A reporter who was beaten up while covering the brawl at Low Yat Plaza on Sunday has shared another side to the ugly incident.
According to Sin Chew Daily crime reporter Chan Woei Loon, what had happened over the weekend had nothing to do with race as proven by the people who had saved him from being beaten up.
"After being badly beaten up, there were Malay reporters who tried to help. There were also Malay members of the Civil Defence Department (JPAM) who rushed me to hospital.
"The doctor who treated me was also Malay. As a friend said, this had nothing to do with racial issues.
"Doesn't matter what race you are, if anyone is in trouble, we are there to help," he said in a Chinese language Facebook post that was translated into Malay.
Chan said that the main cause of the incident was not race, but stupidity.
Recounting the incident, Chan said he and a photographer were assigned to cover the protest at Low Yat Plaza as they were on the night shift.
As he was submitting a story at a nearbymamak stall, following a press conference at11pm, another fight broke out.
"As I was at the mamak, I saw a China Press photographer, Sam Kar Haur, being chased and beaten up by a group of people.
"Kar Haur tried to escape, but he was pushed and fell near the mamak stall as the group kept assaulting him.
"I ran to his rescue, but there were about 20-30 people beating him up. I could only protect him. Because of that, I was also punched and hit with helmets.
"At the time, a few Malay men pushed away those who tried to beat us, and saved Kar Haur. I backed away and ran to a small alley.
"When I reached where policemen were, they stopped hitting me," said Chan.
He said that the incident was a reminder that there were many people willing to help in difficult situations like this.
"Let's reject any racist comments," he said.
Editor's Note:
Do you have a story to share? Please use our submission form or email us at editorial@allsingaporestuff.com. If not, why not give us a 'Like'?