Singapore – A video of a maskless man picking a fight with a passenger while in the MRT is circulating online.
The video, shared by multiple social media platforms like Singapore Incidents on Sept 25, began with a man in a red shirt approaching passengers in the cabin.
The MRT announcement noted the train was arriving at Yio Chu Kang.
Meanwhile, the man began shouting at other commuters, forcing one passenger to move to another cabin.
The man appeared to have chosen another target and began shouting expletives in Hokkien.
Other passengers soon exited the cabin as well.
The man’s target was another passenger in a grey shirt.
The two engaged in a fistfight, the man in grey landing a firm slap at the one in red, causing him to fall to the ground.
After getting up, the man in red went back to his previous target while the latter tried to contain him on the seats.
When the man in red tried standing up, he fell forward and hit his head on the pole.
The passenger then took the chance and kicked the man.
Members from the online community responded to the video, wondering if public safety was being compromised in public transportation.
“Even public transports are not safe nowadays, many lunatics out there, where is the enforcement, Singapore?” asked a netizen.
“There used to be security personnel patrolling MRT aisles, but now I don’t see any patrolling,” added Facebook user Christine Chan.
Amid comments on the man in grey’s retaliation, many also highlighted that he was innocent and had the right to defend himself.
“The seated guy was attacked, so he did what he had to do to defend himself. That guy didn’t stop, so he had to drop him; otherwise, it may end badly for him or other passengers,” said Facebook user Kelvin Seet.
“I don’t see anything wrong with it,” he added.
“It was reasonable and necessary for him to do so rather than not doing anything, and getting bullied by the aggressor. After all, the man was just minding his own business,” noted Facebook user Ammar Yasir.
The Independent Singapore has reached out to SMRT for a statement./TISG
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