Fine is outrageous, harsh, ridiculous

Fine is outrageous, harsh, ridiculousFINED FOR THIS: The man, known only as Mr Kassim, showing how he dozed off at the park. TNP PICTURE: KUA CHEE SIONG

The New Paper reported yesterday about a man fined $200 for dozing off on a bench in a park. Readers say:
Fine is outrageous, harsh, ridiculous
October 16, 2008



FROM JOSEPH ONG

I REFER to 'I didn't know it was an offence' (The New Paper, 14 Oct).

FROM JOSEPH ONG

I think it is getting ridiculous.

It's yet another example of how Singapore is a fine country.

But to impose a fine for sleeping on a park bench really takes the cake.

Firstly, how many Singaporeans know about the NParks rule? There was no signage at the parks to warn people.

Secondly, parks are created for people to relax. What is wrong with sleeping in parks?

I think the authorities are too quick to jump when it comes to rules and regulations.

FROM GALEN YEO

THANK you for the report.

It's outrageous to fine people like these and it shows the intolerance of our institutions.

NParks should give Mr Kassim his money back and give him a warning instead.

Will they fine people next for dozing off at the airport and government clinics?

Where do you draw the line?

I believe the point of having benches is for people to rest.

If they happen to doze off, so what?

Perhaps a more constructive approach is to have a designated area within parks where people can rest.

FROM PAMELA LENG

I DO not think that the no-sleeping-in-parks rule makes sense.

I have dozed off while sitting and reading at the park many times.

I think whether fines should be imposed or not depends on the circumstances.

Sure, fine me if I bring my pillows, blankets and mattress to sleep at the park.

But it's ridiculous to fine a person $200 for taking a rest.

To many people, $200 is a big sum. Even the fine for parking along double yellow lines is only $70.

FROM DAVID NG

IF most people do not know it's an offence to sleep on the park bench and the rule is not on the NParks website, how can Mr Kassim be fined?

A park is where people go to relax and enjoy a quiet moment. While doing so, they may feel sleepy and doze off and even lie on the bench.

Was Mr Kassim a nuisance to others? Did he make a scene? Were there other park users there who needed to use the bench?

I think NParks should return the money to Mr Kassim.

FROM RAMZAH OSMAN

I THINK a $200 fine for sleeping on a park bench is very harsh.

Instead of fining people, perhaps NParks should use their resources, time and energy to think of ways to prevent park visitors from committing the things they are not supposed to do.

Maybe they should install armrests on the benches to make it difficult for park visitors to lie on them.

NParks should think out of the box to solve such problems instead of taking the easy way out by fining the public.