WILLEMSTAD - Minister of Governance, Planning and Public Services Kimberley Lew Jen Tai (MFK) was assaulted on Wednesday during an incident at a shop in Zeelandia, after a confrontation with another woman escalated into physical violence. The altercation appears to have stemmed from personal relationship tensions.
According to eyewitnesses speaking to local media, the minister arrived at the store accompanied by a man. Shortly afterward, another woman—apparently known to the man—appeared at the location. A heated verbal exchange quickly broke out, with the woman reportedly shouting insults at the minister and making accusations related to a personal matter.
Lew Jen Tai and the man attempted to walk away, but the woman continued to follow them. When the minister tried to make a purchase inside the shop, the assailant suddenly turned toward her and began hitting her multiple times, also pulling her hair and issuing threats.
A third person, believed to be a relative of the attacker, intervened in an effort to calm the situation and prevent the conflict from escalating further. After nearly an hour, the woman was finally removed from the area.
Police were later called to provide protection to the minister. It is not yet known whether Lew Jen Tai has filed an official complaint.
The government has not issued a formal statement regarding the incident.