The National Environment Agency (NEA) has issued a clarification about a photo showing a ComfortDelGro taxi driver begging on his knees with enforcement officers.

What did the photo caption allege initially?

A message accompanying the image was circulated on chat apps and social media, which said that the cabby was "begging for leniency" after NEA officers "caught him with his engine idling whilst he rested within the vehicle".

Another version said that the man got fined for illegal parking.

Online commenters then brought in attendant issues, such as how the taxi driver is a Singaporean as this vocation is not opened to foreigners, while officers who issue fines can be foreigners, as well as speculating on what could drive a grown man to get on his knees to plead for leniency in public.

What actually happened?

NEA said the incident occurred along Mount Elizabeth Road on Thursday, Oct. 3, at around 12.30pm.

The agency also said the cabby was issued a fine after he was caught smoking in his taxi with the windows down.

NEA said in its statement: "NEA is aware of an image circulating online of a man seen pleading for leniency from NEA officers."

"NEA confirms that on 3 October 2019 at about 12.30pm, a male driver was caught smoking in a ComfortDelGro taxi with the windows wound down along Mount Elizabeth Road."

"The officers notified the driver of the offence before issuing him a ticket of $200 for smoking in a public service vehicle."

Under the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act, anyone caught smoking in a prohibited place or a public service vehicle may face a composition fine of S$200 or up to the maximum court fine of S$1,000.

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