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The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating 15 work pass holders who are currently working in Singapore and had declared qualifications from Manav Bharti University in their work pass applications.In a Feb. 16 press release, MOM said that their work passes will be immediately revoked and they will be permanently barred from employment in Singapore if found to have falsely declared their educational qualifications. MOM may also prosecute them under Singapore's Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.If found guilty, an offender may be jailed for up to two years, fined up to S$20,000, or both.#employment #immigration #university
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/work-pass-holders-fake-qualifications/
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mothership-sg
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The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating 15 work pass holders who are currently working in Singapore and had declared qualifications from Manav Bharti University in their work pass applications.
Could have their work passes revoked
In a Feb. 16 press release, MOM said that their work passes will be immediately revoked and they will be permanently barred from employment in Singapore if found to have falsely declared their educational qualifications.
MOM may also prosecute them under Singapore's Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
If found guilty, an offender may be jailed for up to two years, fined up to S$20,000, or both.
Reports of fake degrees
Manav Bharti University is a private university in India.
On Feb. 1, Times of India reported that the university had sold 36,000 fake degree certificates across 17 states in over 11 years.
This was discovered when the Indian police were conducting an investigation into a fake degree case.
It was also discovered that out of the total 41,000 degrees issued by the university, only 5,000 have been found to be genuine so far.
Employers have primary responsibility
MOM said in its press release that employers "have the primary responsibility" to ensure the authenticity and quality of the academic qualifications of the foreigners they wish to hire.
Before making an application for a work pass, MOM said that the employer should have already evaluated the candidate, including his qualifications.
This is to ensure that the applicant has the right skills and qualification for the position they applied.
"The majority of employers take this role seriously as it is in their interest to have a rigorous selection and recruitment process in place to ensure qualified candidates," added MOM.
MOM conducts its own checks
As an additional safeguard to uphold the integrity of the work pass framework, MOM said that it conducts its own checks and verifications after the employer submits the academic documents.
MOM scrutinises higher-risk academic institutions, companies and individuals more closely, conduct additional checks and require submission of verification proof of the qualifications declared in selected applications.
The ministry will also verify the authenticity of submitted qualifications directly through the issuing institutions or third-party screening agencies.
In addition, MOM said that it receives and acts on reports from employers who discover that they have been misled after the work pass holder has arrived.
In the last five years, MOM said that an average of 660 foreigners were permanently barred each year from working in Singapore because they had submitted fake educational qualification in their work pass applications.
Over the same period, an average of eight foreigners each year were convicted and penalised by the courts for false declarations of educational qualifications.
Top images from MOM/FB & Google Maps.
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"I know that I'm a tiger mum at heart. If you are placed in a competitive environment, I feel that I will stress you out even more. I cannot try to make you replicate my success, nor impose my past achievements on you."Chiong Xiao Ting is a mother of two daughters, aged seven and four.At the time of her eldest daughter's Primary 1 registration in 2019, Chiong initially placed her daughter at her alma mater, which is a SAP school.However, after much consideration, she decided to withdraw her daughter from her alma mater and register her at a neighbourhood school instead.Here, Chiong writes about how her own difficult childhood informed her initial expectations of her oldest daughter and how she eventually came to the decision to choose a neighbourhood school.#school #singapore #children
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/mother-neighbourhood-school-sap-alma-mater/
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mothership-sg
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PERSPECTIVE: Chiong Xiao Ting is a mother of two daughters, aged seven and four.
At the time of her eldest daughter's Primary 1 registration in 2019, Chiong initially placed her daughter at her alma mater, which is a SAP school.
However, after much consideration, she decided to withdraw her daughter from her alma mater and register her at a neighbourhood school instead.
Here, Chiong writes about how her own difficult childhood informed her initial expectations of her oldest daughter and how she eventually came to the decision to choose a neighbourhood school.
An earlier version of this excerpt first appeared in the book Letter to My Daughter.
Edited by Theresa Tan, Letter to My Daughter is published by Marshall Cavendish and you can get a copy of it here.
By Chiong Xiao Ting
Dear Jaime,
Fortunately (or unfortunately), you are my firstborn. When I was pregnant with you, I was 26 and I gave birth to you at 27.
By our society’s standard, I would be considered a young mum, but definitely not so in my mother’s times.
The huge difficulty I faced being a first-time mum was that I grew up mostly without a mother.
My Dad and Mum were separated not long after I was born, and Mum had to raise me all by herself. She had to work hard to provide for the family and take care of me. For most part of my childhood, we were in survival mode.
My mother spent most of her time working to provide for us
I remember how she would take up multiple jobs, and it seemed like she tried everything possible, from selling property, to tutoring, to clerical work—she even resorted to being a part-time cleaner to earn extra bucks.
I did not find anything abnormal with that lifestyle—I would follow her everywhere she went, whether it was to her tutee’s home, or to the houses she had to clean on the weekends.
This was the norm I embraced and enjoyed.
When I was 10, I lost my mum to cancer. To say that it was devastating would probably be an understatement, but growing with Mum all these years, I had learnt only one way to deal with things: to be strong.
When faced with life’s difficulties, my Mum had only one mode of operation, and that was to be strong and to survive.
Hence, since I was young, this was the only way I know how to deal with things: to be strong and to survive.
She had never spoken to me about her health issues
Mum never spoke to me about her cancer, her sickness, her pain — anything she faced.
Before she passed on, she had put everything in place, instructed various people to carry out what she wanted, made sure that I would be well taken care of.
But I don’t remember her saying any last words to me. That was my Mum — she would not reveal her weaker side, or express her pain and grief. In a sense, that was how I learnt to deal with my emotions.
In my growing up years, even with the absence of a mother, I did forge on.
After Mum’s passing, I studied hard and worked hard, scoring A’s, making my way to top schools and I guess, I did Mum proud.
I was the top of my cohort in Primary 5 and in Primary 6, I achieved the school's second-highest PSLE result of 271.
In hindsight, my academic success in primary school became such precious memories to me because I remembered it so clearly amidst the trauma and grief I felt.
When I had my own daughter, I was intent on training her to be like me
Many years later, I became a mother myself.
I had high hopes to “train” you, the way my Mum did me, to become this strong and independent young lady. But alas, your personality is quite the opposite. You are very sensitive, persistent and you have a strong personality.
As a young child, you were very sticky and, somehow, insecure. You would cry
whenever we stepped into an unfamiliar house. You would break down when strangers talked to you, and by strangers, I mean anybody other than Daddy or Mummy!
Where was that strong, independent girl that I had envisioned?
Many times, I would get sympathetic or disapproving looks (depending on the observer’s parenting philosophy), or others would make well-meaning comments that ended up annoying me.
You were not a typical baby that enjoyed others’ attention — you only wanted Mummy.
When we were home, you could not play independently and I had to be by your side almost all the time.
But I was determined to train you, and like how I was “ruthless” with myself, I was pretty “ruthless” with you. I had no qualms about allowing you to have meltdowns — I
would not adhere to your requests because I felt that that was spoiling you.
During your meltdowns, you would want nothing but Mummy, and I would walk out of the room just to leave you alone to “grow up” and “get your act together”.
But I began to question if I was too hard on her
Yet, in recent years, I have started to question myself: have I forced you to grow up too fast? Have I not given you the space and security you need to develop emotionally?
Have I failed to recognise that you are different? And most importantly, have I imposed the very same survival mode that I had inherited from my Mum on you?
You turned seven this year, and there are days that I am still dealing with your meltdowns. Sometimes it is unbelievable to me that you still have these moments.
During these times, it seems like you are regressing back to toddlerhood, and I start reflecting that I should have held you longer, calmed you further, and not force you to grow up prematurely.
Yes, I am learning, baby. These moments sometimes frustrate me greatly, but I am pushing myself to hold you longer, to tell you it is okay, that Mummy is here, though as I’m doing it, my mind is saying you should grow up and stop behaving like this.
When it came to primary school, I registered you in my alma mater at first
But, Jaime, we are in this together! Turning seven is a huge milestone because it means that you now enter into formal education: primary school.
Education is a big deal for us in Singapore, hence many parents do their utmost to secure a place for their children in the best school possible.
I was blessed because my Mum recognised the importance of education, and she managed to secure a place for me in a SAP (special assistance plan) school — it’s a place for academically bright students who are strong in both English and their mother tongue.
I loved my alma mater; this school held precious memories for me, and it was the place that I had excelled and thrived in in the most difficult season in my life — when Mum passed away.
I was determined to send you there too, even though it meant that you had to be on the school bus an hour in the morning and another hour home.
But I was hopeful that you would replicate the success I had academically.
I also wanted you to have a good Chinese education and master the language.
The school's strong roots in Chinese culture and its emphasis on the language was therefore another draw for me.
Being an alumna, I registered you for the school with no hiccups at all. I was elated.
However, there was a nagging feeling on the inside of me that I could not shake.
However, I began to question if I would be pushing you too hard
Numerous promptings from God made me rethink my decision. Doubts and questions began to surface: in this time and era, do I really need to send my daughter to a “branded school” so that she can maybe gain a head-start in life?
I was challenged in all areas: What do I value more? Do I value your happiness in your childhood years over your academic success? Do I need to put you through two hours on the bus daily just so that you can attend a seemingly better school?
The matter of the school's distance began to grow in my mind.
You would have to wake up at 5 plus in the morning to board the bus at 6:15am and you would only reach home at 2:30pm in the afternoon.
You would have to sleep by 8.30pm, taking away a significant amount of time for family and play. You would be left with essentially only six waking hours for lunch, dinner, homework and attempting to play.
My in-laws even asked if you should be subjected to such a commute.
And on further reflection, I came to realise that I will also stress you out.
I know that I'm a tiger mum at heart. If you are placed in a competitive environment, I feel that I will stress you out even more.
I cannot try to make you replicate my success, nor impose my past achievements on you.
And as much as you have the aptitude, I cannot impose what I want on you either.
I battled with all these thoughts for many days, only to relent to God’s leading at the last minute.
I eventually made the decision, although I still found myself agonising about it
I deregistered you from my alma mater, and signed you up for the “neighbourhood school” next to our home.
I wept over this decision for days. I felt a deep sense of loss that you would probably not walk in my footsteps and replicate my success.
I wondered if I might be shortchanging you of opportunities and advantages you might have, and if you might even blame me in the future for putting you in a neighbourhood school.
In those moments, I recognised that I needed to let go and allow you to live the life that God has created you for.
You are you, and I am me. I cannot—and must not—impose my dreams on you, and I must allow you to discover all the gifts God has placed in you.
Ultimately, I knew I had made the right decision to place you in a neighbourhood school
These days, there is a simple joy in my heart, when I see how happy you are to wake up each morning for school, which is now only a three-minute walk away.
You don’t struggle with the early mornings, since you now wake close to 7am, you look forward to school and you enjoy your classes so much every single day.
You are not so stressed out academically, which means you have had the chance to explore hobbies such as learning piano by yourself, rollerblading and gymnastics.
We even get quite a bit of family time together before you sleep at 9:30pm.
I am so happy with your holistic development. I have come to realise that this is the most important thing: your happiness and well-being.
You have come a long way from that insecure baby who would only cling to me and no one else. These days, you are expressive and confident.
You have taken on primary school like a champ: you fiercely pursue and persevere at the things you take interest in. You love tagging along wherever I go, to the office, for work assignments, to run errands.
You became the class monitor, and even received the Good Service Award because you were so helpful to your teachers and classmates.
Not so long ago, you even followed me on a work-cum-leisure trip overseas. To be honest, I genuinely enjoy bringing you places, and you have become the strong and independent lady I hoped for, and more.
Thank you for being my firstborn. I knowingly (or unknowingly) put greater pressure on you as you are the big sister.
And I am proud of seeing how much you have grown and matured
I am often more demanding of you because you are the older one. But you have taken on all these responsibilities so well. You have grown up to be a great older sister to your Meimei (younger sister).
You would give in to her or try to navigate your way around things, even when she is at times demanding. I am so proud to see how you are growing, not just intellectually, but also emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually.
Thank you, Jaime, for allowing me to “experiment” motherhood on you. I am learning and you are too, and we have both come a long way.
I am glad that every new day is a day for me to become a better mother, to undo the mistakes of my past, and to help you become all that God wants you to be.
In these seven short years, you have taught me so much, and helped me become a much better version of myself.
You will always have a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to see how you will blossom in the future to come.
Love you so much,
Mummy
Top photo by Chiong Xiao Ting
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Singaporean consumers have been shopping online for quite some time but GST on online purchases will only kick in from 2023.Tax Practice Leader Eng Kiat Loh and Mothership explain why it took so long to implement a GST on online purchases.#taxes #ecommerce #singapore
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/charge-gst-overseas-explainer/
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mothership-sg
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So, your Taobao phone cases and shoes from Amazon are going to be slapped with a Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 2023.
This announcement came just after the GST was extended to imported digital services (like Spotify and Netflix's streaming services) in January 2020.
Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said in his 2021 Budget speech that these changes would ensure a "level playing field for our local businesses to compete effectively".
All good, but people in Singapore have been shopping online for a while now. So, why did it take so long to levy GST on these low-value imports?
There are certain difficulties that come with taxing suppliers outside Singapore, but first, before we head there, we need to get a handle on what the GST is and how it is collected.
What is GST and how does IRAS collect it?
There are different types of taxes — income tax, road tax, property tax, and of course, the GST, just to name a few.
The GST, in particular, is a tax that you pay for most goods and services that you either 1) bring into or 2) purchase in Singapore.
The most straightforward example of the GST is the 7 per cent tax that you incur when you purchase a product or service in Singapore — for instance the S$0.52 GST included in a S$7.90 McDonald's McSpicy Extra Value Meal.
When you pay for a McSpicy Extra Value Meal, McDonald's collects the S$0.52 GST, along with all the other GST from the rest of its customers on behalf of IRAS and hands it over to the tax authority.
This arrangement works because McDonald's is a business entity registered in Singapore, bound by Singapore's laws.
What if you buy from a business that is not registered in Singapore?
Let's say you want to ship a fancy sports car from Spain, or perhaps cross the Causeway to bring back a large amount of groceries from Johor — both the car and groceries are liable for GST.
But since IRAS cannot possibly demand that the car manufacturer in Spain or the supermarket chain in Johor collect GST on its behalf, the burden then falls on you to declare the value of the goods and submit to IRAS the appropriate amount of GST.
Tax leakage from low-value purchases
It gets trickier with low-value purchases — think shoes, dresses and phone cases — that you buy from overseas merchants.
It would be quite a logistical nightmare to declare the value of every single item that you purchase, yet at the same time, if small purchases aren't charged GST, then there exists a tax leakage.
Let's say you are looking for a book.
Kinokuniya at Takashimaya sells it for S$40, inclusive of GST. However, you are able to get the same book from Book Depository for S$35 without any delivery cost, and definitely without GST.
Both options allow you to get the same product, yet for the online purchase, there is tax revenue lost.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently noted that GST exemptions for low-value imported goods have become "increasingly controversial" because as more consumers buy stuff online, these exemptions lead to lower tax revenue collected, and "potentially unfair competitive pressures" on domestic retailers.
