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A 67-year-old Singaporean woman, Hazel Phang Fong Yen, was sentenced to four months’ jail on June 24, 2026 after pleading guilty to repeatedly slapping, punching, and scratching her 27-year-old Myanmar domestic helper, Man Sian Hoih Cing, causing injuries including blunt trauma to the eye, bruising, and multiple abrasions. She was also ordered to pay S$4,440 in compensation, with an additional four weeks’ jail if she fails to make payment.
Court documents detail a series of incidents beginning in August 2022, when the helper started working at Phang’s flat in Potong Pasir HDB. Phang allegedly became angry over minor household tasks, such as checking food expiry dates, watering plants, hanging bedsheets, or cleaning bottles. During these occasions, Phang reportedly slapped the helper on the cheek, punched her in the eye, and scratched her neck, chest, and face, leaving her bleeding. The helper’s injuries were noticed by Phang’s relatives, who took her to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for treatment.
The abuse came to light in December 2022, when staff from the Centre for Domestic Employees contacted the helper as part of a routine welfare check. She reported the incidents, prompting a police investigation. Phang was arrested on September 9, 2025, nearly three years after the first reported assaults.
In sentencing, the prosecution noted the severity and repeated nature of the assaults, which caused significant physical and psychological harm. Under Singapore law, assaulting a domestic worker can result in up to six years’ jail, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.
Court documents detail a series of incidents beginning in August 2022, when the helper started working at Phang’s flat in Potong Pasir HDB. Phang allegedly became angry over minor household tasks, such as checking food expiry dates, watering plants, hanging bedsheets, or cleaning bottles. During these occasions, Phang reportedly slapped the helper on the cheek, punched her in the eye, and scratched her neck, chest, and face, leaving her bleeding. The helper’s injuries were noticed by Phang’s relatives, who took her to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for treatment.
The abuse came to light in December 2022, when staff from the Centre for Domestic Employees contacted the helper as part of a routine welfare check. She reported the incidents, prompting a police investigation. Phang was arrested on September 9, 2025, nearly three years after the first reported assaults.
In sentencing, the prosecution noted the severity and repeated nature of the assaults, which caused significant physical and psychological harm. Under Singapore law, assaulting a domestic worker can result in up to six years’ jail, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.
