On 22 February 2026 at around 7:53pm, my husband and I experienced a deeply disturbing encounter while walking towards Chinatown Point. We were passing the stretch of road along Hong Lim Park, and the area was extremely dark, with very little lighting. It felt unusually quiet. Inside the park, there were people drinking, which already made the atmosphere somewhat unsettling.
As we approached the area outside Clarke Quay MRT Station (Exit A), heading toward the bus stop, a man suddenly stepped directly into our path and deliberately blocked us. There was space on both sides, yet he positioned himself in a way that made it clear he did not intend to let us pass. It felt like an assertion of control — deliberate and confrontational.
His posture and attitude were aggressive. He pointed his finger directly into my husband’s face and shouted vulgarities — “Fuck your mother chow chee buy” in Hokkien. His tone was sharp and threatening, like someone accustomed to intimidating strangers.
When my husband attempted to walk past him without engaging, the man spat directly into his face. It was a blatant act of disrespect and provocation.
Although understandably angered, my husband chose not to retaliate. At that moment, the man dropped a plastic bag containing what appeared to be glass liquor bottles. The bottles shattered on the ground. Without warning, he struck my husband hard on the neck, causing immediate pain and difficulty breathing. He then picked up a shard of broken glass and held it in a threatening manner, as if prepared to escalate the attack further.
Sensing the danger, my husband firmly told me to move. We quickly walked toward a brighter area near the traffic lights, where there were more people around. Only after reaching the light and relative safety did we fully process what had just happened.
Later, I asked my husband why we did not call the police. He explained that the man appeared intoxicated and felt it might be difficult to pursue meaningful action, as drunkenness is sometimes used as an excuse for bad behaviour. He had been provoked and assaulted, yet chose restraint. He did not want to waste time escalating the matter further.
However, upon reflection, I realised that incidents like this should not simply be brushed aside. The encounter happened near the stairway of Clarke Quay MRT Station (Exit A), an area equipped with numerous surveillance cameras. It is very likely that the man’s actions — the deliberate obstruction, vulgar shouting, spitting, physical assault, and threatening gesture with broken glass — were captured on CCTV.
Public spaces, especially areas near MRT stations and bus stops, should be safe for everyone. Intoxication does not excuse intimidation or violence. Choosing not to retaliate was the safest immediate decision, but that does not make such behaviour acceptable.
For awareness, the man appeared to be between 50 to 60 years old, approximately 170cm tall, strongly built, and spoke Hokkien.
I would strongly advise others to avoid the darker stretch along Hong Lim Park at night, as it is poorly lit and can feel isolated. Personally, I will stick to the brighter side near Clarke Quay Central in future, where there is more lighting and more people around.
Sometimes we may simply be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Still, no one should have to endure aggression or fear while simply walking home. I share this not to spread fear, but to raise awareness. Please stay alert, trust your instincts, and prioritise your safety — especially in dimly lit areas.
If sharing this experience encourages greater vigilance, improved lighting, or timely intervention should similar incidents occur again, then at least something positive can come from what was otherwise a very frightening night.
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