Hard to ensure compliance among players
The new announcement that GST will be extended to low-value items purchased online can address this tax leakage.
One way this can be done is to get the e-commerce sites like Taobao and Amazon to charge GST on every transaction made by Singapore consumers on their platforms, on behalf of overseas sellers.
They will collect the tax and hand it over to IRAS.
However, there is no way the tax authority can ensure that these overseas-based platforms will comply with the new tax requirements because they don't fall under Singapore's jurisdiction.
That said, Tax Practice Leader Loh Eng Kiat from accounting firm Baker Tilly Singapore told Mothership that the "broad consensus is that larger businesses will do their utmost to satisfy their obligations so that they are not perceived negatively within a 'court of public opinion'".
"By simply fostering compliance from a smaller number of (larger) sellers, [the authorities] could conceivably collect a significant proportion of the tax revenue at stake (i.e. applying the 80/20 rule)," he said.
Singapore watches and follows
GST-related changes are also very complex and not easy to implement, said Loh.
"Apart from vendor needs (e.g. changing their systems to facilitate GST compliance), there may be political pressures not to do so. As an extreme example, Hong Kong could not even introduce a GST regime after years of trying, and appears not to be even trying anymore."
As such, many developed economies have had to delay their GST (or equivalent tax regime) changes.
Australia initially planned to implement a 10 per cent GST on clothing, electronics and furniture purchased from overseas retailers with a value of under AU$1,000 (S$1,045) in July 2017. It was later delayed to July 2018.
The European Union had to delay the effective start date of its complex new VAT (Value Added Tax) model more than once.
For this reason, it could be that Singapore chose to adopt a pragmatic approach and adopt a "fast follower" (as opposed to “first mover”) approach, said Loh.
Mothership Explains is a series where we dig deep into the important, interesting, and confusing going-ons in our world and try to, well, explain them.
This series aims to provide in-depth, easy-to-understand explanations to keep our readers up to date on not just what is going on in the world, but also the "why's".
Top photo by Joshua Lee.
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Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be levied on imported low-value goods and business-to-consumer (B2C) imported non-digital services from Jan. 1, 2023.This announcement was made on Tuesday (Feb. 16) by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat, as part of his Budget statement.Currently, GST applies only to imported items valued at S$400 and above. This change means that now all goods imported by air or post into Singapore will be taxed. The existing arrangement has been in place to facilitate customs clearance.According to the Ministry of Finance, the move to implement GST on both categories of goods and services is to ensure that the same GST treatment applies regardless of whether an item or service has been bought from overseas or locally.The move, along with the overall increase in GST to 9 per cent, will “ensure” a level playing field for local businesses to compete effectively, Heng added.#onlineshop #taxes #financeandeconomy
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/online-shopping-gst-from-1-jan-2023/
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mothership-sg
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Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be levied on imported low-value goods and business-to-consumer (B2C) imported non-digital services from Jan. 1, 2023.
This announcement was made on Tuesday (Feb. 16) by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat, as part of his Budget statement.
All goods imported via air or post will now be subject to GST
Currently, GST applies only to imported items valued at S$400 and above. This change means that now all goods imported by air or post into Singapore will be taxed.
The existing arrangement has been in place to facilitate customs clearance.
Move is to ensure level playing field for local businesses
According to the Ministry of Finance, the move to implement GST on both categories of goods and services is to ensure that the same GST treatment applies regardless whether an item or service has been bought from overseas or locally.
The move, along with the overall increase in GST to 9 per cent, will "ensure" a level playing field for local businesses to compete effectively, Heng added.
Currently, B2C imported non-digital services, such as training services by a foreign company, are also not subjected to GST.
However, from Jan. 1, 2023, overseas suppliers who are required to register under the Overseas Vendor Registration regime will now charge GST on such sales to local consumers.
Such overseas suppliers will then pay the GST they collect to IRAS.
Meanwhile, consumers will be charged GST by overseas suppliers, just as they are charged GST when they purchase the same items from GST-registered local suppliers.
As for a GST-registered person making a business-to-business purchase, they will have to self-account for GST on their import of such goods, and pay the GST to the IRAS.
Here's what the previous change to the GST entailed:
Top image screenshots from respective websites
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Since Project Dignity Pte Ltd was founded in 2010, more than 1,300 differently-abled individuals have been trained in food preparation, cooking, and serving of hawker fare.Its founder, Seng Choon Koh, had intended Project Dignity to be a social enterprise with the goal of creating jobs for people with disabilities.These include people with physical disabilities, mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, and individuals who face social challenges, such as single motherhood and being primary caregivers.Out of Project Dignity's around 70 staff members, more than 60 per cent are from these marginalised communities.Here, Koh tells us about the philosophy behind Project Dignity and how he is trying to build a more empathetic, inclusive society. #society #people #community
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/dignity-kitchen-koh-seng-choon/
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It was a Friday morning in late-October when my colleague, Andrew, and I wandered into a bustling second-floor food court in Serangoon.
There was a row of food stalls selling chicken rice, rojak, western food, noodles, and more, as well as a spread of tables with small groups of people scattered about, sipping their morning kopi and chatting.
Looking around, there's really nothing much to distinguish it from any other kopitiam in Singapore.
However, these food stalls are different than most others for one major reason — they are operated by differently-abled individuals.
Founded to support differently-abled individuals
We were there that morning to speak with 61-year-old Koh Seng Choon.
Koh founded Project Dignity in 2010 as a social enterprise, with the goal of creating jobs for people with disabilities.
These include people with physical disabilities, mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, and individuals who face social challenges, such as single motherhood and being primary caregivers.
Out of Project Dignity's around 70 staff members, more than 60 per cent are from these marginalised communities.
In his younger days, Koh had worked overseas as a business consultant for many years.
After coming back to Singapore in 1997, he made sure to volunteer his time to give back to the community at least once a month, calling it "Dignity Day".
But as time passed, he realised that he wanted to do more than just ad-hoc volunteering.
"The idea my mum always taught me is [from age] zero to 25, you learn. 25 to 50, you earn. But 50 onwards, return. Because birth and death is definite. The Chinese say, '生不帶來,死不帶去'. Born with nothing, go with nothing."
"I'm doing what I set out to do, that's my philosophy," Koh said, seated across from us at one of the tables.
Koh explained that Project Dignity has four key principles: providing skills, helping to obtain gainful employment, integration, and inclusion.
"Our job here is very simple," Koh explained matter-of-factly. "To educate, to engage, and to inspire."
Starting as four small stalls at Balestier, Project Dignity has grown and moved over the years, to Kaki Bukit in 2011, then to Serangoon, and most recently, opening in their biggest space yet at Boon Keng earlier this month.
Train-and-Place programme
In the middle of his enthusiastic explanation of the ins and outs of Project Dignity, Koh suddenly turned and asked us, as we sipped on our drinks, "Can you cook or not?"
When we feebly responded that we're not very good cooks, Koh replied emphatically,
"Cooking is a skill! And it's a need, not a want. Y'know, you need to eat!"
The first two principles of Project Dignity — providing skills and helping to obtain gainful employment — are achieved through the Train-and-Place programme at Dignity Kitchen, the kopitiam run by Project Dignity in which we are sitting and chatting.
"A lot of social enterprises go and [teach] knitting, handicrafts. How many handicrafts do you buy? You need to eat! It's like breathing. So we must skill them first."
The Train-and-Place programme gives trainees a chance to develop skills in food preparation, cooking, and serving of hawker fare through a 22-day training programme.
"Eh, our training got money one," Koh said playfully.
He took on a more serious tone, though, as he added, "In Singapore, there's no minimum wage. Disabled people are not properly paid."
The intensity in his voice rose as he recounted how one employer exploited their differently-abled staff by withholding their salary for a full year because they were under "training".
So at Project Dignity, trainees are compensated for their work during training — which happens over six to eight weeks — about S$4.50 per hour.
Focus on ability rather than disability
"Don't look at their disability. Look at their ability," Koh explained about Dignity Kitchen's approach toward training the individuals it works with.
"Because they have different disabilities, they have different issues. There's no one solution for all."
Instead of focusing on what they can't do, Dignity Kitchen instead tries to customise the training to what each trainee can do.
One man who is paralysed on half of his body due to a stroke, for example, has developed his skills to be able to peel and cut vegetables with only one hand.
Dignity Kitchen also has a number of innovative machines that aid its differently-abled employees in preparing food.
For example, the claypot rice stall utilises a traditional claypot machine that cooks the rice with just the push of a button, so that the staff only need to add the ingredients to the pot.
Andrew ordered a bowl of Sarawak kolo mee, while I opted for my favourite hawker meal — a plate of steamed chicken rice.
Both of our meals were prepared by differently-abled trainees and both were delicious.
Importance of personalised care
After successfully completing the training, the individuals are then placed in one of Dignity Kitchen's F&B partners.
The programme, which has placed more than 1,300 individuals to date, has not been without its own share of hardships, though.
"Many years ago, when I first started this, I was very idealistic," Koh admitted, as he started to tell a story about one of his early trainees, who made him realise what was at stake in their work.
The trainee was a young woman with bipolar disorder who was trained by Koh, and was "very clever", he told us.
Koh was able to place the woman into a job which was very good for her, as her boss was very kind, he explained:
"Her first supervisor was very nice. [If] she was late, never mind. Buy her coffee, buy her lunch. Very good, she was so happy."
However, things changed when the woman had a change of supervisor. Based on CCTV footage that Koh saw, the new supervisor would "scream at her, shout at her, take things [and] throw at her".
One day, after work, the young woman went home and committed suicide.
Koh found out about the woman's death through a call from the police, as his name card had been in her pocket.
After that incident, Koh realised the importance of ensuring that Dignity Kitchen's trainees are placed in suitable environments.
Now, before a new business is able to hire an employee from Project Dignity, staff members go down to the workplace to evaluate the environment and the proposed job scope.
The Project Dignity staff also follow up with their former trainees for one year after they have been placed into their new jobs.
Integrating different communities
While the Train-and-Place programme addresses the skill and gainful employment pillars of Dignity Kitchen's principles, the broader space and programmes of Project Dignity aim to achieve the other two: integration and inclusion.
"Look around you," Koh said, gesturing to the bustling coffeeshop we were sitting in.
"This is an integration centre! You've got general public, you've got disabled people, you've got everything! All in one platform. Hawker centre is the best integration."
Part of Project Dignity's integration efforts include inviting elderly folks, who may not have the opportunity to go out much, for meals.
Every day, Project Dignity arranges for groups of the elderly to be picked up on a chartered bus and brought in for a free meal at Dignity Kitchen.
In the more than 10 years since its founding, Project Dignity has served free meals to more than 130,000 elderly folks in Singapore.
Another initiative under Project Dignity is Dignity Mama, which was created in 2012. Dignity Mama is composed of four stalls selling secondhand books, located in hospitals across Singapore.
The stalls are run by mothers and caregivers of children with special needs, together with the children themselves, in order to provide a source of income.
Including and educating the public
"The biggest problem in Singapore is empathy," Koh said, posing a hypothetical question to us to illustrate the stigma that exists in Singapore about differently-abled people:
"Let me put it this way — if I put a patch here [that reads] 'mental [illness]', big one, you will not buy, would you?"
Project Dignity's final pillar — inclusion — takes the form of bringing in the public to interact with the differently-abled staff. His hope is that the public will learn how to interact with people with different needs.
For example, my Milo peng order also involved a sign language lesson from Uncle Peter and Auntie Lisa, coworkers who have been working side-by-side at Dignity Kitchen for more than 10 years.
64-year-old Uncle Peter has been partially deaf in his left ear after a high fever in his childhood.
Auntie Lisa suffers from problems with her leg, and is also a caregiver for her ailing mother and two disabled family members.
Next to the drink stall, a small screen played an instructional video, showing me how to order my drink with sign language.
Alternatively, there was also a small box of cards representing different drinks, for customers to show to Uncle Peter what they wanted to order.
Project Dignity also runs team bonding sessions for members of the public and corporate groups to work with and learn from its differently-abled staff.
The path forward
With more than 10 years of running Project Dignity under his belt, Koh doesn't show any signs of slowing down.
"One of the things I've felt is that there are people out there that need help, and the queue is always very long. So, I haven't stopped because I still think I can do a lot more."
In 2019, Koh expanded Project Dignity to go international, opening a 6,900 square foot Dignity Kitchen branch right in the middle of Hong Kong's Mong Kok district.
Since opening there, the Hong Kong branch has grown to have about 60 staff members, of which 49 are differently-abled.
Back in Singapore, Project Dignity recently made the exciting relocation from the second floor coffeeshop at Serangoon, where Andrew and I met Koh and his staff, to a new 10,000 square foot space at 69 Boon Keng Road.
The first day of Dignity Kitchen's operation was on Jan. 14, 2021, and from the looks of things, business has been booming.
They also plan to introduce a new pay-it-forward programme later in January, so they can welcome financially-needy residents to eat for free at Dignity Kitchen through the sponsorship of other customers.
Throughout all the ups and downs that Project Dignity has faced over the years, Koh hasn't lost sight of what matters most to him: the individuals he is impacting.
"Actually, we are helping people. But we are not trying to change the world. We're not training hundreds and hundreds. We're hoping to train one or two, and if they can do it, they can go on and live their life."
Stories of Us is a series about ordinary people in Singapore and the unique ways they’re living their lives. Be it breaking away from conventions, pursuing an atypical passion, or the struggles they are facing, these stories remind us both of our individual uniqueness and our collective humanity.
Top photo by Andrew Koay. Some quotes have been edited for clarity.
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Swedish furniture megastore IKEA will be opening a new outlet in Jem in April 2021.The upcoming outlet will span three floors and is about 6,500 square metres.It will take over the premises of what was formerly Robinsons, which closed in August 2020.As the third IKEA outlet in Singapore, this will also be IKEA's first "small-store concept" in Southeast Asia. #retail #furniture #singapore
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https://mothership.sg/2021/03/ikea-jem-restaurant/
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mothership-sg
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Swedish furniture megastore IKEA will be opening a new outlet in Jem in April 2021.
The upcoming outlet will span three floors inside JEM and is about 6,500 square metres.
It will take over the premises of what was formerly Robinsons, which closed in August 2020.
Third outlet in Singapore
This will be the third outlet in Singapore, following the outlets in Alexandra and Tampines.
This will also be IKEA' s first "small-store concept" in Southeast Asia.
In comparison, IKEA Tampines is about six times bigger than the Jem outlet.
Includes IKEA Restaurant
Apart from the full IKEA range, this outlet will also house IKEA's Swedish Food Market and the IKEA Restaurant.
This new outlet will also be three MRT stations away from IKEA's interior design studio in Jurong Point.
Cool.
Top image by Fasiha Nazren.
