When a man fainted at Ang Mo Kio Central Market & Food Center yesterday, passersby tried to bring the man to a nearby clinic, but found that it was closed.
A quick thinking resident then ran to People's Action Party (PAP) candidate for Ang Mo Kio GRC, Dr Koh Poh Koon, who had just passed by the area during his walkabout. Dr Koh returned quickly and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the man, who looked to be in his 70s, and stayed to help the paramedics who arrived within eight minutes of receiving a call at 7.57am.
Videos and photographs of Dr Koh's act were captured and uploaded on social media. However, the reception to these photos has been "cynical" at best, says opposition leaders from the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) and People's Power Party (PPP).
"Give credit where credit is due, people should appreciate what Dr Koh has done instead of politicising the event," says Goh Meng Seng, secretary-general of the PPP.
Singapore Democratic Alliance chief Desmond Lim added: "We should praise Dr Koh for reacting immediately to save a life. Such things should not come with political colour.
"It's a proper and appropriate reaction when you see someone in need of help, so I don't think he was thinking about votes or what people would say."
Both party leaders also said that political parties should take the opportunity to educate their supporters to see things rationally and not make inappropriate comments.
The man, who was suspected to have had a heart attack, died at 10AM at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.
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