Halimah YacobYeo Song KhoonBei-Ing Wanton Noodle

Singaporean actor Noah Yap hits back at criticism of visiting injured hawker for limelight; 73-year-old hawker returns to work despite fractured back, saying 'It's painful but I bear with it'

Singaporean actor Noah Yap faced backlash for visiting injured hawker Yeo Song Khoon, who returned to work despite a fractured back. Yeo, 73, expressed pain but determination, stating, "It's painful but I bear with it," as he resumed his duties at Roxy Square a day early.

AsiaOne AsiaOne20 August 2026 · 14:58 UTC
CuriousCats Full Story

Singaporean actor Noah Yap has come under fire for visiting Yeo Song Khoon, a 73-year-old hawker who recently suffered a fractured back after an incident involving a customer. Yeo returned to work a day earlier than expected, despite ongoing pain and the need for medication.16

Yeo was injured on August 15 when a male customer allegedly shoved him to the ground after he patted the man's daughter on the head. The customer later apologized, claiming he was "overprotective." Yeo, who has opted against surgery, stated, "It's painful but I bear with it," as he resumed his duties at his Roxy Square stall.3

Despite his determination, Yeo's injury has affected his sleep, forcing him to sit up at night to find comfort. He shared, "I have to sit up in a position that is comfortable for me to sleep." The incident has sparked widespread discussion, even drawing comments from former president Halimah Yacob, who reminisced about similar affectionate gestures.

The police are investigating the incident, having identified a 40-year-old man in connection with the case. They have urged the public to refrain from speculation as investigations continue.4

Key Insight
“Yeo Song Khoon, who returned to his Roxy Square stall on Aug 20, said he still has a doctor's appointment and hopes to avoid surgery by continuing medication. Police have identified a 40-year-old man in connection with the incident, and investigations are ongoing.”
CuriousCats studied:
1
AsiaOneAsiaOne
“Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle hawker Yeo Song Khoon has returned to work a day earlier than expected. The 73-year-old had previously indicated that he would resume work on Aug 21, but was back at his Roxy Square stall on Thursday (Aug 20), where he was seen using a walking aid, limping noticeably and moving gingerly as he prepared for the lunchtime crowd.”
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