French Student Fined for Social Media Stunt in Singapore
A 19-year-old French student, Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, has been fined 600 Singapore dollars (approximately $465) after admitting to a public nuisance offense in Singapore. The incident involved him filming himself licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and then placing it back, a stunt intended for his social media followers.
The event took place in March at a shopping mall and led to charges being filed in April as the video quickly gained attention online. In court, Maximilien pled guilty to the charge, which could have resulted in a prison term of up to three months. However, the court opted for only a fine, considering mitigating factors.
Prosecutors initially sought the maximum fine of 2,000 Singapore dollars ($1,551), citing concerns that such actions could undermine public confidence in the hygiene of vending machines. However, the court recognized that Maximilien had retrieved the straw himself, and there was no evidence of public harm. Additionally, he had shown remorse and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Maximilien is currently studying at a business school in Singapore, with plans to return to France from September to December as part of his academic program. His future in Singapore remains uncertain as immigration authorities will decide on the status of his student pass after considering all relevant factors.
Defense counsel Kalidass Murugayan emphasized the student’s regret, explaining that the video was never intended to harm others as Maximilien used the contaminated straw for his own drink. The student has been living independently in Singapore without family support, and his parents have made sure he will pay the fine himself.
The company operating the vending machine, IJooz, responded swiftly by filing a police report and taking measures to sanitize the machine. They replaced all 500 straws and are planning upgrades to their machines, including individually packaged straws and compartments that unlock only after a purchase is made.
In Singapore, where public cleanliness and behavior are tightly regulated, the incident highlights the city-state’s strict approach to maintaining hygiene standards, with severe penalties for offenses like littering and vandalism.
