A social media post has prompted concern among commuters after a man was allegedly spotted filming women at Yishun MRT station.
Instagram account jialat.sg shared the warning on Wednesday (Oct 7), urging women to remain alert after photographs allegedly showing the man circulated online.
The post included an image that appeared to show a phone gallery containing multiple photographs of women, some of which appeared to have been taken in public. Other photographs appeared to show the same man holding up his phone at different locations inside Yishun MRT station.
According to the captions accompanying the post, the man was allegedly seen continuing to use his phone while walking down an escalator and around the station’s fare gantry area.
The claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no confirmation from the police that the man committed an offence.
Social Media Users Raise Concerns
The post quickly attracted attention online, with some commenters saying they had encountered similar behaviour elsewhere in Singapore.
One commenter claimed to have seen a man allegedly photographing a woman at Ubi MRT station and said they confronted him.
Another commenter urged people who witness suspicious behaviour to report it to the police rather than simply sharing warnings online.
AsiaOne reported that it had reached out to jialat.sg for more information about the incident.
At this stage, it is unclear whether the photographs shown in the social media post were all taken at Yishun MRT station or whether the individuals pictured were aware they were being photographed.
Filming at MRT Stations Is Generally Allowed — But There Are Limits
Photography and videography are generally permitted at Singapore’s public transport facilities, including MRT stations, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
However, LTA has said people should ensure their activities do not interfere with transport operations, inconvenience other commuters or violate their privacy.
Transit staff may conduct checks where there are operational or security concerns, and can stop photography or filming when necessary, particularly if there are concerns that recordings may be connected to criminal activity.
That distinction is important because simply holding up a phone inside an MRT station does not, by itself, establish that a person has committed an offence.
Whether conduct amounts to an offence would depend on the circumstances, including what was recorded, the person’s intent and how the recordings were used.
Recent Incidents Have Increased Concern Over Women Being Followed or Recorded
The Yishun allegations come amid heightened public attention over incidents involving women and girls who say they were followed or filmed in public places.
In September, Singapore police investigated a separate incident involving a man wearing what appeared to be smart glasses who was allegedly seen trailing female students along a walkway towards Marymount MRT station.
A video circulating online showed the man walking behind students wearing uniforms resembling those of Raffles Institution and appearing to touch the side of his glasses. Police confirmed that a report had been lodged and said investigations were ongoing.
Raffles Institution subsequently said it had deployed additional security personnel outside the school during dismissal times as a precaution.
The separate incident was not reported to be connected to the Yishun MRT allegations.
What Commuters Can Do if They Feel Unsafe
Members of the public who believe they are being followed or recorded should prioritise their own safety rather than confronting a stranger.
If possible, they can move towards a crowded area, approach station staff or security personnel, and alert someone they trust. They can also make a police report if they believe an offence has occurred.
People who witness suspicious behaviour can provide authorities with useful information such as the location, time, direction of travel and description of the person involved.
Any photographs or videos should also be preserved where appropriate, rather than edited or widely circulated without context.
The LTA has previously reminded commuters that public transport operators may intervene where photography or videography raises operational or security concerns.
Allegations Remain Unverified
For now, the Yishun MRT incident remains based on a social media warning rather than a confirmed police finding.
The photographs circulating online may prompt commuters to be more vigilant, but they do not by themselves establish the identity, intentions or actions of the person pictured.
As with any allegation involving potential harassment or privacy violations, the circumstances would need to be established through proper investigation.
The episode nonetheless highlights a broader concern for commuters: while smartphones and wearable devices make recording in public increasingly easy, behaviour that causes others to feel unsafe can quickly become a source of public concern — particularly when it involves women or young people in crowded transport spaces.
