'Desire to earn his own expenses': Grandson clarifies why elderly man repairs bicycles at Pasir Ris

[UPDATE Nov 18] Gabriel Lim, who is reportedly the elderly man's grandson, took to Facebook on Tuesday (Nov 16) to "clarify the situation a​​s some people have gotten the wrong idea".

While confirming that his grandfather is undergoing dialysis, Lim wrote that his medical bills are covered by insurance plans and the remainder is picked up by family members.

Lim added: "We are grateful to see some people volunteering to start a fundraiser for him but we are financially stable. We have done what is necessary to ensure a good quality of life for him in his old age."

Responding to comments from netizens who questioned why the man "still has to work at that age", Lim wrote that repairing bicycles "stems from his desire to earn his own expenses".

Through his Facebook comments, Lim also appealed to everyone to not "intentionally support" his grandfather's business to prevent him from working long hours and tire himself out.

Lim said: "As such, our family would like to thank all of you for your concern and let life return to normal for our grandfather."

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While the government has recently announced that retirement and re-employment ages in Singapore will be progressively raised, the question of when to retire remains a contentious topic. 

In a now-deleted Facebook post on the SG PCN Cyclist group — with over 1,300 likes and 370 shares at that time — a netizen highlighted an 83-year-old man who was recently spotted repairing bicycles at the void deck of Block 423 Pasir Ris Drive 6.

The netizen said that the man has more than 30 years of experience fixing two-wheelers.

According to the netizen, the elderly man is working in the same place every day except on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, in order to pay for his dialysis.

In the comments section of the post that was reshared on Instagram, some netizens questioned why the man "still has to work at that age."

Meanwhile, other netizens are full of praise for his self-reliant attitude.

According to the National Kidney Foundation and Kidney Dialysis Foundation website, needy patients can apply for their subsidised haemodialysis programme.

All patients are required to undergo means-testing and a medical review upon their application to determine their eligibility.

ALSO READ: Blind uncle in viral post troubled by charity efforts, has been self-reliant for decades

chingshijie@asiaone.com