Cleaner fined $4,500 for positioning toy grenade at Istana Park, triggering police operation
SINGAPORE — A cleaner who placed a toy grenade in an upright manner next to a fire hydrant at Istana Park in 2017 was fined $4,500 on Wednesday (24 July).
Elankovan Marimuthu's actions triggered a police operation with a part of a busy road cordoned off for 45 minutes.
The 59-year-old pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of using threatening behaviour likely to cause alarm, which is a breach of the Protection from Harassment Act.
His original charge, under the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Regulations, had read that he intentionally induced the false belief that the toy grenade was about to explode and cause damage.
Wanting to see public reaction
The Singaporean, who was employed to clean the Istana Park and surrounding areas, came across the toy grenade near a fire hydrant along Penang Lane while doing his duties at about 7am on 3 November 2017.
It was not known how the toy grenade came to be there.
Elankovan decided to use his tongs to position the toy grenade in an upright manner. According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Thiagesh Sukumaran, he had wanted to see how the public would react to it when it was discovered.
After positioning the toy grenade, Elankovan left the scene.
That afternoon, at about 2.05pm, two motorists were at the junction of Penang Lane and Orchard Road, where they noticed the toy grenade. One of them alerted the police.
Police deployment, road closures
A total of 39 police officers were deployed to cordon off the area. Eight personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosive Defence Group were also activated, while other police officers swept surrounding areas such as Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station to find other threats.
Penang Lane was partially cordoned off to traffic for 45 minutes and fully closed for half an hour. The closure triggered numerous phone calls to the police hotline, complaining of traffic congestion.
At about 5pm, the item was established to be a toy and Penang Lane was reopened.
CCTV footage established Elankovan as the culprit and he was asked to assist in investigations the next morning. He admitted to adjusting the toy grenade to see how the public reacted.
‘Irresponsible’ actions, given heightened security climate
DPP Thiagesh asked for a $4,500 fine saying that Elankovan's actions were "irresponsible", especially given the heightened security climate in these days.
He added that Elankovan ought to be at the "forefront of security efforts", but had turned the incident into a game, in order to see the public's reaction.
Elankovan's lawyer, Rajan Supramaniam, told the court that his client, who had been working for the same company for 17 years, has since been reassigned to be a senior machine operator earning $1,600.
Elankovan had received his company’s Best Cleaner Award in 2012 and has been a poster boy for the company's recruitment campaign.
He is also supporting two children and an aged mother along with his wife, said the lawyer, who added that his client was not highly educated. He sought a fine for his client, without specifying the amount.
Addressing the court, Elankovan apologised and sought forgiveness.
District Judge May Mesenas said that it was fortunate that the prosecutor had reduced the charge, as he could have been jailed under his original charge.
She chided Elankovan for the resources wasted and added that she hoped Elankovan learned his lesson.
The toy grenade will be disposed off by the court.
For the offence of using threatening behaviour, Elankovan could have been fined up to $5,000.
Related stories:
False alarm: Penang Lane closed after grenade-shaped item found
Two men charged separately over toy grenades left at Istana Park, Clarke Quay MRT
