The Echo: Singapore

The Berlin Wall Comes to Singapore

More Single Youths Give Online Dating A Go

Is there a place for Cyclists in Singapore?

England Captain John Terry is Not Saying A Thing

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Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts

Kings of Freedom

1:18 AM Reporter: The Echo 0 Responses

By Alvin Teo
EchoAlvin@gmail.com

It was constructed in 1961 and for the 28 years that it stood strong, the 140 km concrete wall split an entire nation into two, separating thousands of Germans.

The Berlin wall separated the communist East Germany from the Democratic West and represented the mutual fear and distrust between two opposing ideologies during the cold war period after World War 2.

On November 9th 1989 when a West German television channel announced that East Germany has opened it boarders to everyone, hordes of ecstatic East Germans passed through border checkpoints into West Germany. On June 13th 1990, the East German Military officially started dismantling the wall unifying the country once more.

The fall of the wall was a significant moment for many because it wasn’t only concrete blocks that we torn down. Symbolically it represented the fall of Soviet Russia and the triumph of Democracy.

The other side of the wall which East Germans saw for 28 years

Now a section of the wall consisting of 4 concrete panels has arrived in Singapore to remind all Singaporeans of its important role in history and its impact on human culture. However the wall isn’t kept in a museum hidden from those without an admission ticket. The Berlin Wall is closer than you might think.

Shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Mr Robert Hefner managed to secure 4 panels of the wall. 7 years ago Mr Hefner married MeiLi, a Singaporean, and started to visit Singapore regularly. Soon Mr and Mrs Hefner were thinking of a home for the wall instead of keeping it inside a warehouse. Their good friend Mr George Yeo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, then suggested exhibiting it at Bedok Reservoir. Being near Temasek Polytechnic it can inspire young Singaporeans who study there as well as mesmerize the many runners and joggers at the reservoir.

After visiting the site twice, Mr Hefner and MeiLi decided to loan the Wall to Singapore on a long-term basis and this is how the new attraction came to be at its current location.

The wall "is such an important part of history and culture and we want to share it with all the Singaporeans... we want to promote friendship and freedom”, said Mrs Hefner when asked why she decided to exhibited the wall in Singapore.

For Singaporeans who are not old enough to understand the significance of the Berlin Wall, they can still appreciate the wall for its artistic value.

The 4 concrete panels showcase 2 graffiti paintings done by a German artist called Dennis Kaun who, weeks before weeks before the fall of the wall, painted 2 kings called “the Kings of Freedom”.

The smiling king in red is the Jester King who represents happiness and joy.

The Jester King

The other king in blue is the Blindfold King which portrays the communist East German government who was blind to the people’s needs.

The architecture that houses and surrounds the 4 panels was the winning design submitted by three undergraduate architecture students from NUS back in 2008.

Mr Hefner, who saw the entire structure for the first time since its arrival in Singapore, had this to say, "I like it very much, I think it’s terrific!"

There are already plans to open up a Bistro near the wall to serve as an extension to the installation. Therefore residents, students and joggers can enjoy a meal while admiring the grandeur of the wall.

“The symbolism of that Wall is profound and we hope that the visitors will come here, will see it as an icon for reflection about history, about the human condition, about how we treat fellow human beings." Said Mr George Yeo during the unveiling ceremony of the Wall at Bedok Reservoir park.

Singapore |

Is there a place for Cyclists in Singapore?

1:09 AM Reporter: The Echo 0 Responses

By Alvin Teo
EchoAlvin@gmail.com

“Roads are meant for vehicles. Cyclists should keep to designated areas” said 27 year old motorist, Mr Win Lee when asked by the Straits Times about his close shave with cyclists on the road where he had to skid to a halt to avoid hitting a cyclist.

Cycling as a form of daily commute has been on a steep rise over recent years, be it as an economical solution amidst the economic downturn, a healthier and faster way to get to work or a more environmentally friendly form of transport. More people are ditching their cars or public transport for the convenience and sensibilities of a 2 wheeled metal frame.

Mr Mohan Mirwani, director of Treknology, a chain of bicycle shops in Singapore, says that sales of hybrid bicycles have increased about 5 to 10 percent year on year over the past 2 to 3 years. A sales person from L&T bicycles, a famous bicycle shop in Bedok, who did not want to be named, noted an increase in Mountain bike sales over the past year.

