In case you haven’t seen the news, a 69-year old man with a baking flour caused MRT to shut down for several hours affecting 1,200 commuters and 40 trains to divert.

The Man Who Stopped 40 Trains

Tay Yong Kwang, a member of the Seletar Hash House Harriers running club, ‘hashmarks’ his path with mounds of baking flour to guide other members of his club during one of their runs.

Apparently, his good intention was misinterpreted as an act of terrorism by the MRT station master, who watched the CCTV footage of Tay sprinkling a suspicious substance around the station. The police immediately responded to the alarm, along with the deployment of Singapore Civil Defence Forces’ (SCDF) Hazmat crew.

It was later discovered that the unknown substance is just a simple baking powder. Though innocent, Tay Yong Kwang was fined S$1,000 for the security scare that affected thousands of commuters. This is the maximum fine that can be imposed for this crime.

“He left white powder around the public transport facility. It is reasonable to conclude that members of the public, station staff and security personnel would be fearful that there is something more sinister to it than just being flour alone,” says Deputy Public Prosecutor Tang Shangjun.

Seletar Hash House Harriers later apologised for this incident and sworn to be more mindful in their future runs.

The Drinking Club with a Running Problem

The Hash House Harriers is a running, drinking, and social club which was started by fed up emigrants in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The club dates back since 1938 where it originally got its name from the restaurant nicknamed the “Hash House” – any restaurant or bar where they rest for food and drink after a run.

Hash is a non-competitive cross-country run set by one or more runners called hares. The hares run out in advance of the pack of hounds and set a course marked by white flour, toilet paper, or chalk marks.

The Seletar Hash House Harriers is a men-only group in Singapore that runs every Tuesday night at 6 PM in any type of weather, bad calamities, or any man-made commotions. They are simply unstoppable.

The run includes dinner and drinks after and during the run. That’s the main reason why they are nicknamed “The Drinking Club with a Running Problem.” Although Hash Rules last rule clearly says “There are No Rules,” they still follow strict guidelines and the do’s and don’ts on hashing in Singapore.

Seletar Hash House Harriers is open to all guests who want to join their Tuesdays run for a 30 SGD Fee. Anyone who wants to run drunk every Tuesday night may apply on their official website or Facebook Page.

Join at your own risk and do not… sprinkle suspicious objects in public places.