An American overlanding enthusiast who has driven across 29 countries says Singapore has earned the title of the \u201cmost restrictive country on Earth\u201d \u2014 at least when it comes to foreign cars.<\/p>\n
Keith Sinclair, 29, from Albuquerque, New Mexico \u2014 a landlocked state in the US \u2014 shared a video on Instagram<\/a> and TikTok<\/a> on Sept 1.<\/p>\n In it, he explains why he has been unable to enter Singapore with his modified Dodge Challenger, an American muscle car.<\/p>\n The video has since gone viral, racking up more than 309,000 views and 11,900 likes on Instagram, as well as more than 222,000 views and 9,100 likes on TikTok.<\/p>\n Standing outside what appears to be the High Commission of Singapore in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sinclair says he had hoped Singapore would be the 30th country on his world expedition.<\/p>\n However, his application to enter the Republic with his American-registered vehicle had already been rejected twice.<\/p>\n \u201cSingapore has the title of most restrictive country on Earth… at least as it relates to foreign cars,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Sinclair says Singapore is \u201cnotoriously restrictive\u201d when it comes to camper vans<\/a>.<\/p>\n While his Dodge Challenger does not resemble a typical camper van, he has made some modifications to the vehicle, including adding a cooking stove and a hammock.<\/p>\n According to Sinclair, he was initially told he could not enter Singapore unless he removed the modifications.<\/p>\n He says he complied, but was subsequently asked to clarify the purpose of the roof box on his car.<\/p>\n This puzzled him as Singapore residents had told him roof boxes were allowed here, and he says he had also seen local vehicles fitted with them.<\/p>\n He adds in the video that authorities also \u201cmade an issue\u201d about a faucet installed at the back of his car.<\/p>\n Sinclair says he removed the faucet and explained that the roof box was intended for storage.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re gonna see if the third time, they finally let me in,\u201d he says towards the end of the video.<\/p>\n However, the caption of his Sept 1 post suggests that his latest attempt did not go as planned, and that he would share more about it soon.<\/p>\n \u201cI will have to accept that Singapore won\u2019t be possible with my overlanding Dodge Challenger,\u201d he wrote. \u201cI was there eight years ago, so I\u2019ll live.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite his disappointment, Sinclair says Singapore is only \u201cone small country\u201d in his journey around the world<\/a> and that his bigger goal was \u201cto unify\u201d.<\/p>\n He ends the video by asking viewers whether they think Singapore is \u201cactually more restrictive than North Korea\u201d \u2014 or whether he is \u201ca little crazy\u201d.<\/p>\n The video drew mixed reactions, including comments from people identifying themselves as Singaporeans.<\/p>\n One joked that Singapore was \u201cskippable\u201d on Sinclair\u2019s journey, although the commenter added that they wished they could see his Dodge Challenger in person.<\/p>\n Another said: \u201cSadly, our country isn\u2019t a place for car enthusiasts<\/a>,\u201d referring to Singapore\u2019s strict rules surrounding vehicle modifications<\/a>.<\/p>\n Others defended Singapore\u2019s restrictions.<\/p>\n \u201cMany may think Singapore is restrictive, and boring, but I will still regard Singapore HOME as there is safety and harmony here,\u201d one commenter wrote.<\/p>\n Another took issue with Sinclair\u2019s comparison, saying: \u201cTry driving into North Korea first before you make that claim on Singapore.\u201d<\/p>\n Some also suggested alternatives, with one saying they would simply park the car in Johor Bahru<\/a>, take a photograph and count Singapore off the checklist.<\/p>\n Another wrote: \u201cIf you organise a meet up in Johor Bahru, I\u2019m sure many Singaporeans will be there to show our support. Don\u2019t come here, but bring us to you.\u201d<\/p>\n There were also supportive comments, including one from local magician Jeremy Tan<\/a>, who wrote: \u201cHere\u2019s hoping you get approved! \ud83d\ude4c\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTold to remove modifications<\/h2>\n
\u2018Singapore is home\u2019<\/h2>\n
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