Singaporean police are investigating an incident at a food court where a 73-year-old man was allegedly assaulted after patting a young child's head. The man, identified as Yeo Song Khoon, owner of Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle, was reportedly pushed to the ground by a man believed to be the child's father.
A video of the altercation shows Yeo patting the child's head as he walked past her table. A woman at the table, believed to be the child's mother, intervened, followed by a man, believed to be the father, who confronted Yeo. After an exchange, the man allegedly grabbed Yeo's arm and threw him down.
Yeo, who has pre-existing leg and hip injuries, stated he patted the child because she was "very adorable," adding that it is common for older people to do so. He reported experiencing severe back pain following the incident, which he initially treated with paracetamol. His son later posted on Facebook that while an apology was offered, the physical pain and injuries remained.
The incident has led to an outpouring of support for Yeo and his family-run stall. Long queues formed outside Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle, with wait times exceeding an hour. Customers expressed concern for Yeo's well-being and took photographs with him. The stall's Facebook post seeking to identify the alleged assailant noted Yeo's age and prior injuries, stating he did not initially want to pursue the matter.
Yeo's son thanked the police for their swift response and expressed hope for justice. Police have urged the public not to speculate on the incident and to allow the investigation to proceed.