Elderly person filmed defecating into planter at S'pore community garden

A video of an elderly person apparently relieving themselves at a community garden in Singapore has sparked debate online, with some criticising the act while others calling for more compassion towards the individual.

The nine-second clip was posted on Jul. 9 by Facebook user Tan Kai Chih Roger to the Facebook group Complaint Singapore.

In the video, an elderly person in a red top is seen crouching above a planter at the community garden, with their pants pulled down to their knees.

They then wipe themselves with tissue before discarding it on the ground.

In his post, Tan wrote: "Was so disgusted by what I saw this afternoon. What's the rush?! Coffeeshop toilet is just nearby."

He added in the comments section that he had reported the incident via the OneService app, and that the National Environment Agency (NEA) would be sending someone to "clean the area".

The post drew mixed reactions.

Some found humour in the situation, while others called for empathy, stating that the person might have incontinence issues

"Please have a little more compassion for the weak and vulnerable in our society and try to understand. One day we'll all grow old and may face incontinence," they said.

NEA responds

In response to Mothership's queries, NEA said urinating or defecating in public is an offence under the Environmental Public Health (Public Cleansing) Regulations, with offenders liable to a maximum fine of S$1,000 for a first conviction.

NEA said that it "will not hesitate to take action against any person found committing such unhygienic and socially irresponsible acts".

Members of the public who observe such acts may utilise NEA's online feedback form or myENV mobile application to report the details of the incident.