Unfortunately with the increase in the number of cyclists on the road, it inevitably leads to the increase of cycling related accidents.

Between January and September 2009, 15 cyclists died from road accidents. For the whole of 2008 the number of cycling related accidents on the road was 22, just 1 less than the number of motoring accidents.

However whose fault is it? Drivers like Mr Win Lee are quick to point their fingers at reckless cyclists while many other cyclists complain of inconsiderate drivers who furiously honk at them or speed right past them.

2 weeks ago in parliament, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs Mesagoes Zulkifli said cyclists were found to be at fault in more than half of the accidents involving bicycles.

“I was cycling to school one afternoon somewhere in the Khaki Bukit area. When I was cycling across a junction (that had no traffic light), a van that did not bother to stop and look just turned into the junction. If I had not stop in time I’m confident that I would have been killed”, recalls Mr Alfred Lau. Not only did the van driver not stop for Mr Lau, he also winded down his window to shout at him.

Therefore it seems like both car drivers and cyclists are both at fault for cycling related accidents on the road and without proper statistics it is hard to tell where the fault lies more with.

One thing everyone can agree upon is that pointing fingers will not decrease the accident rate of cyclists. What are some possible solutions to this problem?

With the threat of big motor vehicles, many cyclists choose the safety of pavements. However cyclists by law are not allowed to cycle on pavements as they are considered vehicles and would be a danger to pedestrians. Therefore the true designated area for all cyclists is on the tarmac along with their 4 wheeled motorised counterparts.

Tampines GRC members ushering in the first cycling town in Singapore

Currently Tampines is set to be the only town in Singapore to be ‘cyclist friendly’. From the 1st of March onwards, cyclists in Tampines would be allowed to share pavements and walkways with pedestrians. This comes after a 2 year trail to see if both cyclists and pedestrians can coexist peacefully on the pavements.

Therefore should more districts around Singapore follow Tampines’s example?

26 year old Miss Karin Tijin, a Public Relations Officer, seems to think so, “If the cyclists are careful and not speed, I think it’s a good idea to allow them to cycle on the pavements. It will save them from the horrors of the road because I’ve had so many friends complain about stupid drivers who almost knock into them”.

But now everyone is as accommodating as Miss Tijin. Many pedestrians on forums such as this: http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?t=27948 are strongly against the idea of allowing cyclist to share pavement space with pedestrians. Many feel that inconsiderate cyclists pose a threat to the elderly and the young.

Cycle lanes were another possible solution proposed by many cyclists on forums. The idea was inspired from London, a car congested city like Singapore with lanes at the left side of the road designated specially for cyclists. This is both law abiding and adds to the safety of cyclists.

However, the LTA tells the Straits Times that it needs to “ensure our roads are optimally utilised to meet the diverse needs of all road users and pedestrians”. This basically means that with the introduction of cycling lanes, it will cut down the space for drivers therefore it is not feasible.

It seems like there are still no clear cut answers as to where cyclists should be allowed.
By law they would have to stay on the roads but many fear for their safety as they are no match for inconsiderate drivers who don’t want them there.

If they are on the pavements pedestrians complain about the dangers cyclists pose.

Where or not there will be a proper place for cyclists in the future will be of continuous debate. The only safety measure that can be put in place now is for everyone to be considerate be it on the road or on the pavements.

Singapore |

Are fire alarms that alarming?

12:57 AM Reporter: The Echo 0 Responses

By Cassaundra Gail Tan
EchoCassaundra@gmail.com

On the afternoon of the 30th of January, Saturday, a fire alarm went off in Bugis Junction. Shoppers looked warily around them, but the sales personnel in all shops continued about their business. Life went on.

Then the fire alarm went off again. This time round, it rang shrilly for a long period, and the automatic shutters of some shops came slamming down. Shoppers looked around in panic. A Watsons salesgirl ran down the corridor to look for her colleagues. But outside of the shops a mother let her son play on the stairs. People stood around wait for instructions and when there were none, continued shopping...

Not too long before, shoppers at the Golden Mile Complex reacted to the fire alarm with nochalance and continued shopping as well.

Fire alarms have lost their impact on Singaporeans. With schools and offices constantly enforcing fire alarm drills, the sense of emergency so important to every crisis and evacuation has become lost. People no longer take fire alarms seriously because it could just be another drill.

