A 38-year-old Chinese woman from Shandong was assaulted when she visited a fellow Chinese national’s room to arrange luggage storage before relocating.
The woman, Ms. Zhang, arrived in Singapore on February 11 and lived in a Geylang hostel apartment. She shared a room with five others for $450 in rent.
Planning to move out and find new employment, Ms. Zhang needed temporary storage for her belongings. Her friend’s hostel had limited space, so she asked her downstairs neighbor, a Chinese construction worker in his thirties or forties, for help.
The neighbor agreed and arranged for her to visit on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 8:30 AM to check available space. When Ms. Zhang entered his room as instructed, she found him lying in bed with the lights off.
After turning on the lights, the man told her to sit on a sofa next to his bed. He then commented on her figure and said she could find a partner in Singapore.
Ms. Zhang reported that he suddenly locked the door, forcibly kissed her on the lips, and attempted to drag her to the bed. She struggled and told him his actions were illegal, after which he released her.
She quickly unlocked the door and returned to her room, where she brushed her teeth twice and felt distressed. She later confronted him via text messages, demanding an apology. The man sent “Sorry” but immediately deleted the message.
Police confirmed receiving a molestation report. A 48-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the case, which remains under investigation.
