Youth icon Jan Lamb Hoi-fung narrowly escaped prosecution by public hygiene officials this week after paparazzi photographed him allegedly answering the call of nature on a public pier in Sai Kung. The picture was splashed on the cover of Next Magazine.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department immediately issued an urgent appeal to the public not to treat open piers like toilets.
A department spokeswoman said officials had examined the graphic photograph but concluded it did not have enough evidence to prosecute the comedian, disc jockey and one half of rap group Soft Hard Kids.
'Despite the photo, we don't think we have enough to go after the person,' a department spokeswoman said. 'Nevertheless, we are concerned about the example this might set.'
In response to the incident, the department sent out a public warning against answering nature's call in public. 'A first-time offender is liable to a fine of HK$5,000, while a repeat offender may be fined HK$10,000,' it said. Lamb could not be reached for comment.