An elderly man on a personal mobility aid caught on video charging at a Bugis MRT station SMRT personnel was illegally hawking within the station premises.

Details about the incident were made known by SMRT Corporation via a media statement on Dec. 17, 2019.

According to Margaret Teo, SMRT chief communications officer, the incident took place on Nov. 21, 2019.

An SMRT personnel had advised the elderly man on his PMA that hawking items was not permitted within the station premises.

The SMRT spokesperson also said a police report was made and that any physical or verbal abuse against public transport staff will be reported to the authorities.

The condition of the elderly man is unknown.

In the video, he was seen kicking his legs and charging at the SMRT personnel, who was forced to back up for five to six metres.

The elderly man was then dislodged from his PMA and landed on the ground seated upright after colliding into the wall of the station, with the SMRT personnel pressed up against the wall as well.

According to social media chatter, the elderly man hawking items has been a common sight, as his PMA consisted of a sign with Chinese and English words written on it that said:

Good day I only need $10 for my daily meals please do not let me go hungry today

Here is SMRT's statement in full:

“On Nov. 21, 2019, during his rounds at Bugis MRT station, our station staff advised an elderly PMA-user that the selling of items is not permitted within the station premises. An altercation subsequently occurred between the PMA-user and our staff. A police report was made and we are assisting with their investigations. We would like to emphasise that any physical or verbal abuse against Public Transport staff will be reported to the authorities. We are committed to provide a safe environment for both our commuters and our staff.”