Ng Chee Meng The recent judgment surrounding Income Insurance’s handling of a claim by the estate of the late Mr Ko Wah has been of deep concern to me

[Shion]

means what ah

all the way up the chain of command...claims exec, claims manager, claims director etc...all reject to pay ???

 

[joshua182]

0 responsibility.

It is sad but also amusing to see the head of the institution at fault express “deep concern” at his own company like a twice removed 13th cousin.

It’s like knocking down an old man and saying to yourself, darn it, I am deeply concerned that someone knocked down an old man.

 

[Kiwi8]

NTUC chief says Income Insurance must balance rigour with empathy after court rebuke over 'unreasonable' conduct​

In a recent civil suit, the court chided NTUC Income - now known as Income Insurance - for how it handled the claims by the family of a man who died five years after a traffic accident.

National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general Ng Chee Meng on Aug 26, 2025. (File photo: CNA/Marcus Mark Ramos)

SINGAPORE: National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) chief Ng Chee Meng on Wednesday (Oct 8) expressed “deep concern” over a civil suit where NTUC Income was rebuked for how it handled claims by the family of a man who died five years after a traffic accident.

Mr Ko Wah was knocked down in a motor accident in June 2019. He suffered severe brain injuries and became bedridden and permanently mentally incapacitated, before he died in October 2024.

Mr Ko's family sued the driver involved in the accident and a related company.

NTUC Income – now known as Income Insurance after a corporatisation exercise – was the insurer of the defendants and was chided by the court for its “unfounded objections" to some claims and "casually impersonal stonewalling".

This included its initial refusal to pay the man's ambulance-related expenses and instructions to the defendants' counsel to completely deny the family's claim for pain and suffering and loss of amenities.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Ng expressed his sympathy to the late man’s family for the grief and emotional distress they had experienced.

“While I appreciate that Income will have to exercise rigour and due process ... Income must balance such matters with greater empathy and compassion. I expect no less,” he said.

“WHOLLY UNREASONABLE BEHAVIOUR”​

Mr Ko's son, Mr Jonathan Ko Wei Ze, sued the driver and a related company on behalf of his father's estate for damages for pain and suffering, loss of amenities arising from injuries in the accident, loss of pre-trial earnings, medical expenses and further expenses.

Mr Ko died before closing submissions were tendered at the hearing to assess damages.

Deputy Registrar Kim Bum Soo noted in his judgment that NTUC Income took over the conduct of the defence as it would have to foot the bill for any judgment against the defendants.

Mr Kim said NTUC Income's instructions to the defendants' counsel were to completely deny the claim for pain and suffering and loss of amenities.

NTUC Income’s position was that the late Mr Ko had been comatose and "could not have appreciated any pain and suffering at all", said Mr Kim.

This was despite clear evidence that there were periods of time when Mr Ko was alert and appeared to understand simple instructions, and despite the "uncontroversial legal position" that an injured person is still entitled to damages for loss of amenities where they are unable to feel pain and suffering.

The insurer also refused to pay for any ambulance-related expenses and objected to Mr Ko’s milk powder, stating that a cheaper nutritional milk alternative should have been used.

NTUC Income argued that Mr Ko could have done with less – a less costly mode of transport, cheaper alternatives to buying a new pulse oximeter and thermometer and a more cost-effective nutritional milk alternative.

However, the court dismissed this argument, stating that Mr Ko had needed the ambulance rides and regular medical monitoring because he was bedridden, and that milk powder was necessary as he could not consume solid food after the accident.

Mr Kim chided NTUC Income for its "wholly unreasonable behaviour". He noted that while NTUC Income eventually agreed to pay the medical expenses paid using MediShield Life and the ambulance fees, this came "too late".

"The value of a reasonable concession primarily lies in its ability to avert a costly legal proceeding," said the deputy registrar. "That cost had already been incurred in money and more."

The district court awarded more than S$417,000 (US$323,000) in damages to Mr Jonathan Ko.

