The elderly woman later said she hoped the child sitting next to the pregnant lady would give up the seat.
A similar incident took place there a few years ago, the resident said.
Seven other foreign travellers were also nabbed for bringing in cash amounting to more than S$20,000 each.
The MBS plastic bag he had kept the money in was found in her locker, he said.
The lithium battery "spontaneously combusted" in a passenger's carry-on luggage stored in the overhead compartment, the airline said.
The victim suffered bruising to the left side of her head and was hospitalised for concussion.
An expert warned others not to imitate the incident, citing medical risks.
The MPV, driven by a Malaysian man, was carrying two foreign passengers when it was apprehended.
Condolences to the traffic sign's loved ones.
If approved, they can get RON95 fuel at the subsidised rate of RM1.99 (S$0.61).