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In Sanchay’s early years of school at Millennia Institute, his mother was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a disease that slowly breaks down a person’s nerves, following which a sufferer’s muscles eventually lose their ability to function.Despite having to juggle his studies, extra-curricular commitments and care for his critically ill mother, Sanchay managed to score one A and two Bs for his H2 subjects in the 2019 GCE A-Level examinations.Growing up, good grades were not always a given for 20-year-old Sanchay, who is currently serving his National Service.With a sheepish look, Sanchay confesses that he did not do well in his studies during his Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) and his GCE O-Levels.He scored 155 for PSLE and 29 points for his O-Level L1R5 score.However, Sanchay counts himself lucky that he was accepted into MI with his L1R4 score of 18.“As it was my last chance to work hard (before University), I worked my butt off and that’s how I got to where I am today,” he says.#inspiration #school #education
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https://mothership.sg/2020/02/millennia-institute-student-a-levels-2019/
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Sanchay (who goes by one name) was in his early years of school at Millennia Institute when his mother was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a disease that slowly breaks down a person's nerves, following which a sufferer's muscles eventually lose their ability to function.
You might remember ALS from the globally-viral "ice bucket challenge" back in 2014, where people challenged one another to upend buckets of ice over their heads to simulate the feeling of muscle stiffness associated with the degenerative condition, or donate money toward research into the disease, which currently still has no cure.
For Sanchay, though, this has, for the past three years, been far more than a simulation.
Despite having to juggle his studies, extra-curricular commitments and care for his critically ill mother, Sanchay managed to score one A and two Bs for his H2 subjects of Management of Business, Geography and Economics in the 2019 GCE A-Level examinations.
Here is his story of resilience and tenacity amidst trying times, as well as how he eventually overcame the many curveballs life threw at him.
Did not do well in PSLE and O levels but MI was a turning point
Growing up, good grades were not always a given for 20-year-old Sanchay, who is currently serving his National Service.
With a sheepish look, Sanchay confesses that he did not do well in his studies during his Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) and his GCE O-Levels.
"I ended up with 155 for my PSLE score and entered the Normal Academic (NA) stream in Assumption English School. From there, I worked my way up to the Express stream. Unfortunately, I got 29 points for my O-Level L1R5 score."
However, Sanchay counts himself lucky that he was accepted into MI with his L1R4 score of 18.
"As it was my last chance to work hard (before University), I worked my butt off and that’s how I got to where I am today," he says.
Elaborating on his time in MI, Sanchay tells me that school was "really manageable" with the support that he received from his teachers, as well as the after-school lessons that helped push him in his subject abilities.
MI, which provides a three year track for students to the A-Levels, also gave Sanchay "a lot of time to prepare for the major exam."
Two years to prepare for the A-Levels is simply not enough, according to him. "My JC friends always complain that the system is very rigorous."
The MI three-year system, on the other hand, is "perfect for students like me, who have a tough time coping with studies, especially with difficulties at home," he says.
Thrived as captain of football team
Apart from his studies, Sanchay was the captain of the football team during his time in MI -- a role which he thrived in.
His passion for football started at an early age and while he wasn't particularly skilled at it then, he continued honing his skills by playing with kids from his neighbourhood.
He eventually made it into the school team in secondary school, and reached his peak in MI.
"That was when my teachers gave me leadership opportunities to showcase my abilities and talent in the game," he smiles.
According to Shawn Ang, Sanchay's football teacher, Sanchay was "always down for training early" and would "always try to spur each and every member on," without ever looking down on the weakest players.
Ang also tells me that Sanchay had "a very vocal presence on the football team" and was able to both conduct himself very well and mentor others.
Close relationship with his mother
Sanchay's motivation for excelling in school was his 72-year-old mother, who single-handedly raised him and his two older siblings after her husband passed away from a heart attack seven years ago.
Elaborating on this, Sanchay tells me that his sole motivation up to the A-Levels was to please his mother and make her proud as the two of them share a very close bond.
"My mother worked really hard and always had my back. She always protected me from all the health, financial and household difficulties she had to face, which allowed me to focus on my studies."
His mother's main priority, especially, was to make sure that Sanchay managed to get into university after both his older brother and older sister got married and settled down.
"My siblings, who are much older than me, also fostered a disciplined mentality in me to always do the right thing, even when nobody is looking. I would therefore say that my family has been the greatest pillar of support in my academic achievements."
With a slightly brooding glance, Sanchay adds that his mother has always been there for him and that he always thinks of her, even now when he is in NS.
Mother diagnosed with ALS
In 2018, Sanchay's family took a second huge hit when his mother was diagnosed with ALS and hospitalised at Singapore General Hospital.
The diagnosis only came to light after Sanchay's mother suffered many falls -- eight in total -- due to loss of muscle function.
Frustratingly, doctors didn't (or were unable to) pick up signs of Sanchay's mother's ALS when she fell for the first time.
So by the time she had her eighth fall, her condition was quite severe and it deteriorated ever since.
"Because there is no cure for her disease, her condition has only continued to worsen over time. Therefore it’s been a very painful journey, knowing that my mum only has so long more to live."
While his mother was hospitalised, Sanchay was supported financially by his siblings.
Aside from paying for their mother's hospital bills, Sanchay's siblings also gave him an allowance and made sure he "always went home with food on the table," which Sanchay is extremely grateful for.
Despite not having to worry about his mother's hospitalisation fees, Sanchay still felt that it was his duty as a son to visit her daily.
During his A-Level year, Sanchay made it a point to spend time with his mother at the hospital and have dinner with her every day after school.
Even on days when his football training ended at 8pm, he would make his way down to the hospital and stay with this mother until 11pm, before heading home to study till 3am to 4am.
Despite the hours, he maintains that it was not a burden to him because his mother would have done the same for him and his siblings.
Encouraged by his football coach
When Sanchay was just one month away from his A-Levels, he received terrible news: His mother was in critical condition. The hospital said that she had only six months left to live.
He was distraught:
"When I came to school, I couldn’t do anything, I couldn’t study, I couldn’t go and play football. The only thing I could think about was to make her proud."
Thankfully, Ang was sharp enough to notice that something was amiss.
"Sanchay didn't look like he was enjoying the training sessions. He would get a little bit emotional, which is different from his usual jovial self."
One night after football training, Sanchay finally poured his heart out, about his self-doubts as a football captain and his mother's health, to his teacher.
"So, I sat with him past training hours and told him about the different qualities he brings to the team, such as how his presence allows others to shine, which I think he was encouraged by," says Ang.
Sanchay agrees that his teacher was a pillar of support:
"Mr Ang told me not to give up, not to lose hope. He picked me up at my lowest point and if I knew today that my results would be as such, it would solely be because of Mr Ang and my mother."
In the following weeks, Sanchay would update Ang about his mother's illness, as well as the other struggles he was facing.
In turn, Ang advised Sanchay to "try and focus more on the present", instead of thinking about what would happen to his mother in future.
Ang also told him that he didn't have to put himself out there for the team anymore as he had already contributed a lot, and that he should try to spend more time with his mother.
Although Sanchay credits Ang as an instrumental figure in helping him get back on his feet again, the latter says that Sanchay ultimately found the solutions to his problems himself.
Plans for the future
Now that Sanchay has received his A-Level results, he hopes to pursue a degree in political science at Nanyang Technological University and work in the public service after he graduates.
Citing his mother's strong work ethic at the Ministry of Manpower as his main inspiration, Sanchay says that he wants to join the public service because it is meaningful and helps build character, although much of it is "thankless work".
"My mother always had good things to say about the government, all the time. Society usually has a lot to criticise about the public service like how it is inefficient, or how it's very bureaucratic. But when you look at it from another perspective, public servants take criticisms in their stride and still make sure that our country is running successfully."
Sanchay also expressed his hopes that the education system would celebrate students who have progressed over time, instead of mere good results.
Explaining this, he says:
"We shouldn't just celebrate the good results that someone gets at the A Levels, or at PSLE. We should also showcase those individuals who have shown improvement over time. Like, wow, they went from a nobody to a somebody. That’s how I think education should be. Prioritising progress instead of just results."
In a miraculous turn of events, his mother has also made it past the six-month deadline her doctors had given her.
Despite the fact that she is still in critical condition, Sanchay hopes to focus on the positive side of things and to take each new day in his stride.
"When I was at my lowest, I couldn’t see the bright side of things. I had to get someone to help me and see the bright side of things. So, if you cannot see the bright side of things, get someone to help you see it, because it will really help you to keep pushing forward."
Stories Of Us is a series about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Be it breaking away from conventions, pursuing an atypical passion, or making the world a better place in their own small way, these stories remind us both of our individual uniqueness and our collective humanity.
Top photos courtesy of Sanchay & by Loo Ai Wei. Quotes were edited for clarity.
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Lawyer Darren Tan had spent his teenage days mired in drug addiction and gang activities. More than 10 years of his youth were spent behind bars, with a total of 19 strokes of the cane.Tan grew up in a neighbourhood he described as one of the poorest in Singapore and one that was “infested with gangs and drugs”.“I actually looked up to the gangsters. They seemed to have everything going for them.”Surrounded by vices with minimal supervision, it didn’t take long for Tan to self-destruct, ultimately landing him behind bars for more than a decade, with stints at the maximum security prison.Being alone with his thoughts in prison brought him much clarity. In this rare occurrence of absolute clarity, he decided to reinvent himself: to take the A levels in prison and enter law school and hopefully become a lawyer.Tan eventually took his A-Levels in prison, went on to be the first student with a criminal past to be admitted to the National University of Singapore law school, and is now a civil litigation lawyer who takes on pro-bono cases.Today, besides being a director and head of law practice at his own Invictus Law Corporation, he also spends time doing pro-bono work for the underprivileged, especially for the migrant worker community.#lawyer #lawstudent #prison
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https://mothership.sg/2020/10/darren-tan-lawyer/
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As with most meetings, any reasonable person would expect the other party to be on time.
But for lawyer Darren Tan, being on time probably doesn’t cut it. (He was 25 minutes early for our appointment. How about that?)
After all, he spent over a decade of his life trying to be on the right side of time.
He had spent his teenage days mired in drug addiction and gang activities, smuggling drugs from across the causeway and eventually committing armed robbery at the age of 18 after a drug deal went wrong.
More than 10 years of his youth were spent behind bars, with a total of 19 strokes of the cane.
But time is definitely not a flat circle, at least not for him.
After taking his A-Levels in prison, he eventually went on to be the first student with a criminal past to be admitted to the National University of Singapore law school, and is now a civil litigation lawyer who takes on pro-bono cases.
It’s tempting to tell his story linearly as a prison inmate turned law student and finally, a civil litigation lawyer who also does pro-bono work.
But to really see who Darren Tan really is, we have to go back in time to the 80s.
A latchkey kid
The son of a coffee shop assistant dad and a stay at home mum turned food stall assistant, Tan grew up in a neighbourhood he described as one of the poorest in Singapore and one that was “infested with gangs and drugs”.
As both parents had to work to make ends meet, Tan was often left to his own devices at home. A latchkey kid since eight, he had “very, very little interaction” with his father.
“My father worked long hours after the coffee shop closed. So he would come back, usually about two or 3am. He worked very hard, the only days off were the first two days of Chinese New Year. So my mode of communication was usually to write a note on the table. He would answer the request when he came back,“ says the 41-year-old.
“I actually looked up to the gangsters. They seemed to have everything going for them.”
Everywhere he turned, he saw gang members -- even in school. One would be spoilt for choice, so to speak.
“There were many gangs in school. I just needed to choose one. It was actually not that difficult to be in contact with gang elements during my growing up years,” the self-proclaimed teacher’s nightmare explains.
You see, he had a problem with authority.
“Law enforcement officers, teachers, persons in a position of authority. Even my parents… I played truant, I actually got my friends to join the same gang as me. I didn't really attend classes and even when I did stay in the classroom I will be a troublemaker. So, I wasn't a good student ”
Ironically, given his poor attitude toward school and how he “hated going to school”, studying came naturally to him, especially for subjects such as science and mathematics. He recounted how he topped the standard for a physics test even without really studying for it, something he attributed to studying at his own pace, away from the classroom setting.
But surrounded by vices with minimal supervision, it didn’t take long for Tan to self-destruct.
Getting into fights and committing petty crimes like stealing game consoles, sweets, cigarettes, were a major part of his formative years.
And it didn't take him long till he graduated to more serious offences, which ultimately landed him behind bars for more than a decade, with stints at the maximum security prison.
“Life is made up of time”
Perhaps a regret for the 41-year-old is to have let time slip by over the years.
He never once explicitly articulates this, but throughout this interview, one gets the sense that he is a stickler of time, hoping to spend every minute purposefully.
He has a keen awareness of time’s passage, heightened by the wasted days of his youth, the hours spent under the influence of drugs, and the excruciating seconds counting down to his release in a solitary cell.
Today, as a father of two young girls, one witnesses his steely determination to make up for lost time.
Besides being a director and head of law practice at his own Invictus Law Corporation, he also spends time doing pro-bono work for the underprivileged, especially for the migrant worker community.
After a brief contemplative silence, he tells us:
“It was also in prison that I realised that life is made up of time. So if I value life, I will value time.”
Behind bars
To understand how he became the man he is today, one needs to get a glimpse into the years he spent behind bars.
With the four walls of a solitary cell caving in on you for months, the past hurts a lot less than the present.
He was locked up in solitary confinement a total of six times, with the longest stint being around two months for fighting with another inmate.
A tad embarrassed by the number of times he got into fights, Tan elaborates that there are a variety of reasons an inmate may be thrown into solitary confinement: from minor things like disobeying instructions to having contraband or fighting.
The length of stay, naturally, depends on the severity of the offence.
“Your experience in a punishment cell also very much depends on your mentality. When I was in a punishment cell in a reformatory when I was younger, I took that as a badge of honour. Didn't really change me a bit and I wasn't really affected by it. But later on when I was in maximum security and I was a bit more mature, I got really depressed.”
The solitary cell he stayed in, he describes, had only one small window for ventilation and a lamp that is on 24/7.
One can only imagine how the mind slowly melts away for an inmate slowly losing track of time and space.
“Honestly, I felt like even if I were to disappear, no one really cared. And I did contemplate taking my life there and then because there’s really not much hope to look forward to.”
Thankfully, after the suicidal thoughts dissipated, being alone with his thoughts also brought him much clarity.
Methodically, he illustrates that the path he had chosen would invariably end up in either of these three endings: constantly on the run, constantly imprisoned, or dead.
In this rare occurence of absolute clarity, he decided to reinvent himself: to take the A levels in prison and enter law school and hopefully become a lawyer.
School redux
“It took me nine months to do the A levels but five years to prepare for it.”
For someone who hated going to school and had a penchant for violence, any reasonable person would have serious doubts about this man’s motives.
According to Tan, prison school during his time was a new concept and there were stringent admission requirements. As the main goal was to provide basic education to inmates, more resources were allocated to N- and O-Levels, as well as technical education.
But his opening came serendipitously in the form of a NITEC course in electronics and computer networking.
“I managed to get into prison school because it needed to fill a quota [for the NITEC course],” he says matter of factly.
The completion of his NITEC course was quite the accomplishment, proving his application to the cause. With the technical course in the bag, he went to the principal seeking permission to do the A levels.
You would think he had proven himself, but yet again, time was not on his side.