But with this attitude, what will happen when there really is a fire? People are still going to stand around and wait for instructions, or worse, continue to shop.

Frequent Bugis Junction visitor Jonathan Woo thinks “people will leave if you tell them to, maybe you can do it via the PA system.” However, that might not be the most effective way to inform people of a fire; given the hubbub of malls nowadays, especially with the Chinese New Year songs blaring from shops, people are not going to hear much.

So what can be done to help Singaporeans break free of this nonchalant mindset? One way would be to do away with regular fire drills. Instead, informing tenants and visitors of exit routes out of the building, and displaying signs in prominent areas, would better facilitate evacuation.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Shereene Lim agrees: “ The fire drills are not only a waste of time but we go through it so often that we feel that every time the fire alarm goes off, it is 'staged'.”

Another way would be to check fire exits regularly. Most of the time, people are the focus of a fire drill. There is never, if ever, someone going around checking that all the doors and exits are accessible, that the sprinklers are working, and et cetera.

Finally, offices and malls could also eliminate fire hazards completely. While we cannot do away with wiring, we can make sure none of it is exposed, and that everything is insulated. There should also be a harsher punishment for people who insist on smoking indoors. Even Temasek Polytechnic, an institute of education, fails to enforce this: student Mary-Anne Lee says she often gets a whiff of stale cigarette smoke when using enclosed staircases. “ It's been like this for three years so evidently these rule breakers don't feel the need to stop because they get away with it so easily,”

However it is hard to tell whether these measures will work unless they are actually implemented. It is up to the individual to take his or her own initiative in the meantime. Though Singapore is a safe place where real fire alarms rarely occur, such peace should never be taken for granted.

Singapore |

More single youths give online dating a go

12:28 AM Reporter: The Echo 1 Response

By Sonam Sawlani
EchoSonam@gmail.com

Over the years, the media has been bombarding us with an oversupply of negative perceptions on the whole idea of online dating or rather, looking for love online.

Although the stigma associated with online dating still exists, an increasing number of youths these days have altered their opinions and no longer think “it’s unsafe” or that “only desperate people look for companions online”.

While Singaporeans are found to be frequenting online dating sites more than Australians and Americans, in China, the rate has been increasing at 60 per cent per year. Overall, a great number of singles around the world have embraced online dating as a legitimate means to meet both new and interesting people in their lives.

Significantly, the privacy and security offered in the process of online dating seems to attract many young Singaporean singles who have been increasingly enrolling themselves at websites of dating agencies such as GoMovieDate.com, Clique Wise and Singles Mingle.

A 21 year-old student of Singapore Polytechnic who only wants to be known as Stella, was previously “one of those people who thought looking for a partner online was unsafe.” Today, she feels it is ironic how she has enrolled herself on one of the popular dating sites in Singapore.

However, signing up for such services does not necessarily need to be for the purpose of finding “that special someone”. For some, it serves as a useful ground to meet people who share similar interests or simply, to make new friends.

“I think an online dating site serves as a good platform for young people to widen their social circles and get to know people from different walks of life,” she added.

Meanwhile, Raymond Tang, 22, an undergraduate from the National University of Singapore, shared that he has developed some strong friendships via online dating sites.

“I always thought that people on such sites are looking for love only, but I am glad that I have been making more friends instead. As long as you view the whole thing as a healthy activity, you will benefit from it in various aspects.”

He also explained that some of his friends who turned to online dating have ended up in stable relationships and even marriages with interesting personalities, which is contradictory to the long-lived misconception that the range of personality types who date online is limited only to internet geeks or loners.

Besides, online dating serves as a helpful tool for those who are shy of the conventional methods of meeting people face-to-face.

“I find it easier to meet new people on the internet rather than face-to-face because I feel more nervous that way. If you are the sort of person who is shy and reserved and find it difficult communicating with people in real life, then this would be a better choice,” said Samantha Siew, 23, a fresh graduate from Nanyang Technological University.

Fruitful stories of online dating are becoming increasingly common today, where the traditional family pressure to get married is colliding with both the difficulty of meeting a parent-approved mate and the modern desire for true love, resulting in the continuous popularity of online dating sites.

