Some Odd Things That Are Illegal In Singapore, Know Your Laws
It is no secret that Singapore has some slightly bizarre laws. If you break any of them, you might find yourself slapped with a hefty fine or even imprisonment. Here is a list of some of Singapore’s laws, from the bizarre to the seemingly impossible.
Selling gum
We all know that chewing gum in Singapore is illegal but if you sell it, you can expect a fine of up to $100,000 or imprisonment for a year. This is for a first time offender, and the convictions rise with each offence. Only chewing gums with medical benefits will be allowed.
[caption id="attachment_21156" align="alignnone" width="300"] Odd Laws Singapore
Annoying people with a musical instrument
Playing an instrument in a public place that ‘may cause annoyance’ to the general public means that you can expect a fine of up to $1,000. The same law also prohibits flying a kite in a public place, especially if it interrupts the traffic.
[caption id="attachment_21157" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Odd Laws Singapore
Singing
Singing songs with obscene or offensive lyrics in public places means imprisonment of up to three months, a fine or both. ‘Offensive lyrics’ is a vague concept, so assume this means anything referencing sex, drugs or violence.
[caption id="attachment_21158" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Odd Laws Singapore
Spitting
Not that you should be doing it in public anyway, but spitting anywhere in Singapore means a fine of $1000. And the law literally means anywhere, from theatres, roads, shopping centers, cafes to the MRT.
[caption id="attachment_21159" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Odd Laws Singapore
Distributing obscenity
Harking back to the obscene lyrics law, it is entirely prohibited to distribute anything in Singapore that is considered to be obscene. This could be photos, DVDS, downloads, magazines or even screenshots. Break the law and expect to get up to three months in jail, a fine or both.
[caption id="attachment_21160" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Odd Laws Singapore
Using another person’s WiFi
This is considered to be in the same boat as hacking in Singapore. This carries one of the heaviest punishments from $10,000 fine to three years in jail. So the next time you want to use your neighbour’s unsecured network, think again.
[caption id="attachment_21161" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Odd Laws Singapore
Not flushing the toilet
If you leave a bathroom stall without flushing, you can face a fine of up to $150. This is enforced in public spaces and public bathrooms, so be extra careful.
[caption id="attachment_21162" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Odd Laws Singapore
Walking nude at home
It may be your own home but that doesn’t mean you are free to do as you please. Walking around nude with the curtains open can mean a fine of $2000, imprisonment for three months or both. It is considered to be in line with obscene acts and is also considered to be a public nuisance.
[caption id="attachment_21163" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Odd Laws Singapore
Feeding pigeons
Even just leaving some scraps of your food can mean a $500 fine in Singapore, so be extra careful with your trash and leftovers if you are eating in a public place.
[caption id="attachment_21164" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Odd Laws Singapore
Littering
Not only just a common courtesy but if you are found littering in Singapore, expect a fine of $1000. There are bins everywhere so there should be no excuse for throwing your trash on the floor.
[caption id="attachment_21165" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Odd Laws Singapore
Graffiti
If you are found vandalizing in Singapore, you will also face corporal punishment in the form of caning. An American teenager was famously caned in the 90s for destroying public property and this year, two tourists were also caned for graffitiing a train.
[caption id="attachment_21166" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Odd Laws Singapore
Taking drugs
This is one of the severest and most strictly enforced laws in Singapore, resulting in the death penalty for many. Officers can give you an on the spot drugs test without a warrant and you can expect a fine of around $20.000 or some serious prison time. If the offence is serious enough and you are caught smuggling drugs into Singapore, you can face the death penalty.
[caption id="attachment_21167" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Odd Laws Singapore
Same-sex relations
Sexual relations between two people of the same gender is still illegal in Singapore, despite some attempts to change the law. If you are caught, you can expect to spend up to two years in jail.
[caption id="attachment_21168" align="alignnone" width="198"]
Odd Laws Singapore