A former chief of air force who was driving when he collided with a woman pushing a stroller at Pasir Panjang in 2024 has been fined $5,000 and disqualified from driving for 5 years.

[wallybot]

A former chief of air force who was driving when he collided with a woman pushing a stroller at Pasir Panjang in 2024 has been fined $5,000 and disqualified from driving for 5 years. 

 

https://str.sg/szKs

 

On July 1, 2026, former Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) chief **Goh Yong Siang**, 74, pleaded guilty to driving without reasonable consideration causing grievous hurt. He was handed a **S$5,000 fine** and a **5-year driving disqualification** (the mandatory minimum period for this offense).

 

The full details of the court proceedings, the mechanics of the accident, and the condition of the victims are laid out below.

 

### 1. The Incident: A Discretionary Right-Turn Collision

The accident took place on **May 17, 2024, at approximately 8:50 AM** at the signalized junction of Pasir Panjang Road and Harbour Drive.

 

 * **The Setup:** Goh was driving his car along Harbour Drive and intended to make a discretionary right turn into Pasir Panjang Road towards Telok Blangah.

 

 * **The Victims:** At the exact same time, a 44-year-old Indonesian domestic helper named Samsiah was crossing the pedestrian walkway while pushing a 2-year-old boy in a stroller.

 

 * **The Failure:** The **"green man" signal was fully lit**, giving pedestrians the absolute right-of-way. However, prosecutors noted that Goh failed to keep a proper lookout and executed the turn without stopping in the right-turn pocket.

 

### 2. Impact and Extent of Injuries

 

In-car camera footage played in the State Courts revealed a severe impact. Because Goh was traveling at a speed that left him unable to brake in time, the car hit the pedestrian directly.

 

 * **The Helper:** Upon impact, the helper was thrown into the air and landed hard on the pavement, cracking and scratching the car’s windscreen. She suffered a deep facial laceration that bled heavily, a knee contusion, and a ligament tear. She was given **42 days of hospitalization leave**. The prosecution confirmed that while her injuries were severe ("grievous hurt"), they are not expected to cause permanent disability.

 

 * **The Toddler:** The two-year-old boy in the stroller was also shaken and injured in the collision. Both victims were quickly rushed to the National University Hospital (NUH). The boy's parents ultimately declined medical leave on his behalf.

 

### 3. The Legal Charges & Sentencing Rationale

Goh initially faced two traffic charges.

 

 1. **First Charge (Proceeded with):** Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users causing grievous hurt to the helper. This charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of up to 2 years in prison, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both, alongside a mandatory driving ban.

 

 2. **Second Charge (Taken into Consideration):** Driving without reasonable consideration causing hurt to the toddler. This was factored into the final sentencing weight.

 

Deputy Public Prosecutor Etsuko Lim sought the maximum cash fine of S$5,000, noting the victims were plainly visible and clearly had the right of way.

Goh’s defense lawyer, Sanjiv Kumar Rajan from Allen & Gledhill, argued for a fine over jail time, stating that his client was deeply remorseful, had fully cooperated with police investigators from day one, and that the collision was the result of a "momentary lapse" in judgment.

 

### 4. Background of the Accused

 

Goh Yong Siang has a prominent history within Singapore's military and state-linked corporate ecosystem:

 

 * He was a decorated fighter pilot who rose through the ranks to serve as the **Chief of Air Force**, retiring from the military in 1998.

 

 * Following his military career, he held senior corporate leadership roles, including Senior Managing Director at Temasek International from 2006 to 2013.

 

 * He currently serves as the **Chairman of Temasek Management Services** and Gas Supply (a Temasek-linked natural gas importer).

[sgh123]

He was a decorated fighter pilot who rose through the ranks to serve as the **Chief of Air Force**,

--

Sidetrack a bit what does decorated means ? He fight real air battle before or he serve many years?

[psygerzero]

9 hours ago, sgh123 said:

He was a decorated fighter pilot who rose through the ranks to serve as the **Chief of Air Force**,

--

Sidetrack a bit what does decorated means ? He fight real air battle before or he serve many years?

Made him sound like Maverick 

[DynamiteZerg]

9 hours ago, sgh123 said:

He was a decorated fighter pilot who rose through the ranks to serve as the **Chief of Air Force**,

--

Sidetrack a bit what does decorated means ? He fight real air battle before or he serve many years?

Our generals are all paper generals.