10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could be Fined For in Singapore

Singapore is known for its strict laws and penalties mete out for committing a crime. It is also what makes Singapore a safe and civilized place to live in with low crime rates.

However, there are several things that you could also be fined for that you might have never even seen them coming. Here are a list of things to beware of to avoid accidentally getting into trouble with the law.

Source: Must Share News

1. Nudity at home

Many might not know that it is actually illegal to be naked at home. According to Section 184A, Part 27A of the Penal Code, if anyone should see you naked, you could be fined up to S$2,000 or jailed for up to 3 months.

2. Jaywalking

Jaywalking is a common behavior among rushing students and workers during their daily commute. Even though many people are doing it, many are not aware that such an act can earn you a fine between S$20 and S$1,000 and even jail time of up to 3 months. Repeat offenders can expect harsher penalties.

3. Using someone else’s WiFi

Being able to use someone else’s WiFi may seem like a jackpot to you. However, the Singapore Penal Code is not quite agreeable with the idea. If caught using someone else’s private WiFi network without permission, you can be fined up to S$10,000 or jailed up to 3 years.

4. Feeding a wild animal

Seeing wild animals in nature reserves or parks may tempt you to feed them, however under NParks regulations, anyone caught feeding wild animals can be fined up to S$2,000.

5. Keeping a cat in an HDB

It is a common sight to see cats roaming around at HDB estates and for neighbours to keep these cuddly companions as pets. However, according to HDB rules, keeping cats in your apartment is not allowed. A letter of warning will be issued to you to abandon your pet or else you could be fined up to S$4,000. If dogs are allowed, why not cats?

6. Importing gum

Importing gum is ironically a more serious offence than bringing in duty-unpaid cigarettes. According to the law, you can be fined up to S$100,000 or jailed up to 2 years if you import chewing gum without going through the authorities and for the wrong reasons. Whereas bringing duty-unpaid cigarettes will only earn you a fine between S$2,000 and S$4,000.

7. Not sending your kids to school

In Singapore, every child above the age of 6 must attend primary school. If they are not receiving the proper education, parents can be fined S$5,000 and face up to 12 months in jail. There is however, the option of homeschooling children as well which is perfectly fine, as long as they are receiving primary education.

8. Being in someone’s way

It is actually a crime to be in obstruction of someone’s way such that it prevents them from getting to their destinations. However, this will only escalate if the police are involved. In Section 339 of the Penal Code: “Whoever voluntarily obstructs any person, so as to prevent that person from proceeding in any direction in which that person has a right to proceed, is said wrongfully to restrain that person.”

9. Singing obscene songs

Being in a high-censorship country such as Singapore, we must be very careful of the things we say and do in public. The law states that singing (or reciting, or uttering) any songs with obscene content in or near any public spaces can earn the perpetrator a fine along with up to 3 months of jail time.

10. Bringing alcohol into a public hospital

Bringing drinking alcohol into a hospital in Singapore can earn you a fine of up to S$1,000 even if it was for celebratory purposes. To add salt to the wound, your bottle of alcohol will also be confiscated.