Is Singapore the finest City in the World?

Singapore is a fine city because of the fines. For just about everything you do, there is a list of dos and don't, enough to fill a book. As a writer, maybe I should write a book called "The Dos and Donts in Singapore."

There are many things that are considered normal in others but in Singapore they are illegal. We all know that you cannot bring pornographic materials to Singapore, no drugs, and no sales of chewing gums.

But do you know that in Singapore, sleeping on park benches is an offence? A bus driver didn't know that when he dozed off on the bench while taking shelter from the rain. His ignorance cost him SG$200 for a 15-minute nap.

A National Parks Board (who fined the driver) spokesman said: "We try to create the conditions that make visitors feel at ease... When people abuse our parks by overstaying or squatting, they make genuine park users feel uncomfortable. Others sleep on benches or in shelters in an inconsiderate manner and deny park users from these facilities."

Most Singaporeans are not aware of this rule. There was no signage at the parks to warn the people. They should have given him a warning instead. This shows how intolerance of the Government against rule breakers. A forummer shared that he was fined $100 when he brought his disposable BBQ pit to barbecue in a park. Now some people are confused. They are wondering if they would be fined if they sleep on their mat on grass patches in the park. Construction workers wonder if they would be fined for sleeping on void deck at the HDB flat during their lunch break.

Recently the Government confiscated a car belonging to a hire-purchase company. The car was sold to a police officer. It was driven by another person to smuggle cigarettes. The general manager of the company who lost a dozen vehicles this way in the his 20 years of business question their logic. He reasons: "My question is, if a passenger on an SIA plane was nabbed for smuggling in drugs, will the authorities seize the plane?"

If you are a nudist, I have bad news for you. If a peeping Tom spots you walking around your very own house or hotel room naked and complain to the Police, you can be charged for indecent exposure. In the beach, it is fine for men to be topless, but not for women. No nudes allowed in public places.

Many years ago, bartop dancing was banned in Singapore. The Government minister said:

"If you want to dance, some of us will fall off that bar-top. Some people will die as a result of liberalising bar-top dancing, not just because they have fallen off the bar-top. Because usually a young girl, with a short skirt, dancing on a bar-top, may attract some insults from some other men, and the boyfriend starts fighting. Some people will die. Blood will be shed for liberalising this policy."

Now bartop dancing is allowed.

We all know that the rules and regulations are the price we pay for Singapore to be among the safest cities in the world. We appreciate that there are no hell drivers, no pick pockets, no public demonstrations, no gunshots, no beggars in the streets. We feel safe walking in the streets at night. The government has loosened up since then. But there are still some rules that make Singapore the laughing stock of the world.

What do you think are the weird and outrageous rules in Singapore that we can do without?