Aljunied GRC resident appeals littering fine, NEA pulls up 1993 record of similar offence to justify not waiving penalty

If elephants never forget, likewise the National Environment Agency (NEA).

A resident in Singapore found that out after being issued a fine recently for allegedly leaving a cigarette butt in a joss paper burner on Sep. 22.

Details of the offence came to light after Workers' Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) Pritam Singh shared about it on Instagram on Oct. 1.

NEA keeps records

The purpose of Singh's post was educational.

The Aljunied GRC MP admonished people to do the right thing for the environment by not littering.

In his post, Singh uploaded a redacted copy of a letter addressed to the resident who committed the offence.

It was accompanied by the caption: "Don't play play! NEA's records go back 32 years!"

Record of littering offence from 1993

In the Sep. 22 case, the individual was caught by officers after throwing a cigarette butt into a joss paper burner instead of into a proper litter bin.

The agency clarified that a joss paper burner is not a receptacle for general refuse, and the act constituted a littering offence.

Pointing to the recent offence as not a new act, NEA noted: "We wish to emphasise that everyone should safeguard the environment by disposing of litter into a proper litter bin or holding onto it until a bin is available."

It turns out, the resident had also committed a similar litering offence back in 1993, which NEA noted and pulled up, according to its records.

"Do not litter! Let's keep Singapore clean!": Pritam Singh

Despite Singh's representations made on the resident's behalf, NEA said it was unable to withdraw the notice of offence.

The resident was slapped with a composition fine, with a deadline of Nov. 3, 2025 to make payment.

Failing to do so could see the offender attend a court hearing on Nov. 4.

Singh ended his post with a reminder: "Do not litter! Let's keep Singapore clean!"

Top photos via Canva & Pritam Singh/Instagram