SINGAPORE: NTUC Secretary-General and People’s Action Party Member of Parliament for Jalan Kayu SMC, Ng Chee Meng, has responded publicly to the district court’s criticism of Income Insurance, formerly NTUC Income, following a high-profile damages case linked to a 2019 road accident.
In a Facebook post on 8 October 2025, Ng said the judgment surrounding the insurer’s handling of a claim by the estate of the late Ko Wah had been “of deep concern” to him.
The remarks came a week after media outlets reported that the court had awarded S$417,000 in damages to Ko’s son, Jonathan Ko Wei Ze, who represented his father’s estate.
Ng expressed sympathy to the Ko family, noting their “grief and emotional distress” during the prolonged legal process.
He emphasised that while NTUC does not interfere with the daily commercial decisions of its affiliated enterprises, those under the labour movement’s umbrella must uphold high standards of fairness, integrity, and compassion.
“These values are the foundation of our work and our promise to the people we serve,” Ng wrote.
He added that while Income Insurance had since accepted the court’s decision, reflection was necessary to ensure future conduct aligns with the organisation’s ethical expectations.
“Income must balance rigour and due process with greater empathy and compassion. I expect no less,” Ng stated.
“To the Ko family, I wish you peace and healing as you navigate through this difficult time.”
Court rebukes NTUC Income for ‘stonewalling’ & unreasonable defence, awards S$417k in traffic death case
In a judgment dated 4 August 2025 and released publicly in late September, Deputy Registrar Kim Bum Soo sharply criticised Income Insurance, describing its approach as “wholly unreasonable behaviour” that created unnecessary hardship for the claimant.
Kim highlighted that the insurer, which represented the defendants, had engaged in “unfounded objections” and adopted “casually impersonal stonewalling” throughout proceedings.
He contrasted this with the “earnest and sustained care” shown by Ko’s family.
Income Insurance, which became a corporate entity in 2022 after its separation from NTUC, was said to have directed much of the legal strategy.
The registrar noted that “the unsaid understanding was that this was essentially an insurance claim packaged in legal proceedings”.
Background of the case
The case stemmed from a road accident on 21 June 2019, when 78-year-old security officer Ko Wah was struck by a vehicle driven by defendant Samikannu Manickavasakar.
Ko sustained severe brain injuries, leading to multiple surgeries and permanent incapacitation.
He remained bedridden and displayed symptoms resembling advanced dementia until his death in October 2024.
During those five years, Ko required constant care from his son, daughter, and a domestic helper.
Jonathan Ko later pursued a civil claim on behalf of his father’s estate for medical expenses, loss of earnings, and damages for pain and suffering.
NTUC Income told lawyers to fully contest damages for pain and loss of amenities
One major point of contention was Income Insurance’s direction to defence lawyers to deny compensation for pain and suffering.
The insurer argued that Ko, being comatose for most of the time, could not experience pain.
Kim rejected this argument as “unreasonable”, citing medical evidence that Ko had shown periods of alertness.
He further stated that legal precedent recognises loss of amenities even when victims cannot consciously experience pain.
He awarded S$218,000 for pain and suffering and loss of amenities, noting that “a bed-bound man unable to enjoy the company of his filial children in his final years, or a graceful departure, arguably experiences a loss that hard-hearted money cannot capture”.
Disputes over medical and care expenses
Income Insurance’s refusal to cover ambulance and certain medical costs drew further criticism. Kim described the refusal to reimburse ambulance expenses as “inexplicable”.
“I cannot understand why Income Insurance would be willing to pay for hospital expenses, but not transportation to the hospital,” he remarked.
“It boggled the mind why the insurer would have taken such an unyielding stance.”
The court ultimately awarded about S$122,900 for medical expenses and allowed all ambulance-related claims.
Kim also rejected the insurer’s objections to specialised nutrition and care items, explaining that Ko required milk-based diets and constant monitoring due to his bedridden state.
Between June 2019 and October 2023, Ko’s family had spent roughly S$16,500 on milk powder. The court applied a 60 per cent discount, awarding around S$6,600 to account for normal food costs.
Judicial commendation of the family’s efforts
Kim commended Jonathan Ko and his family for their dedication and thorough documentation of caregiving costs.
He noted that their records demonstrated “methodical collation of receipts over four years, from multiple merchants and medical institutions”.
The registrar remarked that the family’s conduct provided a “heartbreaking contrast” to the insurer’s bureaucratic posture.
He praised both legal teams for professionalism, clarifying that criticism was directed solely at the insurer’s instructions rather than counsel conduct.
While the insurer later agreed to reimburse some disputed costs, the registrar said this came “too late”, as the purpose of early concessions is to avoid prolonged litigation.
Damages awarded
In total, the court ordered Income Insurance to pay more than S$417,000 to the Ko estate, comprising:
- S$218,000 for pain, suffering, and loss of amenities
- S$122,900 for medical expenses
- Additional sums for loss of earnings and other incidental costs
The court also applied a 50 per cent discount to loss-of-earnings claims due to Ko’s pre-existing health issues, including diabetes and heart failure, while recognising that he was still gainfully employed before the accident.
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