We’re no stranger to a slew of new rules and laws pertaining to Covid-19 measures, but even before the emergence of recent events, Singapore is no stranger to making plenty of laws. Here are some rules and laws that you may or may not have heard of, so try not to break them!
Annoying someone with a musical instrument
Have you felt annoyed by someone who really sucks at playing a musical instrument in a public place – like someone playing a violin so badly they sound like they’re castrating a cat, perhaps? The thing is, any person playing an instrument in a public place that causes annoyance can be punished by fines of up to $1,000!
Singing obscene songs
Every time you feel like belting out lyrics to songs like “Bickenhead” by Cardi B or “NSFW” from Psychostick, you’d better think twice. If you’re caught in a public space singing obscene songs, you’ll face a punishment of imprisonment for up to 3 months, a fine, or even both, for annoying others.
Selling child sex dolls
Sex dolls may be a fetish, but child sex dolls – basically any anatomically-correct doll, mannequin, or robot with features that resembles someone under 16 – are downright illegal. They’re not something you get at Toys-R-Us, and sickos who get caught selling them can be punished with a prison term of up to 2 years, or fined, or both.
Naked in your own home
Wandering around in your own home where people can see you naked is illegal. It violates Section 27A which is considered a nuisance – nobody wants to see your naked butt! Be sure to close the curtains whenever you’re naked around the house, or you’ll land a fine of $2,000, or sent to prison for 3 months, or both!
Stealing wifi
Stealing someone else’s Wi-Fi network is tantamount to hacking, according to Singapore’s Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act. If you’re caught, you can be fined a whopping $10,000, sent to prison for 3 years, or both. Just tap onto one of the many free public Wi-Fi networks around!
Feeding pigeons
It’s actually illegal to feed pigeons in Singapore, and if you do get caught feeding one, it’ll cost you a $500 fine. There’s no official explanation on why only pigeons are mentioned, and not other annoying birds like crows or mynahs which also tend to hang around coffee shop tables as well.
Distribution of obscene materials
Everyone knows that distributing porn and other obscene materials is illegal in Singapore – that includes everything from figurines to photos and videos (basically the phone contents of guys who illegally film upskirt videos and shower stalls). It’ll net you up to 3 months in prison, a fine, or both. If contents are distributed to any person under 21 years old, perpetrators will be punished with a prison term of up to one year, a fine, or both.
Sharing fake news
Singapore has zero tolerance when it comes to fake news, and in 2019 the law passed to enable the government to disrupt the spread of fake news that disrupt national order and harmony or threaten national security. POFMA (Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act) prohibits the communication of false statements of fact in Singapore, and a person who commits these acts, whether in or outside of Singapore will be liable to a fine up to S$50,000 and/or a term of imprisonment up to 5 years.
Individuals who use a fake online account or bot will be liable to a fine up to S$100,000 and/or a term of imprisonment up to 10 years.
New smoking laws
Since the beginning of 2020, it’s become illegal for those under 20 to buy, use, or sell tobacco (it’s the second step to their 3-year plan of pushing the legal age to 21). Those caught doing so could be fined up to $300.
Also, even if you’re of legal age, if you’re caught smoking in a prohibited place, whether in Orchard Road or some other location, you may be fined up to $500. The maximum fine increases to $1,000 if you’re prosecuted in court.
