Environment

Istana Guards Stop Traffic So Otters Can Cross Road, They Become VIPs For The Day

Istana Guards Stop Traffic To Let Otters Cross Safely

Oftentimes, we’re used to seeing Istana guards on sentry duty attending to visitors and cars. They’ll help Very Important Persons (VIPs) leave the presidential mansion safely by directing the traffic flow.

Now, apparently, VIPs aren’t restricted to humans only, as some otters have received the royal treatment as well.

Very recently, Istana guards found themselves attending to the unusual group of visitors at the junction close to Plaza Singapura.

@sgcoolguy1974 #cute #sg #singapore #sgtiktok #fyp #fypsg #sgtrending #otter #otters #ottersoftiktok #otterlover #animal #wildlife ♬ original sound – SgCoolGuy1974

As road users stopped for the furry creatures, one can’t help but chuckle at the unlikely VIPs.

Istana guards stop traffic so otters can cross Orchard Road

In what appears to be a recording from the point of view of a passenger on the upper deck of a bus, TikTok user @sgcoolguy1974 captured the adorable scene involving the otters.

From the clip, a group of guards can be seen standing by the side roadside just outside the Istana’s main entrance. At first glance, one might assume that they were ready to escort an eminent figure.

The OP even mentioned that they thought the President herself was leaving the Istana.

Source

Unfortunately, Mdm Halimah did not make a surprise appearance. Instead, the guards ended up directing traffic to make way for a large group of otters.

Source

 

As the guards raised their hands to gesture for motorists to stop, the otters scampered across the empty road.

Source

A cheeky little otter seemed to have fallen behind at one point, but a guard thankfully noticed it and ushered it in the right direction. We’ve all been that lost sometimes.

Source

Not long later, the ‘royal family’ reached the other side of the usually busy road safely, allowing other road users to finally move forward.

Netizens amused by adorable scene

For road users and passers-by who were at the scene of the incident, witnessing the otters in action must have been an amusing experience.

Many TikTok users who saw the clip also shared that they had a good laugh.

Some joked that the otter family had just left the Istana after having a tea session with the President.

Source

Others pointed out that the scene accurately represents the Singaporean habit of crossing roads a little carelessly. The term often used to describe that is the assumption that the road is “their grandfather’s road”.

Source

On a serious note, many netizens expressed their gratitude towards the kind guards who ensured the animals’ safety.

Source

No doubt, the Istana guards’ thoughtful gesture has touched our hearts.

VIPs safe under Istana guards’ watch

The adorable scene has definitely given many of us a good laugh.

Kudos to the Istana guards for keeping the animals safe and the considerate road users for being patient while waiting to move off.

Hopefully, the otters won’t attempt to make such a risky crossing again, and they’ll get to wherever they’re headed safely.

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from @sgcoolguy1974 on TikTok.

Sze Yun Chu

Sze Yun egg-spires to be a living Gudetama who sees the gude (good) in all things. Oftentimes, you can see her jumpin' & poppin' to NCT’s music.

Recent Posts

GE2025: 10 real issues WP hopes to tackle for S’poreans, according to its manifesto

Proposals include a national minimum wage and allowing younger singles to apply for BTO.

17 Apr 2025, 8:32 pm

Naked 22-year-old slashes man & attacks police officers with nail-embedded wooden plank in Hougang

The suspect also climbed onto a Mercedes-Benz, jumped on its roof, and stomped on the…

17 Apr 2025, 6:18 pm

Multi-vehicle collision on AYE involving Causeway Link buses sends 22 to hospital

A lorry and a van appeared to have collided head-on.

17 Apr 2025, 6:12 pm

7-vehicle pile-up on TPE leaves taxi & car trapped between trucks, 2 people hospitalised

The taxi was not ferrying any passengers when the incident occurred.

17 Apr 2025, 6:03 pm

‘I will not gamble with your future’: PM Wong launches PAP manifesto for GE2025, introduces 32 new candidates

According to the manifesto, the party vows to grow a strong economy with equal job…

17 Apr 2025, 5:53 pm

PSP names Jeffrey Khoo & Tony Tan as candidates for Marymount & Kebun Baru SMCs in GE2025

The People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) has also expressed interest in Marymount SMC, which could…

17 Apr 2025, 5:35 pm