Huang Yiliang's Journey from Silver Screen to Hawker Stall

Huang Yiliang, whose real name is Ng Aik Leong, rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s as a prominent figure in Mediacorp dramas. Known for his rugged portrayals in shows like Holland V and films such as I Not Stupid Too, he clinched Best Supporting Actor awards at the Star Awards multiple times. However, his acting career was marred by personal and legal setbacks. In 2022, he served a 10-month jail term for assaulting a Bangladeshi employee with a metal scraper during a workplace dispute at his former plumbing company. More recently, in 2024, he faced a S$3,000 fine and a five-year driving ban after a van accident that injured a cyclist.

Seeking a fresh start, Huang transitioned to everyday work. By early 2026, he was scaling fish as a fishmonger at MacPherson Market & Food Centre before launching his own venture, Old Fisherman, at Circuit Road Hawker Centre in February. Specializing in seafood dishes like crab bee hoon, chilli crab, and steamed fish, the stall aimed to bring restaurant-quality meals at hawker prices. Initially drawing long queues and support from fans nostalgic for his on-screen presence, Huang operated as a one-man show after his helper quit due to the grueling kitchen heat.

The Incident: What Led to the Clash

The argument reportedly erupted two to three weeks prior to the video's posting, on a Sunday afternoon in early April 2026. According to accounts from media visits, Huang allegedly stormed into the preparation area of the adjacent Hainanese chicken rice stall owned by Ms Enah, a 50-year-old mother of adult children. He is said to have accused her of entertaining multiple male suitors—referring to regulars who chat at a table in front of her stall—and used the Mandarin slang term "chicken" (a derogatory reference to prostitute).

Ms Enah recounted feeling shocked to the point her chest hurt, prompting her to call her son for support. Huang retreated to his stall shortly after. The verbal sparring spilled outside, captured partially in the viral clip where both parties gesture emphatically and hurl insults. A customer placing an order at her stall witnessed the intrusion, adding to the public nature of the confrontation.

Ms Enah's Side: Demands for Public Accountability

Ms Enah, who has maintained a cordial but distant relationship with Huang previously, expressed deep hurt over the alleged slander. "I am a woman with a family, yet he called me a prostitute," she told reporters. She emphasized that other hawkers and passersby overheard the remarks, amplifying the defamation's impact. In response, she installed a CCTV camera at her stall for future protection and has since avoided direct interaction with Huang, even staying indoors during peak heat to dodge encounters.

During a May 7 media interview at the hawker centre, tensions reignited when she confronted Huang again, yelling for an apology as he walked by with friends. She insists on a public retraction: "When he says such things about me, he needs to say sorry publicly. I don’t want to see him." Her stance underscores the personal toll of such disputes in tight-knit hawker communities.

Huang Yiliang's Defense: Incomplete Picture and No Regrets

Huang categorically denied the specific insult, responding with repeated "No, no" when questioned. Speaking to Stomp on May 7, he described the viral video as too brief to capture the prelude and aftermath, urging the public against speculation. "The video online is so short, it did not capture the before and after," he said, adding that he maintains good relations with fellow hawkers and views both himself and Ms Enah as "straightforward" individuals.

His stall had been closed recently due to crab supply shortages, compounding operational stresses. Huang refrained from detailing his grievances to avoid escalating matters further, stating he felt "confused" by the accusations and labeled them "fabricated." Neighbouring stallholders corroborated his generally friendly demeanor, smiling and chatting as he passes by, though they were unaware of the dispute's root cause. Straits Times coverage highlights this balanced neighborly view.

Online Backlash and Public Sentiment

Reddit threads exploded with reactions, predominantly unsympathetic to Huang. Comments like "A leopard will never change its spots" and references to his assault conviction dominated, with users citing anger management issues and past family allegations. One top commenter detailed unverified claims of caning his daughter to hospitalization levels. Others defended the hawker auntie as "nice," sharing personal anecdotes of her warmth toward churchgoers and customers.

Some urged context, noting the hawker life's stresses—intense heat, long hours, and customer pressures—could fray tempers. A few saw potential publicity benefits for both stalls, quipping about "no such thing as bad publicity." Overall, the discourse reflected skepticism toward Huang's redemption arc, with calls for him to return to acting bad-guy roles where his intensity fits.

Challenges of Hawker Life in Singapore

Hawker centres like Circuit Road embody Singapore's UNESCO-recognized culinary heritage, with over 120 such venues serving affordable meals to millions daily. Yet, operators face mounting pressures: escalating rentals (some exceeding S$3,000 monthly for prime spots), manpower shortages, and supply chain volatility—as seen in Huang's crab woes. The National Environment Agency (NEA) mandates personal operation to curb subletting, which has persisted as an "open secret" despite a 2012 ban, driving up costs indirectly.

Common disputes arise over space encroachment, noise from late-night cleaning, queue blocking, or customer poaching. High temperatures (often above 35°C in kitchens) and 12-hour shifts exacerbate tensions. Recent government initiatives like the Hawker Succession Scheme aim to attract younger operators, but sustainability remains a concern amid rising living costs. Mothership reports on such incidents spotlight these undercurrents.

• Manpower: Many stalls run short-staffed, leading to fatigue.
• Rentals: Non-subsidized stalls hit S$2,000-S$5,000/month.
• Regulations: NEA cleaning and hygiene rules add operational burdens.
• Competition: Adjacent stalls vie for the same lunchtime crowds.

NEA Guidelines and Dispute Resolution

The NEA oversees hawker centres through tenancy agreements emphasizing harmony and hygiene. Stallholders must resolve neighborly issues amicably, with escalation possible via centre management or formal complaints. While no specific NEA involvement is reported here, past cases have led to warnings or lease reviews for repeated disruptions.

Broader policies promote sustainability: the S$90 million Community Development Councils' hawker programme offers training, and digital payment incentives ease transactions. However, critics argue outdated rules stifle efficiency, forcing hawkers to prioritize bureaucracy over business.

Similar Hawker Clashes: A Pattern?

This isn't isolated. In 2024, a Bedok Reservoir hawker feud over queue-jumping turned physical, drawing NEA mediation. A 2025 Chinatown dispute involved noise complaints leading to fines. High-profile cases, like the 2023 Tekka Centre rental hikes sparking protests, underscore economic strains fueling arguments.

Celebrity hawkers add intrigue—former personalities like Huang draw crowds but amplify scrutiny. His stall's initial buzz from actor fans contrasts with post-dispute dips, as some netizens vow boycotts.

Photo by Amanda Jones on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Reconciliation or Escalation?

As of May 8, 2026, no apology has been issued, and stalls operate separately. Huang's three-year lease nears renewal amid supply challenges; success hinges on stabilizing operations. Ms Enah's CCTV bolsters her position, potentially deterring repeats.

For Singapore's hawker ecosystem, this saga highlights needs for better conflict mediation, mental health support, and succession planning. Community dialogues, as pushed by hawker associations, could foster harmony. Whether Huang's hawker chapter endures or pivots remains open, but it reminds that behind viral clips lie real human struggles in preserving a national treasure.

Stakeholders urge de-escalation, with neighbors hoping for quick resolution to refocus on serving Geylang Serai and MacPherson residents their daily fix of affordable, flavorful meals.