amount does not come up to much. His father is in good health, which he is thankful for.

Mr Poh, who is single, isn't left with much for his personal expenses. But he maintains that what is left over is sufficient to pay for basic personal expenses, such as drinks and cigarettes.

"I manage to save a few hundred dollars a month. It's difficult if I want to think about saving for a family or a car.

"Not with the current COE prices anyway," he points out with a laugh.

He declined to reveal the exact amount his business rakes in. He would only say: "On a quiet month, I make a low four-figure sum, which can grow. It really depends on what business is like."

Making a living in his trade is far from easy. His scrawny frame is testament to the long hours he spends on his feet, deboning chicken drumsticks or making a fragrant chilli sauce to go with the dish.

"It's hard work," he admits. Asked if he has ever seen his parents as a burden, he answers firmly with a "no". But he admits that friends have jokingly chided him for giving his parents so much of his monthly earnings.

"They always ask me, 'Why give so much? Old people don't need that much money.'"

His response? It's the right thing to do.

"My father was a painter and my mother a seamstress. They were never well off but they gave me the best they had, be it assessment books or a bicycle. It's only right for me to give them an amount that is more than sufficient for their needs, now that they have grown old," says the bright and articulate man.

Aside from giving them monthly allowance, Mr Poh also pampers his parents with occasional gifts.

"Last month, my mum commented that she wanted a bag with a horse as its logo some time back, so I figured it had to be either Longchamp or Burberry. I bought the latter, as it was more atas (Malay for high-class).

"When she accidentally saw the price tag (it cost more than $900), she nearly went crazy. I found out she had her eye on a pirated Longchamp bag from Bugis Junction," he says with an amused chuckle.

So far, his parents have been appreciative of his generosity.

"They have never asked me for money, nor asked for more than what I give them. Instead, they always ask if I have enough for myself.

And when they see that I'm feeling quite stressed, they ask me to give them a lower amount and not to push myself so hard," he says.

His parents, who live with Mr Poh in a three-room flat in Toa Payoh, declined to be interviewed for this story.

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