Man uproots pandan plant in Hougang, ignores passer-by who tried to stop him

A passer-by was shocked to see a man plucking leaves from a pandan plant in Hougang on Saturday morning (Dec 11).

Stomper David witnessed the incident that occurred outside Ci Yuan Hawker Centre at around 8.50am.

He said: "I saw this family stealing leaves from the pandan plant. And instead of just getting some leaves, they pulled the plant out by the whole root.

"I did try to stop them from doing it, but they just ignored me. I said, 'You can’t do that in front of your kid. If you need pandan leaves, can go to the market and buy.'"

David said that the family ignored him and walked away instead, adding: "Omg, how can they do this in front of their kid? It's bad behaviour and bad education."

The Stomper did not manage to get a video of the family in the act, but shared photos showing the man holding a bunch of pandan leaves.

Under the Parks and Trees Act, damaging/removing plants or parts of plants from parks and gardens is not permitted. Offenders who cut, collect or displace any plant in these areas can be fined up to $5,000.

Most roadside trees, which are typically in areas managed by the National Parks Board (NParks), also fall under the Act.

According to The Straits Times, the severity of the punishments may vary, depending on where the offence was committed and other mitigating circumstances.

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