Living peacefully in close quarters can be a challenge, but for one Singapore woman, a persistent conflict with her neighbor has turned her daily life into a nightmare. Li, a resident of Block 536 Upper Cross Street in Chinatown, has endured relentless harassment for five years, allegedly over her cooking habits.
According to Li, the ordeal began in 2019 when her neighbor started pounding on their shared wall, claiming that the heat from Li's cooking made her flat unbearably warm. "I rarely eat out and usually cook at home, but she demanded that I stop, saying it makes her house hot," Li told Shin Min Daily News.
Initially, the knocking occurred during mealtimes. Over time, the incidents became more frequent and unpredictable. "Even when I pray or watch TV, the knocking starts. Sometimes, it happens as early as 5 am or as late as 1 am, startling me and causing my heart to race," Li recounted.
The harassment reached a new level on November 12 when Li confronted her neighbor. Instead of resolving the issue, the neighbor emerged with a laundry pole, leaving Li feeling threatened.
Despite lodging multiple police reports, filing complaints with authorities, and seeking assistance from her (MP), Li says the situation has only worsened.
"My neighbor even told me, 'If you cook, I will continue to knock.' It's become unbearable," Li lamented. She shared that a meeting was scheduled for November 30 to mediate the conflict, but the neighbor failed to show up.
Li, who has no intention of moving, expressed her hope that the authorities would intervene to resolve the issue. "I just want to live peacefully in my home," she said.
Efforts to contact the neighbor for comment have been unsuccessful, as the individual refused to engage with a reporter from Shin Min Daily News.
The ongoing conflict highlights the challenges of living in shared spaces and the need for effective conflict resolution mechanisms to ensure harmony among residents. For now, Li remains hopeful that a resolution will bring an end to her years-long ordeal.
Source: Zaobao