Singapore |

Recession? Not all youths feel the pinch

12:05 AM Reporter: The Echo 0 Responses

By Cassaundra Gail Tan
EchoCassaundra@gmail.com

She blows hundreds of dollars on clothes, dines at expensive restaurants and heads to clubs twice a week. In Noelle Tan's world, recession ceases to exist. The 18 year old Meridian Junior College student receives a monthly allowance of five hundred dollars each month from her parents.

Despite the 2008 recession, she was given the same monthly allowance and insists the global downturn has not affected her spending habits. “My parents have not cut my allowance and I still spend whenever I want. I don't think twice just because of the recession.”

Anthony Chia, a 22 year old student, expresses the same minset. “My parents still give me money when I ask for it so I have no reason to cut down on my spending.”

Interestingly, despite the recession, Noelle and Anthony are not the only youths who receive spending money from their parents. Studies show that 75% of youths are receiving the same or more spending money this year than they were last year.

Perhaps the reason behind their nonchalance is the fact that they do not have to worry about their source of income. Mrs Laura Choi, a mother of two teenage girls, gives her take: ' Most youths who receive a steady allowance from their parents tend to spend without limiting themselves because they can always go back to ask for more money.'

On the other hand, studies show that students who are earning their own money and supporting themselves are deeply concerned about saving as much as they can. Said 22 year old Derrick Koh: “I give tuition everyday after school and I know how difficult money is to earn but easy to spend. I don't splurge anymore and try to refrain from buying unecessary things.”

Though most youths do not deny that they are affected by the recession to a certain extent, they are still unwilling to give up shopping and leisure activities until they absolutely have to.

Majority of youths expressed that life still goes on with recession and only if they have a tighter budget would they sacrifice certain things.

It is evident that the current economic circumstances are causing youths to prioritize their spending in specific areas. When asked what would be the first thing they would spend less on, most answered 'food and leisure activities' like clubbing.

Why?

“That’s because they are not so important” explains Jason Chuah, a 20 year old student who absolutely refuses to cut down spending on clothes.

Mr Henry Chia, a financial advisor, believes that spending less is not important, but shopping smarter is. Studies show that most youths feel the same way too.

4 out of 5 youths say they are waiting for items to go on sale, half are making fewer “impulse purchases” and 2 of 5 are more likely to "comparison shop for the best price. “With recession, so many stores are having sales to attract more customers. Shoppers should target such stores and then it will be a win-win situation” Mr Chia advises.

Singapore |

The Perfect Place to Smoke or Smoking Recklessly?

11:49 PM Reporter: The Echo 0 Responses

By Nicholas Lai
EchoNicholas@gmail.com

Residents of Azalea Park Condominium are concerned about a man in his early twenties sits on the edge of his window ledge to smoke.

Mrs Jennifer Sim, 32, a resident of the condominium who regularly sees the man smoking by the window ledge, explains how he does so.

“From what I have seen over the last few months, he would place a cushion on the edge of the window ledge before sitting on it. Sometimes he would have both of his legs sticking out of the edge and other times he would just lean against the wall.” Mrs Sim said.

The primary school teacher also admitted that she wanted to call the police when she first saw the man smoking by the window ledge.

The rectangular box shows window ledge where the man allegedly smokes

“I thought he was about to jump and I shouted for him not to but I better understood what he was doing when he showed me his cigarette,” Mrs Sim explained.

Mr Terrence Leong, 55, another resident of the estate, said that this is the first time he has seen a resident doing such a thing.

“It is so dangerous. What if he slips and fall?” Mr Leong said.

“I really have no idea why does he put his life at such a risk for a smoke? I’m sure there are other places for him to smoke in the house or he could just come down to the ground level to smoke,” he added.

Mr Leong also claimed that the man is also responsible for throwing down cigarette butts down from his window ledge which in turn litters the area below.

Four cigarette butts were found littered on the floor when The Populace Observer did a quick check of the area and a fifth cigarette butt was even found on boot of a car.

The four cigarette butts found on the floor

The fifth cigarette found on the boot on a resident's car

However when asked about the cigarette butts found below his block, the man, who only wanted to be known as Chris, quickly denied that he was responsible for such an act.

“My parents are fully aware that I smoke on my window ledge and their car is always parked below my window. Why would I want to throw my cigarette butts down when they will probably end up on my parent’s car?” Chris explained.

“Besides, my parents would surely scold me should they see my cigarette butts being littered all over on the floor.”

Chris further showed a portable astray which he uses to dispose his cigarettes.

