SINGAPORE: Singapore is a country well-known for the love of getting into long lines, except maybe when it comes to queueing for buses, one Reddit user appears to think.
“Why do some people think it is okay to not queue up for buses but wait at a corner and expect to board first?”asked u/allquirkpuns on r/askSingapore, explaining that he had been at the Joo Koon interchange where there was a long line, and witnessed this very thing.joo
“A couple of people didn’t queue up for the bus but waited at a corner in their seats. When the bus came, one of the guys (young man) went to the front of line and tried to board the bus. Driver told him to wait until the whole line has boarded before doing so.
The guy simply said ‘The queue is too long’ and tapped his card to board. Have you met such behaviour before? How do you deal with them?”
A lot of Reddit users have commented on the post, slamming the queue-cutter.
Some said, however, that where they take the bus, everyone uses the queue.
Others said they’ve experienced the same thing as the post author.
And there are definitely those who enter through the side, some confirmed.
SINGAPORE: A Reddit user asked what are the things that need to improve in Singapore.
u/Xingjiangpore shared in r/askSingapore the two areas of life in Singapore that need to improve.
The user stated: “Housing affordability.. Some surveys a while back said SG has overtaken HK for the most expensive housing in the world and also we rank equal with New York for the most expensive rents. But we are not paid new york wages. Even getting a 3/4 room flat in a non mature estate needs a 25 year loan on a combined income.”
“Working culture.. Long hours, high stress, highly competitive and most unhappy employees on the planet,” he added.
Others gave their ideas and opinions.
One user commented on the need for a medical certificate for employees to get sick leave. The comment mentioned: “This clutters up the clinics/hospitals unnecessarily. Some people are just down with a minor illness that can be resolved with a simple home rest. Why must die die waste money to go to a clinic and waste everybody’s time and resources just so to prove that the employee is sick?.. If employees abuse the sick leave, just fire them. Employees should be given more trust in my opinion.”
Another person called for tighter anti-discrimination laws, especially for housing.
“I should not have to be told ‘sorry, we don’t rent to your race’ after serving 2 years NS. Many try to justify it as ‘landlord has the right to choose’, but excluding people solely on the basis of race is racist, no matter what you say to try and justify it. Minorities therefore struggle to find housing to rent because a lot of doors seem to close for us,” the commenter shared.
This gained a reply from another user saying: “A lot of these people think it’s okay because it doesn’t happen to them often enough so they can tell you so. A lot of things would change if people from that group suddenly became the target of such discrimination. For now it’s just not their problem so they don’t care.”
Another commented on “shame culture”, saying “there needs to be more live and let-live”.
SINGAPORE: A list of the tender bids received by the National Environment Agency (NEA) during the August 2023 hawker stall bidding exercise shows that a stall at Newton Food Centre drew an eye-watering bid of more than S$6,800 per month in rental fees.
The vacant stall drew five tenders ranging from S$3,288 to SS$6,810 and the highest bid is higher than the S$6,320 monthly rental another stall in the same hawker centre drew in April this year. The highest bid is almost S$2,000 more than the next highest bid, which was just above S$5,000.
Newton Hawker Association said that although the typical late-night crowds have not been the same since the COVID-19 pandemic, the bidders who made such high bids may have their own business tactics to draw patrons.
It is unclear what these sales tactics may be, but the stall owners may be liable to pay more than S$8,000 per month given that stalls at Newton Food Centre command a S$893.16 table cleaning fee and a S$140.00 service and conservancy fee.
Meanwhile, another hawker made an S$8 bid for a stall at the hawker centre at 531A Upper Cross Street. He was the only bidder.
Although the lower-bid stalls are generally not located in the busiest locations, hawkers who spoke to the press have hopes of attracting customers if their fare, prices and service standards are good.
SINGAPORE: A new survey from Pink Dot and Milieu Insight has revealed the three most pressing concerns that the youth in Singapore face today are barriers to owning a home, barriers to starting a family, and bullying and harassment.
A thousand Singaporeans between the ages of 16 and 26 (Gen Z) and 27 and 34 (Millennials) were surveyed. The survey showed that among LGBTQ+ in particular, home ownership is the top concern for nearly one-third, or 31 per cent, of the respondents.
