Do you think jaywalking is okay?
Let’s admit it: most Singaporeans jaywalk. The laws against jaywalking are treated like those against keeping cats in HDB flats—most Singaporeans disregard them, thinking that there are zero repercussions.
Well, we urge you to think again. A jaywalker in Yishun was just sentenced to three weeks’ jail.
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Man Who Jaywalked in Yishun Sentenced to 3 Weeks’ Jail
On Friday (8 September), 48-year-old Chinese national Hu Zhangwen was sentenced to jiak kali png for three weeks after he pleaded guilty to one count of causing hurt by performing a rash act.
For causing hurt to another person by performing a rash act, Hu could have been jailed for up to a year and fined up to $5,000.
But how exactly did he cause hurt?
Well, he jaywalked across six lanes of traffic.
Yet, that’s far from the end of the story. When he was jaywalking, he caused injury to a motorcyclist on the road, 54-year-old Malaysian Yeow Ooh Aik.
Here’s how it happened.
Jaywalker’s Rashness Caused Malaysian Motorcyclist to Suffer Three Fractures
On the night of 28 February 2022, Hu was strolling along Yishun Avenue 1 when he saw bus service 117 on the other side of the road.
You see, Hu had just ended work; he just wanted to catch the bus to Khatib station so he could head home. Most of us would understand this.
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However, what isn’t as understandable is how rashly Hu acted.
Yes, you read that right. Hu wasn’t jailed for jaywalking because he was unfortunate enough to jaywalk in Singapore’s ghetto, Yishun. It was because his actions were actually morally reprehensible.
As it turns out, Hu had noticed that there was a motorcyclist merely two to three metres away from him. Nonetheless, Hu decided to jaywalk and run across the three-lane road anyway.
Eh hello. This is not Crossy Road leh. This is real life.
The motorcyclist, Yeow, swerved to avoid colliding with Hu. However, Yeow’s motorcycle struck Hu’s backpack, causing the bike to skid.
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Both Yeow and Hu fell on the road. However, it appears that Yeow had it worse than Hu did.
Yeow suffered three fractures—one in his right elbow, one in his right shoulder, and the last in his left wrist.
The fractures were so severe that Yeow had to undergo two operations and was hospitalised for 12 days. The motorcyclist was also put on 74 days of hospitalisation leave.
On the other hand, Hu’s only “injury” appeared to be to his backpack…
Given the rashness of Hu’s actions, he was sentenced to three weeks’ jail despite Hu’s lawyer’s requests for a maximum fine of $5,000.
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The deputy public prosecutor had asked for four to eight weeks’ jail, given that Hu had “knowingly flouted traffic rules” and that Hu’s reason for jaywalking was “frivolous”.
So, perhaps think twice the next time you jaywalk. There will always be a next bus lah.
Here’s what NCMPs are, and what to expect after GE2025:
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