SINGAPORE – A 23-year-old man is being investigated by police for allegedly damaging floral decorations put up to mark Singapore’s National Day celebrations.
On 6 August, at around 10:45am, the police received a report stating that the floral decorations along the open space of Block 404 Pandan Gardens had been damaged and deformed to form an offensive shape.
Pictures of the defaced floral decoration were uploaded to the Facebook page “Friends of Ayer Rajah” on August 6. The post addressed the incident and stated that a report had been filed with the police.
In the post, Friends of Ayer Rajah also said: “The hard work and efforts of the Pandan Gardens Residents’ Network and local residents have been marred by this tasteless act.”
Photos from the post show that the abbreviation for Pandan Gardens Residents’ Network (PGRN) has been changed to the word PORN.
In a statement released on August 10, police said they identified the suspect on August 7. Ongoing investigations revealed that he allegedly defaced the flower decorations and filmed and posted a TikTok video of the act.
Police said the offence of criminal damage carries a prison sentence of up to two years, a fine or both.
They added: “The police have zero tolerance for such reckless acts and will not hesitate to take decisive action against anyone attempting to damage public decorations or displays that symbolise our national spirit.”
Singapore’s national day fell on August 9. The republic was 59 years old.
