SBS Transit supervisor chases and detains man who molested woman: 'I grabbed him on the back'
Barefoot. Shirt unbuttoned. Looks abnormal.
These were the words 29-year-old Muhammad Hadi Bin Mazlan used to describe a man he detained for allegedly molesting a woman onboard a bus.
The SBS Transit Assistant Interchange Supervisor sprang into action after a Johor Express staff member sought his help for a distressed woman who said she had been inappropriately touched at Queen Street Terminal.
"The victim herself was the one who identified the alleged molester across the bus park," Mr Hadi said. "So I gave chase, grabbed him on the back and pulled him into the office."
He added that the man had been on an unauthorised walkway and, when confronted, started shouting, "Who are you? Who are you to pull me? You have no rights."
Recounting the incident, which occurred on the evening of Dec 24, 2024, Mr Hadi told Stomp that he knew the case was "unique because of its seriousness" and reassured the woman that "help is going to come".
After handing the suspect over to authorities, further investigations revealed that he had similarly harassed others in the area. Mr Hadi's swift response that day prevented more people from falling victim.
Mr Hadi was presented with a Stomp Goody Bag on Nov 18 for his efforts. He is also one of 27 recipients who took home the Outstanding Award at this year's Transport Gold Awards – an annual event celebrates outstanding staff across Singapore's transport network.
"All I could think about were my loved ones — my wife, my daughter, my mother and my sister," Mr Hadi told Stomp. "I would never want something like this to happen to them. That's why I stepped in, to make sure this man would not go scot-free."
Mr Hadi, who has served with SBS Transit for three years, said he "truly values this role because being deployed to sites as a one-man show" places the responsibility entirely on him.
As a frontliner who manages cross-border services, he also faces challenges that are unpredictable compared with typical interchange and terminal activities.
"There's more at stake, but it challenges me at the same time to work under pressure and think strategically and operationally," he said.
By sharing his experiences, Mr Hadi hopes more people will be inspired to stay vigilant and help keep Singapore safe.
"Stay calm and put safety first," he added.