The results of the survey were released in the wake of announcements during last month’s National Day Rally, one year after the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code, a law from Singapore’s colonial days that criminalized intimate acts between gay men.
Fb screengrab/ pinkdot.sg
Pink Dot noted in a press release that the survey’s respondents are both LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ youths.
Here are some of the key findings:
Only 36 per cent of respondents said that in general, Singapore is a livable city for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Six in 10 believe that the LGBTQ+ community still experiences discrimination in Singapore, and among them, only 11 per cent believe that efforts to address this have been sufficient.
Eighty-four per cent said that the government has the most important role in addressing the discrimination experienced by the LGBTQ+ community.
Fb screengrab/ pinkdot.sg
Pink Dot SG spokesperson Clement Tan said, “With the repeal of Section 377A marking the beginning of a new chapter, the views of youths in Singapore are more important than ever in shaping what’s next for the queer community in Singapore.
We see a lot of concern around bread-and-butter issues like barriers to homeownership, particularly by respondents who identify as LGBTQ+. In this context, the government’s recent review of housing policy is overdue.
Affordable housing is a gap which needs to be plugged for LGBTQ+ people who face many challenges and structural constraints in obtaining housing in Singapore. We welcome the steps taken towards a more inclusive and equitable public housing system, and hope to see further changes which align with the diverse needs and aspirations of young Singaporeans.
Everyone should have a place they are proud to call home, even those whose families do not conform to the state-sanctioned nuclear family.”
SINGAPORE: In July, the online magazine Jom was issued correction directions under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) regarding three blurbs in its weekly digest, two of which concerned the Ridout Road issue and one was about an Instagram post by former Reform Party chair Charles Yeo. The correction directions were called for by Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong and Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo.
While the publication complied with the law by posting the necessary correction notices, Mr Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh, Jom’s editor-in-chief, wrote on July 16 that he “respectfully disagreed” with the POFMA office’s findings and would challenge them “according to the established process”.
However, High Court Justice Valerie Thean on Wednesday (Sept 6) upheld the correction directions.
These revolved around the assertion that Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean had not answered questions about conflict of interest and possible breach of the code of conduct for ministers as well as the assertion that the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) had spent over S$1 million to renovate 26 Ridout Road and 31 Ridout Road, which were to be occupied by Law Minister K Shamnugam and Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, respectively.
Mr Tong and Ms Teo pointed out that the Jom article failed to say that Mr Shanmugam had recused himself, meaning there could be no potential or actual conflict of interest.
On the amount spent on renovating the properties, Jom had written, “The bare facts are shocking, including over S$1m of taxpayer money spent on renovation works”.
Justice Thean said, “The flow of the text within the article and its conclusion is an assertion that conflicts of interest caused SLA to spend more than $1m in taxpayer money to renovate the large properties despite the low rental return.”
Finally, Jom claimed that when it had written, “Society: Did Instagram accede to a censorship request by the Rajah?” this was an open question.
The site seemed to suggest that an Instagram post from Mr Yeo had been geo-blocked by the Government. The Government denied that, saying that no directions had been issued to Instagram for such a geo-block.
Justice Thean said, “In my view, what the article does, by a series of speculative associations, is set out a case that the Government caused Instagram to geo-block Charles Yeo’s post.
Again, while this is not spelt out literally, the whole import of the article leads to an assertion that the Singapore Government asked Instagram to geo-block the Charles Yeo post in Singapore.”
Maria, an Indian domestic worker living in Israel, puts on a face mask outside the house where she lives and works watching over an elderly Israeli woman, in Jerusalem
(Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP)
SINGAPORE: An entire family was infected with Covid-19 after a domestic helper failed to inform them that she was sick.
In a post by the administrator of a support group for domestic helpers and employers alike, an employer said that her maid had Covid-19 but did not inform her or even wear a mask at home. Because of this, her family members fell sick. Only when her employer asked her to take an Antigen Rapid Test (ART), was it confirmed that the maid had Covid-19. Her employer and three children – with the youngest being 7 months of age – were all also infected with Covid-19.
