Prank's price: French student in Singapore faces up to 2 years for licking vending machine straw

A viral social media stunt has landed an 18-year-old French student in Singapore facing serious charges, highlighting the strict legal environment in the city-state regarding public order and hygiene. The incident, which involved the student licking a straw from an "iJooz" fresh orange juice vending machine and then placing it back, has sparked outrage and swift legal action.

The student, identified as Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, a student at ESSEC Business School's Singapore campus, recorded his actions and posted the video on Instagram with the caption "city is not safe." This act of apparent mischief prompted the iJooz company to immediately report the incident to the police and undertake a thorough disinfection of the machine, discarding all 500 straws and replacing them.

Singaporean prosecutors have brought two charges against Maximilien: mischief and public nuisance. The mischief charge alone carries a potential penalty of up to two years in prison or a fine. The public nuisance charge could result in a fine of up to S$2,000 (approximately NT$47,700) or up to three months in jail. The severity of the charges underscores Singapore's zero-tolerance policy towards actions that could compromise public health and safety, especially in the context of a vending machine dispensing food products.

From a Singaporean perspective, this case is a clear example of how individual actions, even those seemingly intended as a prank, can have significant legal consequences in a society that prioritizes order and cleanliness. While the student's parents have flown in from France to handle the situation and he has been granted bail of S$5,000, the upcoming court date on May 22nd will determine his fate. The incident serves as a stark reminder to both locals and expatriates that Singapore's stringent laws apply universally, and actions deemed disruptive or unsanitary will be met with firm legal repercussions. The international attention this case has garnered also reflects on Singapore's reputation as a safe and orderly city, a reputation it fiercely protects.