S'porean man in 70s surprised by free NDP ticket from stranger outside stadium

A man who was hoping to get a National Day Parade ticket scored a lucky break outside the National Stadium this afternoon (Aug. 9).

Speaking to Mothership, Abdul Jalil, who is in his 70s, attributed this kind deed to a random stranger.

Abdul said that it was his first time watching the parade, and that he had decided to take a chance by simply standing at the entrance of the Stadium MRT station and asking around for a spare ticket.

According to Abdul, he had asked around in both Malay and English, saying "Anybody, so kind if you got a spare ticket? I'd like to have one."

After asking a few people, a Chinese man approached him to give him one, saying, "Sir, this is for you."

"(That was) lucky. Otherwise, I would have to just watch the fireworks," he added.

Took a gamble

Abdul added that he had left home at about 2pm, and he had told his wife about his plan to take a leap of chance in asking around for a ticket.

"My confidence (to secure a ticket) was strong. You have so many people, a couple of thousand over here," he said.

He had also chosen the entrance of the MRT station facing Kallang Wave Mall due to the flow of people emerging from the station.

In addition, he was not the only person standing around asking for tickets; another old man had also been doing the same and was successful as well, with a lady giving him a ticket.

"This is Singapore. People are very nice regardless of what race they are or who they are. If they can help you, they help you," he said.

Abdul, who stays in Indonesia, added that he would be returning after settling some matters in Singapore.

"I want to bring back some memories," he said.

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