Two individuals, allegedly sex workers, were seen soliciting customers near a wooded area opposite Kranji MRT station over the weekend of September 7 to 8. An eyewitness, Zhang, 38, reported seeing two tall persons in dresses and makeup standing at the walkway entrance near a grassy clearing. They winked and waved at him, clearly soliciting customers. Zhang assumed they were offering illicit services in the area, interacting with migrant workers who were wandering around at night.
Background
The incident was reported by Shin Min Daily News, which sent a reporter to investigate the area on September 12. The grassy clearing, located approximately 100 metres from the MRT station, is relatively secluded. The reporter observed a migrant worker leaning against a railing, seemingly waiting for someone. Later, several migrant workers were seen surrounding two individuals dressed in low-cut tops, one of whom entered the undergrowth with a migrant worker.
Individuals claim to be ‘men in women’s clothing’
When questioned by the reporter, one of the individuals initially denied providing sexual services but later admitted to soliciting customers. The individual clarified that they were not women but “men dressed in women’s clothing.”
Charge S$20 for service
The individual revealed that their services cost S$20 and assured that they provided condoms for free, emphasising that no services were rendered without them. Customers were instructed to enter the undergrowth area to receive their services.
Several persons seen waiting for service
The reporter, under the pretext of checking out the area, saw four to five migrant workers waiting inside the undergrowth. None of them were willing to answer any questions, and they remained there as the reporter left.
Services rendered in area with undergrowth
On a subsequent visit at around 8am on September 13, the reporter found pieces of trash, including tissue paper and plastic bottles, along a well-worn footpath leading 70 metres into the undergrowth. Following the path for another 10 metres, the reporter discovered the site where sexual services were believed to have been rendered.
The site
The area was littered with approximately 100 used condoms, used tissue paper, plastic bottles, and beer cans. Two waterproof plastic sheets were placed on the ground in one corner.
Resident nearby worry for safety
Residents in the vicinity were “shocked” and “in disbelief” when informed about the individuals offering sexual services in the wild. It is an offence to commit obscene acts in public spaces in Singapore, with those convicted facing up to three months in jail, a fine, or both.
