Compulsory hygiene: The toilet inspector
In Singapore, bathroom etiquette is enforced by law. The Environmental Public Health Act makes it mandatory to flush after using any public toilet. The government takes this so seriously that, in past decades, plainclothes officers carried out surprise inspections to ensure no one forgot to "clean up their trail." The fine can reach S$ 150. It is the drastic way the country found to keep its bathrooms spotless without relying solely on citizens' goodwill.
Domestic exhibitionism: Your living room, your rules (or not)
If you are in your apartment in Singapore, think twice before leaving the shower without a towel. The Public Order (Indecency) Act prohibits nudity in public places, but extends this prohibition to private locations that are visible to the public. If a neighbor —or someone on the street with binoculars— sees you naked through your window, you can be fined S$ 2,000 or spend three months in jail. It is the "crime of being seen," a measure designed to maintain the island’s strict moral standards.
Chewing gum banned: The gum that became a state crime
Perhaps the most famous law in Singapore. Since 1992, importing and selling chewing gum has been prohibited in the country. The measure was taken after vandals stuck chewing gum on the sensors of subway (MRT) train doors, causing failures in the transportation system. Today, chewing gum is only allowed for therapeutic purposes (such as nicotine gum or oral health gum), and you need a medical prescription and must register your name at the pharmacy to buy it.
Someone else’s Wi-Fi: Connecting without permission is "hacking"
If you are in Singapore and find an open Wi-Fi network, do not connect without asking. According to the Computer Misuse Act, using someone else’s wireless network is considered hacking. In 2006, a teenager was sentenced to 18 months of probation simply for using his neighbor’s Wi-Fi. The penalty can reach a fine of S$ 10,000 or three years in prison.
Research sources: Singapor Statutes Online, Seven Seas Worldwide
