Singapore Seafood Co-Founder Admits to Fatal Traffic Violation

The co-founder of New Ubin Seafood, Pang Seng Meng, pleaded guilty in court on November 20, 2023, to a serious traffic violation resulting in the death of a cyclist. The incident, which occurred on March 2, 2022, involved Pang beating a red light at a junction in Singapore, leading to a collision with Chit Oo Maung, a 41-year-old cyclist from Myanmar.

Details of the Incident

Pang, 69, attended the court hearing with a walking stick. He admitted to driving without due care and attention, which ultimately caused the fatality. The court revealed that on the morning of the accident, Pang was driving along Bukit Batok East Avenue 2 when he reached a signalised cross junction at around 09:15. Despite the red light, he entered the junction and collided with the cyclist, who was crossing at the pedestrian crossing.

The impact of the collision was severe, resulting in significant damage to Pang’s vehicle, including a cracked windscreen and dents on the bonnet. Tragically, Chit was thrown from his bicycle and landed on the road, suffering multiple skull fractures and seizures at the scene. He was subsequently taken to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries later that evening.

Pang’s Medical Conditions and Traffic History

At the time of the accident, Pang was grappling with multiple eye conditions, including glaucoma, myopia, and astigmatism. Diagnosed with glaucoma in March 2015, he acknowledged his visual impairments, stating that he was not wearing his glasses during the incident. In his police statement, he expressed regret, saying, “I can only say that I am short-sighted, and I did not wear my glasses on the day of the accident. If I had worn my glasses, I believed that I could have spotted the red light, as well as the cyclist and avoided the accident.” This admission highlights the serious implications of driving with untreated vision problems.

The court also considered Pang’s history of traffic violations, which includes past instances of failing to adhere to red lights and speeding. His lawyers, Ms. Stephania Wong and Mr. Yusfiyanto from Rajah & Tann, requested an adjournment to gather medical reports that could impact sentencing. Mitigation and sentencing proceedings are scheduled for January 2024.

If convicted of driving without due care and consideration resulting in death, Pang faces a potential prison sentence of up to three years, fines reaching S$10,000, or both. Additionally, he could be banned from driving altogether.

The New Ubin Seafood name has been a staple in Singapore since the 1980s, originally established on Pulau Ubin to serve water skiers from Punggol. The business is now managed by Pang’s son, Alexander.