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A 41-year-old Chinese national, Li Guorui, was fined the maximum penalty of S$2,000 (US$1,460) on Jan 14 for urinating on the handrail of an escalator at Outram Park MRT station in Singapore. The incident, which occurred on Jan 10, was widely circulated online, sparking public outrage.
Li arrived in Singapore for a business trip on Jan 2 and was staying at a hotel in Chinatown. On the evening of the incident, he had attended a business dinner at a German restaurant, where he consumed a significant amount of beer. Intoxicated, he later urinated on the downward escalator’s handrail while exiting the MRT station.
Multiple members of the public witnessed and recorded the act, with one video alone receiving over 20,000 reactions online. The incident was reported through SGSecure on Jan 11, leading to Li’s arrest on Jan 12.
Prosecutor Jeremy Bin emphasized the need for a deterrent sentence, citing a recent surge in similar incidents at MRT stations. He described Li’s actions as unacceptable and disconcerting, noting the health, sanitation, and reputational harm caused. The prosecutor added that Li’s choice of location, a high-traffic area, worsened the offence as it directly impacted commuters.
District Judge Paul Chan pointed out that Li’s actions caused harm on multiple levels: public annoyance, health concerns, additional servicing costs for the escalator, and damage to SMRT's reputation. Although the incident was not premeditated, the judge noted the gravity of the offence.
Li, who cooperated with authorities and used a Mandarin interpreter during court proceedings, expressed his willingness to pay the fine.
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