Parents scatter joss paper outside Toa Payoh flat to provoke daughter, 21, to leave her boyfriend's home

Unhappy about their daughter's relationship with her boyfriend, a Singapore couple tried to break the young lovers up.

When their attempts failed and the polytechnic student moved in with her boyfriend instead, the parents scattered joss paper in front of his home to provoke them.

Their daughter subsequently called the police.

Opposed relationship

The confrontation took place at around 1pm on Jul. 22 at the boyfriend's home at Block 51 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh.

The girl's father, 54-year-old Yang (transliteration from Chinese), told Shin Min Daily News that his daughter was trapped in her boyfriend's house.

He said that when he went to pick up his daughter, the young man called the police to stop him.

Five or six police officers were seen outside the Toa Payoh flat when the reporter visited the scene.

They appeared to be attempting to mediate between Yang and his wife and their daughter.

An emotional Yang explained that his daughter, Chen (transliteration from Chinese), had refused to come out.

He explained that the young couple had been dating for several years, and they initially did not pay much attention.

But they gradually grew unhappy with the man.

"Her boyfriend doesn't have a proper job, and he has a serious skin condition. We opposed their relationship but she didn't listen, so our relationship became increasingly strained," Yang said.

He explained that they'd quarrelled frequently about the issue.

The young woman began to stay with her boyfriend more often, and ended up spending more time there than at home.

Police called

This time, the young woman had stayed at her boyfriend's house for two days, promising to return home on Jul. 21.

When she did not do so, Yang went over to the man's flat and had a confrontation with him.

The next day on Jul. 22, the parents went over to try and convince their daughter to go home again.

But she refused and called the police.

Joss paper was seen scattered in front of the boyfriend's Toa Payoh flat, as well as two cans of beer and an empty bottle of wine.

There was also a red packet with a written message indicating the cutting of ties.

Yang admitted that he'd left the joss paper there in an attempt to provoke the couple into opening the door.

Went home

Attempting to mediate between the angry couple and their daughter, police officers told the parents that their daughter was already 21 years old.

They also entreated the young woman to go home. She eventually agreed.

Chen subsequently told reporters that she was no longer fighting with her parents, but she was back at her boyfriend's home.

She explained that she needed "some breathing space".

The young woman added that she does not want to fight with her parents, and hopes they would understand her better.

She also said she would try to go home to see her parents as much as possible.

Top image from Shin Min Daily News