SBS Transit officer lauded for returning $10,000 found on train

Ten thousand dollars could buy someone 2,000 packets of chicken rice, three 70-inch televisions or a first-class Singapore Airlines return ticket to Tokyo during the popular sakura season in April.

- Kolette Lim

But for Mr Soh Sin Chye, a customer service officer at SBS Transit, this sum of money earned him something intangible and invaluable: a sense of fulfilment and happiness.

On the morning of Oct 1, he went about his usual work day - on board a train travelling the North East Line.

After the passengers had alighted at the south-most station - Harbourfront Mr Soh conducted a security check, part of his usual duties.

Resting on a seat, leaning against a glass panel, was a brown A4sized manila envelope.

"I thought that it would probably contain medical documents or Xray reports," the 44-year-old told The Straits Times in an interview at Little India MRT station on Oct 24.

But when Mr Soh picked the envelope up, it weighed more than he expected. And when he opened it to check its contents, he found a wad of orange notes, which amounted to a whopping $10,000.

"It was my first time seeing such a large amount of cash," said Mr Soh, who has been on the job for about six years.