Tan was due to be released in nine months and that was his only window of opportunity to study and complete his As. The principal was hesitant that Tan could take his As in just nine months -- given that the national standard is two years, based on the junior college system.
But by now, you should know that when Tan sets his mind to something, the only person who can stop him is himself. Truth be told, his preparations for the As started the day he made up his mind to be a lawyer in the confinement cell.
“I was really obsessed with studying. So, when I make a decision to want to be a lawyer. I became so obsessed with it that even bathing and eating were like distractions to me.”
An inmate, according to Tan, could borrow three books for two weeks. Determined to read and absorb as much as he could, he even asked his cell mates to borrow books for him just to satiate his thirst for knowledge.
Being in prison school also gave him the chance to be with a different set of inmates, away from the gang-stricken subculture of misplaced bravado and false fraternity in the main prison.
Spending a decade in prison, with the lingua franca being Hokkien and Malay, made him lose the ability to communicate in English.
In fact, he says sheepishly that his English still has a strong Hokkien accent now. (This writer disagrees, by the way.)
In order to brush up on the English language, he voraciously consumed whatever books he could get his hands on.
“So I would read all the reading materials that I could get my hands on. It could be the more erudite. I read Nietzsche’s Beyond Good and Evil, volumes of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations. Well, in addition to the more mundane, like cook books, tabloid magazines, anything that I could get my hands on. I will read the newspapers from cover to cover.”
His obsession took him further than some students who had the comfort of studying in a bright, airy room with aircon and other creature comforts to boot.
At 26, he took the A levels. He scored 4As and 1B.
A life less ordinary
Armed with an A level certificate, things were looking up for him upon release.
But this isn’t a typical story. His path to redemption was only half done.
“One thing I didn't change about my life after the second imprisonment was that I still kept in contact with certain friends. And of course, ultimately this decision was up to me, but I reoffended again.”
Just six months after his second imprisonment, he found himself back in prison for drug offences for the third and last time.
Looking back, he admits that there were a few regrets.
“I regretted doing certain things, especially drug trafficking, which harmed a lot of people and their families.”
But does he regret spending, as he put it, the “best days of his life” behind bars?
On the contrary, he was grateful for the experience.
“Without that, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Prison afforded me the time and space to really think about my life, to contemplate to learn to be a mature person. Even simple things like dealing with another individual, living, coexisting with other people. I had a huge problem when I was younger, very abrasive.”
And with that, the two hours flew by.
As with most meetings, the ending is always the most awkward. Do I thank him first? Do I wait for him to stand up?
But for Darren Tan, there’s no hemming and hawing. He stands up, bids goodbye, and exits.
For he has no time to lose.
You can also listen to Darren Tan's story via our podcast:
Top photos courtesy of Darren Tan and by Lauren Choo
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One of our writers, Tanya Chloe Ong, shares why she decided to give her parents angpows at CNY even though she technically didn't have to as she is not married."Growing up, I have learnt that giving gifts, especially money, is a default (and perhaps very Asian?) love language of showing thoughtfulness... To me, [the angpow] is really less about the money than it is about the gesture of giving — it’s one of the ways of telling my parents that I cherish them, without having to fret over how to verbalise it."#cny #chinesenewyear #singapore
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/cny-give-parents-angpow/
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I remember that morning clearly.
I went to the cupboard where all the red packets were kept, carefully chose two (a bright red one for my father, and a purple one for my mother) from the bunch, and slot some money into each.
In my family, what happens on the morning of the first day of Chinese New Year is my parents and I (I’m an only child) would exchange new year greetings (typical).
Usually, the greetings are exchanged in the living room, either before or after breakfast.
They would, by a custom my family parents and grandparents have always had, also each give me a red packet (also typical).
But since 2019, I decided to prepare a red packet for each of my parents as well (not so typical) instead of just offering my well wishes to them.
For the record: singles don’t actually have to give angpows to their parents
Here’s the thing — according to Chinese customs, I technically don’t have to since I’m unmarried.
From my conversations with my peers, it is generally agreed that singles don’t give their parents angpows (unless, of course, their family believes in the custom that children should start giving parents angpows the moment they start working).
Google this,
And you’ll find quite a few articles stating pretty clearly that angpows are traditionally handed out by married couples to their parents and other children.
But I still chose to give my parents an angpow anyway.
Giving material goods as a love language
Growing up, I have learnt that giving gifts, especially money, is a default (and perhaps very Asian?) love language of showing thoughtfulness, and letting someone know that we care about them.
I've watched how my parents would shower my relatives with gifts of food and random angpows. Cue back and forth tussling when said relatives are reluctant to accept the money.
In fact, I think the material aspect of "giving back" to our elders has become a measure (rightly or wrongly, but that’s another story altogether) of what it means to be a good son or daughter in our society.
Like how there's a social expectation for young Singaporeans to give a portion of their monthly salary to their parents once they start working.
But don't get me wrong, I think we can all agree that displaying concern for our loved ones cannot, and should not, be reduced to material terms.
So, why the CNY angpow? To me, it's really less about the money than it is about the gesture of giving — it's one of the ways of telling my parents that I cherish them, without having to fret over how to verbalise it.
Asian tough(?) love
I grew up in an environment where my family never really expressed their love verbally.
Like many other Asian families, my parents were never the sort to shower me with compliments or encouragement. Every now and then, they would tell me things like “do your best is enough”, but there was never any mollycoddling when it came to failure or mistakes (“see la!! I already told you don’t go and do that!!” *angry angry angry*).
We also haven’t been in the habit of throwing grand celebrations or giving gifts when it comes to birthdays. At least as far as I remember, not since after my 12th birthday or something.
What usually happens is that we will send one another texts in the family WhatsApp group chat (my parents are particularly fond of using Bitmoji) and then go for dinner together sometime later in the week.
Which is perfectly fine for me, don’t get me wrong.
It’s about the gesture more than it is about the money
It is through their little everyday gestures — my father offering to pick me up from work (and school, back then), my mother cooking an extra fried egg for me or packing me a sandwich for breakfast — that I am reminded of my parents’ love and concern for me.
It’s the same for me when it comes to expressing my love for them. I always found it a bit weird for me to say “I love you”, or “I care about you” out loud; thinking about having to say this to my parents feels super awkward.
Instead, unsurprisingly, I express my love in nonverbal ways. Like picking up some cakes for my mother on the way home because I know what she gets hungry in the afternoons.
It's along this same vein that I decided to start giving my parents angpows at Chinese New Year.
It wasn't because I was trying to “repay” them financially for bringing me up. And unlike the monthly contributions from my salary, I didn't give the angpow with the intention of offsetting household expenses.
Rather, I did this for my parents as a way of letting them know that I am thinking about them, and care enough to do something to put a smile on their face. In whatever small way I know how.
Their response far exceeded what I could have imagined
And doing it was a wonderful experience too — and for my parents as well, it seems, seeing that the response from them was unexpectedly moving.
When I presented my parents with their angpows two years ago, my mother went “Wah, I also have ah?” or something to that effect, and then pointed it out to my father, who asked if he was going to get one as well.
And when I gave his to him, I remember him trying to act like it was no big deal (“oh okay, thank you”).
But I am fairly certain they were pleasantly surprised and maybe even deeply appreciative of my gesture, going by the photo of my angpow my mother posted on her Facebook to show it off to her friends.
Several months after Chinese New Year that year, I also noticed the angpow I gave my mother tucked in the pages of a calendar in her room.
She had specially kept it in her bedside dresser. In fact, I’m not even sure she took the money out of it.
But knowing that my gesture was indeed appreciated — may I say, even cherished — made all the difference.
Top photo yipengge/Getty Images
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“From my volunteering and working experience, most children or adults do not know much about wildlife in Singapore, as we never learn enough about these animals or encounter them from a young age.The only time we encounter "wild animals" is usually at the zoo, where the experience is very different, compared to encountering wild animals in their natural habitat.I believe the simple solution to co-existing with wildlife is to reconnect with nature and learn more about our native plants and animals.As Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong previously said, Singapore will continue to expand our green areas and "rather than being focused on protecting 'territory', we must find ways to coexist and thrive with our local flora and fauna”.”Our writer describes her journey of how she went from knowing very little about our native wildlife to advocating for co-existence with them by reconnecting with nature.#environmentprotection #wildlife #conservation
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/singaporeans-afraid-of-wildlife-commentary/
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Before I joined the nature scene in Singapore in 2014, I used to look forward to travelling overseas to see wildlife and enjoy "real nature".
I used to tell others that one would have to go overseas to experience unforgettable moments in nature, even though I spent very little or no time in our local green spaces.
But all this changed when I joined an internship in 2014, which gave me an insight into the local nature community.
By the end of the internship, I became more aware of the wildlife we share our city with, and how we can co-exist with them with little effort.
I also met people in the nature community, from all walks of life, who were working to raise awareness about wildlife in their own little ways.
Nature is just at our doorstep
As an undergraduate student, I decided to take up an internship as a way for me to gain experience during the summer holidays and earn some extra cash.
Even though I had zero experience with native wildlife, I knew I did not want to work in an office setting as an intern, so I signed up for an internship with Ria Tan, a veteran naturalist who runs the page called "WildSingapore".
Under the internship, my job scope included managing guided nature walks under a volunteer-run nature group, Naked Hermit Crabs, at Pasir Ris Park and Chek Jawa Wetlands, Pulau Ubin, and even planning workshops to train nature guides for our marine park on Sisters' Island Marine Park.
Through the internship, I realised how there was wildlife in our green spaces and every neighbourhood, as our city's urban spaces are filled with greenery.
It's actually quite easy to take all the greenery for granted, especially when you're so used to seeing it all around you.
Sure, other countries might have large national parks with mountains and waterfalls, but Singapore has a variety of flora and fauna at your doorstep, without having to drive for a few hours out of a city.
Wide variety of flora and fauna in Singapore
During my time with Tan, I learnt about a large variety of native plants and animals we have on our tiny island.
Some of them included insects, such as bees, which according to the National Parks Board (NParks), we have more than 130 species of bees on our tiny island.
Sometimes, you might even spot a beautiful spider, such as this kidney garden spider.
Snakes are one of my favourite animals, which I find to be extremely beautiful and have never had a negative experience with, as I always kept a safe distance from them.
One should keep a safe distance from all wild animals, such as this Oriental Whip Snake:
We also have larger reptiles, such as Estuarine Crocodiles.
Here's one I spotted at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve:
Even on this tiny island, we're home to over 390 species of birds, such as this Striated Heron I spotted at Botanic Gardens.
Encountering people who fear wildlife that are less likeable
After my internship and graduating from university, I worked for two years at animal welfare charity Acres.
During my time with Acres, I gave talks at schools and engaged members of the public at roadshows to teach people what to do when they encounter wildlife in Singapore.
Often before these talks or workshops, students or members of the public had little or no knowledge or understanding of local flora and fauna.
While they knew about non-native animals they had seen in books or on television growing up, such as toucans and komodo dragons, they did not know the names of hornbills or monitor lizards, which are local counterparts found in Singapore.
These sessions with Acres were the first time many learnt the name of our local wildlife, which most were amazed by.
Some animals have been misunderstood by people
Some people I met also had a wide range of misconceptions about wild animals such as snakes.
Many would gasp or freak out at the presentation slides or videos of snakes or reptiles (that they deem as 'dangerous'), even though they had never seen or encountered these reptiles before.
Apart from their appearance, people often tell me of stories they had heard from others, or shows they had seen, where these creatures were painted as being scary and extremely harmful to humans.
While I have never been afraid of insects or snakes before learning about Singapore's wild inhabitants, I too often encountered misconceptions about these creatures through pop culture.
One example is the movie "Snakes on a Plane", in which snakes are painted as animals that actively seek out humans to injure and kill.
In reality, this is not the true nature of these creatures, which I came to encounter on a regular basis and have even handled for wildlife rescue, and have never been injured or bitten by one.
Snakes are now one of my favourite animals, and I am committed to debunking misconceptions that people might have about them.
Correcting misconception is not easy
For those who were unaware of the natural behaviours of wild animals, I would find ways to help them relate to these animals.
For example, I would often ask them what a human mother might do if a stranger approached their child and tried to grab them. Most of the audience would say that the human mother would try to protect her child.
I would then ask them what do you think a monkey mother or wild boar mother might do if you approach their young, and the audience would make the connection and realise that these creatures would do the same as a human mother and try to protect their children.
This was an effective way of getting young children or even adults to understand the importance of observing wildlife from a distance, and that animals are similar to humans in many ways.
Despite our efforts to allay people's fears with facts about the animals, it was often hard to convince people why they should leave wild animals alone or not be fearful of them.
For example, this striped kukri snake that I helped rescue from a preschool is non-venomous but the preschool staff were very worried for the children's safety.
The staff had the children kept out of the room where the snake was while waiting for Acres rescue officers to arrive.
To me, this was actually the perfect teaching moment to educate the children about the species.
While the staff were not totally convinced at the end of it that the snake is harmless, they were a bit more accepting of the fact that as long we do not threaten them in any way, they would not attack us.
This is especially after seeing an Acres staff handling the snake in a pretty chill manner.
Lack of awareness leads to unfounded fear
From my volunteering and working experience, most children or adults do not know much about wildlife in Singapore, as we never learn enough about these animals or encounter them from a young age.
The only time we encounter "wild animals" is usually at the zoo, where the experience is very different, compared to encountering wild animals in their natural habitat.
On some instances, when I asked children where they think wild animals should be, and they exclaimed the word "zoo".
I had also met people who commented that healthy wild animals should be sent to the zoo or bird park during rescue calls, often as they had thought these animals had escaped from these places.
Often, these folks were surprised to learn that these animals are all around us or exist near or in our residential areas.
In response, we had to explain to them that these creatures are found in the wild in Singapore, or even in urban areas, and that if a wild animal is healthy, they can be left in their natural habitat.
During the Circuit Breaker period, as most people were working from home, some started spending more time around their neighbourhoods and encountering wildlife near their home.
Residents saw monkeys in their estate in Jurong West, while others came across otters in our urban areas, like the otter family seen outside Mustafa.
However, when wildlife came too close for comfort, the immediate response from some people was to remove them from our environment.
The solution? Reconnect & co-exist.
I believe the simple solution to co-existing with wildlife is to reconnect with nature and learn more about our native plants and animals.
There's a bit of luck involved with spotting wildlife, such as this lucky family in Sengkang was lucky to have sunbirds nest in a plant at their HDB corridor, which allowed them to learn about these wild birds.
For the rest of us, we can learn about our wildlife through guided nature walks.
When we understand how wild animals really behave, we can co-exist even with venomous snakes, such as this cyclist who calmly gave way to this spitting cobra at Jurong Lake Gardens.
As Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong previously said, Singapore will continue to expand our green areas and "rather than being focused on protecting 'territory', we must find ways to coexist and thrive with our local flora and fauna".
So go forth and be curious in nature, while maintaining a safe distance from wild animals, and maybe you'll fall in love with the natural world and our green city, just as I have.
Top image via Naked Hermit Crabs.
