Singapore is known for having very strict laws and a zero-tolerance policy, which is why the country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
But some of the things that are considered illegal are, well, kind of normal, especially to a visitor. Avoid getting fined or arrested by NOT doing the following things.
Chewing gum
One of the most well-known items banned in this list,
Singapore has taken a strong stance against chewing gum since its ban in 2004. Unless it is used for medical purposes (like nicotine gum, for example), chewing gum is generally banned in Singapore. Furthermore, if you are caught selling chewing gum, you could face a penalty as high as SGD 100,000.
Nudity
Not only is it illegal be nude in public, you can be fined up to $2,000 and be put in jail for up to three months if you are nude in your own home and someone catches a glimpse of you through the window.
According to the government website, “Any person who appears nude in a public place or in a private place and is exposed to public view, shall be guilty of an offense.” Make sure the curtains are closed before changing into your pajamas!
Connecting to someone else's wifi
Using a Wifi signal, even if it is an open signal, is considered hacking unless you have permission to use it. This is a serious offense that is punished with a $10,000 fine and even jail time.
Annoying someone with a musical instrument
Singapore's statutes state that playing an instrument in a public place in "a manner as to cause or be likely to cause annoyance to any person lawfully using a public road or in any public place shall be guilty of an offense" that includes a fine of up to $1,000.
E-cigarettes
Despite various reports of e-cigarettes being less harmful than actual cigarettes, Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has maintained its stance on the cigarette substitute, arguing that it could be a gateway for non-smokers to get addicted to tobacco. It has been banned in Singapore since 2011, with a penalty fine of $5,000 imposed if you are caught importing or distributing it.
Vandalism
This is a serious offense in the country but does not just refer to the destruction of property or graffiti. Hanging posters advertising a concert, banners for a festival, or flags is also prohibited. Penalities include fines and even jail time in more extreme cases.
Taking durian onto public transportation
Love it or hate it, the durian splits opinion with many disagreeing when it comes to the spiky fruit. Some people find the stench so unbearable that it prompted the government to ban the king of fruits on all public buses and trains. How bad is the stench? While some laud it for its pleasantly sweet and creamy scent, others have described it to have a pungent, almost sulphur-like stench.
Drugs
This is not a surprise, right? Drugs are illegal in most countries. But
Singapore takes things up a notch.
The country's police are authorized to run a random drug test on both locals and visiting foreigners wherever they want to. If you are in the country and you test positive, even if you did not take the drugs in Singapore, you are looking at some serious jail time.
Read more:
6 food centres to visit in Singapore
Source Internet
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