3 People Threw Boxes of Joss Paper In Canal Instead of Burning Them

By
Zhi Hao
-

Incense offerings are commonplace during the Hungry Ghost Festival.

But it seems that 2021’s a weirder year in more ways than one, as three people have been captured doing the unthinkable:

Dumping whole boxes of joss paper into a canal.

3 People Threw Boxes of Joss Paper In Canal Instead of Burning Them

Just yesterday, Facebook page ROADS.sg posted a telling video on the social media platform, wherein three people appeared to dump boxes of joss paper into a canal.

Standing in front of a parked car, the three individuals could be seen throwing incense paper – by the bulk – into the waterway.

At least two entire boxes’ worth of content was believed to have been disposed of.

The incense paper was later seen floating on the surface of the water.

In the video’s caption, ROADS.sg stated that the incident had occurred along the East Coast service road.

You can view the full video down below:

To date, the video has garnered over 981 reactions and 490 shares.

Netizens have also aired their disapproval of the act.

“They not only clog up the rivers but they also litter on land too…” one commented. “Look at all the papers flying around!”

And one even had a premonition:

“The water ghost will come & haunt them soon..”

Illegal

For the record, the act is illegal.

Those with incense paper are expected to keep damage control to a minimum, and maintain cleanliness in the area.

Burners or containers should also be used wherever necessary.

For littering, offenders could face a fine of S$2,000 for the first court conviction, S$4,000 for the second one and S$10,000 from the third onwards.

“The court may also impose a Corrective Work Order (CWO),” the video’s caption wrote. “Requiring offenders to clean public areas for up to 12 hours.”

Other Instances

Though canals are not advisable, HDB common corridors should also be avoided.

Back in 2019, residents decided to conduct prayers along a corridor on the third floor.

The smoke from the religious routine caused both lifts, which were equipped with smoke detectors, to automatically shut off due to the amount of smoke that went in.

The neighbours’ houses were also filled with smoke.

The town council subsequently advised residents not to burn joss offerings along the common areas and to practise good neighbourliness.

Now that the Hungry Ghost Month is over, however, one would do well to keep note of such advice from 2022 onwards.

Learn more about Hungry Ghost Month and what you shouldn’t do here:

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Featured Image: Facebook (ROADS.sg) 

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Zhi Hao
Email: [email protected]