A 63-year-old Singaporean woman has been charged in court after allegedly engaging in repeated acts of public nuisance by throwing human waste and food refuse onto a neighbour’s HDB unit in Marsiling. The case has raised concerns over neighbour disputes, mental health issues and the limits of tolerance in Singapore’s dense public housing environment.
The woman, identified as Viona Teo Kee Liok, was formally charged on January 15 with seven counts of public nuisance. Court documents indicate that the alleged incidents took place at a 10th-floor flat at Block 131, Marsiling Rise, an area dominated by high-rise HDB housing.
According to the charge sheets, Teo is accused of throwing human faeces onto the parapet of a man’s unit on five separate occasions. In addition, she allegedly disposed of food waste onto the same parapet three times. These acts are said to have caused significant distress, inconvenience and unhygienic conditions for the affected household.
REPEATED INCIDENTS OVER SEVERAL WEEKS
The alleged behaviour reportedly began in the early hours of Christmas Day last year, at around 4:25am. Investigations suggest that the incidents continued intermittently over several weeks, with the last known occurrence taking place on January 12, 2026.
Such cases are rare but not unheard of in Singapore, where high-density living can sometimes exacerbate tensions between neighbours. Issues involving cleanliness, noise and antisocial behaviour are among the most common complaints received by town councils and relevant authorities.
Given the nature of the alleged acts, Teo has been remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for medical examination. This step suggests that the authorities are taking into account possible underlying health or psychological factors, which are often considered in cases involving repeated disruptive behaviour.
LEGAL CONSEQUENCES AND PUBLIC NUISANCE LAWS
Under Singapore law, a single count of public nuisance carries a maximum fine of S$2,000. If an offender is found to have committed the act knowingly, with the awareness that it would cause annoyance or inconvenience to the public, the punishment can include up to three months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$2,000, or both.
Repeat offenders face similar penalties, reflecting the seriousness with which Singapore treats offences that disrupt public order and hygiene, especially within HDB estates where thousands of residents live in close proximity.
Teo’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 29. The outcome will depend not only on the facts of the case, but also on the findings of her medical assessment.
A REMINDER OF COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community responsibility and mutual respect in public housing. While Singapore offers robust legal frameworks to address public nuisance and neighbour disputes, authorities have consistently encouraged early mediation and community-based solutions where possible.
At the same time, the involvement of mental health professionals highlights a growing recognition that some antisocial acts may stem from deeper issues requiring treatment rather than punishment alone.
As the matter proceeds through the courts, residents are reminded to report unhygienic or disruptive behaviour promptly, while also remaining mindful of the broader social and health factors that may be at play behind closed doors.