For over 40 years, there had not been a riot in Singapore. But that changed in 2013, when rioters took to the streets of Little India over a fatal traffic incident. The rioters mostly consisted of foreign workers who came to Singapore to work in construction and find a better life.

In reports after the riot, alcohol was said to be the main culprit for the violence.

Hence in 2015, the Singaporean government then enacted a new law, the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act, which banned public drinking in Little India during the weekends and weekday nights. The only times where workers could unwind.

Little India then became a “Liquor Control Zone”. The zone was characterised as a place where there would be a higher risk of public disorder associated with excessive drinking. Breaking the rules in the zone would mean a penalty 1 ½ times more severe.