22 residents give cash to support man, 56, who stopped another man from stabbing himself in Clementi

The man, who intervened to stop another man from allegedly stabbing himself in Clementi on Aug. 10 by restraining and disarming him, has received a sum of cash contributed by 22 residents.

The Good Samaritan was previously identified as 56-year-old Osman Sidin.

According to a report by The Straits Times, residents raised the money to help cover Osman's living expenses should he need to take time off work to recover from injuries sustained during the incident.

"I didn't want to him to hurt (people)"

Speaking to ST, Osman recounted that he had been on his way to a medical appointment with his wife when they heard people shouting outside The Clementi Mall on Aug. 10.

The man, who works as a cleaner, said he heard people yelling, "Run!".

He then spotted a man armed with a knife, who appeared to be stabbing himself.

It was previously reported that the man ran into a durian stall, grabbed a durian knife from the vendor, and began inflicting wounds on himself.

Fearing for the safety of nearby members of the public, Osman immediately rushed forward to intervene.

He said there were so many people running, including children, and he did not want anyone to get hurt.

He managed to restrain the man from behind and pinned him to the ground, causing the knife to fall a short distance away.

Osman recalled repeatedly shouting for bystanders to push the knife further away.

In response to Mothership's queries, the police said they received a call for assistance at Block 441B Clementi Avenue 3 at around 12:20pm on Aug. 10.

When the police arrived, officers found a 34-year-old man lying conscious with injuries believed to have been self-inflicted.

Separately, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said the man was subsequently conveyed to the hospital and is currently undergoing treatment.

Osman sustained an injury to his right wrist during the incident, while his clothes were stained with blood, ST reported.

Bystanders later provided him with a fresh change of clothes.

Martial arts training helped during incident

Osman was visited by Jurong East–Bukit Batok GRC MP David Hoe at his rental flat in Clementi on the night of Aug. 10.

In a social media post, Hoe said Osman is part of the Yellow Ribbon Singapore community and had turned over a new leaf after serving time in prison.

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A post shared by David Hoe 许德财 (@davidhoesg)

In a separate interview with CNA, Osman shared that he had fallen into bad company in his youth and committed offences that led to his imprisonment about two decades ago, although he declined to elaborate on the offences.

He added that he learnt silat, a form of martial arts, from a cellmate while in prison, and he drew on these skills to restrain the man and push the knife away during the incident.

Wife was proud of him

Speaking to ST, Osman's wife said she was proud of her husband and did not stop him when he decided to intervene.

The couple, who both work as daily-wage cleaners, are currently living in their rental flat in Clementi as they wait to move into their HDB flat.

She added that she hopes Osman will rest and recover fully before returning to work.

Although there was no official award, Hoe and his team presented Osman with a small yellow star plush toy as a token of appreciation during their visit on Aug. 10.

"A star because today, he is a shining star to us. And yellow, because it reminds us that second chances can become new beginnings."

Cash raised by residents

On Aug. 11, Osman and his wife were also presented with the cash contribution raised by 22 residents, ST reported.

The donation was handed over by Hoe and a grassroots volunteer.

According to Hoe, the contribution was their way of thanking Osman and supporting the couple while he recovers.

He added that further assistance would be arranged, including a follow-up medical appointment for Osman's injuries.