A DBS branch in Hong Kong has been vandalised.

Expletive-laden graffiti

Graffiti slamming Singapore's ruling party, the People's Action Party (PAP), and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong were spray painted across the branch's glass exterior.

It is unknown where exactly the vandalised branch is located.

DBS Bank, established by the Singapore government in 1968, is headquartered in Singapore.

A DBS spokesman told Mothership that the graffiti was cleaned off as soon as it was discovered on Thursday morning.

DBS has 34 branches in Hong Kong.

Burning unit next to DBS branch in Hong Kong

Previously, pictures and footage of a burning shop unit next to a DBS branch in Hong Kong were circulated on social media, leading many to believe it was the bank branch itself that was set on fire.

According to CNA, the fire happened on Yee Wo Street in shopping district Causeway Bay.

The unit that was set on fire reportedly had no signboard and was boarded up before the fire, CNA cited Hong Kong media HK01 as saying.

A DBS spokesperson said the DBS outlet was not damaged by the fire, and that the employees at the branch were safe.

The branch was temporarily closed from 4pm on the day.

Mass shutdowns of banks

As many as 250 bank branches were forced to shut down on Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the third day of protest chaos initiated by protesters to disrupt traffic and businesses, South China Morning Post reported.

It is artistic, innovative and effective. Any government should be proud, cherish & spend resource to further develop such amazing young generation. Instead HK lame-duck govt decide to give them up and even kill them all. #StandwithHK #FreeHK #PoliceState pic.twitter.com/yGJneAFQRf

— LawMic 😷 (@LawMic1997) November 13, 2019

The number is the highest in the city's history except during major typhoons.

The protest campaign was started on Monday, Nov. 11, in response to the death of 22-year-old univeristy student Chow Tsz-lok last week -- the first death that resulted directly from the protests.

Previously, demonstrators had gone on rampages targeting banks and businesses seen to be pro-Beijing or have mainland Chinese links, such as Best Mart 360, Starbucks, which is operated by Maxim's group, as well as Lenovo and Huawei shops.

Protesters have also trashed train station entrances, as they believe that the MTR Corporation is in cahoots with the Hong Kong Police Force to hide the truth about alleged deaths during the night of the crackdown on August 31 at the Prince Edward station.

Hong Kong protesters indignant at PM Lee's remarks

Recently, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made some comments on the situation in Hong Kong, which were poorly received by the demonstrators.

In his most extensive remarks on the matter yet, PM Lee had dismissed the five demands raised by the protesters, saying they were intended to "humiliate and bring down" the government.

Hongkongers who support the movement were offended by his comments, and felt that he was being condescending towards them, despite not having a clear understanding of where the protesters are coming from.

No end to the unrest

Former financial secretary John Tsang, who was defeated by Carrie Lam for the Chief Executive position, said on Tuesday, Nov. 12, that given the “imbalance of power between protesters and the government”, the government should take the initiative to deescalate the force it is using, reported RTHK.

His remarks, coming from a pro-establishment figure, is noteworthy.

However, the Beijing-backed government has recently doubled down, saying it will not yield to “violence”.

Lam has also described demonstrators as “enemies of the people”, in a move that can be said to be trying to drive a wedge between protesters and the rest of the population.

But while there has been a shift in perception towards the protesters in Hong Kong society, Hongkongers also harbour discontent against the government, as Lam’s historically low approval ratings show.

There seems to be no end to this unrest yet.

Top image via Helloあsia Singapore/FB

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