The Incident That Shocked Singapore

On a seemingly ordinary day, March 12, 2026, at the Goldhill Centre in Singapore's Novena district, an 18-year-old French teenager named Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien approached an iJooz vending machine dispensing fresh orange juice. In a moment captured on video, he pulled out a straw from the dispenser, licked it thoroughly, and then deliberately placed it back among the unused ones. He filmed the entire act, edited the clip using Snapchat, and posted it to his Instagram Story with the provocative caption "city is not safe." This reckless stunt, intended perhaps as a prank for social media clout, quickly spiraled into a national controversy, highlighting Singapore's unwavering commitment to public hygiene and order.

The Goldhill Centre, a commercial hub frequented by office workers and shoppers, houses numerous vending machines like the iJooz model, which offers convenient, hygienic drinks with individually packaged straws. Maximilien's actions directly tampered with this system, potentially exposing unsuspecting customers to contamination. The video's casual tone belied the serious hygiene risks involved, especially in a city-state where cleanliness is not just a virtue but a legal expectation.

Viral Spread and Initial Public Backlash

Within hours of posting, the video exploded across social media platforms. Reposted on local community pages and news aggregators, it amassed thousands of views, eliciting waves of disgust and anger from netizens. Comments flooded in, with many Singaporeans expressing horror at the thought of using a contaminated straw. Phrases like "disgusting" and "unforgivable" dominated discussions, underscoring a collective aversion to such hygiene violations.

The backlash was swift and amplified by Singapore's highly connected online community. Platforms like Reddit's r/singapore and Facebook groups buzzed with debates, some users drawing parallels to Japan's "sushi terrorism" incidents where similar pranks led to massive financial losses for businesses. The video's ironic caption only fueled the fire, as viewers saw it as mocking public safety concerns. By late March, the clip had been picked up by local media outlets, turning a foolish prank into a symbol of irresponsibility.

iJooz's Immediate Response and Financial Hit

iJooz, the operator of the vending machine, wasted no time reacting. Upon learning of the video, the company launched an internal investigation and lodged a police report on March 25. To safeguard public health, they replaced all 500 straws in the dispenser's stockpile, incurring direct costs estimated at around S$5, though the broader impact on reputation and sanitation protocols was far greater. iJooz implemented enhanced cleaning routines and inspections across their network of machines nationwide.

For a small business reliant on trust in hygiene, this incident represented a significant setback. Vending machines in Singapore are regulated under the Food Safety and Security Act by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), which mandates strict handling standards for food contact items like straws. Contamination not only risks customer health but also potential SFA fines or shutdowns. iJooz's proactive measures prevented escalation but highlighted the vulnerability of self-service kiosks to sabotage. Mothership's initial coverage detailed the company's statement emphasizing their serious view of the matter.

Police Investigation and Formal Charges

Singapore Police Force acted decisively following iJooz's report. Investigators traced the video to Maximilien, leading to his arrest. On April 24, 2026, he was charged in State Courts with two counts: committing mischief and public nuisance. The mischief charge stems from knowingly causing wrongful loss to iJooz by contaminating the straws, while the public nuisance allegation covers filming, editing, and uploading the video with awareness that it would annoy the public.

Maximilien, out on bail with a school representative as surety, appeared composed in court. His parents flew in from France to support him, reflecting the personal toll of the saga. The charges underscore Singapore's zero-tolerance policy for acts disrupting public welfare, even if seemingly trivial.

Latest Court Update: Permission to Travel Granted

In a significant development on April 29, 2026, Maximilien returned to State Courts seeking permission to leave Singapore for a mandatory three-week internship in Manila, Philippines, from May 2 to 25—essential for his graduation. Represented by lawyers Kalidass Murugaiyan and Kanthan Raghavendra, he posted a S$5,000 bond. The prosecution did not object, and the judge approved the travel under conditions: he must remain contactable at all times overseas. His next hearing was adjourned to May 29.

This ruling balances justice with practical needs, allowing the teen to fulfill academic obligations while facing accountability. Court documents reveal the prosecution's focus on the deliberate nature of his actions. Channel NewsAsia reported the details of the bond and rescheduling.

Breaking Down the Legal Charges

Singapore's Penal Code defines mischief under Section 425 as intentionally causing wrongful loss or damage. Here, licking and replacing the straw led to iJooz discarding 500 items, qualifying as such. Conviction carries up to two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.

• Public Nuisance (Section 268): Acts alarming the public or causing common injury/annoyance. Uploading the video fits, with penalties up to three months' jail and/or S$2,000 fine.
• Combined maximum: Over two years' jail and substantial fines.

These laws deter anti-social behavior, with courts often imposing stern sentences to set examples.

Singapore's Strict Enforcement of Hygiene and Order

Singapore's reputation as the world's cleanest city stems from rigorous laws. Post-COVID-19, hygiene vigilance intensified; the SFA's campaigns emphasized contactless services, making straw tampering particularly egregious. Vending machines must comply with NEA and SFA guidelines, including sealed packaging.

Examples abound: Littering fines start at S$300, escalating to S$1,000; vandalism can lead to caning. Chewing gum sales are banned to prevent public disposal. This culture fosters compliance but surprises foreigners accustomed to leniency elsewhere. The incident echoes 2023 cases where influencers faced charges for tampering with food displays.

Netizen Fury and Broader Social Media Debates

Online reactions were visceral. On Reddit and Twitter, users decried the act as "thoughtless" and "dangerous," with some calling for maximum penalties. Parents voiced fears for children's health, while others debated prank culture's risks. International comments praised Singapore's laws, contrasting with laxer enforcement elsewhere.

• "This is why we can't have nice things," lamented one user.
• "Social media fame isn't worth jail time," noted another.

The storm prompted discussions on influencer responsibility and platform moderation.

Impact on International Students and Expats

Maximilien studies at ESSEC Business School's Singapore campus, prompting an internal probe. This case serves as a cautionary tale for the 100,000+ foreign students in Singapore. Universities emphasize local laws in orientations, but cultural gaps persist—pranks acceptable in France may be criminal here.

Expats must navigate fines for minor infractions like jaywalking (S$50) or urinating in elevators (S$150+). The incident may heighten scrutiny on social media posts by foreigners.

Similar Pranks and Their Consequences

Singapore has seen parallels: In 2024, a teen fined S$5,000 for spitting on MRT; 2022 vandalism at hawker centers led to jail. Globally, Japan's sushi licking cases cost millions in waste. These underscore a trend where viral stunts backfire spectacularly.

• Financial losses: Discarded products, cleaning.
• Legal: Charges under hygiene/property laws.
• Reputational: Business boycotts, public shaming.

Future Outlook and Preventive Measures

As the case proceeds, Maximilien faces uncertain prospects—plea bargain possible, but conviction likely. iJooz may enhance machine designs with tamper-proof dispensers. Authorities could ramp up awareness campaigns targeting youth and social media users.

For Singaporeans, it reinforces hygiene norms; for visitors, a reminder of the republic's unique legal landscape. Broader implications include calls for stricter platform algorithms to flag risky content.

Photo by Abby Dinosaur on Unsplash

Post-Pandemic Hygiene Vigilance in Public Spaces

COVID-19 heightened sensitivities; NEA reported a 30% rise in hygiene complaints 2020-2025. Vending machines, touchless by design, symbolize progress, but incidents like this expose vulnerabilities. SFA's audits ensure compliance, with penalties up to S$10,000 for breaches. Public education via apps and signage continues, aiming to maintain Singapore's top hygiene rankings.