Zeng Guoyuan is a rather familiar face to most Singaporeans — but you may know him better as the “Parrot Man”, so named for his pet bird that always accompanies him. Or perhaps you’d recognize him as the perennial electoral candidate who represented the Workers’ Party in the 1991 General Election, followed by subsequent failed attempts to run as an independent in the 2011 and 2015 General Elections.
The 65-year-old former businessman, who lost his nose to nose cancer, is now making headlines again for his current dispute with Ngee Ann City. Apparently, the Orchard Road mall’s management has called the police more than 30 times in the past six months about Zeng, who they claim has been pretending to be a cripple to sell tissue paper packets at the bustling underground walkway that connects Ngee Ann City and Wisma Atria.
Apparently, Zeng would park his wheelchair in the middle of the narrow underpass during evening peak periods between 5pm and 7pm, causing a “security concern” and blocking the already-crowded linkway, said Ngee Ann City’s general manager, Eric Chan. The mall’s security was called in multiple times, but Zeng would keep coming back.
Finally, management stationed a notice along the walkway to warn pedestrians about Zeng and how he’s a “capable person” that can “walk and ride bike” — so that the public would not be “conned” by him.
“We put up the notice to inform the public that this person is not a true beggar… He pretends to be handicapped, sitting on a wheelchair, and putting a cloth over his leg, but he can walk. When he leaves, he will just stand up and push his wheelchair,” Chan told TODAY.
In response, Zeng claimed the mall’s management was “selfish” and “jealous” of shoppers giving him money. He also asserted that the passageway was a common area, and he had a right to be there. Zeng went on to add that he was not begging — he simply needed the money as his nose and colon cancer had spread to his liver and lungs. Reportedly, the father of two sons lives with his wife at his jumbo public housing flat in Geylang Bahru, but rarely sleeps at home.
It is believed that Zeng sells tissue paper packets at the Geylang Serai market during the day, and despite being unwelcomed at Ngee Ann City, he still has every intention of returning to the mall in the evenings.
Shoppers have given feedback to the mall’s management about Zeng, mentioning everything from his “scary” appearance to his parrot’s droppings to his situation that warranted help from the relevant government bodies. TODAY revealed that a spokesperson from the Ministry of Social and Family Development said its Destitute and Shelter Support branch is aware of Zeng’s situation and has helped him out before. Zeng rejected the most recent offer of help late last year.
Since January, the police have recorded at least seven offences by Zeng at Ngee Ann City; he was arrested several times as well. Some of the offences include begging, using abusive language on a police officer, and assaulting the mall’s security manager. A couple shopkeepers in the vicinity also came forward to divulge incidents when Zeng got upset with the authorities and used vulgar language on officers.
Police reports have been lodged and investigations are underway.
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