An elderly man who was reportedly thrown to the ground during an altercation at an East Coast coffeeshop is doing well and remains in good spirits, according to Singapore actor Noah Yap.
Yap, known for his role in the Ah Boys to Men film series, visited the elderly man at the Roxy Square coffeeshop on Sunday (16 August), one day after the incident.
The actor said he has known the man for more than 20 years after becoming a regular customer at the wanton noodle stall operated by the elderly man.
Yap shared an update on social media after meeting the man and his family, saying the elderly man appeared to be in his usual cheerful mood despite the incident.
Elderly Man Reportedly Refuses Medical Attention
According to Yap, the elderly man has declined to visit a doctor despite encouragement from those around him.
The actor said he had a pleasant conversation with the man and his family and described him as being “very jovial, like normal”. He added that the elderly man did not appear interested in pursuing the matter further.
Yap nevertheless said he had encouraged the man to seek medical attention, particularly given that he had reportedly been knocked to the ground during the confrontation.
The elderly man was photographed holding a walking cane during the visit. Yap also shared an older photograph of the pair taken about 10 years ago, highlighting their long-standing acquaintance.
Yap said the elderly man has been working at the coffeeshop for more than 40 years and owns the wanton noodle stall there.
Noah Yap Says Violence Is Never The Answer
The actor also addressed the circumstances surrounding the confrontation, saying he hoped the incident would serve as a reminder for people to show greater kindness towards one another.
Yap said he was encouraged that members of the public had taken the time to check on the elderly man following the incident. He stressed that physical violence should not be the way disputes are handled.
He also expressed hope that the man who allegedly pushed the elderly man would be held accountable for his actions.
The incident reportedly began after the elderly man patted a young girl on the head at the coffeeshop. A video of the confrontation subsequently circulated online, attracting widespread attention and discussion among Singaporeans.
The elderly man’s family had earlier shared details of the incident online, stating that they were not seeking to encourage members of the public to confront or harass anyone involved.
Instead, the family said they wanted the circumstances surrounding the incident to be known and for the matter to be dealt with appropriately.
Celebrities And Online Personalities React
Yap’s latest update has also attracted reactions from several Singapore celebrities and online personalities.
Presenter and actress Jade Seah thanked Yap for visiting the elderly man and tagged the Singapore Police Force in her response. DJ Glenn Yong also reacted to the incident, describing the circumstances as “ridiculous”.
Online personality Amy Ang offered to help cover the elderly man’s medical expenses. Yap responded that the elderly man had also declined his offer of financial assistance.
Actor Romeo Tan had earlier shared the video on his Instagram Stories, expressing the view that there was no justification for the confrontation to become physical.
The incident has since generated considerable discussion online, particularly over how disagreements involving strangers should be handled in public spaces.
While details surrounding the confrontation remain subject to investigation, the latest update from Yap suggests that the elderly man is recovering and remains in relatively good spirits.
For now, his family and supporters appear to be focused on ensuring that he receives appropriate care while allowing the relevant authorities to address the circumstances of the altercation.