I believe the Lau Pa Sat Cheers employee is genuinely unaware he has no such rights in Singapore pertaining to the demand of law enforcement for his ID.
Unlike what's people think, this is not a straight forward thing. For example if the police say they want to search you - do you allow them? If they want to enter your car or house without a warrant...do you allow them?
The thing is there are certain things the police will ask and we can say NO. ..others which we have to comply. If you don't know whether you need to comply you will ask which is what the Cheers employee did
Initially like everyone I laugh at the behaviour of the Cheers employee and feel he should be fired. But on further reflection he could have been nervous and anxious and therefore behaved in that manner.
Also, was there anything in his education , employee training or citizen manual that tells him how he should interact with the police ? If not we are having unrealistic expectations that everyone will magically know all this. In reality there will be many who are unaware how to interact with the police.
Just on the matter of showing ID, it is not universal common sense and logic...in fact most developed countries citizens don't have to show ID when asked.....under the exact same set of conditions as in the Lau Pa Sat Cheers situation ..see the video I posted. Many are unenlightened on this.
I find it unfortunate they took the easy way out an just sack him when they should upgrade their employee training because it is lacking. Worse still Cheers is under NTUC a cooperative that is suppose to stand on the side of workers. If person is highly educated and knows the law chances are he will not be manning a cash register at Cheers.
I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.