Police arrest suspended LTA officer who fought with Uber driver

Update: A Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforcement officer who was filmed throwing punches at an Uber driver has been arrested, police confirmed on Saturday.

Singapore Police Force said in a response to media queries that a 50-year-old man was arrested for affray. A 59-year-old man is assisting police with investigations, it added.

In a statement released on the same day, LTA said that the officer involved is a Singaporean.

News of the officer's suspension from duties came just hours after the video was shared online by a passenger in the car driven by the Uber driver involved in the scuffle on Friday evening.
 
"The police is currently investigating the case. The officer has already been suspended from all duties, and his service is expected to be terminated upon the completion of the police's investigations," LTA said.
 
The authority added that the injured driver has been offered assistance, including help with the cost of his medical bills.
 
"LTA apologises for this unfortunate incident and we would like to reassure the public that all our enforcement officers have to abide to a strict set of procedures when carrying out their duties. We have also reminded all LTA enforcement officers that any violent behaviour in the course of carrying enforcement duties will not be tolerated," it said.
 

A Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforcement officer was filmed shoving and kicking at an Uber driver at Bugis Junction on Friday night (Nov 27).

In a 51-second-long video clip shared on Facebook by user Amber Pek, he can be seen arguing and then starting a physical altercation with the driver dressed in blue.

Ms Pek said that she posted the video as she felt that "(it) was an abuse of power from the LTA officer. His actions were absolutely outrageous and unacceptable."

She recounted the incident, saying that she had called for an Uber driver to pick her up at the taxi stand at Bugis Junction as she was unaware that "only taxis were allowed to turn in."

Ms Pek also observed that a LTA officer was standing at the point where taxis were turning in, "shouting at the cars in a rude manner."

When her Uber taxi arrived, the officer threatened to issue the driver a warning, even though she tried to explain to him that she had requested for him to pick her up there.

According to Ms Pek, the driver alighted his vehicle and offered the officer his identity card to record his details after the officer blocked his car and started to take photos.

However, the officer became aggressive and started shoving at the driver and started to exchange blows with him.

In the video clip, he can be heard hurling vulgarities and seen kicking at the older man who had fallen onto the ground.

Another man wearing a black shirt later stepped in to stop the fight by separating the two men.

Even though the Uber driver was injured from the scuffle, he continued to send his passenger to her destination.

Ms Pek added: "I felt so pained seeing his face filled with blood. I kept apologising as I didn't know cars were not allowed (at the taxi pick-up point). He just assured me it's okay and told me not to worry."

In her post, she said that she thanked the driver and also gave him her contact number so that she could be updated on his condition.

At the time of the post, the driver was seeking medical treatment at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

minlee@sph.com.sg