Singapore: A Man Fined Over RM6,000 for Urinating at Singapore MRT Station

 Outrage After Man Urinates on MRT Escalator Handrail, Raising Public Hygiene Concerns

An unsettling incident at Singapore's Outram Park MRT station has ignited public outrage and raised questions about the hygiene protocols and coordination between transit operators.

The incident occurred on January 9, at approximately 10:03 PM, near Exit 3 of the station. A video shared by netizen Stella Kee on the Complaint Singapore Facebook group showed a man, allegedly of Chinese nationality, urinating on the handrail of an escalator.

Incident Details

According to Kee, the man stood at the escalator for an extended period while committing the act. One of Kee's companions immediately reported the incident to the nearest SMRT passenger service counter near Exits 7 and 8. However, they were informed that Exit 3 fell under the jurisdiction of SBS Transit, not SMRT.

This separation of responsibilities caused delays in addressing the situation. Kee shared that while one of her companions was reporting the matter, the offender noticed they were watching and quickly left the area via an elevator.

Upon inspecting the escalator, Kee and her companions found that the handrail was contaminated with urine, posing significant hygiene risks to commuters.

Public Concerns Raised

Kee expressed frustration over the lack of immediate action and cited the division of MRT line management as a significant issue:

• Delayed Response: The jurisdictional split between SMRT and SBS Transit created delays in handling the incident, allowing the offender to leave without being confronted.
• Hygiene Risks: Contaminated surfaces pose a danger to public health, especially in a busy transit hub.

Kee urged both operators to review their response protocols, emphasizing the need for seamless communication and swift action to address such incidents.

Online Reactions and Call for Change

The incident has sparked widespread discussions online, with many netizens demanding better coordination between SMRT and SBS Transit.

Key points raised:

1. Unified Management: Many argue for a more integrated management system to prevent delays in addressing incidents.
2. Hygiene Protocols: Calls for increased cleaning measures and awareness to protect commuters.
3. Public Safety: Concerns over how such incidents reflect on overall transit safety and hygiene standards.