Find Singapore a "Fine" City?
Singapore's reputation as the cleanest, safest city In the world usually goes hand-in-hand with the fact that it is also the "finest" city out there. Yes, it is a beautiful place to be, but in this case, we are talking about the now-legendary list of penalties that both residents and visitors alike can incur for not obeying the laws—however obscure some of them may be. We are here to confirm the dos and don'ts, as well as dispel some of the more outrageous myths out there:
Jail for jaywalking? — FALSE! Though not far from the truth jaywalking and a number of other "petty" crimes that are not illegal in other countries (spitting, littering, smoking in public places, eating in the MRT) can incur penalties from S$500-S$1,000 for first-time offenders. Some of these may seem harsh, but hey, they all contribute to making Singapore the fine city that it is.
Death for drugs? —TRUE Only to a certain extent though—the laws differ depending on the quantity and type of drug. Some violations will result in caning and a jail sentence, while possession of the harder stuff (especially with the intention of dealing) can indeed lead to a hanging. So remember—dont do drugs, they can be seriously bad for your health.
Fined for farting? — FALSE! One of the funnier ones we nave heard. No, you won't get penalised for letting one go, but you will find that the police will quickly lose their sense of toilet humour if you are caught forgetting to flush, or even urinating in a lift—both of which can incur fines. Its fairly simple really; be considerate and hygienic, and if you really need to pass some gas—keep it secret, keep it silent, keep it safe.
Grabbed for gum? — FALSE! Probably the most famous law out here, made the more so by the way it has been exaggerated or perhaps even distorted over time. The reality of it is that the importation and distribution of chewing gum is indeed illegal, but the act of chewing itself is not. Gum for therapeutic or medicinal use is allowed. So if you're a smoker in need of his gum, take heart!
From Singapore Tourism Board.