In his Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Ng said he was heartened that Income Insurance had accepted the court’s judgment upon reflection and recognised that it could have done better.

“While NTUC does not intervene in the day-to-day commercial decisions of our enterprises, we hold ourselves – and those within the Labour Movement family – to a high standard of fairness, integrity and compassion,” he said.

“These values are the foundation of our work and our promise to the people we serve.”

Source: CNA/rl(mi)

He just trying to cash in on the judgement nia.

If the judgement had gone in favor of Income he wouldn't have farted one bit.

 

[dezzo69]

NTUC chief says Income Insurance must balance rigour with empathy after court rebuke over 'unreasonable' conduct​

In a recent civil suit, the court chided NTUC Income - now known as Income Insurance - for how it handled the claims by the family of a man who died five years after a traffic accident.

National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general Ng Chee Meng on Aug 26, 2025. (File photo: CNA/Marcus Mark Ramos)

SINGAPORE: National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) chief Ng Chee Meng on Wednesday (Oct 8) expressed “deep concern” over a civil suit where NTUC Income was rebuked for how it handled claims by the family of a man who died five years after a traffic accident.

Mr Ko Wah was knocked down in a motor accident in June 2019. He suffered severe brain injuries and became bedridden and permanently mentally incapacitated, before he died in October 2024.

Mr Ko's family sued the driver involved in the accident and a related company.

NTUC Income – now known as Income Insurance after a corporatisation exercise – was the insurer of the defendants and was chided by the court for its “unfounded objections" to some claims and "casually impersonal stonewalling".

This included its initial refusal to pay the man's ambulance-related expenses and instructions to the defendants' counsel to completely deny the family's claim for pain and suffering and loss of amenities.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Ng expressed his sympathy to the late man’s family for the grief and emotional distress they had experienced.

“While I appreciate that Income will have to exercise rigour and due process ... Income must balance such matters with greater empathy and compassion. I expect no less,” he said.

“WHOLLY UNREASONABLE BEHAVIOUR”​

Mr Ko's son, Mr Jonathan Ko Wei Ze, sued the driver and a related company on behalf of his father's estate for damages for pain and suffering, loss of amenities arising from injuries in the accident, loss of pre-trial earnings, medical expenses and further expenses.

Mr Ko died before closing submissions were tendered at the hearing to assess damages.

Deputy Registrar Kim Bum Soo noted in his judgment that NTUC Income took over the conduct of the defence as it would have to foot the bill for any judgment against the defendants.

Mr Kim said NTUC Income's instructions to the defendants' counsel were to completely deny the claim for pain and suffering and loss of amenities.

NTUC Income’s position was that the late Mr Ko had been comatose and "could not have appreciated any pain and suffering at all", said Mr Kim.

This was despite clear evidence that there were periods of time when Mr Ko was alert and appeared to understand simple instructions, and despite the "uncontroversial legal position" that an injured person is still entitled to damages for loss of amenities where they are unable to feel pain and suffering.

The insurer also refused to pay for any ambulance-related expenses and objected to Mr Ko’s milk powder, stating that a cheaper nutritional milk alternative should have been used.

NTUC Income argued that Mr Ko could have done with less – a less costly mode of transport, cheaper alternatives to buying a new pulse oximeter and thermometer and a more cost-effective nutritional milk alternative.

However, the court dismissed this argument, stating that Mr Ko had needed the ambulance rides and regular medical monitoring because he was bedridden, and that milk powder was necessary as he could not consume solid food after the accident.

Mr Kim chided NTUC Income for its "wholly unreasonable behaviour". He noted that while NTUC Income eventually agreed to pay the medical expenses paid using MediShield Life and the ambulance fees, this came "too late".

"The value of a reasonable concession primarily lies in its ability to avert a costly legal proceeding," said the deputy registrar. "That cost had already been incurred in money and more."

The district court awarded more than S$417,000 (US$323,000) in damages to Mr Jonathan Ko.

