Hawker Demands Apology Amid Viral Argument With Former Actor Huang Yiliang

Key facts

• A five-second video of a heated argument between Huang Yiliang and a hawker went viral on May 6.
• The incident occurred at Circuit Road Hawker Centre in Singapore.
• Huang Yiliang's seafood stall, Old Fisherman, opened in February 2026.
• The hawker, identified as Enah, operates a Hainanese chicken rice stall.
• Enah claims Huang made defamatory comments about her relationship status and male friends.
• Huang Yiliang was previously sentenced to jail in 2022 for assault and fined in 2024 for a driving offense.
• Enah is demanding a public apology from Huang.

Viral Confrontation Erupts at Hawker Centre

A tense confrontation between former actor Huang Yiliang and a neighbouring food stall owner has captured public attention after a video of their argument was shared online. The clip, which surfaced on the SingaporeSpeaks subreddit on May 6, depicts a heated exchange between Huang and a woman identified as Enah, the proprietor of a Hainanese chicken rice stall. Filmed at the Circuit Road Hawker Centre, the five-second video shows the pair, standing before their respective businesses, pointing fingers and trading insults in Hokkien. Huang, dressed in a dark grey shirt, can be heard calling Enah an "embarrassing person" and using an expletive. The dispute has since escalated, with Enah demanding a public apology from the former actor. This incident underscores the often-fraught dynamics within busy public spaces, where simmering tensions can boil over into public displays. The viral nature of the video has amplified the dispute, drawing scrutiny to the conduct of both individuals involved.

Allegations of Defamation and Personal Attacks

Enah, a 50-year-old who has been operating her chicken rice stall, claims the altercation occurred in early April on a Sunday afternoon. She alleges that Huang entered her stall's food preparation area, shouting aggressively and pointing at her. While Enah has declined to specify the exact trigger for the confrontation, citing safety concerns, she stated that their relationship had been cordial, albeit distant, prior to the incident. The core of Enah's demand for an apology stems from what she describes as defamatory comments made by Huang regarding her personal life. She asserts that Huang accused her of having multiple relationships with men, including male friends she socialises with regularly. "Am I not allowed to have male friends?" Enah questioned, emphasizing that she is married and has adult children. In response to these accusations, Huang has labelled Enah's claims as "fabricated" but has been reluctant to provide further details, stating he does not wish to "fire the first shot." He also described Enah as being "straightforward," much like himself.

Huang Yiliang's Past and Neighbours' Accounts

Huang Yiliang, 64, recently opened his seafood stall, Old Fisherman, at the Circuit Road Hawker Centre in February 2026. The stall offers dishes such as stir-fried crab and crab bee hoon. Despite the current dispute, Huang has maintained that he has a good relationship with his neighbouring stall owners. Interviews with several other hawkers at the centre revealed a mixed perception of the former actor. While many described Huang as "friendly," they admitted to being unaware of the specifics of the dispute with Enah. This suggests that the conflict may be a localised issue between the two stall owners, rather than a widespread neighbourhood grievance. Huang, who joined Mediacorp in 1985 and garnered three Best Supporting Actor awards before leaving show business in 2008, has faced public scrutiny before. His past includes a 10-month jail sentence in 2022 for assaulting an employee and a 2024 conviction for injuring a cyclist while driving, resulting in a five-year driving ban. These prior incidents have resurfaced in online discussions, with some netizens pointing to potential anger management issues.

Escalating Tensions and Public Reaction

The animosity between Huang and Enah was palpable even during subsequent interactions. On May 7, when reporters visited the hawker centre, Huang had yet to open his stall, while Enah's chicken rice stall was already in operation. The two hawkers were heard clashing verbally at the centre, with Enah reiterating her demand for an apology. Enah expressed her deep anger and frustration, stating, "I don't want to see him. I don't want to speak to him unless he wants to apologise." She insisted on a public apology for the alleged slander, which she claims was overheard by other hawkers and passers-by. This public demand highlights the severity with which she views Huang's comments. Online, reactions have been divided. While some netizens have voiced support for Enah, sharing positive personal encounters and suggesting Huang has anger management problems, others have offered a more nuanced perspective. Some commenters noted that the high-stress environment of hawker operations—characterised by heat, long hours, and customer pressure—can contribute to heightened tensions among vendors.

The Path Forward: Apology or Continued Feud

The immediate future of the relationship between Huang Yiliang and Enah remains uncertain. Enah has made her position clear: a public apology is the only path to reconciliation. Her stance is firm, indicating a significant personal impact from Huang's alleged remarks. Huang, for his part, has not publicly addressed Enah's demand for an apology beyond labelling her accusations as fabricated. His past reticence to engage directly in disputes, as noted by his statement about not wanting to "fire the first shot," suggests he may prefer to maintain a degree of distance, at least publicly. However, the viral nature of the video and the public interest it has generated mean that the situation cannot easily be contained. The outcome will likely depend on whether Huang chooses to address Enah's demands directly or if further incidents or interventions become necessary to resolve the escalating conflict at Circuit Road Hawker Centre.

The bottom line

• A viral video has brought a dispute between former actor Huang Yiliang and a hawker named Enah into the public spotlight.
• Enah is demanding a public apology from Huang, accusing him of making defamatory remarks about her personal relationships.
• Huang has denied the accusations, calling them fabricated, but has been reluctant to elaborate.
• The incident occurred at Circuit Road Hawker Centre, where Huang operates a seafood stall and Enah runs a chicken rice stall.
• Huang has a history of legal troubles, including assault and a driving offense, which have been noted by online commenters.
• The hawker community has expressed mixed views, with some describing Huang as friendly but unaware of the dispute's specifics.