'Fair outcome' reached for Gojek driver and passenger in viral video over alleged kidnapping

SINGAPORE - A heated exchange between a Gojek driver and his passenger, who accused the former of kidnapping her on their trip from Bishan to the city, has gone viral after footage of the incident was posted on Facebook on Thursday (Jan 31).

Mr Kamaruzzaman Abdul Latiff, 49, shared the 7-min clip on the Go-Jek Singapore Community Facebook page, saying that the female passenger was upset that he could not avoid the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries during the journey.

He had picked her up from Block 251 Bishan Street 22 at about 7am on Tuesday and was heading towards Coleman Street.

"How to avoid ERP?" he wrote, adding that the passenger kept saying that he was trying to cheat her. Mr Kamaruzzaman said that he asked her if she knew of any routes to avoid the ERP gantries but the passenger was not able to direct him.

Speaking to The Straits Times on Friday, Mr Kamaruzzaman said the passenger started to get upset with him halfway through their trip on the Central Expressway (CTE).

When he explained to her that it was impossible to avoid the ERP gantries during the morning peak hour, she was not satisfied but also did not suggest her preferred route, he added.

Gojek's fares do not include ERP charges and drivers typically enter the extra charges incurred in the app before completing the trip.

In the video, which was taken using Mr Kamaruzzaman's mobile phone, the passenger is heard saying "it is clear that you are out to cheat (my) money".

She then makes a phone call and an unknown person is heard over a mobile phone loudspeaker saying "you have no right to take her hostage" and "you are causing her to lose her freedom".

Mr Kamaruzzaman repeatedly says that he prefers to settle any issues at a police station.

The car eventually comes to a stop in Toa Payoh Lorong 4, as Mr Kamaruzzaman speaks to a Certis Cisco officer.

At one point, the passenger screams, claiming that Mr Kamaruzzaman had locked the car door on purpose and intended to kidnap her, noting later that he did not want to let her alight from the car when they could not settle their dispute. He tries to explain to her that the car has auto-lock doors.

Mr Kamaruzzaman, who started driving with Gojek full time in December, told ST on Friday that the passenger later got off his car and left in a taxi. He said that he was not able to let her alight from the car earlier as they were on the expressway.

Also, "when she used the words 'hostage' and 'kidnap', I was scared as I knew these accusations are taken seriously in Singapore", he said, adding that was one reason why he wanted to to go to the police station to straighten things out.

"I knew that it was wrong to record a video of someone without their permission, but I had to do it to protect myself."

He added that he shared the video on Facebook not to shame the passenger, but to simply let other Gojek drivers know that these misunderstandings can happen.

He did not expect the video to go viral, he said. As of Friday 11.20pm, it has received at least 21,000 reactions and over 44,000 shares.

Mr Kamaruzzaman, who usually drives during the day, said that he has been "feeling troubled" since the incident, and has found it difficult to sleep at night.

"My heart does not feel at ease after this happened," he said, adding that he informed Gojek of the dispute and also made a police report on the same day.

He added that Gojek has told him that there was "nothing wrong" with what he did and that the company "won't do anything" to him.

A Gojek spokesman told ST that it has investigated the incident using the evidence provided and has spoken to Mr Kamaruzzaman and the passenger.

"Gojek takes all complaints from riders and driver-partners very seriously... A fair outcome has been reached with the driver partner and we are of the view that the matter is now concluded," the spokesman said.

The spokesman declined to reveal details of the "fair outcome".

Since the video was posted online, netizens have rallied in support of Mr Kamaruzzaman.

Facebook user Shafiqah Ramani wrote: "Cik Kamaruzzaman, I must say you (were) damn chill (and) professional during the incident."

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.