Man arrested after allegedly urinating on escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station; 'We want to fight a clean fight', says PSP chairman Tan Cheng Bock: Singapore live news

A man allegedly urinated on the escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station. (PHOTO: Yahoo News Singapore)
A man allegedly urinated on the escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station. (PHOTO: Yahoo News Singapore)

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A 41-year-old man was arrested for being a public nuisance after he was caught urinating on an escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station on 10 Jan. Facebook user Stella Kee shared on the Facebook group Complaint Singapore that her friend witnessed the man in the act at about 10.03pm. She wrote, "[He] walked up to and started urinating on the handrail of the escalator near Exit 3. He stood there for an extended period of time." For more on the incident, read on.

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Dr Tan Cheng Bock said the PSP wants to fight a clean fight in the next general elections. Referencing the alleged altercation between PSP and PAP volunteers, he said, "We don’t want to use tactics that shouldn’t be carried out in Singapore. Let us not be involved in any other kind of rude or any other behaviour that’s uncalled for." To find out more about Dr Tan's remarks, read on.

Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates.

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    Man arrested after allegedly urinating on escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station

    A man allegedly urinated on the escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
    A man allegedly urinated on the escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

    A 41-year-old man was arrested for being a public nuisance after he was caught urinating on an escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station on 10 Jan.

    On 11 Jan, Facebook user Stella Kee shared on the Facebook group Complaint Singapore that her friend witnessed the man in the act at about 10.03pm. She wrote, "[He] walked up to and started urinating on the handrail of the escalator near Exit 3. He stood there for an extended period of time."

    One of the witnesses rushed to inform the staff at the nearest passenger service counter while another witness stayed to keep an eye on the man. Just as the witness was about to confront the man, he realised he was being watched and quickly left using the lift.

    In a Facebook post on 12 Jan, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) shared that they were aware of the incident and worked together with SMRT and SBS Transit staff to identify the offender. He has been arrested and the police are investigating the matter.

    They added, "After receiving news of the incident, staff from SMRT and SBS Transit worked together to handle the case. SBS Transit staff promptly arranged for the affected area to be cleaned and lodged a police report."

    The police confirmed to The Straits Times that a report was lodged and they have established the man's identity.

    “Given the egregious nature of the act, the man was arrested for public nuisance,” they said.

    In Kee's post, concerns were raised about SMRT and SBS Transit's procedures as her friend was told by SMRT staff that Exit 3 was under SBS Transit's jurisdiction so they can only help inform them about the incident.

    Outram Park MRT station is an interchange on the East-West Line, North East Line (NEL) and Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL).

    LTA explained in their post that the member of public who spoke to SMRT staff at the TEL station wanted them to use their CCTV system to identify the culprit. However, SMRT staff explained that the CCTV at NEL Exit 3 belongs to SBS Transit, who is the operator for NEL, and they could not access it from the TEL Passenger Service Centre.

    They added that SMRT "immediately alerted" SBS Transit to check their CCTV footage, which enabled the police to "quickly identify and arrest the offender".

    LTA said they, along with the transport operators "strongly condemn such anti-social behaviour, which not only deface public spaces but also pose health and sanitation concerns for commuters".

    "Such actions are unacceptable, and LTA will work with Police to push for the maximum possible penalty to be taken against the culprit. We thank the member of public for alerting us on this issue," wrote LTA.

  • Singapore woman's $62 million Malibu holiday home feared destroyed by LA wildfires

    A view of debris of houses at Malibu Beach during Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, California, United States on January 12, 2025. (PHOTO: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
    A view of debris of houses at Malibu Beach during Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, California, United States on January 12, 2025. (PHOTO: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

    The wildfires in Los Angeles have been a devastating tragedy.

    According to a Sunday (12 Jan) update from USA Today, the death toll in the Los Angeles county has risen to 16. The blaze has also destroyed more than 10,000 homes and other structures.

    One Singaporean woman living in the US believes her home is one of those affected.

    Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, the 39-year-old homemaker, Zeng Xiangting (transliteration), expressed fear that her family's beachfront Malibu mansion has been destroyed in the fire.

    Zeng lives in West Los Angeles with her husband and children, according to the Chinese daily. She also said she is safe from the fires for now.

    Shin Min reported that the house is estimated to be valued at around $45.4 million (S$62.3 million).

    Zeng told Shin Min that the house is usually used by her mother-in-law to conduct tea ceremony classes.

    "Luckily no one was there that day. I don't know what the situation is like now, but I know that it is among the hardest-hit areas and the building is likely destroyed," she shared.

    As her parents-in-law are Japanese, the house was built by Japanese contractors and the tea ceremonial apparatus are all unique, with some passed down through generations.

    She said, "It's a pity we were not able to get them out, but we've prepared ourselves that the objects as well as the house are probably gone."

  • 12 flights diverted from Changi Airport due to rain

    Changi Airport has diverted 12 flights due to poor weather conditions. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
    Changi Airport has diverted 12 flights due to poor weather conditions. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

    Changi Airport has diverted 12 flights since Friday evening (10 Jan) due to poor weather conditions.

    Singapore has been experiencing a period of prolonged rain due to a monsoon surge. A monsoon surge refers to a strengthening of winds over the South China Sea, causing extensive rainclouds to form over our surrounding region.

