Residents in Jurong West were left startled after discovering joss paper and handwritten notes strewn across the foot of a Housing and Development Board estate, in what appears to be a deeply personal dispute played out in public view.
Photographs circulating online showed piles of burnt offerings and multiple sheets of paper scattered along a walkway near Jurong West Avenue 1. The incident reportedly took place close to Blocks 490 and 491, drawing attention from residents and passers-by in the area.
The notes allegedly named a woman and accused her of being involved in an extramarital affair that broke up a family. Some of the messages went further, containing curses and statements blaming her for a man’s death. One note reportedly demanded that she “pay” with her life, escalating what might have been a private grievance into a potentially threatening situation.
Residents Say Dispute Should Remain Private
When reporters visited the site days later, most of the joss paper and written notes had already been cleared. Only a small number of remnants remained on a grassy patch near a nearby coffee shop. Estate cleaners were seen going about their usual duties, with residents noting the additional workload caused by the incident.
Several neighbours expressed discomfort over how the matter was handled. One resident shared that family disputes, no matter how painful, should be resolved behind closed doors rather than displayed publicly in an HDB neighbourhood. Others pointed out that such acts not only create an eyesore but may also raise concerns about harassment and public nuisance.
Under Singapore’s Environmental Public Health Act, littering offences can attract fines of up to S$2,000 for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders face steeper penalties of up to S$10,000. Beyond financial penalties, acts involving threats could also potentially attract police investigation, depending on the severity and intent behind the messages.
Man Allegedly Seen Putting Up Notes During CNY
One resident recounted seeing a man, believed to be in his 30s or 40s, cycling around the estate on the third day of Chinese New Year. Dressed casually in a T-shirt and shorts, he was allegedly observed putting up notes near a traffic light before moving further along to paste additional messages.
According to the account, many pedestrians noticed his actions but did not step in. By the afternoon, some of the notes had already been torn down by unknown individuals.
Another neighbour mentioned that similar incidents involving joss paper and accusatory notes had occurred in the estate previously, particularly around the Chinese New Year period. However, residents were surprised that such behaviour resurfaced again so soon.
While the full circumstances behind the dispute remain unclear, the episode highlights how personal conflicts, when brought into shared public spaces, can disrupt community harmony. In tightly knit estates such as Jurong West, maintaining neighbourly respect and resolving disagreements through proper legal channels remains crucial to preserving a safe and orderly living environment.