Man seen in viral video trying to force open MRT train doors charged with public nuisance


SINGAPORE: A man who was seen in a viral video trying to force open the doors of a moving MRT train was charged with public nuisance over the incident on Thursday (Dec 7).

Vanessa Wang Zi Qi, who is listed in charge sheets as a 47-year-old Singaporean man, was handed three charges including two of public nuisance and one of voluntary causing hurt.

Wang is accused of causing “common annoyance” to commuters on a train at Braddell MRT Station on Nov 27 by pulling open the train doors. 

He is also accused of a similar act two days later, by shouting and pulling open train doors at Ang Mo Kio MRT station on Nov 29.

According to charge sheets, Wang allegedly kicked a man at Ang Mo Kio station that same day.

Transport operator SMRT said last weekend that it was assisting the police with investigations over the incident on Nov 29.

SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai also acknowledged there are “several videos circulating on social media showing the same commuter attempting to pry open a train door”.

Wang was remanded at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for medical examination and will return to court on Dec 21.

If convicted of public nuisance, an offender can be jailed for up to three months, fined up to S$2,000 (US$1,496), or both.

The penalties for voluntarily causing hurt are a jail term of up to three years, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.



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