'Detained in a small dark room': Man seen filming restricted area at Singapore checkpoint, laughing on video

A Chinese man allegedly filmed and uploaded a video of a restricted area at a Singapore border checkpoint, violating the Infrastructure Protection Act. 

Douyin user Hei Zai (transliteration) allegedly uploaded the video on the social media platform, which has since been removed on Jan 18, reported Lianhe Zaobao. 

The 28-second clip was allegedly filmed in what appeared to be one of the rooms inside a Singapore border checkpoint. 

A male voice with a Chinese accent was reportedly heard laughing and saying, "Landed in Singapore... detained in a small dark room by Singapore Customs." 

Three other women and another man were also in the room, reported the Chinese daily. 

The room had warning signs on its wall and window forbidding filming.

The man was seen smiling and laughing at the camera as he repeated that he was "detained in a small dark room as soon as I arrived in Singapore". 

In response to AsiaOne's queries, the ICA said that the man and his two companions arrived in Singapore on Jan 18.

They were stopped and directed for further checks during immigration clearance and after assessment, they were subsequently refused entry into Singapore.

The authority added that they were brought to a waiting room before being escorted to another room to await their departure flight scheduled for the morning of Jan 19.

ICA said: "During this time, the man took out his mobile phone to film himself and his companions without ICA officers' knowledge, despite clear signage in the room indicating that photography and videography are not allowed."

Under the Infrastructure Protection Act, anyone convicted of unauthorised photography, filming or video‑recording of a protected area or protected place can be fined up to $20,000, jailed for up to two years, or both.

Protected areas — such as Changi Airport and the Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints — usually have warning signs to remind the public not to trespass or take photographs. 

Editor's note: The headline and copy for this story have been edited for clarity. 

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esther.lam@asiaone.com