The group admin added: “This post is to remind our members that if you are sick, please inform your employer and seek medical treatment. Do not keep quiet and regard it as a simple matter. Be a responsible helper to your employer’s family”.
Here’s what others in the group said:
Read related:
An employer who found out about her helper’s nighttime activities took to social media to ask whether she should keep or replace the latter.
In an anonymous post to a support group on social media, the employer wrote that her helper’s main task was to look after her baby. “After just a month, she spread the COVID-19 virus to my baby who just 3 months – she is the only house member who sick and I saw her coughing in front of baby without covering her mouth”, the employer wrote.
While the helper expressed remorse, the woman then found out her maid was posting TikTok videos while the child was hospitalised. “I just went to her TikTok profile and realise she posted video with bra only. I was a bit surprised to see that as she looks different from day time, she looks totally different from those Tim Tok (sic) video she posted. Once she entered her room at night time, she will not come to help us even though baby cry badly”, the woman wrote.
SINGAPORE: In an appeal to Tower Transit, an anonymous commuter has raised a simple yet pressing concern: the need to address poor bus service standards.
The S’porean posted on Complaint Singapore saying, “Dear Tower Transit, please do something about the poor service standard. Maybe put in place a system to monitor the service ratings for your bus services. Like a touch screen at the entrance or exit of the bus, I believe this will motivate the driver to go the extra mile to greet the commuters and provide friendlier services.”
He added, “Bus captain should keep a look out to ensure they did not miss potential people needing to board the bus and just drive off.”
Photo: Facebook / Complaint Singapore
He suggested that commuters who experienced the same service standards should be given a small token for their poor experience.
In a light-hearted manner, he also addressed those who might jokingly suggest buying a car or taking a taxi or a ride-sharing service.
With a playful tone and laughing emoticons, he added, “please donate the money to me… I will gladly take it daily”
With a touch of humour and a strong dose of reality, he signed off as the “Daily Singaporean just trying to survive daily.”
Photo: Facebook / Complaint Singapore
One commented, “Hi yo anonymous participant if u wan complain at least show yrs real profile n post Ma. How the bus company know who u are. Some more u complain also invalid because don’t know who u are n how u look like.”
Another responded humorously, “Lolx I won’t suggest you to buy a car or take grab. You can just walk if you don’t like bus service.”
Photo: Facebook / Complaint Singapore
The Singaporean who posted the appeal to Tower Transit responded, “Not gonna judge or criticize any of your comments but before you guys write all this have you ever place yourself in other people’s shoes.”
He added, citing a relatable scenario, “Not asking for sympathy, but has it ever cross your mind that maybe I am a single father and i need to catch the bus on time to bring 2 of my kids to school on time then rush of to work.”
Expressing disappointment with the comments he received, he added, “Typical Singaporean mindset that is extremely judgmental.”
Photo: Facebook / Complaint Singapore
To this, a bus driver responded, “I can understand how u feel and so on, but if u wan complain on social media to let the bus company know right.”
He said not to worry for others in the comments, “No need to afraid those keyboard warrior n so on.”
Adding his perspective, he shared his side of the story, saying, “I also have own kids too. If late than no choice too u cannot always blame on bus n so on. There still got other transportation like grab,gojek n so on. It is up to u wan to take those transportation on it. Yes I know the fees is very high n u cannot always take on that kind of transportation.”
Acknowledging the challenges of being a bus driver in Singapore, he said, “Bus driver in Singapore not easy to work as. They need to rush n follow timing. Why I will say that because I working more than 10 yrs as bus drivers”
He also suggested taking the complaint directly to the bus company, asking, “Anonymous participant why not u send the email to LTA that pls cancel all those bus service timing in Singapore so that bus driver will not rush n can patiently to wait those ppl wan to board the bus.”
As opinions clash and emotions run high, the bus service debate in Singapore continues to evolve, leaving both commuters and providers with questions yet to be answered…
SINGAPORE: What are the current struggles of a Singaporean adult, asked a Reddit user. The user stated: “Life is not smooth sailing as we expected, what are some challenges you face a Singaporean adult?”
u/thedesertman1 in r/askSingapore shared his personal experience, saying: “For myself who started a family this year, challenges of wife considering to take a break from work to take care of child. And the cost of living and market uncertainty is scary.”
