Why did a man pour hand sanitiser in a public lift?

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A Singaporean Man Poured Hand Sanitiser in a Public Lift to Disinfect It and Tore Down Posters

A 50-year-old man, Low Ken Lum, poured hand sanitiser onto the floor of a public housing lift in Bishan as an attempt to disinfect it, stating that he found the lift to be "smelly and unhygienic." He also removed four posters from the lift walls, claiming they were not affixed properly and he intended to reattach them, though he forgot to do so. Low was subsequently fined S$4,000 (approximately RM12,310) after pleading guilty to two charges of mischief.
Reasons for Pouring Hand Sanitiser and Tearing Posters

Low explained his actions by stating he wanted to "kill as many viruses as possible" in the lift, which he perceived as unhygienic. He also mentioned having a skin condition and being meticulous about cleanliness. Regarding the posters, he claimed he took them down because they were loose and he had previously been injured by a falling poster, leading to a phobia.
Damage to Public Property and Financial Loss

Low's actions, which occurred between March 14 and March 30, were captured on closed-circuit television footage. He damaged bottle tops of the hand sanitiser, creating a mess, and tore posters, causing "wrongful loss" to the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council. The town council had to replace the posters, each valued at about S$5, and the People's Association had to replace the hand sanitiser bottles, though their bulk purchase value was unknown.
Legal Consequences and Background

Low was charged with mischief, an offence that carries a penalty of up to a year in jail, a fine, or both. He appeared in court without legal representation and stated he is jobless and would not repeat his mistakes. The prosecution noted that while Low had prior criminal convictions, including house-trespass in 2005, none were similar to his latest offences.
Sentencing and Potential Custody

District Judge Carol Ling imposed a S$4,000 fine on Low. If he is unable to pay the fine, he faces a two-week jail sentence. The prosecutor acknowledged that the items involved were of low value and did not suggest Low acted with malice, but highlighted that his actions were inconsiderate and aggravated by the misuse of public property provided during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Why did a man pour hand sanitiser in a public lift?

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