2-1-2024 (SINGAPORE) In a distressing incident at a hawker centre in Bedok South Road, Singapore, a verbal dispute escalated into a physical altercation, resulting in the death of a 69-year-old man. The assailant, Ang Ah Lak, 56, has been sentenced to 25 months and 12 weeks in jail after pleading guilty to six charges, including voluntarily causing hurt and multiple charges under the Protection from Harassment Act.
The court heard that the confrontation unfolded on July 12, 2022, when Ang, who was offering prayers at an altar, noticed a dirty area near the altar. Ang requested the cleaner, Mr Mondal Dipongkar, to clean the area immediately. When Mr Mondal suggested cleaning the next day, Ang insisted on an immediate resolution, leading to a dispute.
The situation escalated when an elderly man, observing the argument, approached Ang after Ang called Mr Mondal’s boss. A heated verbal exchange ensued, and during the scuffle, Ang struck the elderly man’s forehead with metal tongs, causing him to fall unconscious. Despite attempts to check on the injured man and move him to a nearby pillar, the 69-year-old victim later succumbed to a skull fracture and bleeding inside the skull at Changi General Hospital.
In addition to this tragic incident, Ang was involved in several prior altercations. On May 29, 2022, he shouted at a bus captain and later hurled vulgarities at passengers. A week later, he refused to pay bus fare, leading to more abusive language towards public servants. Further incidents involved Ang refusing to wear a mask on a bus and causing a disturbance at Changi General Hospital.
While Ang was assessed by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) to be suffering from schizophrenia, it was deemed unrelated to the commission of the offense. Despite being a repeat offender with past violent convictions, Ang chose not to disengage from the conflict, leading to tragic consequences. The court has imposed a sentence reflecting the severity of his actions, emphasizing the need for societal protection from individuals exhibiting such behavior.
