57-year-old man arrested for urinating at Potong Pasir MRT station in third such case in a week

SINGAPORE: A 57-year-old man has been arrested for public nuisance after he was allegedly seen urinating at Potong Pasir MRT station on Monday (13 January).

This is the third reported public urination incident at MRT stations within a week.

According to state media CNA, the incident occurred at approximately 7.25pm on Monday, according to Grace Wu, a spokesperson for SBS Transit.

Wu explained that one of the transport operator’s staff members at Potong Pasir station on the North East Line witnessed the act near the passenger service centre.

The staff member immediately alerted the police.

The man was taken into custody and left the station with officers.

The affected area was cleaned immediately, and SBS Transit is cooperating with the police in their ongoing investigations.

In response to queries, the police confirmed receiving a call for assistance at Potong Pasir MRT station around 7.30pm.

They stated that the man was arrested for public nuisance and is scheduled to be charged in court on 15 January.

“We wish to remind commuters that such anti-social behaviour is unacceptable as it poses health and sanitation concerns for fellow passengers and our employees,” said Wu.

“We will not hesitate to work with the authorities to push for stronger deterrent penalties.”

The incident at Potong Pasir follows two similar cases within the same week.

On 10 January, a 41-year-old Chinese national, Li Guorui, was caught urinating on the handrail of a downward-moving escalator at Outram Park MRT station.

Several members of the public recorded the act on video.

Li pleaded guilty to one charge of public nuisance and received the maximum fine of S$2,000 on Tuesday.

https://www.tiktok.com/@theonlinecitizenasia/video/7459220989260467463

In another instance, a man was caught on video urinating at Tanah Merah MRT station.

The undated video, shared on Instagram on 13 January, shows a man in a red shirt standing on the platform.

After zipping his trousers, he checks his surroundings and leaves the scene.

https://www.tiktok.com/@theonlinecitizenasia/video/7459603812890807570

SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai confirmed that the incident occurred at Tanah Merah MRT station.

“Such behaviour is unacceptable, as it defaces public spaces and poses health and sanitation risks to commuters,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

The police have confirmed receiving a report about the Tanah Merah incident, and investigations are ongoing.