Forum: SIA could have contacted ex-stewardess to help her son find her
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It was heartening to read about a Taiwanese man, Mr Hsu Hu-chin, finally finding his long-lost mother by approaching The Straits Times (‘Mama has really missed you’: Taiwanese finds S’porean ex-SIA stewardess mum after nearly 40 years, Dec 23).
But I was disappointed to read earlier that her previous employer, Singapore Airlines, had refused to assist the man, citing the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
SIA could have got in touch with its former employee to see if she wished to proceed on this. This would still be in keeping with the PDPA.
While adherence to rules is to be expected of law-abiding people and organisations, the ability to exercise some discretion in highly exceptional circumstances, all while not violating the PDPA, is a masterstroke. All it takes is some extra effort.
For SIA, it seems that a chance to show its human side was lost.
Peh Chwee Hoe
