Former local actor Huang Yiliang has said he has no intention of relocating his seafood stall from Circuit Road Hawker Centre despite an ongoing dispute with a neighbouring chicken rice seller that recently drew widespread attention online.
The 64-year-old opened his seafood stall earlier this year and has since become a familiar face at the hawker centre. However, tensions between Huang and a nearby hawker escalated after videos of their public arguments surfaced on social media platforms.
According to reports, the disagreement initially centred around rumours involving Huang and his assistant. Huang clarified that he had only allowed his assistant to rest at his nearby residence due to convenience and denied any inappropriate relationship.
The matter reportedly intensified again over the weekend when Huang claimed he was assaulted by the husband of the neighbouring chicken rice hawker. He alleged that he was struck behind his right ear while attempting to confront the woman after hearing her scolding him openly at the hawker centre.
Huang was later taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for medical attention before being discharged on the same day.
BUSINESS REMAINS STABLE DESPITE PUBLIC DRAMA
Despite the controversy, Huang said business at his stall has remained steady. He shared that there are currently no plans to shut down operations or move elsewhere, adding that he has yet to find another location as suitable as Circuit Road.
The former actor explained that he now hopes both parties can establish clearer boundaries and continue operating their businesses peacefully without further confrontation.
He also reflected that relationships between people can change over time, suggesting that future reconciliation may still be possible even though tensions remain high at present.
The incident has sparked online discussions among Singaporeans, with many debating whether conflicts between hawkers are becoming more common due to the stressful nature of the food business and rising operating costs.
OTHER HAWKERS SPEAK OUT
Several hawkers interviewed by Chinese-language media reportedly described both Huang and the chicken rice seller as individuals with outspoken personalities, which may have contributed to the clashes.
One veteran hawker, who has worked at the centre for decades, said misunderstandings can easily escalate when two straightforward personalities are involved. Others also claimed the chicken rice seller had previous disagreements with neighbouring stalls over operational matters, including smoke and cleaning arrangements.
A cleaner working at the hawker centre also reportedly mentioned that the chicken rice stall owner had very specific preferences regarding the handling and arrangement of crockery and utensils.
The situation continues to attract public attention online, especially given Huang’s celebrity background and the popularity of hawker culture in Singapore. Many netizens have since urged both sides to settle the matter amicably and avoid further disruptions within the busy food centre.