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The new BHG SINGAPORE department store taking over Robinsons’ last outlet will be called One Assembly and will span two floors, BHG Singapore and Raffles City Singapore said in a joint statement.It will be a new concept store selling beauty, fashion, and home and living products.The One Assembly store will provide two spa cabins for shoppers to relax.#retail #malls #shopping
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/bhg-raffles-city/
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mothership-sg
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Robinsons has closed its last outlet at Raffles City Shopping Centre and BHG Singapore is taking over a portion of the vacated space.
The new BHG Singapore department store will be called One Assembly and will span two floors, BHG Singapore and Raffles City Singapore said in a joint statement.
It will open by the end of January and will be a new concept store selling beauty, fashion, and home and living products.
The One Assembly store will provide two spa cabins for shoppers to relax.
It will also pivot towards digital payments, utilising eCapitaVoucher, as well as Hoolah and FavePay payment platforms.
Robinsons ended its run in Singapore on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021.
The outlet had occupied three floors.
BHG Singapore launched its own shopping site in June, 2020, and participated in 11.11 and Black Friday sales last year.
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Top photos via Google Maps
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There has been an increasing number of single-person Housing & Development Board (HDB) households in Singapore.In 2003, the figure was 7.1 per cent. It rose to 8.4 per cent in 2013, and to 11.9 per cent in 2018.This group includes live-alone elderly people, singles, widows and divorcees.The 73 per cent increase in solo HDB households from 2003 to 2018 can be attributed to a rule change in 2013 that allowed singles aged 35 and above to buy new two-room flats.Previously, they could only buy resale flats.This was one of the key findings of the HDB latest sample household survey results released in Feb. 2021.#housing #development #realestate
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/single-person-hdb-households-singapore/
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mothership-sg
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There has been an increasing number of single-person Housing and Development Board (HDB) households in Singapore.
The increase can be attributed to a rule change in 2013 that allowed singles aged 35 and above to buy new two-room flats.
Previously, they could only buy resale flats.
This group includes live-alone elderly people, singles, widows and divorcees
Sharp increase since 2013
Over the years, single-person HDB households have been ballooning.
The pace of increase of one-person households rose sharply after 2013.
In 2003, the figure was 7.1 per cent.
In 2013 the figure was 8.4 per cent.
In 2018, the figure was 11.9 per cent.
The 73 per cent of the growth in solo HDB households from 2003 to 2018 mostly occurred in the years after the rule changed.
This was one of the key findings of the HDB latest sample household survey results released on Feb. 10, 2021.
Growing old alone
In response to queries about the age breakdown of residents living alone in 2008, HDB revealed:
Between 35 and 64: 67.6 per cent
Above 65 and above: 31.7 per cent
HDB also provided the age breakdown of residents living alone in 2018:
Between 35 and 64: 51.2 per cent
Aged 65 and above: 47.5 per cent
This data suggests those living in single-person households persisted doing so over the years, in other words, they grow old alone in their homes.
Fewer HDB flat dwellers
The survey also yielded other findings.
One of which is that the number of HDB flat dwellers has fallen over the years.
Some 3.06 million citizens and permanent residents lived in HDB flats in 2013.
This fell by 20,000 to 3.04 million in 2018.
HDB attributed this to an increase in the number of people moving to private housing.
Elderly cohort increasing
The survey also found that more elderly people are living in HDB flats.
The number of residents who are aged 65 and above living in HDB flats crossed the half-million mark in 2018.
This figure represented 16.5 per cent of HDB dwellers, up from 9.8 per cent in 2008.
The latest survey was the 11th iteration since 1968 and was conducted between January and September 2018 involving about 7,800 households.
In 2018, the number of HDB households here surpassed one million.
Top photo via Unsplash
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An industry initiative to reduce the excessive use of single-use plastics led by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore saw a decrease in single-use bags with more than 300,000 saved on a monthly basis.The Plastic ACTion (PACT) Retail Bag Charge initiative saw the following eight companies not offering a bag by default and implementing a charge for single-use bags:• Decathlon International• H&M• the LEGO Group® Certified Stores (Bricks World)• SaladStop! Pte Ltd!• The Body Shop• UNIQLO• WATSONS SINGAPORE• Wing Tai RetailAccording to WWF, 60 per cent of consumers who shopped at the above-mentioned retail outlets refused single-use bags and chose Bring-Your-Own-Bag (BYOB) after the single-use bag charge was put in place.Executive Director of Wing Tai Retail Helen Khoo said the bag charge has "proven to be effective in discouraging the use of single-use bags which is a crucial step towards reducing pollution".#sustainability #environment #retail
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/plastic-bag-charge-saves-bags-wwf/
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As we continue to struggle with our relationship with single-use plastics, there's hope on the horizon.
Over 300,000 single-use bags saved per month by retailers
An industry initiative to reduce the excessive use of single-use plastics led by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore saw a decrease in single-use bags with more than 300,000 saved on a monthly basis.
The Plastic ACTion (PACT) Retail Bag Charge initiative saw the following eight companies not offering a bag by default and implementing a charge for single-use bags:
Decathlon
H&M
LEGO® Certified Stores (Bricks World)
SaladStop!
The Body Shop
Uniqlo
Watsons
Wing Tai Retail
Stefanie Beitien, Head of Market Transformation at WWF-Singapore, said they are "excited" to see major retailers coming onboard to reduce single-use plastic bags. She added:
"The introduction of the bag charge aims to drive momentum in influencing consumers' behaviour to bring their own reusable bags and increase environmental consciousness. We look forward to inspiring more companies to adopt this initiative as a first step to look at packaging and plastics with a more holistic view to create a systemic change for the future.”
60% of customers chose to BYOB after bag charge implemented
According to WWF, 60 per cent of consumers who shopped at the above-mentioned retail outlets refused single-use bags and chose Bring-Your-Own-Bag (BYOB) after the single-use bag charge was put in place.
Executive Director of Wing Tai Retail Helen Khoo said the bag charge has "proven to be effective in discouraging the use of single-use bags which is a crucial step towards reducing pollution".
More could be done to reduce single-use plastics in S'pore: WWF
According to WWF, consumers in Singapore are becoming more aware of the plastics problem and the need to reduce Singapore’s single-use bag consumption.
A citizens workgroup has also recently called for a bag charge at supermarket retailers, as one of their recommendations in the NEA Citizens’ Workgroup for Reducing Excessive Consumption of Disposables.
The single-use bag charge also paves the way towards a circular economy and contributes towards Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan, said WWF.
Money from plastic bag charge goes to charitable causes
At the same time, money collected from the plastic bag charge can be donated by retailers to charity organisations of their choice to support further conservation efforts and plastic-related research projects.
One successful case study is Decathlon, the world's largest sporting goods retailer, which has completely removed all single use plastic bags across their stores.
In addition, they have also implemented an option for customers to purchase their reusable recycled polyester bags that are useful for future trips.
Decathlon's Blue Bags Project Leader Leona Xu said:
“We have seen a significant increase in willingness-to-pay from consumers for eco-friendly products and are glad to share that consumers are more conscious of the environment.”
Global data has shown that 127 countries in the world have already ramped up various forms of legislation to regulate plastic bags.
For example, in Thailand, a plastic bag ban came into effect at the start of last year, and this saw citizens finding innovative ways to shop without needing plastic:
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If you grew up in Singapore in the early 90s, the name “Russell Lee” is probably one that needs no introduction.Lee is the writer behind the “True Singapore Ghost Stories” (TSGS) series that is especially popular among the younger crowd.Other than the book series, Lee is also known for concealing his identity, often attending meet-and-greet sessions garbed head-to-toe in black.Apart from the size of the national reserves, Lee’s real identity probably comes next as Singapore’s best-kept secret.Ever so mysterious, Lee told us that he could “fill an entire book” to answer why he keeps his identity a secret.In fact, even the people around him don’t know of his author persona.Considering himself to be your regular Singaporean guy, the writer dropped some hints to our writer about his personal life.Follow Mothership.sg on LinkedIn for similar content.#writer #ghoststories #singapore
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/russell-lee-true-singapore-ghost-stories-interview/
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mothership-sg
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If you grew up in Singapore in the early 90s, the name "Russell Lee" is probably one that needs no introduction.
But in case you do need it, Lee is the writer behind the "True Singapore Ghost Stories" (TSGS) series that is especially popular among the younger crowd.
As someone who is younger at heart, picking up the recently published Book 26 brought me back to when I was an 11-year-old who insisted on sleeping with her parents after getting the creeps from the special feature on the "Devil's child" in Book 6.
Apart from the book series, Lee is also known for concealing his identity, often attending meet-and-greet sessions garbed head-to-toe in black.
Ostensibly a very private person, a quick Google search doesn't reveal much about the writer aside from the fact that he is a Singaporean author of the TSGS series.
We do have to admit, however, that this mysterious persona adds to the charm of the supernatural series.
So much so that this writer felt goosebumps when she received a phone call some time in January 2021 from the man himself, saying that he is about to send us his answers to all of our questions.
(And just to get this out of the way, he sounds very much like your average Singaporean man, though there were no lahs or lehs in our very short two-minute conversation.)
Singapore's best-kept secret
Apart from the size of the national reserves, Lee's real identity probably comes next as Singapore's best-kept secret.
Ever so mysterious, Lee told us that he could "fill an entire book" to answer why he keeps his identity a secret.
In fact, even the people around him don't know of his author persona.
He said: "I am a faceless man. When I am in public, nobody knows me other than my friends. And even they don't know who Russell Lee is. Even my parents don't know."
Because of this, many readers have made several assumptions like claiming that he is a white man posing as a local Singaporean.
Some also believe that he is Jim Aitchinson (also known as James Lee), the writer of the children's horror series Mr Midnight.
"Funny right? Many think they know who Russell Lee is and even venture guesses. I've given up commenting on these claims because they will never stop."
Remaining unknown to live like your everyday Singaporean, however, seems to help him get the writing juices flowing for the book series.
He explained: "The books do all the talking for me. Also, it allows me to write the books without any ego because a man with no face cannot possibly claim any credit."
Stories require research and site visits
And hiding behind a facade seems to work, considering that he has churned out a total of 27 books, including the 25th-anniversary special, since 1989.
However, he shared that the TSGS series isn't the fruits of just one man's labour.
Instead, he likens himself to a "head chef" with many "cooks" working together with him.
Along with his team of writers, Lee said that they are always on the prowl for stories and would do thorough interviews, research, and even site visits.
"We search every nook and cranny to unearth gems. 'The Silat Princess' in TSGS Book 26, for example, is the result of interviews, research, and numerous site visits."
On top of that, he also told us that he receives story submissions from his fans on an almost daily basis.
"One of the most difficult aspects of doing the TSGS books is to identify with the experiences of some of the characters in the stories. You can almost relive the harrowing experiences of those who suffer from supernatural attacks. Of course, there are supernatural experiences that are bliss too. An example is when an angel visits to help someone in need or to pass on an important message."
Believes in supernatural
He also credits his belief in the supernatural as part of the reason why the series has garnered a huge following in the region, including Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Hong Kong.
Lee explained: "Who wants to hear ghost stories from a skeptic? The stories would lack conviction. Without conviction, how then can they be compelling?"
"I'm not alone in taking the supernatural seriously. Far from it. Folks from all walks of life, throughout history and from every corner of the globe join me, as well as major religions which teach that there's an existence after death. I make no apology in asserting — with billions of others of faith — that there are good and evil forces, angels and demons, and that the soul of a man goes on to an afterworld where there's either bliss or torment."
However, the writer also emphasised to us that at the end of the day, the stories that he shares in the books are for entertainment.
So has a writer who has spent more than three decades scribing and reporting on almost all things supernatural faced any supernatural encounters himself?
Rather matter-or-factly, he replied, "Yes, of course. Who hasn't?"
However, supernatural to Lee doesn't just mean horrifying ghostly encounters.
"Singaporeans generally witness supernatural events regularly. Heard of miracle healings? Haven’t you seen devotees walking on fire and carrying kavadi (a structure made of steel or wood), with spears poking various body parts? And yet the devotees feel no pain. Aren’t these events extraordinary? Try poking yourself with a needle. Just one needle, a tiny one. It’s painful. The examples are endless."
Still S$9.90 after 32 years
The TSGS series has sold over 1.5 million copies since 1989, a pretty impressive feat for a locally-produced series.
Even though a lot of time has passed and the book series is still much in demand (the first book has been reprinted more than 30 times), each book still goes for just S$9.90.
While it is normal for a lot of things to be more expensive after a few years due to inflation, why has the price remain unchanged even after close to 32 years?
Well, here's why: "I suspect they will hold the price for as long as it is possible. It isn't about the money for either them or me. Knowing that readers enjoy the book is reward enough."
To put things into perspective, the writer added:
"S$9.90 is still a huge amount for many readers and parents buying for their kids. After forking out for essentials, many struggle over discretionary spending. I have seen this many times over."
Just your average Singaporean guy
Lee enjoys his job so much, he said that he will "never" retire and will keep going until he can no longer do so.
That being said, writing isn't even his day job.
While he wishes he could write full-time, it is actually a passion that he has to find time to do.
And that is typically after the daily grind during the "unearthly hours" of the day (night?), he says.
But the mysterious character and ghost stories aside, who really is the man behind Russell Lee?
Considering himself to be your regular Singaporean guy, the writer has dropped some hints about his personal life.
(Though not much to differentiate him from, well, a regular Singaporean guy.)
"I'm a football fan. I'm also into other sporting activities. Of course, I love to read. I keep in touch with current affairs. Travelling has not lost its charm and wherever I find myself, I make it a point to explore cultures by immersion and blending in. I don’t watch much television though. And when I am meeting TSGS readers, I am usually on a break as well — another added incentive to meet readers!"
Might reveal his identity... one day
If it gives you some hope, Lee said that he may reveal his true identity one day.
But that will only happen when he is done with the book series, which according to the title of the books is always "almost complete":
"I might [reveal my identity]. When all the books are done, I will consider it. By now, most readers don't really care about Russell Lee's identity. They know him through and through."
We're pretty sure he's wrong. We really, really want to know the real person who has contributed to the sleepless nights we've had from reading the books under the blanket too late into the night.
And then thank him for making our childhood a little more thrilling and bone-chilling from the massive collection of supernatural stories he has curated over the years.
Top image courtesy of Flames of the Forest Publishing (Angsana Books) and @publiclibrarysg on Instagram.
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It was about one year ago that Covid-19 first began to spread in Singapore and the world.One year on, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered his Chinese New Year greetings recounting the terrible cost of the pandemic, but with a glimmer of hope for the future."Protecting our people, especially our seniors, has been the government’s top priority in this pandemic."PM Lee added that the government and the country had gone "all out" to contain the spread of the pandemic and prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed, despite the economic cost.PM Lee said the Year of the Ox brings hope, as Covid-19 vaccines are rolled out in 2021.About 250,000 people have received their first dose of the vaccine, prioritising frontline and essential workers, and now the elderly.If supplies come in as scheduled, Singapore will have enough vaccines for everyone who wants one by the end of the year.#vaccines #healthcare #covid19vaccine
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/pm-lee-cny-2021-greeting/
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mothership-sg
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It was about one year ago that Covid-19 was first beginning to spread in Singapore and the world.