The astray Chris showed

According to Chris, the person responsible for smoking lives above his unit and he was even hit by a cigarette from the top while he was smoking by his window ledge.

“I was really angry when I got hit on my head. Luckily the cigarette was not lighted if not I could’ve been badly burnt,” Chris said.

Chris's window ledge

In regards to his habit of sitting by the window ledge, Chris stated that he simply does not want his room to smell of smoke and he realised that his window ledge is a “very nice and cosy” place to smoke when he first tried smoking there despite knowing the dangers he is putting himself into.

Chris demonstrating how he smokes from his window ledge

“You can feel the breeze when you sit by the window ledge and view is really nice and peaceful especially when it is late into the night,” Chris said.

“It is the perfect place for me to smoke especially since I am able to listen to the songs that fit my mood being played from my computer.”

The view from Chris's window ledge

Singapore |

Polytechnic Students Are Generally Unhappy With Their Prospects To The Local Universities

12:48 AM Reporter: The Echo 2 Responses

In a survey conducted early this month involving 50 students from the five different polytechnics in Singapore, 84% of them are unhappy with their chances of qualifying for one of the three local universities (National University of Singapore, Nayang Technological University and Singapore Management University).

"The only reason I chose the polytechnic route three years ago was because MOE (Ministry of Education) said that if you get top 10% of your course, you would definitely qualify for a spot in the local universities. However when I entered poly, I was very disappointed to find out you need a crazy GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.6 or so to even be considered," said Yi Min, 18, a second year student from Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Diploma in Mass Communications course.

Elliot Law, 20, a final year student from Nanyang Polytechnic's Diploma in Hospitaliy & Tourism Management course shared the same sentiments. "Right now, my GPA is at 3.5 out of 4. That means I have scored an average of B+ throughout my three years but after listening to a talk regarding further education held in my school, I realised that my GPA is the same as those who with a GPA of 2.0 or even 1.0. What's the difference? Both of us would just end up being rejected by the local universities anyway," Elliot explained.

“From the looks of it, I have to start talking to my parents about sending me overseas for my university studies. I really feel that’s only fair for all my hard work over the last three years.”

According to an article published last year in The Straits Times, “About 4,000 polytechnic graduates leave for overseas each year. Many parents clean out their retirement savings and go into debt just so as to give their children a university education abroad - at about $100,000 over two years in Britain and $70,000 in Australia.”

Unfortunately, there are students like Chia Peiwen, 20, a final year student from Singapore Polytechnic’s Diploma in Banking & Finance, who do not have the option to pursue their further studies abroad.

“My parents cannot afford to send me abroad because it is just too expensive,” said Peiwen.

Out of the 42 students that were unhappy with their prospects, 23 of them have regretted choosing the polytechnic route.

“From what I observed, the students that get accepted into the local Us (university) are the ones that score near perfect GPAs like 3.8 or even 3.99. Most of these students tend to be from courses like Engineering or Accounting where scoring full marks for an example is possible,” said Jared Leong, 20, a final year student from Temasek Polytechnic’s Diploma in Business.

“Getting such a high GPA is impossible for students enrolled in courses like mine where we have essays for our exams. How can you score full marks on an essay? If I knew I would be in this situation, I would’ve just gone to a Junior College,” added Jared.

When asked by a student regarding such low prospects, Mr Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports & Ministry of Transport and Mayor of North East CDC, said he understood how the students felt and gave an explanation.

“There is bound to be competition when you want to enter the local universities. Whether you think it is fair or not, it is up to you to decide because everyone wants to have a place in there,” Mr Teo said.

Mr Teo was in Temasek Polytechnic last Wednesday, the 20th of January, as a guest speaker for the school’s Youth Matter Series forum.

Mr Teo speaking at Temasek Polytechnic

Mr Teo also told students not to discouraged about such prospects and carry on doing their best.

“The society here is very competitive and you should turn this competitiveness into an energy where you can make a difference for yourself. Are you going to give up? Or are you going to work even harder? You should tell yourselves that if this is the environment I’m in, than I will make full use of it and make the difference out of it,” Mr Teo said.

According to Mr Teo, having the Government allocate more places for Polytechnic students in the local universities is a not good option.

“If you ask the Government to give you more, I’m sure the Government will give you more but will it satisfy everyone? No, because there will always be people asking for more still,” Mr Teo said.

