Daily Lessons from Life 08 June 2010 - Singapore issues arrest warrant for Briton in vandalism case

"SINGAPORE, June 8, 2010 (AFP) - Singapore police said Tuesday they want to arrest a British man they believe could have vandalised a metro train, as his alleged accomplice awaited trial under the island state's tough laws.

Swiss business consultant Oliver Fricker posted $100,000 bail on Monday after appearing in court charged with daubing elaborate graffiti on a train, for which he could be jailed, fined and whipped with a wooden cane.


Now police in the famously-strict city say they think he may not have acted alone.""

It is interesting to observe how this 'prank' unfold in Singapore and how the foreign pranksters involved, 2 or more?, found to their horrors that this 'innocent' prank in their home countries may not have amounted to much but in this country, the penalties are very severe!

Lessons for me are:

1. you play at your own perils in a foreign land! Do your homework. Be respectful of the local laws even if you feel that they are 'ridiculous' or 'do not make sense'!;

2. remember the sense of propriety or appropriateness is not determined by YOUR perception by that of the local. In this case, the breach of the 'secured' areas become a bigger and focused issue for the local authorities instead of the 'creative and artistic' expression of the MRT trains!! It is a terrible tragedy of misunderstood importance and appropriateness that may land the pranksters in serious troubles!;

3. what should the local authorities do in passing judgement on a successful and fair and open trial? The likely perception of heavy-handedness and draconian over-the-top penalties will invite criticism from the 'liberal' foreign press and authorities while NOT giving out a sentence to demonstrate the seriousness of a 'security area being breached' will send out the wrong messages. It is a dilemma too for the sentencing authority! The principles have to be: deal with the security breach while considered IF there is genuine oversight of the pranksters' on this as they were focused on 'having a fun graffiti drawn on the MRT trains'!

What an unfortunate tight-spot to be it! Beware while you 'PLAY' in a foreign land!!