In his Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Ng said he was heartened that Income Insurance had accepted the court’s judgment upon reflection and recognised that it could have done better.

“While NTUC does not intervene in the day-to-day commercial decisions of our enterprises, we hold ourselves – and those within the Labour Movement family – to a high standard of fairness, integrity and compassion,” he said.

“These values are the foundation of our work and our promise to the people we serve.”

Source: CNA/rl(mi)

"In his Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Ng said he was heartened that Income Insurance had accepted the court’s judgment upon reflection and recognised that it could have done better."

NTUC INCOME DARE TO APPEAL MEH?

 

[Lasogette]

Wu siao bo.

 

[focus1974]

sounds like ntuc income lost its way after TKL stepped down

When you are always being criticized by your competitors or enemies or counterpart, you know you are doing something right to rock their boat.

Most people just want status quo .. lepak lepak and earn the salary.

you go rock the boat everytime to make other people also need to work harder, no one will like you.


I remember him for 2 things..
1) Trying to convert insurance sales into fixed salary staff in NTUC income , but of course, people critcized him .. But nowadays, a lot of people also do direct insurance online without even the agent involved.

2) Trying to drive down accident claims and indirectly drive down insurance premiums. But of course... workshops and others who is in that supply chain will not be too happy. But .. he pointed out the correct thing, high chance of over-inflated claim if you dont deal direct with authorized workshop.


But after that..
i only remember.. him as the influencer whose post like..i met this one chiobu waitress in the restaurant.. that one chiobu ..do this..

 

[xdivider]

When you are always being criticized by your competitors or enemies or counterpart, you know you are doing something right to rock their boat.

Most people just want status quo .. lepak lepak and earn the salary.

you go rock the boat everytime to make other people also need to work harder, no one will like you.

Tkl belong to g1/2 era. Now all is outsource responsibility and waste money era.....

 

[AudiA6]

If i was the top man in an organization that is supposedly trusted countrywide and now a High Court Judge openly announce we are playing punk,

I will be worried as well.

Later ever other policy holder throw the "Me Too" movement HOW?

I JUST only managed to get back my million dollar parliament seat LEH!

 

[bikermice]

aiya blow big liao then come

 

[eAtNeAt]

There are so many cases of ntuc making it very difficult to claim. Moi parents 2 claims this year fell through. Ntuc asked for documentation after documentation which costs a lot.
He's only 'concerned' coz this made news.

 

[Sen Sen]

So is he selling ntuc away mah?

 

[dgeralds]

many poor people and many with not much education, would have feared huge legal expenses and would have moved on with what was initial given......this is Singapore today!

 

[TehOPengSiuDai]

many poor people and many with not much education, would have feared huge legal expenses and would have moved on with what was initial given......this is Singapore today!

That’s why it has always been the rich and elite’s world. No money, better die faster.

 

[Suporter]

马后炮.......

 

[Duapui-ti]

This saga has made my impression on him go from good to bad again.

 

[lockks]

This saga has made my impression on him go from good to bad again.

He has never been good. Reputation is rock bottom. U see occasionally now got internet warriors telling others he has changed. Change and become and even worse.

 

[vespaguy]

NTUC chief says Income Insurance must balance rigour with empathy after court rebuke over 'unreasonable' conduct​

In a recent civil suit, the court chided NTUC Income - now known as Income Insurance - for how it handled the claims by the family of a man who died five years after a traffic accident.

National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general Ng Chee Meng on Aug 26, 2025. (File photo: CNA/Marcus Mark Ramos)

SINGAPORE: National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) chief Ng Chee Meng on Wednesday (Oct 8) expressed “deep concern” over a civil suit where NTUC Income was rebuked for how it handled claims by the family of a man who died five years after a traffic accident.

Mr Ko Wah was knocked down in a motor accident in June 2019. He suffered severe brain injuries and became bedridden and permanently mentally incapacitated, before he died in October 2024.