One year on, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered his Chinese New Year greetings recounting the terrible cost of the pandemic, but with a glimmering of hope for the future.
"The warmth, comfort and support of our families have given all of us strength to get through the most trying times of Covid-19. Keeping our families safe from Covid-19 has been on all of our minds," PM Lee said.
"Protecting our people, especially our seniors, has been the government’s top priority in this pandemic."
Stabilised the situation, despite economic cost
PM Lee added that the government and the country had gone "all out" to contain the spread of the pandemic and prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed, despite the economic cost.
Due to the combined efforts, the situation has stabilised, and Singapore avoided "disastrous outbreaks" as seen in other countries, and most of the economy has restarted.
"As we welcome the Year of the Ox, we can look back and give thanks that we have come through the Year of the Rat, not without trouble, but relatively unscathed," PM Lee said.
Restrictions necessary
The multi ministry task force recently announced several restrictions in the run-up to the Chinese New Year festivities.
A household can only entertain eight visitors a day.
Diners must wear masks while tossing the traditional yusheng, and the shouting of auspicious cheers is also prohibited in restaurants.
Enforcement checks will also be stepped up, both at F&B outlets and residences.
PM Lee said these stricter measures are necessary, as new waves of Covid-19 infections were seen in January following end-of-year celebrations, as people let their guard down.
He acknowledged that the restrictions could somewhat dampen the atmosphere, but reminded the public that the precautions are necessary to keep people safe.
Vaccines bring hope
PM Lee said the Year of the Ox brings hope, as Covid-19 vaccines are rolled out in 2021.
About 250,000 people have received their first dose of the vaccine, prioritising frontline and essential workers, and now the elderly.
If supplies come in as scheduled, Singapore will have enough vaccines for everyone who wants one by the end of the year.
PM Lee urged everyone to get a vaccine, as once enough of the public is vaccinated, Singapore can achieve herd immunity.
But in the meantime, the public should abide by safe distancing measures, even if they have been vaccinated.
As Singapore celebrates Chinese New Year, PM Lee expressed his thanks to essential workers who make personal sacrifices to keep the country running through the festive period.
This group includes healthcare workers, transport staff, delivery riders, cleaners, migrant workers and more.
He also said that many Malay, Indian and Eurasian workers covering for their Chinese colleagues deserve "heart-felt thanks".
"I wish all Singaporeans good health, and a very happy Chinese New Year," said PM Lee.
Top image from PMO.
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Singapore paint tycoon Goh Cheng Liang has increased his company's fortune by US$8 billion (S$10.7 billion) after it gained control of Japan's biggest paint maker, Nippon Paints Holdings.Goh is the founder of paint and coatings maker Wuthelam Holdings, which is currently run by his son, Goh Hup Jin.Now that the Gohs have a 58 per cent stake in Nippon Paint Holdings, Wuthelam Holdings is worth a total of US$24 billion (S$32.1 billion).This deal, which was valued at US$12 billion (S$16 billion), was completed in January 2021.#investment #japan #singapore
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/goh-cheng-liang-nippon-paint-holdings/
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Singapore paint tycoon Goh Cheng Liang has increased his company's fortune by US$8 billion (S$10.7 billion) after it gained control of Japan's biggest paint maker, Nippon Paints Holdings.
Goh is the founder of Wuthelam Holdings, a paint and coatings maker. It is currently run by his son, Goh Hup Jin.
According to Bloomberg, Wuthelam Holdings is now worth US$24 billion (S$32.1 billion).
The Gohs now have a 58 per cent stake in Nippon Paint Holdings. The deal, which was valued at US$12 billion (S$16 billion), was completed in January 2021.
Previously, Wuthelam Holdings and Nippon Paint operated joint ventures in several countries, including China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.
Under the deal, Nippon Paint bought back all the joint ventures in the above countries and took over Wuthelam Holding's Indonesia business. In return, Wuthelam Holdings increased its stake in Nippon Paint Holdings to 58 per cent.
Goh and Nippon Paint said that the decision to unify their businesses was done with the aim of "making more ambitious moves" to grow and deliver shareholder returns.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, Goh was Singapore's richest man last year.
However, he has been overtaken by Li Xiting, chairman of Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronic. Li was born in China but has since become a Singapore citizen.
Top images via Forbes, Nippon Paint.
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Housing & Development Board (HDB) launched 3,740 flats for sale, spread across the non-mature towns of Bukit Batok and Tengah, and mature towns of Kallang Whampoa and Toa Payoh (Bidadari).Applications for the flats launched in the February 2021 BTO exercise can be made online on HDB InfoWEB from now to tomorrow (Feb. 10).Applicants can apply for only one flat type/category in one town under the BTO exercise.In May 2021, there will be another HDB BTO launch where approximately 3,800 BTO flats will be offered in Bukit Merah, Geylang, Tengah and Woodlands.August 2021 will also see HDB offering around 4,900 BTO flats in Hougang, Jurong East, Kallang Whampoa, Queenstown and Tampines.#housing #singapore #flats
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/feb-2021-bto-application/
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The Feb. 2021 BTO exercise is here.
HDB launched 3,740 flats for sale today, spread across seven projects and located in the non-mature towns of Bukit Batok and Tengah, and mature towns of Kallang Whampoa and Toa Payoh (Bidadari).
Members of the public have seven days to make an online application at HDB InfoWEB.
Here's a look at the projects:
Kallang/Whampoa (McNair Heights)
Types of flats available available for this project include 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, with a total of 626 units available.
A wide selection of flats, ranging from Community Care Apartments, 2-room Flexi to 4-room flats, is offered to meet the diverse housing needs.
In view of the care services and facilities in the vicinity, the 2-room Flexi flats at McNair Heights are offered only to seniors (aged 55 and above) on short leases of between 15 and 45 years (in five-year increments).
Toa Payoh (Bartley GreenRise, ParkEdge @ Bidadari, and Alkaff Breeze)
Bartley GreenRise will be bounded by Bartley Road, Bidadari Park Drive, and Bartley Walk. It will comprise a total of 387 units, including both 3-room and 4-room.
ParkEdge @ Bidadari will be bounded by Bartley Walk, Mount Vernon Road, Sang Nila Utama Road, and the future Bidadari Park. It will have a total of 476 4-room and 5-room units.
Alkaff Breeze will be have 4-room and 5-room units located near the new Bidadari Park and Alkaff lake.
Tengah (Parc Woods @ Tengah)
Located in the Park district of Tengah town, Parc Woods @ Tengah is bounded by Tengah Drive and Tengah Boulevard. The development offers residents the experience of living in a forest-like environment, and will offer 2-room, 3-room and 4-room options.
Tengah will be the first town to integrate housing developments with the area’s surrounding greenery and biodiversity.
It will also be the first HDB town to have a car-free town centre nestled next to a lush green park.
Bukit Batok (West Hill @ Bukit Batok, and Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok)
Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok has 169 units of Community Care Apartment in a 15-storey residential block. It is only available to those aged 65 and above.
Residents will have to subscribe to a Basic Service Package, which will enable them to enjoy various services such as 24-hour emergency response and dedicated programming.
West Hill @ Bukit Batok, bounded by Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 and Bukit Batok West Avenue 5, has a range of units from 2-room Flexi to 5-room flats. A total of 962 will be offered.
Here are the expected prices:
And the income ceiling for the different projects:
Application details
Applications for the flats launched in the February 2021 BTO exercise can be made online on HDB InfoWEB from today (Feb. 4) to next Wednesday (Feb. 10). Applicants can apply for only one flat type/category in one town under the BTO exercise.
Applicants who wish to take up an HDB housing loan for their flat purchase need to produce a valid HDB Loan Eligibility (HLE) letter when they book a flat, except for young couples who are eligible for deferment of income assessment.
In May 2021, there will be another HDB BTO launch. About 3,800 BTO flats will be offered in Bukit Merah, Geylang, Tengah and Woodlands.
In August 2021, HDB will offer about 4,900 BTO flats in Hougang, Jurong East, Kallang Whampoa, Queenstown and Tampines.
Top photo via HDB.
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The billionaire co-founder of Google, Sergey Brin, is setting up a family office in Singapore, according to Bloomberg.The 47-year-old — ranked the ninth richest person in the world — will join the likes of British inventor James Dyson in taking advantage of Singapore’s low taxes, high security and generous incentives for family offices.#security #taxes #singapore
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/google-sergey-brin-family-office/
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The billionaire co-founder of Google, Sergey Brin, is setting up a family office in Singapore, according to Bloomberg.
The 47-year-old — ranked the ninth richest person in the world — will join the likes of British inventor James Dyson in taking advantage of Singapore's low taxes, high security and generous incentives for family offices.
Bloomberg estimated his net-worth to be US$86.5 billion (S$115.2 billion).
Family offices are described by Investopedia as being advisory firms that manage the finances or investments of an affluent individual or family.
Brin's office is based in California and is called Bayshore Global Management.
They established an office in Singapore in late-2020, reported Bloomberg.
According to BBC, Brin co-founded Google with Larry Page in 1998, though both have since stepped away from the active management of the company.
The pair visited Singapore in 2016 to learn about the country's development.
There are about 200 single-family offices in Singapore managing assets worth about S$26.6 billion.
Top image from World Economic Forum's YouTube Channel
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At around 9:45pm sometime in October 2018, Abdul Azim Abdul Azizam was making his rounds at the street level of the MRT station when he saw a woman sitting down, sobbing by herself.Fearing that she might have injured herself from a fall, he approached her to extend a helping hand (and some tissues).However, it wasn’t a hand that she needed. It was a shoulder to cry on.“She told me that she was facing a relationship issue. She found out that her future husband — a man she was going to marry one week later — was having an affair.”She also told him that she wanted to be with her parents but unfortunately, she couldn’t as the both of them are no longer around.He said: “That’s when I felt that something was amiss. So I continued to talk to her for about 30 minutes before she was ok and we parted ways.”Life went on as usual for Azim, until five days later when he received a handwritten letter from that lady.In the letter, she apparently thanked him for being there for her as she had intentions to take away her own life the night he found her.SBS Transit Ltd #helpinghand #kindness #inspiration
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https://mothership.sg/2019/12/hougang-assistant-station-manager-gold-transport-award/
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If you've ever wondered what it's like working at an MRT station, here's a list of things that assistant station managers do:
Patrolling
Security checks
Station equipment checks
Attending to passengers' needs and queries
Occasionally, they also help to save lives.
At least, that's what 36-year-0ld Abdul Azim Abdul Azizam has done in his day's work as an assistant station manager at Hougang MRT station.
Found a crying woman
At around 9:45pm sometime in October 2018, Azim was making his rounds at the street level of the MRT station.
That's when he saw a woman sitting down, sobbing by herself.
Fearing that she might have injured herself from a fall, he approached her to extend a helping hand (and some tissues).
However, it wasn't a hand that she needed. It was a shoulder to cry on.
"She told me that she was facing a relationship issue. She found out that her future husband — a man she was going to marry one week later — was having an affair."
Saved from suicide
She also told him that she wanted to be with her parents but unfortunately, she couldn't as the both of them are no longer around.
He said: "That's when I felt that something was amiss. So I continued to talk to her for about 30 minutes before she was ok and we parted ways."
Life went on as usual for Azim, until five days later when he received a handwritten letter from that lady.
In the letter, she apparently thanked him for being there for her as she had intentions to take away her own life the night he found her.
When asked if he felt like a hero, he laughed it off and said: "No lah, I was just at the right place, at the right time."
This, however, wasn't the only time he saved a life.
Revived an unconscious man
During a morning peak hour in June 2018, Azim was helping to service a machine when he received a flustered call from one of his colleagues, Simon Fong.
An elderly man fainted in front of the platform screen doors as a result of a cardiac arrest, and they needed his assistance to help the man regain consciousness.
Thankfully, his lifesaving skills were still fresh on his mind as the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) NSman had just returned from reservist.
"My colleague checked his pulse first and the man didn't have any so I told him to get the defibrillator. Since there wasn't any pulse, I had to perform cardiopulmonary respiration (CPR) on him but got tired after 10 minutes and then a female passenger took over."
He shared with me that at this point, he started to be more anxious especially when there were many eyes looking at him on a busy weekday morning: "Doing CPR on a dummy and doing it on a human is very different. Some more, there were many people surrounding us and taking videos."
Grateful to live
When the defibrillator arrived, he was even more determined to save the man's life.
He confirmed that there was no sign of a heartbeat on the machine and administered a shock to the man's chest.
Thankfully, once was all it needed to revive the man's heartbeat. and Azim continued to perform CPR on the man until the paramedics arrived.
That wasn't the end of this story, though.
They heard that the man was progressively recovering in the intensive care unit and visited him the following week when he was transferred to a general ward.
“He was lying there, and his wife told him that we were there to visit him. He got up and held our hands with both hands; the feeling is really indescribable.”
Transport Gold recipient
Even though his job has put him through heart-stopping (literally) situations, he smiled and said he enjoys what he does.
As an assistant station manager at Hougang MRT station for the past three years, he looks forward to doing his job and meeting new people every day.
And it seems like regular passengers enjoy meeting him too.
"It's also nice you know, when passengers recognise me and then smile and ask about my day."
For someone who was formerly in the logistics industry, working at an MRT station is a breath of fresh air: "I may do the same thing all the time, but it's a different experience every single day."
Because of his efforts in the past year, Azim became one of the 26 recipients of the Transport Gold Outstanding award at this year's National Kindness Award - Transport Gold ceremony.
He shared that he was a little embarrassed when his colleagues teased him after the win.
Even passengers congratulated him after seeing him on the news.
But a big part of him felt proud to be nominated, especially when his daughter considers him her "hero":
"When my daughter saw me on television, she was very excited and said 'Daddy is on TV!'"
Azim doesn't let his achievements get to his head, though.
To him, helping and being nice to others is just another day at work.
"It's my work. It's just the nature of my job to render help to passengers in need."
Top image by Faris Samri
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Figment is a platform which rents out co-living studios in restored shophouses in Singapore. Each shophouse is about 3,000 to 4,000 square feet large, and houses four to six studios.You can choose from shophouses located in Geylang, Orchard, Jalan Besar, Tanjong Pagar, Joo Chiat, and Balestier.All the shophouses are furnished and each has its own design aesthetics.#colivingspace #realestate #singapore
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/rent-heritage-shophouse-co-living/
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Co-living is becoming increasingly popular in recent years.
Figment is a platform which rents out co-living studios in restored shophouses.
You can choose from shophouses located in Geylang, Orchard, Jalan Besar, Tanjong Pagar, Joo Chiat, and Balestier.
Each shophouse is about 3,000 to 4,000 square feet large, and houses four to six studios.
All the shophouses are furnished and each has its own design aesthetics.
For instance, the Shang House at Pegu Road is designed and furnished by contemporary furniture, homeware and lifestyle label Scene Shang, while the Hanging Garden House at Lorong 24A Geylang is designed by Linghao Architects.
The Alexandra House, which is designed by FARM, even comes with an indoor lap pool.
