Man caught smoking at Changi Airport alleges other smokers of same race as wardens let off, NEA makes police report

A man caught smoking by enforcement officers outside a designated zone at Changi Airport Terminal 1 on Aug. 13 alleged that the officers let off three other non-compliant smokers next to him, apparently on the basis of their race.

The man then followed the National Environment Agency (NEA) officers to the Terminal 1 departure hall to demand an explanation.

The confrontation was captured in a two-minute video shared to TikTok on Aug. 16.

NEA said the man was caught smoking under a covered walkway pickup point at Changi Airport T1.

A police report has been lodged against him following the incident.

What was alleged in the clip

In the man's video, a female officer was seen speaking on her phone to a supervisor in the departure hall, while a male officer wearing a Certis lanyard stood next to her.

The person behind the camera, who identified himself as a Chinese man, could be heard repeating off-camera that the two officers had "let one Indian couple and one Indian man go without a fine" despite smoking outside a designated smoking area.

The man also accused them of being "racist" in their enforcement as they fined him.

He added that the officers declined to accompany him to lodge a police report.

The officers did not confirm or deny the man's allegations on camera.

At one point, the female officer asked him to wait as he was raising his voice.

The video has been watched more than 671,000 views as of Aug. 25.

After the confrontation, the officers left Terminal 1 on the Skytrain, the user added in response to a comment.

Ong's account

The man, surnamed Ong, told Mothership that he had left the Terminal 1 building on Aug. 13 to smoke.

He claimed that "the lighting was poor" so he did not notice he was standing "a few feet outside the yellow box".

Ong said that after he was caught by the officers, he pointed to an Indian man and Indian couple nearby who were allegedly also smoking outside the yellow box.

He claimed that one of the officers "turned sideways", allegedly to avoid capturing one of the smokers on her body worn-camera.

According to Ong, the officers did not approach or speak to the other smokers.

He said this triggered his suspicion that "they let them off because of same race".

Regarding his fine, Ong said he was not trying to evade it, and that he was willing to pay the fine as he had committed an offence.

"But such prejudiced enforcement shouldn't be condoned," he said.

Ong, who was on an overseas business trip at the time of reporting, said he would share more information on the matter when he returned.

He did not disclose the amount that he was fined for the offence.

Mothership understands that Ong has submitted an official complaint to NEA and Certis.

NEA's response

In response to Mothership's queries, NEA said that on Aug. 13, NEA enforcement officers witnessed a person smoking under a covered walkway near the pick-up point at Changi Airport Terminal 1.

According to NEA, the man was smoking in a prohibited area, and the offence was captured on the officers’ body-worn cameras.

"Our officers proceeded to engage him by identifying themselves and informing him of the offence he had committed. The person was uncooperative during the engagement," said NEA.

NEA did not comment on the fine, or whether other errant smokers were caught by the officers.

NEA also said the incident has been reported to the police, and investigations are ongoing.

Top image from @thomasong220/TikTok