Noah Yap has clapped back at a netizen criticising him for being attention-seeking after he defended the elderly wanton mee hawker who was attacked at Roxy Square.
A netizen had commented Noah visited the stall after the incident to “show concern and gather publicity”.
“Smart actor fighting for limelight immediately before others,” they added.
In response, 32-year-old Noah posted an Instagram Story yesterday (Aug 17) reiterating that he has been a regular customer of Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle Stall for over two decades, starting from his primary school days.
The local actor added: “Each time I visit his stall to eat, his family, him and I would always have a friendly chat, and they would always ask about my work and family and vice versa. Uncle practically saw me grow up.
“The moment I heard about the incident, I made it a point to visit him the next afternoon just to see how he was doing and just did a post to spread awareness about the situation…
“Get a life la. I’m not as free as you think.”
This comes after the hawker, identified as Yeo Song Khoon by local publications, was roughly shoved to the ground by a father after Yeo patted his young daughter’s head at the coffeeshop at Roxy Square on Aug 15.
The man allegedly apologised to Yeo after the incident, explaining he was “being overprotective” and offered to buy the 73-year-old a cup of tea, which the latter declined.
Yeo, who had previous leg and hip injuries, experienced severe back pain following the attack, but initially declined medical attention.
The incident has made international news and caught the attention of many.
Noah visited Yeo on Aug 16, adding that the latter “stubbornly refuses to see a doctor” and encouraged visitors to convince him to seek treatment.
Yeo told 8World in an interview on the same day that the man had claimed he was from Australia.
While there are speculations online on the man’s identity, police said in a statement on the same day that they have identified a 40-year-old man in relation to the incident and investigations are ongoing.
They advised members of the public not to speculate on the incident or its circumstances and to allow the police to conduct investigations and establish the facts of the case.
Yeo’s family members updated in an Instagram Story on Aug 17 that he has gone to the hospital for treatment.
They told 8Days in a report today that Yeo was diagnosed with a fracture to his back and was advised to go for surgery, but he declined and insisted on recuperating at home.
Their stall at Roxy Square will reopen on Aug 20.
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yeo.shuhui@asiaone.com
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