Three who dared to help in Raffles Place robbery attack

They acted to detain suspect and help victim

(From left) Mr Wilson Benedict Lim, Dr Jacqueline Yam and Mr Mohamed Nazir Abdul Rahiman received police commendations for helping to detain the suspect and tending to the victim in the Nov 14 robbery in Raffles Place.
(From left) Mr Wilson Benedict Lim, Dr Jacqueline Yam and Mr Mohamed Nazir Abdul Rahiman received police commendations for helping to detain the suspect and tending to the victim in the Nov 14 robbery in Raffles Place. ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN

It was 1pm and Dr Jacqueline Yam was between patients when two people rushed into her clinic at Golden Shoe Carpark last month, frantically asking for medical assistance.

"They told me that someone was injured in a robbery," she said.

The 39-year-old director of Acumed Medical armed herself with a first aid kit, put on her gloves and dashed to the scene. When she reached Raffles Green, an injured Indonesian businessman, Mr Kang Tie Tie, 37, was lying in a pool of blood.

Nearby, Mr Wilson Benedict Lim and Mr Mohamed Nazir Abdul Rahiman were pinning the suspect, Arun, down by his left shoulder and legs.

For their public-spiritedness, Dr Yam, Mr Lim and Mr Nazir received certificates from Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Daniel Tan at the Central Police Division yesterday.

Said Dr Yam: "I had to act quickly... (Mr Kang) was bleeding from the waist and there were wounds on his shoulder."

She tended to him for about five minutes before police and paramedics arrived.

Mr Nazir was on his way back from a mosque when he spotted Arun struggling with a woman.

The 28-year-old auditor rushed over and held him before Mr Lim, 27, pitched in.

Mr Lim, a bank analyst, said he was jolted into action. "Everyone was shocked. Who would have thought that a daylight robbery would happen at Raffles Place?"

Three other members of the public who also helped that day could not attend the ceremony.

The police arrested the 38-year-old suspect and recovered some $800,000 in cash and cheques. The case is before the courts.

Mr Kang, who was taken to Singapore General Hospital, has been discharged.

Said Mr Lim: "I couldn't see who else helped that day... (The ceremony) is like a gathering. I am very glad to meet (Mr Nazir and Dr Yam)."

Added Dr Yam: "Receiving this award is both a surprise and a great honour."

awcw@sph.com.sg

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.