Vinod Sekhar attacked in London, wife’s bold defence earns praise
Malaysian Tycoon Vinod Sekhar Attacked in London; Wife Fends Off Muggers
Malaysian entrepreneur Vinod Sekhar, chairman and CEO of the Petra Group, was attacked in London last week by two unidentified assailants. The millionaire businessman, who sustained minor injuries, later said he was “relatively unscathed” thanks to the quick and courageous response of his wife, Winy Yeap.
In a Facebook post recounting the frightening ordeal, Sekhar revealed that the couple had just returned to their daughter Tara’s apartment near Battersea Power Station after spending the day in Oxford. “As I parked and stepped out of the car, two men suddenly appeared,” he wrote.
The attackers reportedly struck Sekhar several times and forcibly removed his wristwatch during the scuffle. “They rushed at me, smothered me, hit me a few times on the chest and thighs, and tore the watch off my wrist,” said Sekhar, who underwent a heart transplant in India last year. “I tried to hold on but couldn’t — my post-transplant medication and health simply didn’t allow it.”
Wife’s Brave Intervention
According to Sekhar, his wife immediately intervened, chasing the muggers away. “Like the lioness she’s always been, my wife jumped in — swinging her bag, shouting at them, fearless and protective,” he wrote. The attackers, startled by her reaction, fled the scene on electric Lime bikes.
Sekhar suffered light bruising and bleeding from the attack, which he attributed to blood thinners he was taking. When the London Metropolitan Police arrived shortly after, an officer told him he was lucky — noting that the assailants might have used knives had he resisted further.
Reflections on Safety
In his post, Sekhar contrasted his experience in London with the sense of safety he feels in Kuala Lumpur, where he resides. “For all our noise, our chaos, and our politics, it remains one of the safest, warmest, most vibrant cities in the world — a place where kindness still outweighs cruelty,” he said.
A recipient of the Global Indian Award, Sekhar also offered advice to travelers: “When you travel — to London or anywhere — be cautious. Avoid wearing expensive watches or carrying flashy bags. And if you’re ever confronted, let go. A watch, a wallet, a phone — these can be replaced. Your life and your loved ones cannot.”
