A SINGAPOREAN has somehow “politicised” the brouhaha over the exorbitantly priced RM902 (about S$293) for a 2.7kg steamed wild-caught patin (silver catfish) controversy by a compatriot at a Genting Highlands restaurant on March 16.
Ticking off the complainant for feigning rich, only to “kena overcharged then complaint later”, a seemingly Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) backer has attributed such behaviour to an outcome from “60+ years of PAP (rule)”.
“We kena before also – RM80 for a patin fish at Genting Highlands. And yes, we asked the price first,” the leftist penned on the SDP Fan Club Facebook page.
“Call us cheapo if you want – we’re fine with that. We travel low-profile, don’t act atas (feeling privileged/entitled), don’t pretend to be rich. End of the day, better to be cheapo than act atas, big-headed and get chopped.”
For background, a group of 13 elderly Singaporean tourists led by 68-year-old stockbroker identified as Mr Ho who dined at the Loong Kee Restaurant in Gohtong Jaya, Genting Highlands were charged RM902 (about S$293) for about 2.7kg of what was listed on their bill as “Wild River Patin Buah”.
The restaurant maintained that the fish was the wild-caught species which is a rare, premium subspecies different from the affordable, farm-raised Patin popular sold at regular kopitiams.
Apparently, the fish was priced at RM33.80 per 100g which the diners found exorbitant with some claiming that they were not properly informed of the total price beforehand.
This has led to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry having initiated a probe on the restaurant for potential overcharging though initial checks found the menu price was displayed.
The restaurant eventually acknowledged that communication on the total price could have been better and pledged to improve transparency for its seafood dishes.
Nevertheless, a browse at the comment section of the SDP Fan Club Facebook showed insinuation of the complainant having behaved in a cheapskate manner either for kicking up a fuss or out of naivety of not verifying the price of the fish beforehand.
One claimed to have paid “A$160 (S$192) for a live Patin in Perth 20 years ago in a Chinese restaurant” while another absolved the restaurant from cheating.
“If you don’t have money or feel hurt to pay RM900, just order tilapia a.k.a. fei chow at the most RM30 to 40 per kg 🤣”.
One commenter even reminded the complainant that “the amount can vanish in just a few seconds if one goes to the casino”.
Whatever the case is, another cautioned that “Patin is a very expensive fish in Malaysia” with the poster pointed out that “Wang Bu Liao or Empurau (Tor Tambroides) is most expensive” while the SDP Fan Club administrator distinguished between normal/farm breed Patin and “Patin Buah”.
Added the site administrator who herself chided Singaporeans for their “tight-lipped demeanour”.
There are in fact many types of fish from Malaysia that are not sold in Singapore yet most Singaporeans are trained since young not to ask or question and always pretend to be smart.
The group of seniors of about 10 paxs, none of them ask the price before ordering. Moreover, it is at Genting Highlands.
By the way, Patin and Patin Buah are two different types of fish in terms of textures, prices and aren’t always available.
This group of seniors ordered Patin Buah and the restaurant did mention that’s Patin Buah. There are Patin Buah, Patin Sangkar and Patin Muncung in Malaysia. – March 29, 2026
