Retired taxi driver, 78, sweeps Ang Mo Kio car park for free over last 8 years

A 78-year-old retired taxi driver in Singapore has been voluntarily sweeping up dead leaves at an open-air car park in Ang Mo Kio for free over the past eight years.

Lianhe Zaobao reported that Chen Jinhe (transliteration) does this daily.

Two hours each day sweeping

He told Zaobao that he spends more than two hours each day sweeping the car park near Block 533 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, collecting the leaves in cardboard boxes placed under the trees.

He initially started by cleaning the senior citizens' corner at the void deck, but later expanded his duties to the nearby car park after he noticed that it was covered in fallen leaves.

The dead leaves on the dirty ground irked him.

Why he does it

Chen claimed that he enjoys the freedom of his daily routine, having no boss to answer to.

He can choose to sweep whenever he wants, which he told Zaobao was convenient for him as he is only responsible for picking up his grandson.

Taxi driver for 35 years

A former taxi driver, Chen drove a yellow-top cab for 35 years and retired in 2015.

Unlike traditional taxi operators which lease taxis to cabbies, yellow-top cabs were privately owned by drivers.

Chen found the retirement life to be comparatively idle after 35 years on the road.

Street sweeping became an indispensable part of his day.

Trims his own broom

Chen even has preferences for the brooms that he uses, claiming that he has to trim the bristles to the right length and ensuring that they are sufficiently firm.

He purportedly sees it as a good form of activity and exercise, joking that it helped him lose weight and trim his belly.

His family was worried about his exposure to the elements, especially after his skin became increasingly tanned due to time spent under the sun.

Though they warned him that sun exposure could cause skin cancer, he resolutely stuck to his routine, saying that it was healthy for him to do so.

Good deeds, good rewards

Chen's volunteerism did not go unnoticed.

His deeds caught the attention of Ang Mo Kio MP Nadia Ahmad Samdin, who occasionally spots him at the car park and thanks him for his tireless work.

In 2021, he received a community award at the Long Service and Community Awards ceremony in recognition of his contributions.

He told Zaobao, "As long as my health allows it, I will keep on sweeping."