Child allowed to poop outside FairPrice at Havelock Road raises public hygiene concerns

A young child was seen defecating outside a FairPrice outlet at the Bukit Ho Swee area on Sep. 1, 2025.

According to a witness who spoke to Mothership, the incident occurred at 8:36pm.

The supermarket is located at 50 Havelock Road.

Man stood by as child pooped

In a photo provided by the reader, the child could be seen squatting over a steel drainage cover with pants lowered.

A man clad in a white t-shirt and dark-coloured bottoms stood by the child while he held his phone up to his ear.

The reader said there are toilets nearby given the many food establishments in the area.

While the man could not be confirmed as the child's father, he had reportedly wiped the child's buttocks with his bare hands before proceeding to smear them against the wall.

They then went back into the supermarket.

FairPrice staff was later informed

Mothership understands that the outlet's employees had been alerted by another male passerby following the incident.

A green supermarket basket was seen next to the child's waste, which the reader confirmed was placed by the same passerby apparently to warn others not to step on it.

Penalties for public defecation

Singapore's Environmental Public Health Act prohibits urinating or defecating in public places.

Offenders may face enforcement action from the National Environment Agency (NEA).

According to the NEA's website, first-time offenders may be fined up to S$1,000.

Those who witness such offences may also report the incident via NEA's Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Top photos by Mothership reader