Many users commented on the post. The majority of the problems Singaporean adults are experiencing now are financial matters.
One user commented: “Salary not high enough..Increasing prices of everything such as food and housing”
Another user mentioned: “Inflation. And with 9% GST next year it’s only going to get a lot worse.”
Other concerns include BTO problems, getting divorced, being single, and health issues.
“Getting divorced, selling my BTO, turning 35 EOY. Looking at resale flats.. Feeling daunted, but excited for what the future might hold,” one user admitted.
“Single. Looking at resale flat prices…”, “Depressed wages, inflating cost of living,” “Want to settle down but cannot find a bf. Want to travel more but no money,” and “Poor mental health as an older adult male. No close male friends, feeling socially isolated,” more users commented.
A user summarized: “The banality of a typical singaporean: study, graduate, work, BTO, marriage, kids. It’s a life worked out for you and all you’re doing is grinding away daily to put food on the table and meet those milestones. Maybe the grass is greener on the other side but other countries don’t seem to be so dull and you get to choose who you wanna be.”
Lastly, one common problem of Singaporean adults now:
“Ikr somehow my pain has worsened tenfold since hitting the 30 mark. I just did a slow jog to catch the bus (which I still missed) and my ankle hurts now lol,” one user shared.
SINGAPORE: Rapper Subhas Nair was sentenced to six weeks in jail on Sept 5 (Tuesday) for attempting to promote feelings of ill-will between different groups on grounds of religion and race.
Nair, now 31, was charged with four counts of the above offence on Nov 1, 2021, but first caught the attention of authorities in 2019 when he and fellow artist Preeti Nair, also known as Preetipls, released a video in response to an ad showing a Chinese actor, Dennis Chew, in brownface to portray people of different races, including a Malay woman and an Indian man.
As to why they made the video, “We wanted to end brownface in Singapore,” Nair is quoted in TIME as saying. “The goal is that no one should ever have to see this again.”
Mr Suang Wijaya, Nair’s lawyer, told the court on Sept 5 that the rapper maintains his innocence and intends to appeal against his conviction and sentence.
The lawyer asked for 20 days’ jail time for Nair, while Deputy Public Prosecutors Suhas Malhotra and Jordon Li asked for a six-week jail sentence.
CNA reported that District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan agreed that the rapper’s offences “take on a greater significance in the age of social media and the internet” due to the potentially big reach and high speed with which the content can be spread, and added that this type of content can be harmful to society in general.
The judge said, “Sowing racial and or religious discontent by alleging that law enforcement in Singapore discriminates based on race or religious grounds is just as serious as the casting of racial slurs.”
SINGAPORE: Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) shared photos from a two-day trip taken withAnchorvale and Buangkok residents last week to Melaka, which as he wrote in a Thursday (Sept 7) Facebook post, has a special place in his heart.
“Melaka has a special place in my heart, not least because my ancestors (from Dad’s side) probably came from there (I say probably because our extended family had been in Singapore for so many generations that we’ve pretty much lost touch with any connections there).
Still, being able to touch base with rich Peranakan culture—while simultaneously enjoying a different take on Nonya food—is always deeply appreciated. It is a poignant reminder of how virtually all Singaporeans once hailed from far-flung places, but eventually melded our cultures and traditions into something unique to our Little Red Dot,” wrote Assoc Prof Lim.
He also pointed out Melaka’s mixed colonial history in his post, with the Portuguese, Dutch, and English all having had an influence, having seen that the port has a strategic potential.
Nevertheless, he added that “whether the town would have developed better or worse otherwise is debatable”.
However, the mark that different Europeans left on Melaka’s cultures and traditions are undeniable, with Assoc Prof adding, on a personal note, that this includes his predecessors’ adoption of “Catholicism as the family religion.”
The Sengkang GRC MP ended his post by expressing thanks to the team that organized the trip, “including our volunteer bus captains, who took precious time off their weekends to help ensure that our residents were well taken care of. Also to the guides and drivers, for keeping everyone safe and on track (even through unexpected bus failures!). And of course, to our residents, for joining us on yet another little adventure.”
