A 30-year-old Malaysian man, Chan Yong Kang, who had been commuting between Johor Bahru (JB) and Singapore for over a decade, tragically lost his life in a multi-vehicle crash on June 20 while on his way home from work.

According to Shin Min Daily News, for the past 11 years, Chan worked as an electrician in Singapore. Every day, he would leave his home in JB at 4am, crossing the Causeway to reach his job site. He’d often arrive early enough to catch a short nap before starting his shift at 7am.

After finishing work, most people would call it a day, but not Chan. He would choose to return to JB and immediately start his second job as a food delivery rider, working until 7pm. His family revealed that these long hours were his way of building a better future for his five-year-old daughter and to cover the legal expenses of an ongoing divorce.

The day of the crash

Chan was heading back to JB with several colleagues that afternoon when tragedy struck along Admiralty Road. His motorcycle collided with a lorry, causing him to fall onto the road. Moments later, he was fatally struck by a passing garbage truck. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.

While some online commenters speculated that he may have been riding recklessly, his siblings quickly defended him, describing Chan as a cautious and responsible motorcyclist. They added that he had only ever fallen once before, due to wet and slippery road conditions after rain.

A devoted father and eldest brother

Chan was the third child in a family of eight siblings, and often referred to himself as a single father on social media. His wife reportedly left him and their daughter four years ago, and legal divorce proceedings began in 2024.

Despite his demanding schedule and financial strain, Chan made it a priority to visit his daughter in Batu Pahat every weekend. He also worked in the same company as one of his brothers, and the two of them would make the daily cross-border commute together. His sister described him as humble, hardworking, and deeply committed to their elderly parents.

Chan’s sudden passing has devastated his family, especially his daughter, who is still too young to understand the magnitude of what happened.

“She’s only five,” said his sister, “and doesn’t fully understand what death means. But when she saw her father’s body, she cried non-stop.”

The family is now planning to seek custody of the child. If they’re successful, Chan’s seven siblings have agreed to step up and raise her together, continuing the legacy of love and sacrifice their brother left behind.

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