A disturbing video has surfaced online showing a man in Singapore filming himself accosting another man without a mask on in public and intimidating him into apologising.
The 37-second clip showed the person behind the camera walking up to the other man, initially shouting at him, before threatening in a condescending tone to fine him for not wearing a mask.
The man who was stopped appeared confused at first, but was clearly shaken by the end of the video, as he not only apologised repeatedly, but even wrapped his towel on his face to serve as a makeshift mask.
This was even though the man who was stopped appeared to have been exercising, judging by his mannerisms and he was seen perspiring in the video.
What was said in the video
In the video, the man behind the camera could be heard shouting:
"S$300. Do you want me to fine you S$300?"
"Unless you're running. You're walking, how can you don't put mask?"
"Are you educated?"
"You don't understand this. How much it cost our country to do this?"
"You don't owe me a living. We don't owe you a living."
In response to the barrage of questions and statements, the man who was stopped repeatedly said: "Sorry sir."
The video has been making the rounds on social media and messaging apps since April 16.
Vigilantism
The vigilante antics has not gone down well with many in Singapore, as it showed that the man recording the video was taking matters into his own hands without knowing what the exact current laws are.
Even though it became mandatory from April 14 for everyone in Singapore to wear masks the moment they leave the house during this circuit breaker period, some exemptions have been granted.
This includes allowing those who are exercising to not have to wear masks, although they have to do so after they are done.
Exercising has been broadly defined as engaging in strenuous activity.
Responses
In response to the video, some Singaporeans have expressed their indignation on behalf of the man who was accosted.
One Facebook post, which shared the following image, said it was standing up for the man who was bullied into submission:
Learn empathy.
Sorry you had to go through this ordeal,Uncle.
You deserve better.
Share this,if you want to.
Let this Uncle know that we have his back.
Response to the post slammed the behaviour of the man who shot and circulated the video:
This post was shared more than 1,000 times before it appeared to have been taken down or set to private mode.
Is man behind camera an enforcement officer?
In response to the claim by the man behind the camera that he was going to fine the other man he stopped, some commenters have expressed doubt that this was a real enforcement officer at work.
In response to queries from Mothership regarding this video, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources referred to its April 15 release about how its enforcement officers and ambassadors are identified by their agencies’ corporate attire, staff pass and/ or lanyard, or SG Clean Ambassador pass.
The release also said anyone found to have impersonated an EO will be subjected to police investigations.
Under the Penal Code, the offence of cheating by personation carries an imprisonment term which may extend to five years, or a fine, or both.
The offence of personating a public servant carries an imprisonment term which may extend to two years, or a fine, or both.