In a disturbing incident that shocked the local community, a 41-year-old man was arrested for public nuisance after he was caught urinating on the handrail of an escalator at Outram Park MRT station in Singapore. The incident occurred on January 10, around 10 PM, and was brought to light by a social media post from a user named Stella Kee the following day.

According to Kee, a friend of hers witnessed the man engaging in this unsanitary behavior near Exit 3. A brief three-second video shared by Kee shows the man, dressed in a black T-shirt and grey pants, standing close to the contaminated handrail. Kee described the scene as “disturbing” and indicated that witnesses acted quickly; one rushed to the nearest passenger service counter to report the misbehavior, while another kept watch over the suspect. However, the man noticed he was being watched and discreetly exited the scene using the lift before he could be confronted.

Upon inspection, it was confirmed that the escalator handrail was severely contaminated, raising serious health and sanitation concerns. In their response to inquiries, the police confirmed the report was lodged and they had successfully identified the suspect. “Given the egregious nature of the act, the man was arrested for public nuisance,” a police spokesperson stated.

In a follow-up, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) acknowledged the widespread outrage on social media and confirmed their awareness of the incident. LTA officials emphasized that SBS Transit staff promptly arranged for the cleaning of the affected area and also lodged a police report against the culprit.

Interestingly, after the incident was reported, some witnesses attempted to utilize the CCTV at the station to help identify the man. However, it was clarified that the surveillance system at Exit 3 is managed by SBS Transit, as it services the North East Line, while Outram Park MRT station also serves the East-West Line and Thomson-East Coast Line.

The LTA reiterated their condemnation of such antisocial behavior, stressing that it not only tarnishes public spaces but also poses significant health risks to everyday commuters. They announced that they would work alongside police to ensure that the perpetrator faces the maximum penalty allowed under the law.

As investigations are ongoing, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective responsibility in maintaining the cleanliness and safety of public environments. What do you think the consequences should be for such disgraceful actions? Share your thoughts below!