Unhappy that Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) authorities had prevented him from entering Singapore at the Woodlands Checkpoint, a 53-year-old man stripped naked to express his displeasure.
Singaporean Tay Hock Chye pleaded guilty to a single count of appearing naked in a private place on Thursday (August 25) and was sentenced to four days in jail.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Wong Shiau Yin informed the court that Tay's full-frontal exhibition occurred on May 26, while he was returning from Malaysia.
At the checkpoint, ICA officials discovered that he was in possession of non-standard cigarette packaging.
Tay was then brought to a passenger office at Woodlands Checkpoint, which, according to DPP Wong, is considered a private area because it is "not generally available to the public."
There, two other cops arrived to assist Tay, who was uncooperative and appeared inebriated.
Tay was informed that it was illegal to bring cigarettes with non-standard packaging into Singapore, but he would be released if he discarded them.
The cigarette packing that Tay had was not specified.
DPP Wong stated, without elaboration, that Tay appeared disturbed in the room due to the manner in which he was being screened.
Tay abruptly began removing his clothing and exposing his penis.
The officers instructed him to redress while they locked the office door.
There were two female ICA officials and one female member of the public in the office at the time.
Ultimately, Tay clothed himself, according to the prosecution.
This was not the first time Tay exhibited "undesirable conduct" at Woodlands Checkpoint, according to DPP Wong, who requested a brief prison term but left the duration to the court's discretion.
In 2016 and 2021, he was found guilty and fined S$3,000 and S$4,000, respectively, for using harsh language against checkpoint police.
Whoever is found guilty of appearing naked in a private area while exposed to public view is subject to a fine of up to S$2,000, up to three months in prison, or both.
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