Singapore |

Youth Olympic Games: First In Singapore, First In History

12:23 AM Reporter: The Echo 0 Responses

By Elias Soh
EchoElias@gmail.com

As the year nears its end, anticipation builds as the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) wait around the corner in 2010.

Held between the 14th and the 26th of August 2010, the YOG will see Singapore play host to an estimate of 3600 young local and international athletes between the ages of 14 and 18.

These athletes will participate in events spanning football, basketball, aquatics and table tennis amongst others.

Singapore was awarded the title of host city for the inaugural YOG on the 18th of August 2008, following a voting procedure conducted by the International Olympics Committee (IOC), coming out on top amongst other cities vying for the similar title.

It will be run by 20, 000 local and international volunteers, with the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee and its Chief Executive Officer Mr Goh Kee Nguan at its helm.

The Games, boasting the participation of 205 National Olympic Committees, will be officiated by an estimated 800 officials from around the world.

Keen heartlanders might find it in their interest to know that YOG venues will include stadiums right at their doorsteps, such as Bishan Sports Hall, Bishan Stadium, Jalan Besar Stadium, Sengkang Hockey Stadium, Toa Payoh Sports Hall and Toa Payoh Swimming Complex.

Other venues include the Marina Reservoir, The Float @ Marina, *scape Youth Space and the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The International Convention Centre, previously host to the International Monetary Fund World Bank Congress 2006, will play host to the most events held in a single venue.

It will serve as the venue for wrestling, judo, boxing and handball competitions.

Admission tickets have yet to be made available to the public.

Members of the public watching from the comfort of their own homes can expect to see the theme of youth transcend the sporting arenas, as broadcast presenters between the ages of 13 and 29 have been selected to host, announce and commentate during the games.

Their lack in experience will not be an issue.

Miss Cleo Chew, 16, a chosen presenter, said: “Although this is a first for me, I’ve learnt how to handle spontaneous situations and pressure during competitions.”

Mr Goh added: “Training will include how to be effective presenters as well as to equip the presenters with the relevant knowledge in their respective sports by going through National Technical Official courses.”

Sports aside, the YOG also aims to balance culture and education via its Culture and Education Programme.

It is in line with its mission to educate and engage youth athletes with the hopes of inspiring them to play active roles in nurturing their respective communities.

Themes of olympism, skill development, well-being and health, social responsibility and expression are the chosen themes that are set to direct the Culture and Education Programme.

While playing host to the Games has been widely regarded as a great achievement for Singapore, the journey has not been free of setbacks.

In August 2009, the United States announced that its swimmers, shooters and cyclist would refrain from participation as it did not regard it to be a “high-level event”.

Speaking at an event in October 2009, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mr Teo Ser Luck, urged the United States to reconsider, saying the YOG requires “the highest level of performance” and is not merely “friendship games”.

The IOC has also urged the United States to reconsider.

Singapore |

Singapore, a tolerant nation?

12:06 AM Reporter: The Echo 0 Responses

By Sonam Sawlani
EchoSonam@gmail.com

A video poking fun at our local channel's Vasantham Star promotional video has been making the rounds at various online forums and blogs, arousing both disappointment and questions in the minds of citizens.

A group of teenagers posted the above video on Youtube, inviting a whole lot of negative and unfavourable comments:

"If they can't or don't understand a culture, they better shutup than behaving like these uneducated monkeys who still have the guts to post it on Youtube.There are so many things from other cultures which will look funny to you but that does not mean your culture is superior and does not look funny to others."

"F**king Chinese are all racist piece of shi*s. How many Indians do you see making fun of F**KING CAMPUS SUPERSTARS and ALL THE OTHER F**KING CHINESE shows? Chinese pigs should start to realise that YELLOW SKIN dosen't mean BETTER PEOPLE. Who the f**k said Singapore is a country with racial harmony?"

"If we INDIANS mock you CHINESE like that, you guys will get agitated and start to f**k us up also. We are pretty much doing the same thing. If you guys really meant it as a joke then I strongly suggest to put up a nicer video. Not the typical stigma where you have to dance behind trees. Where in the actual video did OUR Vasantham stars dance behind trees? As a matter of fact if you watched the full video, you will get a clearer picture."

So, even if some argue that this promotional video was done so terribly that it deserved the mocking, others question - what gave the idea to these teenagers who created the video that Indian stars sing and run around or hide behind coconut trees?

