Pasir Ris West Plaza Slashing Incident Reportedly Stemming from a Two-Year-Long Business Dispute
How intense can animosity between business competitors become to the point where it leads to bloodshed?
This question looms large after a shocking slashing incident that occurred just two days ago, which has particularly unsettled residents of Pasir Ris.
The assailant, a 61-year-old man identified as Loh Chye Hoe, reportedly attacked two women with a knife, leaving them covered in blood.
Additionally, a man suffered a severe head injury, resulting in significant blood loss.
But what drove him to such violence?
Further investigation revealed that Loh and the victims were acquainted with each other. Their connection?
They each owned mobile phone shops. The two female victims, both in their 50s and sisters, run a provision shop selling sundries and mobile phone accessories at two locations: Pasir Ris West Plaza, the scene of the attack, and Pacific Mobile at Loyang Point, also in Pasir Ris.
Loh himself owns a similar mobile phone shop located next to the sisters’ establishment at Loyang Point. However, as of yesterday (21 Dec), according to CNA, it appears that Loh’s shop has been closed.
The root of the conflict seems to stem from a longstanding rivalry between Loh and the sisters, speculated to be the motive behind Loh’s brutal attack.
Escalating to a Slashing Incident
The ongoing tension between the two businesses culminated in a drastic decision by Loh.
He chose to confront the sisters at the Royal Regent shop, armed with a chopper.
Mr See Chong Kern, an employee at a nearby shop, told CNA that arguments between the two mobile phone shops at Loyang Point had been ongoing for about two years.
The disputes often revolved around one shop’s merchandise obstructing the other’s space and sometimes escalated to extreme levels.
The situation worsened recently, culminating in police involvement. Reports from Lianhe Zaobao indicate that the disputes frequently involved severe threats, including death threats.
To possibly avoid Loh, the sisters had been spending more time at their Royal Regent store, prompting Loh to seek them out at Pasir Ris West Plaza.
According to an employee of the sisters, Loh had previously tried to disrupt their business by loudly confronting them outside their shop.
The aftermath of the attack was grim, with a blood trail extending around five metres from the scene.
A 50-year-old driver, Mr Chen, who witnessed the incident, recounted to Lianhe Zaobao that three men and two women were present post-attack, some with severe injuries.
He described the scene as horrifying, with injuries so severe that the victims were bandaged like mummies by paramedics.
Loh, who also sustained injuries during the attack, was found semi-conscious and rushed to the hospital along with the other victims.
All victims were taken to Sengkang General Hospital for treatment.
Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean later announced that the victims were in stable condition, providing some relief to the concerned public.
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