Jurong West residents complain neighbour uses pungent 'mysterious liquid' to water plants & their clothes

A 51-year-old resident of Block 823 Jurong West Street 81 complained that he has a neighbour who waters plants around the block — sometimes from height.

Huang (transliteration), who lived at the block for 29 years, claimed that while that neighbour in his 60s often has "weird" antics, what was unbearable this time round was that the "mysterious liquid" he used to water the plants was "yellowish" and "pungent".

Huang also claimed that some of the liquid somehow also ended up on the clothes he hung to dry.

"Mysterious liquid" pungent

Huang told Shin Min Daily News that he first filed a police report against the neighbour on Nov. 26 after two other residents discovered the "mysterious liquid" in the common corridor.

They believed that the neighbour was responsible for the incident.

On Dec. 3, Huang noticed the pungent liquid in the corridor outside his unit at around 1pm — that's when he saw the liquid on some of his laundry he left outside to dry.

Outraged, he called the police again.

Worried about hygiene

"I saw a figure flash by quickly, but no one answered the door when the police arrived," Huang said, adding that the neighbour lives on the other end of the corridor.

Huang explained that he had avoided confronting the man because he was concerned about causing conflict.

However, given that the situation has now severely impacted his daily life and raised hygiene concerns, he felt compelled to step forward and complain.

Police report lodged

Other residents also complained to Shin Min about the "mysterious liquid" situation.

A 50-year-old resident said it began about three or four months ago.

"The smell of urine was overwhelming, and the entire corridor reeked. I called the police and asked the town council to help with the cleanup," he said.

Another 42-year-old resident noted that the man appeared more restrained after a police report was filed against him.

The police confirmed with Shin Min that a police report was lodged.

Reporters find botltle of yellowish liquid outside flat

Many residents claimed the man was a hoarder.

When reporters visited the neighbour's unit, a younger man opened the door and said he never heard of his father pouring liquid and didn't want to comment further.

Shin Min reported that there was debris both inside and outside the flat.

Umbrellas, bamboo poles, carts, buckets, water bottles, plastic bags, and other items were scattered in the corridor.

Clothes, cartons, and bags were piled inside the flat, leaving no clear walkway.

The reporter also noticed a bottle containing a yellowish liquid outside the flat.

"Mysterious liquid" not urine but insect-repelling substance: Town Council

The West Coast Town Council told Shin Min that while the culprit has not yet been identified, they assure the public that they are taking the matter seriously.

They also said that investigations showed the "mysterious liquid" was not urine but a substance used to repel insects.

Immediate action has already been taken to clean up the affected areas.

The town council spokesperson said the case has also been referred to the National Environment Agency for further investigation and follow-up.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and collaborate with the relevant authorities to resolve the issue."

Top image from Shin Min Daily News