- Joined
- Apr 9, 2009
- Messages
- 3,070
- Points
- 0
A MERE 10 cents cost a toilet uncle the trauma of being beaten by a bully.
Mr Koh Gim Chan, 45, the toilet manager of the food court at Block 505 Jurong West Street 52, was punched at least three times by a younger, burly man at about 6.40pm last Wednesday (Sept 8).
He ended up with an ugly gash on his forehead and a bruised left hip.
Why beat the toilet uncle?
Because the younger man, who looked to be in his 30s, refused to pay the 10 cents after using the toilet.
Recounting the incident, Mr Koh said: "The man used the toilet and refused to pay. So I shouted at him to pay up."
The man then turned around and shoved him a $50 note over the counter.
Mr Koh said: "I told him I don't have enough change for such a big note. So I asked him to get change at the hawker stalls."
The man became angry and punched him at least twice on his forehead and cheek, said Mr Koh.
He then turned to leave without paying.
Mr Koh said he chased after him to get him to pay up.
"Before I managed to reach him, I slipped and fell. After that, I could not remember anything."
But a witness, Mr Lam Siak Wai, 49, who saw the drama unfold, had a different version.
Mr Lam said: "I heard an argument when I went in to use the toilet. When I came out, the argument became louder."
The man then punched the toilet uncle a few times, Mr Lam said.
When the man left, Mr Lam also turned to leave.
He said: "But I heard footsteps behind me. I saw the toilet uncle punch the man once. "The man also punched the uncle back and the uncle fell down."
The final blow sent the uncle falling face down, and he hit his forehead on the ground, said Mr Lam. "The uncle's left eye was bruised and his face was covered with blood.
"The blood kept dripping even as I was helping him to a chair. I held a towel over his head and asked if he was okay.
He did not answer, so Mr Lam called an ambulance.
The police were also called.
Mr Koh was sent to the National University Hospital where he was treated for the 3cm gash on his forehead.
It required seven stitches.
He also suffered scratches on his upper lip, bruises on his left hip and right shoulder.
He is now recovering at home. One of his elder brothers and his wife are standing in for him at the toilet counter.
He has four brothers and three sisters and is the youngest among the brothers.
Had stroke in his 30s
When The New Paper visited Mr Koh at his home yesterday evening, he was looking after his son, Hong Zhi, 4, and daughter, Ke Xin, 3.
He spoke with a slur and had difficulty recalling the incident.
His mother, Madam Khoon Lan, 85, said he suffered a stroke when he was in his 30s. The stroke made it difficult for him to speak or think clearly.
Madam Khoon and his elder brother, Mr Koh Gim Cheong, live with him and his family in a four-room flat in Jurong East. The flat belongs to his parents.
Mr Koh's wife, Madam Vo Thi Hang, 25, said many toilet users misunderstand her husband.
She said in Mandarin: "Because of his condition, he could not pronounce his words properly. So when he speaks, he sounds a bit loud.
"People might mistake him for wanting to pick a fight."
There have been many instances of users refusing to pay before or after using the toilets, she said. But this is the first time it has turned ugly.
Madam Vo said: "We understand (when they don't pay) because sometimes it could be because of the urgency of answering nature's call and they do not have any change on them."
"If the man talked nicely, we would have let him off, since it is only 10 cents."
The toilet is managed by the Koh brothers. They collect about $50 a day.
They buy their own toilet paper and toilet cleaners. They wash the toilets three times a day as well.
They usually take turns to man the toilet from 6am to 8pm. After that, they leave the toilet open for anyone to use without paying.
As for the hawkers at the food court, "the boss will collect $5 from each stall for the use of the toilets every month", said Madam Vo.
Police are looking into the matter.
This article was first published in The New Paper.
