MRT brawlers in viral video arrested

SINGAPORE — The two men captured on video yelling at each other and wrestling each other onto the ground on an MRT train have been arrested, the police said today (Jan 21). 

They will be charged tomorrow for committing an affray, whereby two or more persons disturb the public peace by fighting in a public place.

The incident took place on Jan 11, somewhere between the Khatib and Yio Chu Kang MRT stations. In the presence of other passengers, the two men, one aged 40 and the other aged 50, shouted expletives at each other, attempted to kick each other in the stomaches, and threw punches. 

A passenger had captured the fight on video, which later went viral when posted on the Internet. The fight was broken up when another passenger intervened, holding down one of the brawlers. 

In a statement issued today, the police said they were alerted to the incident around 11.55pm that day. Officers arrived on the scene soon after, but both men had already left. Following investigations, the police managed to establish the identities of the suspects and they were arrested near Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9 yesterday.

If convicted of committing an affray, the two men could be jailed up to one year or fined up to S$5,000 or both. 

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Assistant Commissioner Keok Tong San, said the police would not hesitate to track down and prosecute those who disturb the public peace by committing “such senseless acts of violence”.