21-12-2023 (SINGAPORE) A violent incident occurred at Pasir Ris West Plaza on Wednesday (Dec 20), when a man attacked three individuals with a slashing weapon. Reports suggest that the attacker was a business rival of the victims and had engaged in arguments with them prior to the assault.
Authorities received a distress call around 4:50 pm on Wednesday, alerting them to the slashing incident at the mall.
Loh Chye Hoe, a 61-year-old man, was apprehended at the scene by the police for causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon. He was found injured during the assault and was transported to the hospital in a semi-conscious state, according to police statements.
On Thursday, the elderly man was charged with attempted murder.
The three victims, a 46-year-old man and two women in their 50s, were also taken to the hospital. Online videos captured the man and one of the women clutching bloodstained cloths against their heads.
According to members of the public, the two women are sisters who own Royal Regent, a shop specializing in sundries and mobile phone accessories. They also own another mobile phone shop at Loyang Point. The interviewees, who preferred to remain anonymous, disclosed this information.
It is understood that the alleged attacker owns a neighboring mobile phone shop at Loyang Point.
Preliminary investigations indicate that Loh armed himself with a chopper and launched the attack on the three victims, as stated by the police.
“The parties involved were acquainted with each other but not on friendly terms. The chopper has been seized as evidence,” added the police.
A worker from Pacific Mobile at Loyang Point confirmed that his employers were the victims of the slashing incident. He also revealed that the alleged attacker owned the shop adjacent to theirs.
The worker, who chose to remain anonymous, stated that Loh had attempted to disrupt their business by causing disturbances outside their shop.
Another worker from a shop in the same row, Mr. See Chong Kern, mentioned that arguments between the two mobile phone shops at Loyang Point had been ongoing for approximately two years.
He further revealed that a few months ago, the situation escalated to the point where the police were called. However, the shop owners were rarely present and seemed to be primarily based at Pasir Ris West Plaza.
“There was a dispute regarding one shop’s merchandise obstructing the other shop… It was quite tense, and sometimes I could hear them arguing from here,” Mr. See said in Mandarin.
Despite concerns about safety following the slashing incident at Pasir Ris West Plaza, most shopkeepers proceeded with business as usual on Thursday. While some reported hearing shouting during the attack, many workers and business owners claimed they had not noticed anything unusual until the arrival of the police.
When reporters visited Pasir Ris West Plaza on Thursday, Royal Regent was closed, and the blood stains had been cleaned, leaving no visible signs of the previous day’s incident.
Most shopkeepers stated that they were unaware of any dispute. However, a florist, known as Mr. Loh, informed reporters that he had heard the alleged attacker had visited the mall several times to argue with the sisters before the slashing.
Madam Lim, an employee at a nearby furniture shop, recounted that she went to investigate when the police arrived at the mall. She briefly witnessed a woman with a head injury exiting Royal Regent, holding an umbrella. However, she hurried back to her shop, frightened by the sight.
The owners of a neighboring stationery shop, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed their hope that such a violent incident would not recur, as it negatively impacts business and jeopardizes their safety. Despite the incident, there were no signs of people avoiding the area, and as lunchtime approached, office workers and residents frequented the mall for their meals.
At around noon, Senior Minister and Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, Teo Chee Hean, arrived at the mall to engage with business owners and residents in the plaza.
Mr. Teo conducted a walkabout, visiting all the shops on the first floor for approximately half an hour. He later had lunch at the food court with the chairperson of the Pasir Ris West Plaza Merchants Association. Mr. Teo declined to speak with the media.
In a Facebook post, Mr. Teo stated, “West Plaza was buzzing with its usual lunchtime crowd today. Our merchants, residents, and customers are thankful to the police and SCDF (Singapore Civil Defence Force) for their quick response to the slashing incident yesterday. They are reassured that the police (are) handling the case and that our town is safe. We hope those injured will recover soon.”
On Wednesday night, Mr. Teo mentioned that the incident was not random and is believed to be connected to an ongoing dispute between the involved parties.