Here's a look at some of the shophouse studios:
The Alexandra House
The Canvas House
The Shang House
What'd included in the rental, you might ask.
You get a fully-furnished studio, WiFi, utilities, and weekly cleaning of the common areas, a complimentary set of bedding and towels, basic household essentials, shared laundry and cooking facilities, and use of the living and dining areas too.
Depending on which studio you choose, you will have some combination of an en suite bathroom, a bathtub, a pantry or kitchenette, a writing desk, and a television set.
You can view more shophouses via 3D tours on Figment's website.
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All images via Figment.
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How do you know it’s Chinese New Year (CNY)? Perhaps it’s when a throng of relatives you hardly see suddenly gather to exchange greetings, niceties and angpows.For our writer, it’s when her entire extended family of over 30 people gathers at her grandmother’s place on the first day of CNY.It’s like a typical family gathering filled with lots of food and laughter.The only difference? They’re better-dressed.But CNY in the midst of a pandemic, however, is looking to be slightly different. Peculiar even.With households only able to accept eight visitors per day, the biggest question is: How will families organise themselves?Of course, it could very well be that a family just decides to cancel CNY and scrap all visitation plans.Our writer talks to a few Singaporeans to find out how their families have been affected by the measures, and their thoughts on the whole situation.#chinesenewyear #lunarnewyear #family
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/large-family-how-to-cny-visit/
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PERSPECTIVE: From Jan. 26 onwards, safe management restrictions only allow Singapore homes to entertain up to eight visitors per day. Chinese New Year (CNY) visitations have become a logistical headache for some, especially those with large families.
In the week leading up to CNY, we talk to a few Singaporeans to find out how their families have been affected by the measures, and their thoughts on the whole situation.
How do you know it's CNY? Perhaps it's when a throng of relatives you hardly see suddenly gather to exchange greetings, niceties and angpows.
For me, it's when my entire extended family of over 30 people gathers at my grandmother's place on the first day of CNY.
It's like a typical family gathering filled with lots of food and laughter.
The only difference? We're better-dressed.
But CNY in the midst of a pandemic, however, is looking to be slightly different. Peculiar even.
With households only able to accept eight visitors per day, the biggest question is: How will families organise themselves?
Of course, it could very well be that a family just decides to cancel CNY and scrap all visitation plans.
Me to a friend: "Hey, how is your family going to celebrate CNY this year ah?" Friend:
Which is perfectly fine.
But for most families, mine included, my guess is that they will still try to ensure that some form of visiting still takes place.
With over 30 people and only eight allowed per day, some will not get to visit during the first weekend
When the announcement on the eight-visitor rule first happened, there was a bit of a scramble in my family's WhatsApp chat.
And understandably so, since the implication of the policy meant that not every family would get to visit our grandmother during the first (or even second) day of CNY. My dad has seven siblings, and the majority of which have their own families of one to three kids. Some of these "kids" have also gone on to have their own kids.
Basically, CNY this year would look vastly different from the CNY celebrations we've known all our lives and the restrictions would require us to do a bit of organising amongst ourselves.
We're not alone as well.
Tang Mei Yong, 50, told Mothership that their usual family gatherings involve a much smaller crowd of less than 30. But CNY is a slightly different, with over 50 relatives, including those they only see once a year, "(squeezing) together".
55-year-old Amy Cheong also told us that there would be around 50 to 60 people "crammed into ah ma's house" on the first day of CNY.
But due to the virus, Cheong explained: "If they are uncomfortable with it, because there are still risks, they can choose not to come to visit at all and we will respect their decision."
Who does all the coordinating? Is anybody even doing it?
The next logical step is to organise those who wish to visit anyway. But who is to be entrusted with the laborious task of coordinating different families?
The most fuss-free method for my family is to make use of an existing WhatsApp chat group so everyone can add on to a running list of who visits when.
More importantly, the chat allows everyone to coordinate requests in real-time. ("Sorry, ah ma requesting mahjong kaki (friends) for day 1 so can non-mahjong players swap to another date?").
An illustrative example of a proposed list involving who to visit when, with the number of visitors helpfully indicated in parentheses:
(Translation: Day 1: Eldest Brother, Second eldest brother; Day 2: Third brother, fifth brother; Day 3: Eldest Sister)
There could be other practical factors influencing who coordinates the entire timetable too. In the case of Cheong, for instance, her sister helps to coordinate since she lives with their mum.
But for other families without similar chat groups, this role might simply fall onto the lap of the most organised person in the family, simply by virtue of the fact that this individual is just naturally better at keeping track of things and chasing others for a response.
How to decide which family visits when?
The next order of business is to arrange who gets to visit when.
Which is potentially a real headache when you need to think about the capacity limits, and to also factor in the schedules of multiple families.
It could be on a first-come first-serve basis. Like Tang's family, where whoever calls to lock in their timeslot will get to visit first.
But other families have other considerations.
The daughters on my dad's side of the family were quick to decide on behalf of everyone: "Let the sons visit first".
Which makes sense when you consider how daughters are traditionally considered 'outsiders' once they get married. After marriage, the daughter would prioritise her husband's family.
For Cheong's family, they decided to use age as an organising principle instead, where the families of the older siblings get to visit their mum first.
How does Cheong feel, not being able to visit her family during the first week (she will be visiting on the following week instead as she is the youngest sibling)?
"No one is cut out intentionally," she told us. "It's a mutual decision among the siblings."
She also added, with profound reflectiveness:
"The days don't matter. Because we can visit them other days too. If we only visit our parents or grandparents during CNY then siao liao (something has gone wrong). Every day can be chu yi (CNY Day 1). It's the attitude and mindset."
One can accept and understand the rules but still be disappointed
A common initial response to the rule is disappointment.
Particularly for some older folks, who are used to having large gatherings as a sign of a happy and prosperous family.
But despite the emotional response, one gets the sense that people rationally understand the need for having such restrictions.
My grandmother, for one, would love to have the whole family over at her place on the first two days (who knew that CNY 2020 would be the last time we all saw one another in the same space at the same time?).
But when my dad called her to explain our visitation plans, reiterating the new restrictions, she seemed pretty accepting of it.
For Cheong, she pointed out how her mum, who is already 93 years old, was actually hoping to see most relatives during the CNY period.
Nevertheless, there is consensus that this rule is "inconvenient" but important.
"The house won't be lively anymore. Ah ma likes many people at her house, but we have no choice because of this pandemic. The festive mood is not there but we will make it work with the restrictions. Ah ma is very sad that all of us cannot gather together since she is 93 years old already. She doesn't know how many more CNYs she can celebrate."
Top photo via Imgur, Sharon McCutcheon/Unsplash
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Telegram Messenger founder Pavel Durov announced that users who wish to move their chat history from WhatsApp to Telegram can now do so.This comes after the instant messaging service saw a spike in new users following WhatsApp’s update of its privacy terms on Jan. 26.Durov said on his Telegram channel that the new feature allows messages to be imported to the end of the target Telegram conservation with original timestamps retained.Users of two other instant messaging services, LINE Corp and KakaoTalk, can also port their messages over. #mobile #privacy #messagingplatforms
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/move-chat-history-from-whatsapp-to-telegram/
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Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced on Jan. 29 that users who wish to move their chat history from WhatsApp to Telegram can now do so.
This comes after the instant messaging service saw a spike in new users following WhatsApp updated its privacy terms in Jan. 26.
Durov said on his Telegram channel that the new feature allows messages to be imported to the end of the target Telegram conservation with original timestamps retained.
Users of two other instant messaging services, Line and KakaoTalk, can also port their messages over.
For users who wish to move chat history from WhatsApp to Telegram:
How to move chat history from WhatsApp to Telegram
For iOs users:
Open the Contact Info or Group Info page in WhatsApp > tap Export Chat > Choose Telegram in the Share menu.
For Android users:
Open a WhatsApp chat, tap ⋮ > More > Export Chat, then choose Telegram in the Share menu.
Quite easy.
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Top image via Telegram website.
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Like it or not, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. One of our writers, Jane Zhang, reflects on how she and her boyfriend have always opted to give each other gifts that they find “useful”.However, she decided to buy him flowers after realising that there are different ways of actively showing love and care, and besides, he actually liked flowers.#valentinegifts #valentine2021 #love
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/buying-boyfriend-flowers/
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Like it or not, Valentine's Day is right around the corner.
Although the holiday gets a bad rep from both people in relationships ("It's so cheesy!") and those who aren't (cue the eye rolls or unwanted feelings of loneliness), I have to admit, for me, it's a good reminder of the importance of putting in the effort to actively show love.
And this Valentine's Day, in honour of that, I plan to do something I realise I've never actually done before: I'm going to buy flowers for my boyfriend of six years.
Now, before you assume that I'm a horrible girlfriend who doesn't get her boyfriend gifts, let me explain.
The fight
When my boyfriend and I were in our first two years of dating, he'd sometimes buy me a flower here or there. It wasn't very often, because we both preferred buying the other person food or chocolate instead (I mean, flowers don't exactly make for a tasty snack).
I wasn't a big fan of flowers, because, well, I just didn't see the point of them. They felt so cheesy, and what use did they serve? All they did was wilt and eventually die, I thought to myself.
But, I recognised that it was a sweet gesture when my boyfriend did buy them for me, so I appreciated it.
However, I admit that I didn’t take particularly good care of them. As a uni student staying in hall, I wasn't the most organised person. And by that, I mean that my room constantly looked like monsoon had barrelled through it.
Basically, the opposite of this:
Early one evening, my boyfriend and I had an argument during ultimate frisbee training. After training, he stormed off without waiting for me, and headed up to my room to grab his laptop and books to bring back to his room, in order to study separately.
His existing anger with me escalated even more, however, when he spotted a flower that he had bought for me strewn on the table, wilted and mostly-dead.
Later that evening, after we both cooled down, talked through our disagreement, and reconciled, I acknowledged that I was wrong to not have appreciated his thoughtful gift, and that I should have taken better care of it.
But, I also added, I had to be honest; I felt it might be better for him (and us both) to save money and not buy me more flowers in the future, since they weren't that meaningful to me, personally.
Instead, I joked, he could always treat me to more meals and snacks.
Love languages
In the four years since then, my boyfriend and I have both stayed away from flowers when it comes to gift-giving, opting instead for more gifts that we both find more “useful”, such as taking turns treating the other person to a meal or buying them something they have been eyeing.
For me, this lack of flowers hasn't been a problem in our relationship in the least.
You see, according to the Five Love Languages quiz that we took together, my main love language — the way that I prefer to give and receive love — is words of affirmation.
Meanwhile, receiving gifts is very low on the list of five for me.
For my boyfriend, though, receiving gifts is actually one of his top love languages.
Something we have tried to develop in our relationship over the years is to think more consciously about how the other person prefers to give and receive love, and cater our behaviour to that.
This means that we have both had to be intentional about thinking about small gestures that we can do for the other person.
For my boyfriend, I have seen him put in a more conscious effort to use his words to boost my confidence and make me feel loved, even when it may be mildly frustrating to him as to why I need to hear it again and again.
For me, I try to remind myself to buy him things that I know he loves, like a Cadbury Dairy Milk Fruit & Nut chocolate bar or a couple of bottles of Bundaberg root beer, every so often when I'm passing by a grocery store on the way home.
I don't like flowers... but what about him?
Recently, I was thinking about the fast-approaching Valentine's Day, and all that the holiday typically entails — balloons, chocolates, ...flowers.
While I had no doubt that I would not be receiving flowers this year — like every year since the incident — (not that I mind in the least), it suddenly occurred to me that I had never bought flowers for my boyfriend before.
In fact, I didn't even know how he felt about them. I knew he'd bought them for me before, but was that because he actually liked them, or because he thought I'd like them?
So, I asked him. Here's how our conversation went:
"How do you feel about flowers?"
"I think they're nice and pretty, so I would like them."
He added, "I think they're good decorations for the house... until they die of course. Then they're good decorations outside the house."
He then went on to make a joke — something about reuniting the dead flowers with their alive friends through composting — that made me roll my eyes.
"So, what do you even like about flowers?", I asked him, a bit incredulously.
"How they look! They're nice. It's a nice gesture, you know?"
I was starting to feel a little guilty. "How do you feel about me not buying you flowers all these years?"
"I think I've been socially-conditioned, as a man, to not expect them, so it's been fine. I wasn't expecting it, so it was okay."
"But now that you've brought it up as an option... I would like it," he added earnestly.
So it looks like this Valentine's Day, in addition to whatever meal we end up deciding to eat, what snacks we buy for each other, and what words of affirmation we lavish upon one another, I plan to buy my boyfriend some nice flowers.
Bouquets for any flower lovers in your life
Given it’s my first time buying my boyfriend flowers, I have no clue what he’ll like.
So far, all I’m going off of is that his favourite colour is red, which I guess that helps narrow down some options.
So, I’m lucky that Floristique, a local florist and flower delivery service, has a wide range of options available on its online store.
I’ve got my eyes on a couple bouquet options from Floristique’s Valentine’s Day 2021 collection that I think he might like.
Like this really beautiful bouquet of red roses surrounded by baby’s breath:
If I’m looking for a bit more variation in the roses, there’s this bouquet of both red and pink roses:
And for an option with a bit more pop of colour, I can consider this arrangement that includes multi-coloured baby’s breath:
If you, like me, have any loved ones who are fond of flowers or receiving gifts — be they a partner, a friend, or a family member — you might be considering buying them a flower or bouquet too.
Floristique sells beautiful and fresh bouquets, bags, and baskets of flowers suitable for every occasion, including holidays (like Valentine’s Day), birthdays, well wishes, and new arrivals.
Customers can also request for additional gifts to be sent together with the bouquets, such as fruit baskets, chocolates, soft toys, and cakes.
There’s also same-day free delivery available islandwide as long as you place your order before 2pm.
You can find out more on their website here.
I’ll get back to browsing the options now. To be honest, I think I’ll probably need a couple more days of casually dropping leading questions to decide which one my boyfriend will like the most.
Hopefully, at the risk of sounding quite cheesy, whatever flowers I end up choosing will brighten both his day and our house.
This sponsored article brought to you by Floristique made the author look forward to Valentine’s Day.
Top photo from author and via Floristique.
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Some 71 per cent of 300 Singaporeans surveyed by Expedia said that they were “somewhat” or “very” vacation deprived.According to the survey, vacation deprivation is on the rise in 10 out of 16 markets surveyed. #travel #holiday #vacation
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/singapore-vacation-deprived-expedia/
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Some 71 per cent of 300 Singaporeans surveyed by Expedia said that they were "somewhat" or "very" vacation deprived.
The vacation deprivation study surveyed a total of 9,200 consumers in 16 markets globally.
Singapore most vacation deprived
According to the survey, vacation deprivation is on the rise in 10 out of 16 markets surveyed.
Due to 71 per cent of respondents saying they were "somewhat" or "very" vacation deprived, Singapore emerged as the most vacation deprived market in 2020.
However, this figure is only slightly higher than pre-pandemic levels, signalling that Singapore respondents are perennially vacation deprived.
