2 domestic helpers involved in knife standoff at Tampines HDB stairwell over alleged relationship dispute: Shin Min

Two foreign domestic helpers got into a fight at a stairwell in a Tampines HDB block on Mar. 22.

The fight was alleged to have been triggered by a relationship dispute.

One of the helpers brandished a knife, prompting the police to intervene.

According to the Chinese-language daily Shin Min Daily News, the incident reportedly took place at around 11:30am at the second-floor stairwell of Block 739 Tampines Street 72.

Helper spotted crying

A resident told Shin Min that she had heard raised voices from below and went downstairs to investigate, where she found one of the helpers seated on the floor in tears.

Several police officers were already at the scene and advised her not to take photographs.

A male resident living on the second floor told reporters that he and his wife had also been alerted by the sound of arguing coming from the stairwell.

When his wife went out to investigate, she found the two helpers in a heated dispute — one was their neighbour's helper, while the other was believed to be from a separate HDB block.

Both women are Indonesian nationals.

His wife observed the latter holding a small knife, though she did not see her wield it or threaten anyone directly.

Though the wife attempted to intervene, the woman's agitated state prompted her to keep her distance out of concern for her own safety.

According to the resident, around four police cars responded to the scene.

In response to Mothership's queries, the police said that when they arrived, they observed a woman holding a knife along a corridor.

The officers subsequently disarmed and arrested the 35-year-old woman for carrying an offensive weapon in a public place, and she was later sent to Changi General Hospital by the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

The other helper was reported to have returned to her employer's home.

Dispute suspected to have stemmed from a romantic entanglement

The man told Shin Min that he was acquainted with his neighbour's helper, and described her as friendly and approachable.

He added that he had seen the two women chatting near the stairwell on multiple occasions and believed they had known each other for over six months.

He suspected the fight may have stemmed from a romantic dispute.

When Shin Min reporters visited the scene that afternoon, no police presence was observed.

The helper from the second-floor unit was at home caring for two children, and declined to comment beyond noting that her female employer was resting.

Her male employer later confirmed that she was uninjured in the incident.

Top photos from Shin Min Daily News and Mothership (for illustration purposes only)