Update: In response to media queries, the National Environment Agency said it was aware of the image and clarified that the cabby had been given a fine after he was caught smoking in his taxi.
The NEA said in a statement: “NEA is aware of an image circulating online of a man seen pleading for leniency from NEA officers.
“NEA confirms that on 3 October 2019 at about 12.30pm, a male driver was caught smoking in a ComfortDelGro taxi with the windows wound down along Mount Elizabeth Road.
“The officers notified the driver of the offence before issuing him a ticket of $200 for smoking in a public service vehicle.”
An image taken of a cabbie kneeling down and begging parking wardens not to issue him a fine has been making its way around the Internet, going viral.
In the photo, a man can be seen pleading on his knees with two parking wardens with his hands placed as if he were praying.
His cab, a ComfortDelGro taxi can be seen parked alongside a single unbroken white line, along a two-lane road.
Aingle white line indicates no parking at all times on both sides of the road. This line is usually used to separate a wide road with 2-way traffic.
Many netizens were sympathetic towards the man, and one alleged that they had just spoken to him.
Last month, a video clip showed enforcement officers in the Orchard Road precinct near 313 Somerset, appearing to be taking down a person’s details, allegedly for smoking with just one foot out of the designated smoking area.
While is unclear when exactly the incident took place, a designated smoking zone, marked out by faded and unclear yellow boundary lines, is visible in the video.
It is also unclear if the men in the video were actually fined by the NEA. /TISG
Read related:Â Smokers allegedly fined for stepping just barely outside yellow box