A 59-year-old man was arrested in Chinatown after he allegedly performed an obscene act next to a woman in public, with the woman later confronting him and holding him until police arrived.
The incident reportedly happened on the afternoon of Aug. 15 along Upper Cross Street. According to an account shared online by the woman involved, she was outside her workplace when the man approached and stood beside her.
She initially thought his movements were simply an attempt to cool himself down. However, she later realised that he was allegedly performing an obscene act.
Woman allegedly confronted man after incident
The woman reportedly shouted at the man after noticing what he was allegedly doing. She also took a photograph of him, intending to make a police report.
The man eventually left the area, but the woman continued looking for him after telling him that she would call the police.
After speaking to a female colleague about what had happened, she later decided to search for the man again.
She reportedly spotted him crossing an overhead bridge towards Hong Lim Market after finishing work and contacted both her colleague and the police.
The woman then confronted the man and held onto him until help arrived.
Man allegedly claimed he was drunk
According to her account, the man apologised after being confronted and allegedly claimed that he had been drunk at the time.
The explanation did not satisfy the woman, who continued confronting him about his alleged behaviour.
She further alleged that the man made inappropriate comments about her appearance and continued staring at her body.
When her colleague arrived, the two women reportedly restrained the man while waiting for the police to arrive.
The woman claimed that the man continued making vulgar remarks and allegedly threatened to hit them during the confrontation.
Police arrest man at Upper Cross Street
The Singapore Police Force confirmed that it received a call for assistance at around 4.40pm on Aug. 15 along Upper Cross Street.
A 59-year-old man was subsequently arrested for allegedly committing an obscene act in a public place.
Police investigations are ongoing.
A photograph shared online by the woman appeared to show police officers at the scene with the man handcuffed.
The incident has since attracted attention online, particularly because the woman and her colleague reportedly remained at the scene until officers arrived.
Man could face jail or fine if convicted
Under Singapore’s Penal Code 1871, a person convicted of committing an obscene act in a public place can face imprisonment of up to three months, a fine, or both.
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against the man have not been tested in court.
The incident also serves as a reminder that behaviour considered obscene or inappropriate in public spaces can result in criminal proceedings under Singapore law.
The man remains presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty in court.