Ooh, the Kitchen Drama Turns to Courtroom Chaos in Singapore
Picture this: the former head chef of a beloved street‑food joint was stewing over a culinary rivalry so fierce it turned into a legal mash‑up. Turns out, the spice wasn’t all that hot—he’s now in jail, but a new court move gives him a slim chance to continue his legal playground.
Who’s in the Hot Seat?
| Star of the Show | Zackeer Abbass Khan – 52 and already grappling with a 6‑year cell sentence (plus three cane strokes from May 2020). |
| Target | Mr. Amir Norman Halim – a restaurant supervisor on the opposite side of North Bridge Road. |
Case Summary (Mock‑Recipe)
- Criminal Intimidation – the “spicy” threat “If you fight again, I’ll poke your eye. If you love your family, you work properly.”
- Rash Act Endangering Live – driving a Toyota Vellfire, seemed to “saute” Mr. Amir into the wrong lane.
- Original showdown: 7 pm, Oct 24, 2020 – the chef’s car met Mr. Amir’s path on the busy North Bridge Road.
Why the Court Stuffed a “Discharge Not Long as an Acquittal”?
In a twist that would be the equivalent of a “free pass” in a cooking contest, the court decided not to fully exonerate Zackeer yet. The judge gave him a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (think of it as a “partial waiver” in the legal cookbook). This means:
- You can still be tied up again if fresh evidence surfaces.
- The decision hinges on Mr. Amir’s disappearance—he apparently fled to Malaysia on March 3, 2022.
- Law enforcement is still hunting him, hoping someone will legally restart the spice drama.
Previous Legal Soup
Back in May 2020, the chef was found guilty with a 6‑year jail sentence + 3 cane strokes. For a double‑dish plot in 2015, he and a former safety officer conspired to cause serious harm with a weapon during a top‑chef clash.
Feel the Heat? Or Cool It Down?
While we hope all meals stay on the plate, this case reminds us that kitchen tempers can quickly turn into court tempers. Keep your magic in the kitchen, folks—unless you’re aiming for a headline!
<img alt="" data-caption="Zackeer Abbass Khan had been accused of committing a rash act along North Bridge Road on Oct 24, 2020.
PHOTO: The Straits Times file” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”95649921-694f-4a3f-acb7-fc50b57c1d25″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/zackeeerrr.jpg”/>
Criminal Interrupted: The Unfolding of the 2015 Attack on Mr. Liakath
Last year, the court sealed a chilling chapter in a decades‑long feud. In 2020, District Judge Mathew Joseph handed down a conviction to Zackeer for criminal intimidation after he threatened to harm Mr. Liakath in August 2015.
Behind the Secret Society Curtain
Meanwhile, Anwer admitted he had been a top member of a clandestine group—he first joined in 1990 as a “fighter.” Judge Joseph didn’t squeeze any punches: Anwer was sent to prison for a total of 5½ years.
Final Two Convictions
- These were the last two defendants linked to the violent assault to be convicted.
- Earlier, other gang members, most notably Joshua Navindran Surainthiran, faced justice a full decade earlier.
The Knife‑Wielding Turnip (Okay, Knife)
Joshua, a 23‑year‑old at the time, met his 2015 moment with a slice that left Mr. Liakath with a permanent scar. In November 2016, the court sentenced him to 6½ years behind bars, expecting the full slashing penalty to come with six cane strikes. That was the only time anyone tried the cane on a convicted assailant in this case.
Dark Dealings and Payment Chaos
- In his testimony to the authorities, Joshua said that on Aug 23, 2015, Anwer called him offering a sweet $2,000 to slash Mr. Liakath’s face.
- After the scalp slash, Zackeer handed the money over to Anwer, who then deposited $1,700 into Joshua’s bank account.
- Joshua received an initial $200 on that same day.
- All three—Joshua, Anwer, and Zackeer—were taken into custody on Sept 21, 2015.
On the Ground: Life After the Attack
Before the courtroom drama, reports indicated Mr. Liakath would carry his scar for the rest of his life. Now, he lives on a very different type of scar: the one stuck in his psyche, and a legal verdict that hopefully satisfies the rest of the community.
Quick Recap
• Zackeer convicted for intimidation (2020)
• Anwer sentenced to 5½ years (2020)
• Joshua previously sentenced to 6½ years (2016)
• All three were linked to a plan to slash Mr. Liakath in 2015
• The court has now closed all remaining files pertaining to the attack.
All of this wrapped up back in the late 2010s, a story that originally hit the pages of The Straits Times. If you’d like to read the original source, just give it the green light.
