Grab is investigating a driver following a viral TikTok video in which he made repeated comments about a passenger’s appearance, ethnicity, and age. The content creator, Sarah Lim, posted the one-minute clip on July 11, which has since reached more than 222,100 views. In the footage, the driver asks Lim personal questions and remarks on her “tan skin” and background, leading Lim to report feeling “uncomfortable and disturbed.”
Viral video sparks investigation into driver conduct
In the video, the driver is heard telling Lim, “For a Chinese, you got really nice tan skin,” and describing her as “charming.” When Lim mentions she is “a bit of Canto,” the driver responds, “Oh my God, I love Cantonese girls. They’re so good looking, man,” and characterizes the dialect as a “sexy language.” The driver also asks Lim for her age; she informs him she is 20 years old and a student. Throughout the interaction, Lim is seen laughing nervously while looking away from the camera. She stated in her caption that she began recording because the conversation felt “weirder and weirder” and left her feeling “uneasy.”
Grab’s response and the safety review process
Although Lim did not initially identify the ride-hailing platform, Grab Singapore addressed the video in the comments section of the TikTok post. A spokesperson for the company stated, “Please know that our driver team is already looking into this and taking action as we speak.” The company confirmed that a member of its safety team would contact Lim to obtain further details.
Context of private-hire vehicle safety
This incident follows a recent case involving a Gojek driver accused of propositioning a female passenger and her partner for a “threesome.” Following that event, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) issued a reminder that vocational licence holders are prohibited from verbally insulting, intimidating, or harassing passengers. The LTA specifically categorizes sexual harassment as an offense for those holding such licences. The public response to Lim’s video has been divided; while many commenters expressed sympathy and urged her to report the behavior, others questioned why passengers continue to engage in conversations they find inappropriate, with some suggesting that passengers should prioritize using headphones or avoiding conversation to maintain personal boundaries.