Story By: Lee Bullen,Sub Editor: Joseph Golder,Agency: Central European News
The former Singaporean businessman and politician dubbed ‘Parrot Man’ who was disfigured by cancer has been found dead at the entrance to his block of flats.
According to local media, the body of 66-year-old Zeng ‘Parrot Man’ Guoyuan was found at the entrance to the Geylang Bahru block in the island city-state of Singapore by neighbours.
He was pronounced dead at the scene and the incident is being investigated by the Singaporean authorities.
Guoyuan, who used to be a successful businessman and politician, was a common sight on city streets where he would sell packets of tissue paper in the company of his parrot.
He was known as ‘Parrot Man’ because he often blamed his pet when he had run-ins with the police.
Between 2011 and 2015, Guoyuan put himself forwards as an independent in various elections, but he either pulled out of running or was rejected by voters.
He was diagnosed with nose cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery that left him with serious facial disfigurement.
After the cancer spread and he underwent further surgery that left him using a colostomy bag, Guoyuan told local media in 2015 that his condition was terminal.
He was recently involved in a long-running row with the management of Ngee Ann City shopping centre where he sold tissue packets on a walkway leading to the main entrance.
In a six-month period, the police were reportedly called to the scene over 30 times and the centre’s management even erected a notice telling passersby not to give him any money.
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