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Tuk-tuks at Lim Chu Kang cemetery: LTA says vehicles seized for investigation
LTA said the vehicles were not approved for use.Amber Tay
May 21, 2025, 07:03 PM
Several auto-rickshaws, commonly known as "tuk-tuks", found at the parking lots and by the roadside near Lim Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery, have been seized by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for investigation after reports were lodged.
Shin Min Daily News reported that the auto-rickshaws were spotted outside the cemetery with no licence plates and are believed to be unregistered.
Passers-by said they were worried the riders might drive the auto-rickshaws recklessly and affect public safety.Auto-rickshaws seen in cemetery since 2020
When a reporter from the Chinese news outlet visited the cemetery on May 13, they observed four or five such vehicles.Those working in the vicinity revealed that the vehicles belonged to the workers there.
A 66-year-old cemetery worker said he has seen many such auto-rickshaws in the cemetery since 2020, saying that the owners are often workers who make tombstones in the cemetery.
He explained that some people may find trucks too expensive, so they use auto-rickshaws as replacements to carry around the needed materials.He added that the riders usually use the tricycle on the small roads within the cemetery.
A "tuk-tuk" owner, 60, told reporters that he has lived nearby since he was a child, and his father and brother had also worked in the cemetery before.
He would do jobs around the area, including laying lawns, mowing grass, and cleaning graves.
The 60-year-old would use his vehicle to carry around his work tools, which were not light, as he had a leg injury and could not walk for long durations.
The worker bought the vehicle three years ago, where he would usually park it in the cemetery and never drive it out of the area.He added that other workers had similar auto-rickshaws, and he had yet to receive any complaints about it.
Another "tuk-tuk" owner said he spent S$3,800 to buy the vehicle from China, which is powered using solar panels and did not need to be charged.
On cloudy days, the backup battery can be used to power the vehicle for three to four days.
He added that there were around 10 such rickshaws in the area, and all believed to have been imported from China.
LTA seized the auto-rickshaws
LTA told Shin Min that they have taken enforcement action and seized the vehicles.The authorities noted that the vehicles were not approved for use and are currently being held for investigation, adding that all vehicles must be approved and meet registration requirements before they can be used on the road.
Top image via Shin Min Daily News
https://bit.Iy/3qgqzHg
