SINGAPORE - A heated exchange between three men at Tuas Checkpoint ended with fists of fury flying during a traffic jam.

They were later charged in court. On Wednesday (Feb 28), one of them - Nyu Tiong Lam, 63 - was jailed for three weeks after pleading guilty to two charges of causing hurt.

A third charge of directing abusive words at Leong Tuck Kwong, 57, and Chan Kok Leng, 56, was considered during Nyu's sentencing.

The incident happened on Aug 10 last year when motorist Leong and his friend Chan Kok Leng were caught in heavy traffic on their return from Malaysia.

They noticed that a Malaysian-registered vehicle in front of them, driven by Malaysian Chan Pek Yee, 57, had allowed several vehicles to cut into its lane. Upset, Leong sounded his horn at Madam Chan's car.

Nyu, who was Madam Chan's passenger, got out and shouted at Leong in retaliation. But that prompted Chan Kok Leng to alight as well, and both men ended up yelling at each other.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Jason Chua said that the fist fight erupted when Leong tried to push Nyu back to his car. Leong's spectacles were damaged as a result.

Chan Kok Leng joined the brawl and a scuffle ensued with the three men throwing punches.

An auxiliary police officer attached to Tuas Checkpoint separated them.

Nyu sought treatment at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital the next day and was found to have facial and nose fractures. He also had abrasions, among other injuries.

Chan Kok Leng suffered abrasions on his elbow and knee, and a bruise over the left cheek, while Leong had two superficial cuts on the lower lip.

The cases against Leong and Chan Kok Leng are pending.

Nyu could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000 on each charge of causing hurt.