Perhaps this idea was communicated to them by their elders. Moreover, in a recent episode of Singapore Idol, Ken Lim, one of the judges, made this comment when he dismissed a wannabe Singapore Idol, Malaque Mahdaly: "That was amateurish, it lacks quality, but you will make a good Vasantham Star."

Meanwhile, student Pushpa R. feels such portrayals of negative stereotypes are uncalled for. She was similarly upset saying the Indian community already has to tolerate a great deal of marginalisation in life: "A Chinese kid on the bus once said pretty loudly to his mother that I was a smelly indian."

On the other hand, 42 year-old civil servant who wants to be known only as Savi said: "On the bus or train, Chinese passengers tend to avoid sitting next to me even if there's an empty seat."

With a population of approximately 4 million - 77 per cent Chinese, 14 per cent Malays, 7.6 per cent Indians and the remaining 1.4 per cent comprising others, it is obvious that a general pattern of racially motivated discrimination is present in everyday encounters and contacts between Chinese and Indians.

So, after 44 years of emphasis and education on multiracialism and multilingualism, have we truly evolved into a tolerant nation? Everyday racism in Singapore is widespread and continues to exist, especially within the dominant and minority groups.

Unfortunately, such experiences are never voiced out or openly discussed. As a result, they continue to simmer beneath the warm and fuzzy image of a harmonious and multiracial Singapore.

On the contrary, 58 year-old Senior Construction Manager, Gulabrai M. has this to say after watching the above clip: "I believe that these are just small little things that should not be given much attention. This may not necessarily mean discrimination towards the Indian race, but perhaps just something for youngsters to laugh about, and forget."

He added that such acts are not representative of the cross-cultural situation in Singapore. "There are numerous other things that people of all races here in Singapore enjoy together, be it at school, work or play. Looking at the bigger picture would be much more helpful."

Media

Singapore |

Corridor – a dumping ground?

11:25 PM Reporter: The Echo 2 Responses

By Sonam Sawlani
EchoSonam@gmail.com

Laundry drying stands, plastic tubs, pails, potted plants, shoe racks, and bicycles – a display of these items along common corridors in HDB blocks is definitely not an unusual or uncommon sight.

Many of us do not realise that corridor is a form of common property which is meant to be shared with our neighbours. Besides, a form of danger lies when we pile up too many things, in a haphazard manner. The items pose a fire hazard and make the passageway too narrow for residents to use efficiently in the case of a fire or any other emergencies.

Moreover these innocent items placed along our corridors could actually be forms of killer litter items. Some of these include potted plants, clothes racks and birdcages.

Under HDB’s Terms of Lease, flat owners cannot undertake any act within the flat or common areas that is illegal or immoral, or which causes disturbance to his or her neighbours; And the most common source of misunderstandings between neighbours is evidently the misuse of shared space like the common corridor.

Laundry drying stands, plastic tubs, pails, potted plants, shoe racks, and bicycles are some common items found along hdb corridors

“My neighbour has a laundry drying stand outside her flat which blocks more than 70 per cent of my walking space. At the lift area, there are even more laundry stands which belong to the same household. Does the town council perform any kind of regular checks and advise the residents accordingly? My neighbour is of a different ethnic group and I am afraid that if I were to complain, it would result in a sensitive situation,” said 43 year-old housewife, Mdm Noorhayati Rahman, a resident of Pasir Ris.

Another resident of Bedok has this to say: “It is against the rule of HDB to put things at common corridor but I suppose Town Council does not bother to take action against residents who do so.

“A neighbour of mine has an entire display of plants, floor mats, shoes, laundry, just right in front of my house. I assume Town Council did not take any action as I’ve already lodged a few complaints about the matter,” added the 33 year-old civil servant who declined to be named.

On the contrary, a spokesperson from the Pasir Ris – Punggol Town Council said that residents who fail to comply with a written notice from the HDB to remove objects that have been placed in a harmful or dangerous manner may be fined up to $2,000. “The HDB can also compulsorily acquire the Home Ownership flat or terminate the tenancy of the rental flat,” he added.

While most residents seem to have extended their private spaces from within their homes to the common corridor areas, there are not many that can beat this overly cluttered one in Punggol, which has an amazing amount of junk – massive flower pots, bicycles, cupboards and shoe racks.

