A night out in Singapore turned violent after a 27-year-old man became angry because he believed a Malaysian man had been staring at him and his friends.
According to Mothership, Jonathan Soo Wen Jie, 27, was at Mask 51 nightclub in Geylang, Singapore on April 28, 2025 to celebrate his wife’s pregnancy.
His friend Tan Swee Heng, 45, was also celebrating his wife’s birthday that night.
Allegedly started over a stare
According to Lianhe Zaobao, Soo noticed the Malaysian victim appearing to stare at him and his friends while they were walking to get drinks.
When he believed the man was looking at him again, Soo reportedly felt offended and confronted him.
The situation quickly escalated, with Soo throwing the first punch before his three friends — Tan Swee Heng, Ong Jun Ren, 37, and Koh Ming Quan, 20 — became involved.
All four men were drunk at the time, according to court documents cited by Mothership.
Victim punched, kicked and struck with metal stool
Soo repeatedly punched the Malaysian in the face before the group pulled him towards the centre of the nightclub and threw him against a table.
After he fell, the four continued punching and kicking him.
Oriental Daily reported that Ong attacked the victim from behind while Koh smashed a glass bottle against his back.
As the victim tried to leave, Soo picked up a metal bar stool, struck him on the head and later threw it towards his head.
The entire assault lasted almost two-and-a-half minutes.
Malaysian suffered multiple facial fractures
The 34-year-old Malaysian suffered multiple fractures to his forehead, eye socket and nose, along with cuts to his head and eyelid.
Mothership reported that he was initially taken to hospital in Singapore but requested to be discharged because he was concerned about the cost of treatment and wanted to continue treatment in Malaysia.
He did not undergo surgery after returning home and instead received medical treatment for his injuries.
Several months later, he was still experiencing pain and blurry vision in his left eye, making it difficult for him to focus.
He also reportedly had to remain at home for about a month while recovering, resulting in lost income.
Jonathan Soo gets 18 months’ jail and 4 strokes
Soo eventually pleaded guilty to one charge of causing grievous hurt.
He was sentenced on Oct 5 to 18 months in jail and four strokes of the cane.
His three friends have also been convicted.
Tan Swee Heng was sentenced on the same day to 17 months in jail and three strokes of the cane.
Ong Jun Ren had earlier been sentenced in April 2026 to 12 months’ jail and two strokes of the cane, while Koh Ming Quan was later sentenced to probation as a young offender.
Lianhe Zaobao had earlier reported during the April proceedings that Ong was also ordered to pay the victim S$500 in compensation (approx RM1,600).
The prosecution reportedly described the attack as a disproportionate response to a perceived slight, with Soo regarded as the main instigator and the most violent of the four men.