    Changi Airport Group told CNA on Monday (13 Jan) that the flights are operated by various airlines, and had flown in from various destinations like Bangkok, Jakarta, Phuket and Shanghai. They were diverted to regional airports such as Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur and Batam.

    Additionally, six non-commercial flights bound for Seletar Airport were diverted to Changi Airport.

    On Sunday (12 Jan), PUB said on Facebook that the rain is expected to persist until 13 Jan.

    They wrote, "From 10 to 11 Jan, Changi recorded the highest total amount of rainfall at 255.2mm. This amount is more than Singapore's average monthly rainfall of 222.4mm in January."

  • Men are less happy when their wives make more than them

    It seems like men aren't happy when their wives earn more money than them. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
    It seems like men aren't happy when their wives earn more money than them. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

    Are men really okay when their wives earn more than them?

    Apparently not, according to a study published in The Economic Journal. The study revealed that when a wife earns more than her husband, there is a higher incidence of mental health issues for both spouses — especially the husband.

    Scientists from the University of Durham analysed the link between spousal income and mental health, looking at heterosexual couples in Sweden who got married in 2021 and had an average age of 37. They observed the couples over a 10-year period, or until they got divorced – which 20 per cent of those surveyed did.

    Researchers found that "crossing the threshold where the wife starts earning more significantly increases the probability of receiving a mental health diagnosis". They wrote, "In the most restrictive specification, the likelihood increases by approximately 8 per cent for the whole sample and by 11 per cent for men."

    To know more about the results of the study, read here.

  • Is it okay to drink coffee everyday?

    58% of Singaporeans drink coffee daily – but is it safe to do so? (PHOTO: Getty Images)
    58% of Singaporeans drink coffee daily – but is it safe to do so? (PHOTO: Getty Images)

    Drinking coffee has become a daily ritual for many.

    According to a report by YouGov, three in five (58%) Singaporeans drink coffee daily. And, it's not surprising considering how accessible it is – be it your typical kopitiam kind of coffee (like Ya Kun), Starbucks, or hipster cafe brews.

    But is it safe to drink it that often?

    There are health benefits to drinking coffee. It is known to be rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory effects due to its caffeine content. Studies have also shown that coffee has numerous potential health benefits, including improved cognitive function and reduced risk of some chronic conditions, including cancer, Parkinson's and Type 2 diabetes.

    That said, there are potential downsides and you can read all about it here.

  • SM Lee urges Singaporeans to support immigrants, foreign workers

    SM Lee Hsien Loong called for Singapore to help immigrants and foreign workers adapt to our social norms for a more cohesive and inclusive society. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
    SM Lee Hsien Loong called for Singapore to help immigrants and foreign workers adapt to our social norms for a more cohesive and inclusive society. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

    Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore help immigrants and foreign workers adapt to the city-state’s social norms to foster a cohesive and inclusive society.

    SM Lee was speaking at an appreciation dinner on Saturday (11 Jan) hosted by organisations from the Indian community, and he noted the "political sensitivities" surrounding immigrants and foreign workers.

    He pointed out that Singapore "relies heavily on them to top up [its] population base and talent pool".

    "Therefore, we must manage the inflow and integration of new arrivals with the utmost sensitivity and caution, to ensure that the flows are balanced and sustainable."

    For more on SM Lee Hsien Loong's remarks on immigrants and foreign workers, read here.

  • 'We want to fight a clean fight', says PSP chairman Tan Cheng Bock

    Dr Tan Cheng Bock said the PSP wants to fight a clean fight in the next general elections. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
    Dr Tan Cheng Bock said the PSP wants to fight a clean fight in the next general elections. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

    Tan Cheng Bock, the chairman for Progress Singapore Party (PSP), said the party wants to fight a clean fight in the next general election.

    He made the remarks while speaking to the media after a walkabout in Keat Hong on 12 Jan.

    Addressing the 4 Jan incident between PSP and PAP volunteers, Dr Tan said, "We don’t want to use tactics that shouldn’t be carried out in Singapore. Let us not be involved in any other kind of rude or any other behaviour that’s uncalled for."

    For the uninitiated, both sides have alleged harassment from the other, and provided a different account of what happened.

    According to Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Low Yen Ling, PSP volunteers started the altercation after both team crossed paths during their block visits. One man from PSP intimidated a PAP volunteer and slapped his face twice, and the same man also taunted a second PAP volunteer, she said.

    However, PSP member and former election candidate S. Nallakaruppan said that PAP volunteers had started following PSP's Chua Chu Kang team during their block visits at Goodview Gardens in Bukit Gombak.

    Dr Tan also previously shared a video allegedly taken by a PSP volunteer in a lift. In the video, a man can be seen filming PSP volunteers at close range. It's unclear if he is a PAP volunteer.

    A police report was filed by a PSP volunteer and investigations are ongoing. PSP and Low confirmed that the police have been in touch regarding the incident.

    Since the incident, both Dr Tan and Low have shared on social media that there is no place for violence during political activities in Singapore.

    On 10 Jan, Dr Tan wrote on Facebook, "If any of our volunteers acted aggressively, we will take disciplinary actions. If they are accused falsely, then together we will fight the allegations all the way."

    During the Keat Hong walkabout, he told the media that the residents have not asked him about the incident.

    He said, "I would expect all my people here to conduct themselves well... So I think for this incident, let the police investigate and clear the matter."