SINGAPORE, July 26 -- A Grab driver has been suspended in Singapore after charging a passenger an additional S$5 (RM16) for "VIP treatment" - simply because the passenger asked to turn on the air-conditioning during a ride.

The incident, reported by Stomp yesterday, took place on May 18 when a commuter, only known as Dominic, booked a Grab ride from Orchard to Bencoolen.

"During the journey, I asked the driver to turn on the air-conditioning," Dominic told Stomp.

"He did so without comment, only to message me after the trip via the Grab app, stating that he had added a S$5 charge for 'VIP treatment'."

According to Dominic, the surcharge was never discussed or agreed upon.

"It was imposed entirely at the driver's discretion, with no t...