Yellow ribbon? Give this model employer a golden ribbon for keeping the worker’s job position until the latter was released from prison and speaking up for him when The Straits Times published an old story of the worker’s past wrongdoing, six months after his release.

“The Straits Times wrote a report yesterday about how fake marriages are on the rise.

They talked about one Soh Chin Chai and painted a picture of a criminal.

Now, Soh is now under the employment of Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh. The boss of Soon Huat became very irked at the Straits Times’ report.

The following is a message he posted on Facebook (corrected for grammar):

“Hi all, my name is Jabez Tan – founder of Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh at 302 Simpang Bedok and 548 MacPherson. Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh is a social enterprise with a mission to provide ex-offenders employment opportunities and a new start in life.

I would like to say a few words about the Straits Times article “Web of middle man behind bogus union” discussing Soh Chin Chai and his bogus marriage with a Vietnamese lady.

In November last year (2013), whilst working with us, Chin Chai was summoned to the ICA for investigation surrounding his marriage. Without any hesitation, Chin Chai admitted to his wrong doing and paid the price of 6 months imprisonment. Chin Chai finished his sentence and was released in April 2014.

He returned to work for us at Soon Huat, helming the McPherson outlet as Assistant Manager, a position very important to us.

He is actively involved in community service, such as the Bread of Love (distributing bread to the needy elderly- organized by Hope Church, where he attends).”

Mr. Jabez Tan is disappointed that the Straits Times report failed to have a follow-up story about Soh’s case today and put his staff in such poor light, six months after his release.

The report did not mention any dates and it has caused confusion to readers and distress to Soh’s family.

Jabez added that Soh has received a lot of calls and messages to ask about what was written. The man is now is discouraged and is suffering undue stress over a simple report.

Jabez adds: “Every saint has a past and every criminal has a future. The past is past, we won’t let it hold us bondage. What is the most important is TODAY when we dare to step up n make a change in life for the better. I am so proud of (Soh) Chin Chai.”

Soh responded on Facebook with the following comment: