On April 2, 2025, a 42-year-old Malaysian national, Zhang Jiesen (transliteration), who is a Singapore permanent resident, was sentenced to 18 weeks in jail for secretly filming a female tenant in a shared bathroom. He pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism, while two other charges — obstruction of justice and breaching the Films Act — were taken into consideration during sentencing.
The incident occurred in a public housing unit rented by Zhang and his wife, who then sublet rooms to four tenants — two men and two women. According to court proceedings, Zhang had malicious intentions targeting one of the female tenants. On October 20, 2023, he ordered a miniature camera and memory card online. By November, he began hiding the device in the shared bathroom used by all four tenants.
Zhang carefully timed his actions. He would typically set up the camera between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., a time when he knew the victim was likely to return home from work and use the bathroom. Using blu tack, he would secure the camera under a shelf or place it inside a transparent plastic container on the lowest shelf. The camera was strategically aimed at key areas like the sink, toilet bowl, or shower area.
After filming, usually around 9 p.m., Zhang would retrieve the camera, download footage of the specific female tenant, and delete any recordings involving the other three housemates.
This routine continued for several months. However, by February 2024, Zhang noticed the camera’s internal battery was losing power quickly. In an attempt to extend its battery life, he added a power bank to the setup. He used tape to affix the charger beneath the sink, attempting to keep it hidden.
This move ultimately led to his downfall. On the night of April 25, 2024, at around 9 p.m., the female tenant entered the bathroom and noticed a power bank hanging awkwardly under the sink. Suspicious of the strange sight, she inspected further and discovered the hidden camera. She immediately reported the matter, leading to a police investigation.
During the investigation, authorities uncovered evidence of Zhang's actions, including deleted footage and tampering with the setup. It was also noted that he tried to destroy evidence once he realized his actions were exposed.
Zhang was arrested and charged with three offences — voyeurism, obstruction of justice, and offences under the Films Act. He pleaded guilty to one charge, with the remaining charges considered during sentencing. He was sentenced on April 2, 2025.
This case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of privacy violations in shared living spaces. Authorities have urged the public to report any suspicious behavior and stressed that such invasions of privacy are treated as serious criminal offences.
Under Singapore law, voyeurism carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in jail, a fine, caning, or any combination of the three. The use of devices to record without consent, especially in private spaces such as toilets or bedrooms, may also attract charges under the Films Act. Tampering with or attempting to destroy evidence can lead to further legal consequences under obstruction of justice laws.
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