Legal Arson

Section 424 of the criminal procedure code says that if you witness a crime but don’t report it you may be intentionally preventing the course of justice.

Over the last few weeks, I have silently been a witness to a number of crimes but the scene I saw tonight prevents me keeping mum any longer.

A huge fire and a people standing around it, flinging paper into the gusts of wind generated by the inferno.

Singapore has been a victim of the haze for many, many years. We now have laws in place to prosecute organisations and individuals both locally and overseas that cause air pollution over our lands.

Littering, as we all know very well, is illegal. The posters, campaigns, and “fine city” t-shirts remind us everyday. Annoying someone by playing an instrument is also illegal and fire related offences are categorised as mischief.

Just starting a fire can land you in prison for 10 years.

These are the 4 crimes I’ve silently witnessed from my house window. And, I’ve watched fellow citizens in my neighbourhood continually commit these crimes over the last few weeks, without any form of guilt, worry of being caught, anxiety, or shame and there has been no form of enforcement, by anyone.

The Alliance for Action on Norms of Joss Paper Burning (Afa) was launched by the Ministry of National Development Singapore last year.

Afa has proceeded to put up posters of do’s and don’ts in residential spaces, yet, have not been seen enforcing any of the suggestions they’ve set out. Posters read - go to a temple, burn small amounts of paper, be responsible, yet a year after they were set up, I am wondering if it is all just for show.

I know I am not the only one who’s had to deal with banging cymbals, smoke, ash-littered homes, runny noses, red, leaky eyes, and litter strewn everywhere.

How Singapore, are these crimes still allowed and still catered for?