A 19-year-old French student residing in Singapore has been fined 600 Singapore dollars, equivalent to approximately 400 euros or 458 US dollars, following a social media stunt that sparked public outcry. The student, identified as Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, pleaded guilty to a charge of public nuisance.
The incident occurred in March when Maximilien visited a vending machine for freshly squeezed orange juice. He removed a straw from the unit's dispenser, licked it, and placed it back among the other straws. The act was captured on video and subsequently posted as an Instagram story, where it went viral. An employee at the company operating the vending machine later discovered the footage and reported the matter to the police. The incident necessitated the replacement of all 500 straws in the dispenser, incurring a direct cost of 5 Singapore dollars, or about 3.30 euros.
While the financial cost was minimal, the case drew significant attention in the city-state, which is known for its rigorous enforcement of laws regarding cleanliness and public order. Under Singaporean law, the conviction for disturbing public order could have resulted in several months of imprisonment or a fine. The student, who is enrolled at the local branch of ESSEC Business School, avoided a prison sentence; however, it remains uncertain whether his student pass will be revoked by authorities.
During the proceedings, legal counsel for Maximilien stated that the student is remorseful and has come to understand that his actions, which he may have viewed as a harmless prank, carried serious implications. Singapore has long maintained strict regulations to preserve its public image, including prohibitions on items like chewing gum to deter littering and vandalism. While the legal system in the country retains provisions for judicial caning for certain severe offenses, such punishments were not applicable in this case.
