In a troubling incident that has drawn widespread attention on social media, 41-year-old Chinese national Li Guorui was fined $2,000 for urinating on the handrail of an escalator at Outram Park MRT station.
The incident, which occurred on January 10, was captured on video and subsequently circulated online, prompting public outrage.
Li pleaded guilty to one charge of being a public nuisance during a court hearing on January 14.
The prosecution highlighted that his case was one of three recent public urination incidents at MRT stations within a week, with authorities investigating another case at Tanah Merah MRT station and a separate incident at Potong Pasir MRT station, according to ST report.
According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Bin, Li had arrived in Singapore on January 2 for a business trip. After consuming a significant amount of beer at a business dinner on January 10, he became heavily intoxicated.
At approximately 10 PM, as he was leaving Outram Park MRT station to return to his hotel, Li unzipped his pants and urinated on the handrail of a downward-moving escalator before exiting the station.
The prosecutor noted that videos of the incident garnered thousands of reactions on social media, prompting law enforcement to act swiftly. Li was arrested on January 12 and charged the following day.
In court, DPP Bin sought a fine between $1,500 and $2,000, emphasizing the seriousness of Li’s actions. He remarked, “It goes without saying that the accused’s actions here were completely unacceptable and rather disconcerting, and his sentence should reflect that.”
Bin emphasized the implications of urinating in a high footfall area, particularly on a surface touched by the public, raising concerns about sanitation and potential disease transmission.
Despite a cleaner being dispatched shortly after the incident, station staff were reportedly unaware that the handrail had been contaminated, leading to inadequate sanitation measures at the time.Li, who did not have legal representation, expressed remorse in court, claiming the act was spontaneous and stating that he had cooperated fully with the authorities during the investigation.
District Judge Paul Chan underscored the broader implications of Li’s actions, stating, “SMRT is now required to service the escalator, on top of its usual service routines. This has cost implications. What the accused has done has an impact on the reputation of SMRT and its ability to provide a safe and clean transportation environment.”
Under Singaporean law, individuals found guilty of public nuisance can face fines of up to $2,000. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of public decorum and the potential legal consequences of irresponsible behavior in communal spaces.