Mr Ko's family sued the driver involved in the accident and a related company.

NTUC Income – now known as Income Insurance after a corporatisation exercise – was the insurer of the defendants and was chided by the court for its “unfounded objections" to some claims and "casually impersonal stonewalling".

This included its initial refusal to pay the man's ambulance-related expenses and instructions to the defendants' counsel to completely deny the family's claim for pain and suffering and loss of amenities.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Ng expressed his sympathy to the late man’s family for the grief and emotional distress they had experienced.

“While I appreciate that Income will have to exercise rigour and due process ... Income must balance such matters with greater empathy and compassion. I expect no less,” he said.

“WHOLLY UNREASONABLE BEHAVIOUR”​

Mr Ko's son, Mr Jonathan Ko Wei Ze, sued the driver and a related company on behalf of his father's estate for damages for pain and suffering, loss of amenities arising from injuries in the accident, loss of pre-trial earnings, medical expenses and further expenses.

Mr Ko died before closing submissions were tendered at the hearing to assess damages.

Deputy Registrar Kim Bum Soo noted in his judgment that NTUC Income took over the conduct of the defence as it would have to foot the bill for any judgment against the defendants.

Mr Kim said NTUC Income's instructions to the defendants' counsel were to completely deny the claim for pain and suffering and loss of amenities.

NTUC Income’s position was that the late Mr Ko had been comatose and "could not have appreciated any pain and suffering at all", said Mr Kim.

This was despite clear evidence that there were periods of time when Mr Ko was alert and appeared to understand simple instructions, and despite the "uncontroversial legal position" that an injured person is still entitled to damages for loss of amenities where they are unable to feel pain and suffering.

The insurer also refused to pay for any ambulance-related expenses and objected to Mr Ko’s milk powder, stating that a cheaper nutritional milk alternative should have been used.

NTUC Income argued that Mr Ko could have done with less – a less costly mode of transport, cheaper alternatives to buying a new pulse oximeter and thermometer and a more cost-effective nutritional milk alternative.

However, the court dismissed this argument, stating that Mr Ko had needed the ambulance rides and regular medical monitoring because he was bedridden, and that milk powder was necessary as he could not consume solid food after the accident.

Mr Kim chided NTUC Income for its "wholly unreasonable behaviour". He noted that while NTUC Income eventually agreed to pay the medical expenses paid using MediShield Life and the ambulance fees, this came "too late".

"The value of a reasonable concession primarily lies in its ability to avert a costly legal proceeding," said the deputy registrar. "That cost had already been incurred in money and more."

The district court awarded more than S$417,000 (US$323,000) in damages to Mr Jonathan Ko.

In his Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Ng said he was heartened that Income Insurance had accepted the court’s judgment upon reflection and recognised that it could have done better.

“While NTUC does not intervene in the day-to-day commercial decisions of our enterprises, we hold ourselves – and those within the Labour Movement family – to a high standard of fairness, integrity and compassion,” he said.

“These values are the foundation of our work and our promise to the people we serve.”

Source: CNA/rl(mi)

some claims department head was fffffed internally. What a stupid position to take, all insurers are like that.

 

[xdivider]

next time other company fa call u
fa: hi im from company x, we offer u shield plan, death, wl
u: i oredi buy from income le
fa: hi we dun have a record of telling pple to f off making claims.......

 

[sporeknight76]

This saga has made my impression on him go from good to bad again.

Pls say wat made u hav a good impress of him.

 

[Maihiam]

Govt should set up an independent board to oversee insurance claim disputes to deter such unetical practices by insurance companies to unjustifiably deny claims. Policy holders shouldn't need to spend thousands of dollars in legal fees just to claim for what they are entitled to under the policy. The board can be funded through licence fees paid by the insurance companies and any fines imposed on companies found to unjustifiably deny claims. Such disputes and their resolution should be publicly disclosed as a deterrent for such unethical practices and information for the public to decide which insurance companies to avoid.