Sim says in a statement that he can't fully express the pain of seeing the words sprayed across his home, and it's absolutely heartbreaking that the vandalism has taken away a place where his family has felt safe.

Photos shared by the mayor's office show large spray-painted messages in English saying "Ken Sim hates poor people," and "we hate Sim city," while the Chinese messages use expletives and one translates roughly to "cover the family with a shovel."

The statement says Sim's family has faced multiple hate-fuelled attacks this year, including the threat of a bomb placed under Sim's vehicle and a protest of dozens of people who surrounded his home.

Sim's statement says these acts of hate happen all too often and not just to him and his family, but to others across the city.

He says the attacks on his family have crossed a line that no one should ever have to face.

"But we are stronger than hate. My family, like so many others, will not let these actions define us," Sim says in the statement.

This report by was first published on Nov. 1, 2024.