The HDB can also compulsorily acquire the Home Ownership flat or terminate the tenancy of the rental flat if items are placed in an obstructing manner

The resident of this household, 46 year-old housewife, who wants to be known only as Mdm Suriati, said: “I don’t see how my items in the corridor area are affecting my neighbours. They have never said anything to me before. Besides, this area is so quiet that hardly anyone walks around here since this it's a corner unit.”

Although the Town Council is in charge of the management and maintenance of common areas outside the flat like corridors and lifts, residents have to do their part and maintain the cleanliness, tidiness and safety of these spaces.

These innocent items placed along our corridors could actually be forms of killer litter items

Meanwhile, having worked as a cleaner for more than four years in Pasir Ris, Mr Boon Teow shared that he has experienced countless inconsiderate actions from the residents – including those who leave their unwanted items at staircase landings and corridors, which acts as a hindrance when it comes to escaping in times of emergencies. He said free bulky removal services have been made available and can be arranged for with the Town Council.

Singapore |

A Sport Too "Violent" For Singapore to Handle?

9:37 AM Reporter: The Echo 2 Responses

By Nicholas Lai
EchoNicholas@gmail.com

Come the 14th and 15th of May this year, Singapore will be hosting a series of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events called "Martial Combat".

Organised by ESPN Star Sports (ESS), Martial Combat will consist of 12 events over the next three years and will be held at the S$6.59 billion Resort World Sentosa. The event will also be broadcasted to over 24 countries across Asia on the channel, Star Sports.

Unlike your typical martial art, MMA matches do not get halted even if one of the fighters falls to the ground. Punches and kicks to the head are also allowed and it is due to this “no holds barred” approach that 2008 US Presidential Candidate, Senator John McCain, once branded MMA as “human cockfighting”.

In response to such criticisms, MMA organisers like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) began rebranding itself as a sport than a spectacle. It also increased its cooperation with numerous Athletic Commissions and redesigned various rules to ensure the athletes get better protection.

Aerial Shot of UFC 108. Photo Courtesy of www.UFC.tv

Such a strategy was welcomed by many and MMA is generally accepted as a sport today.

However, there are those like housewife, Mrs Clarissa Lim, 48, who beg to differ.

“MMA is so dangerous and violent. I have a son who takes up Taekwondo and they have head gear and body padding to protect their bodies during competitions. The only protection MMA competitors wear are gloves and I really think that’s not enough,” Mrs Lim explained.
“It shouldn’t even be considered a sport!” Mrs Lim added.

A photo Mrs Lim provided of her son (in blue protector) taking part in a local Taekwondo competition

Businessman Mr Leong Jun Wei, 42, who watched a fighter won his UFC match via knocking out his opponent before, felt that such an event should not be broadcasted in Singapore.

“Showing such an event on national TV would surely encourage violence. Children might also get a shock if they were to witness a fighter being knocked out,” said Mr Leong.

Mr Leong also felt that Martial Combat should not be held in Singapore.

“Holding such an event here in Singapore will only end up promoting violence,” he said.

When told about such criticisms, director of Singapore’s biggest MMA academy Evolve MMA, Chatri Sitodyong had this to say.

“MMA is a relatively new sport in Singapore. Such comments about MMA were also passed when it first started back in the US but over time, people started understanding more about it and how safe it was,” Chatri explained.

“This (violent accusations) is the greatest misconception about the sport of MMA,” Chatri added.

“If it this was such a violent, dangerous sport, the safety record should be worst than boxing, skydiving or any of these adrenaline sports. Yet it is safer.”

A quick check on the Journal of Combative Sports showed that boxing sees more than 10 per year worldwide. MMA on the other hand has seen only a total of four deaths since it first started 17 years ago.

However putting aside all negative comments regarding MMA, there is no doubt that MMA is rising rapidly in popularity here in Singapore.

“When Evolve first came to Singapore in November 2008, MMA was not popular like it is now. However over the last year, I have seen many students joining our gym to learn MMA and we had to launch a third gym to cater to such an increase. We blew through our three year financial goals in three months,” Chatri explained.

Students of Evolve training their "ground game" during Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu classes

Evolve MMA presently has three gyms: One in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and two in Singapore.

“Besides if there were such strong protests and negative response about MMA here in Singapore, I’m sure Martial Combat would be held at another country no?” Chatri said confidently.

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