In 2019, 67 per cent of Singaporean respondents said they were vacation deprived.
Young adults aged between 18 and 34 were also identified as the group feeling most vacation deprived, at 85 per cent.
Interestingly, those living in the east (77 per cent) feel more vacation deprived than those living in the west (69 per cent), although there was no mention if this was due to the fact that the airport is on the east side of the island.
Took less vacation days
In 2020, Singaporeans were also found to have taken five fewer vacation days than the year before.
Last year, Singaporeans took an average of 10 vacation days as compared to 15 in 2019, the study stated.
With a year without overseas vacation, Singaporeans yearned for vacations even more, according to Expedia.
Some 90 per cent said they now value vacations more than ever before.
The pent-up desire to travel also drives some to allocate higher budgets for future trips.
Over 60 per cent of the respondents in Singapore said they intend to spend more on their vacation plans than originally before.
Sadly, most Singaporeans are not so optimistic about travelling in 2021 with only 18 per cent having made travel bookings this year.
This is lower than the global average of 21 per cent.
Besides Singapore, Italy also had 71 per cent of respondents feeling vacation deprived.
A high number of respondents in South Korea (70 per cent), France (70 per cent) and Malaysia (68 per cent) also said they were vacation deprived.
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37-year-old Huang Shu Ling, a fishmonger at Toa Payoh Vista Market and Food Centre, has been turning heads for putting in special effort to dress up and putting on make-up to sell fish.Even though cutting and scaling fish is a very messy affair, Huang didn’t seem to mind the mess at all. She said that simply washing her clothes when she gets home will ensure that the smell of raw fish won’t linger.Huang used to sell clothes in Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia. Four years ago, she decided to wind down her business and move to Singapore to sell fish.The clothes that she wears are stock left over from her previous business.She wakes up at 12 midnight every day and spends half an hour to dress up and put on her make-up before she heads to the Jurong Fishery Port to get her stock. Then, it is off to her Toa Payoh stall to work until the afternoon.“Customers don’t come to me just because of my appearance. Instead, they come to me because of my fair prices and fresh fish,” she said.#smallbusiness #wetmarket #femaleboss
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/toa-payoh-fishmonger-dress-up/
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A fishmonger in Toa Payoh has been turning heads.
Lianhe Wanbao reported on January 31 about 37-year-old Huang Shu Ling, a fishmonger who has put in special effort to dress up and put on make-up to sell fish.
Huang sells fish at Toa Payoh Vista Market and Food Centre. According to the Chinese daily, Huang is also very proficient in her knife skills.
A reader took a video of Huang at the fish stall dressed in a red jumpsuit and bright hair accessories and sent it to Wanbao, adding that it was such an interesting sight.
When the Chinese paper visited Huang, she said:
"Yes! I love to doll up to sell fish. It makes me happy and customers will also find it interesting."
The paper observed that even though cutting and scaling fish is a very messy affair, Huang didn't seem to mind the mess at all. She said that simply washing her clothes when she gets home will ensure that the smell of raw fish won't linger.
Huang used to sell clothes in Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia. Four years ago, she decided to wind down her business and move to Singapore to sell fish.
The clothes that she wears are stock left over from her previous business.
She wakes up at 12 midnight every day and spends half an hour to dress up and put on her make-up before she heads to the Jurong Fishery Port to get her stock. Then, it is off to her Toa Payoh stall to work until the afternoon.
"Customers don't come to me just because of my appearance. Instead, they come to me because of my fair prices and fresh fish," she said.
Top images via Lianhe Wanbao.
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For any Singaporean couple, deciding to apply for a HDB BTO flat implies that they would have to get married within the next few years. The entire application process and time taken for the flat to be built means another four to five years of waiting, so, if you're fairly certain that you want to be with this person, it seems reasonable to start earlier rather than later.But life is unpredictable, and sometimes, a lot can change in a few years. When a relationship ends in the midst of the BTO application process, things can get tricky.What happens after a couple, who is in the midst of applying for a BTO flat together, decide to break up?Three Singaporean women take us through the process of what happened when they decided to forfeit their BTO flat, opening up about the different aspects of loss — both emotional and financial.#singapore #relationships #marriage
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/hdb-bto-breakup-stories/
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PERSPECTIVE: What happens after a couple, who is in the midst of applying for a BTO flat together, decide to break up?
In sharing their stories with Mothership, several Singaporeans take us through the process of what happened when they decided to forfeit their BTO flat, opening up about the different aspects of loss — both emotional and financial.
"What nobody likes to talk about" is a collection of perspectives revolving around various difficult conversations, typically involving intensely personal experiences that are often hard to talk about.
For any Singaporean couple, deciding to apply for a HDB BTO flat implies that they would have to get married within the next few years. Suffice to say, this decision carries with it a fair bit of committment.
The entire application process and time taken for the flat to be built means another four to five years of waiting, so, if you're fairly certain that you want to be with this person, it seems reasonable to start earlier rather than later.
But life is unpredictable, and sometimes, a lot can change in a few years. When a relationship ends in the midst of the BTO application process, things can get tricky.
Three women in Singapore take us through the process of what happened from the time they decided to apply for the flat to the point when they gave everything up.
1) The decision to apply
For Joan* (not her real name) Tan, 27, she said that she and her then-boyfriend applied for a BTO in 2016 about a year-and-a-half into their relationship.
"I was 23 at the time, so the timing seemed 'just nice' if we BTO-ed and got our place after four to five years. As for why I decided to at the time, it was my first serious relationship and I was very idealistic about it working out, so when he brought up the idea of applying for a flat, I thought sure, why not just try our luck?"
A 26-year-old, who only wanted to be known as Rachel, shared the same sentiments.
"After being together for almost two years, we felt it was the right time for BTO because we were comfortable with each other. Also, most BTO flats require around three years to be ready. We thought about it and realised that by the time we can move in to our BTO, it will be five years into our relationship. We BTO-ed in 2018."
But not everyone felt the same certainty at the time of their application.
For Emi (not her real name), 27, she shared she felt apprehensive because of her future job and financial situation, but still went along with the application after being persuaded by her partner:
"I knew I was going to travel for a long time (this was pre-pandemic) and I knew I was not going to be financially stable. However, he offered to take up more of the burden and insisted we should try for it anyway since the chances of actually being successful is unknown. But throughout the entire process (from applying, to getting the queue number, selecting our unit and paying the option fee), I still had feelings of uncertainty."
2) The break up
Two years after their application, Tan and her then-boyfriend decided to give up the flat: "I realised this guy wasn't someone I wanted to spend my whole life with, so we broke up."
"To make things worse the day we took a break was the day we were supposed to visit our wedding venue to make a deposit," she said.
"But the truth was that when I was together with him, I had periods of doubt. If I wasn't forced to think about living together, I wouldn't have come to the conclusion so quickly that it wasn't right for me."
For Emi, she was living overseas when the break up happened.
"I didn't want to break up at first. All I wanted was to cancel the BTO and then maybe we could do it again when I was ready. We were still very much in love then. However, he wasn't open to the idea. He insisted [on] a tangible commitment, and wanted us to settle down. The break up was initiated by me in the end when I realised that the both of us were no longer on the same page about our priorities and future."
She also confessed that she was "intimidated" by the thought of having to get married soon:
"While travelling, I realised that I wanted to keep travelling for a couple of years before settling down, and hence, I felt like I was no longer financially ready for the BTO. I was also intimidated by the thought of having to get married in two years' time (because that's when the BTO would be ready)."
A break up is a confusing and difficult process for both parties, and understandably so.
Rachel said that the process was "very problematic, especially [because] they couldn’t figure out what (they) wanted together", with exchanges getting heated at times.
Tan also said that she felt "a lot of fear [regarding] breaking up" as their "lives were super intertwined" -- they had two cats that they were taking care of together, and with the BTO on the way, it made the split even tougher.
"I think he was also quite disappointed. I assume it was a very emotional period for him as well."
3) Forfeiting flat comes with forfeiting the money already put in
Apart from coping with the emotional stress, they also had another loss to grapple with: If a couple decides to forfeit their flat after the signing of the Agreement for Lease, they will lose their downpayment.
As she had been overseas, Emi said that it was a "good thing" that she was away from Singapore at that time:
"It gave us some time to mull things over. Paying for the 5 per cent downpayment required both our presence, but because I wasn't in Singapore, we were able to reschedule the downpayment appointment to a month later."
She had originally planned to travel to the country's capital (she was staying in a small town) to get a letter signed. This letter would authorise her then-partner and another lawyer who was representing her to settle the entire downpayment process.
In the end, because their relationship ended, the monetary cost involved was the application fee, option fee (S$2,000) as well as the lawyer fees.
For Rachel, who was in Singapore, she said they had to fill up a form on the HDB website before proceeding with the cancellation.
"For us, we had to forfeit 5 per cent of the flat purchase price. It wasn’t problematic or troublesome. It was more of the emotional issues that were very annoying."
Things can get a bit more complicated, however, when the downpayment is paid solely by one person.
In Tan's case, she explained that they were both students when they applied for the flat.
"He paid first because he was the only one with CPF money (he was also working for his dad’s company at that time). I didn't have much savings so it was basically wiping my savings out [at that time]. I intended to eventually pay him back after building up my own savings."
Following their break up, Tan said that the issue of the money was left unresolved for quite a long while.
Even though Tan tried to broach the subject, she said there were no real conclusions.
4) A turn of events: Transfer of ownership
When he eventually got back to her regarding the downpayment, Tan's ex-boyfriend said that he had found someone to take up the flat with (this was slightly less than two years after their break up). Which meant that Tan would not have to fork out a single cent.
"I went to HDB Hub, met him and the new fiancee to sign some handover papers and that was it. They basically transferred it to her name. It took like five minutes!" Tan said.
How did she feel about that? Relieved, apparently. She said:
"I could finally be free from this worry of financial debt. We didn't keep in touch but I wished him all the best in my heart. Deep down, I think I always knew he wanted to settle down... so if he found that, I'd be really happy for him."
And was it weird having to face her ex's new fiancee?
Tan said that they didn't talk during that entire meeting, but she "always wondered how she (the fiancee) felt about it".
"But to me, if she's okay, then it's all good."
5) Reflection and healing
So, what next? How does one move on from an experience like that and learn to commit again?
For Tan, she said that this incident has made her "super traumatised".
"I would think BTO isn't a terrible choice if you've been together at least like four to five years and have seen the worst of each other. But by then, why will you want to BTO (due to the long waiting time)? To me, that’s the flaw — that you don't actually get to be with the person long enough to truly understand them or be sure about living with them 'forever'. [My experience] has made me much more sceptical towards relationships but I think I will still want to cohabit with my partner. Maybe just not BTO."
But not everyone arrived at the same conclusion.
For Emi and Rachel, their past experiences have not deterred them from considering BTO applications if a suitable person comes along in the future.
Instead, they have taken this experience as a learning opportunity for future relationships.
Emi said that she has learnt the importance of open communication and being on the same page with her partner:
"I don't think that this incident would deter me from applying for BTO again in the future – when there's open communication and both parties feel ready. Because of this incident, I have always been sure to talk about marriage and priorities with any potential partners from the beginning, because I don't want to waste my time eventually finding out we're not on the same page. I don't really care that talks like this early in relationships could be daunting for most people – it is an important discussion."
Rachel felt the same, adding that she will "really think it through before committing" in future.
"Even though it’s going to be a long wait for the flat to be completed, I would much rather wait than to be with someone who I can’t see myself with in the future," she said.
Top photo via Steven HWG/Unsplash, via Princess Azie
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Singapore residents who are hoping to travel to New Zealand this year may have to put their plans on hold. New Zealand is unlikely to reopen its borders to most parts of the world in 2021.The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, said that reopening will bring "too great a risk" to the people's health and country's economy.Instead, New Zealand will only pursue travel bubbles with Australia and the Pacific on either country-by-country level or state-by-state level.#travel #newzealand #tourism
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/new-zealand-border-closed-2021/
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Singapore residents who are hoping to travel to New Zealand this year, here's some bad news.
New Zealand is unlikely to reopen its borders to most parts of the world in 2021.
Unlikely to reopen borders in 2021
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern said that reopening will bring "too great a risk" to the people's health and country's economy, NZ Herald reported on Jan. 27.
The country's borders are expected to be "impacted for much of this year", Ardern said.
New Zealand will only pursue travel bubbles with Australia and the Pacific on either country-by-country level or state-by-state level.
Last August, Singapore unilaterally allowed general travel to low-risk countries like Brunei and New Zealand.
But the lift in travel restriction was not reciprocated by New Zealand.
First Covid-19 case in months
New Zealand recently confirmed its first Covid-19 case in the community on Jan. 25 after more than two months.
The 56-year-old tested positive for the South African strain of Covid-19 after being quarantined for two weeks and having tested negative twice.
The emergence of the case prompted Australia to suspend its travel bubble with New Zealand for 72 hours.
Vaccines
Ardern also said on Jan. 26 that the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines will arrive in the country by end of March with priority given to border workers.
The government aims to start vaccinating the general public in mid-2021, its Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins added.
Ardern also said that the government had purchased a "diverse portfolio" of vaccines, including the one from Pfizer-BioNTech.
However, New Zealand's specific vaccination timeline remains unclear.
Top photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
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Coffee Tulip is a quaint cafe located at Royal Square in Novena run by a group of elderly in their 70s, including one Uncle Lawrence.When asked why he decided to invest in an F&B business at this time of his life, Uncle Lawrence shared that the cafe is actually owned by his daughter who is a person with disability.Opened in Sep. 2018, the cafe serves a variety of local delicacies under S$10.#differentlyabled #business #community
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/coffee-tulip-novena/
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If you're looking for a place to eat in the Novena area, here's a cafe you may want to consider.
Coffee Tulip is a quaint family-run cafe located at Royal Square in Novena.
Family-run cafe
According to a Facebook post shared on Hawkers United - Dabao 2020, the cafe is run by a group of elderly in their 70s, including one Uncle Lawrence.
When asked by Facebook user Lalalicious Tan on why he decided to invest in an F&B business at this time of his life, Uncle Lawrence shared that the cafe is actually owned by his daughter who is a person with disability.
"This cafe is actually owned by my handicap daughter, we are helping her to run it."
Mains under S$10
Opened in Sep. 2018, the cafe serves a variety of local delicacies under S$10.
While the menu is fairly simple, reviews have praised Coffee Tulip for their authentic local flavours.
Here's a look at some of their offerings:
Garlic fried rice with seafood + Homemade soup (S$8.90)
Braised pork chop with rice + Homemade soup (S$8.90)
Kimchi fried rice with seafood + Homemade soup
Fried bee hoon (S$3.70)
Chee cheong fun (S$3)
Another item that is a favourite among regulars is the spicy homemade belachan chilli which is often served on the side of most of their mains.
However, according to Tan, they don't sell it by the tub as it is "too much work".
Details
103 Irrawaddy Road #02-10 Royal Square @ Novena SIngapore 329566
Opening hours: 8am to 8pm, Mondays to Saturdays. Closed on Sundays.
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Top image from Lalalicious Tan's Facebook page, Coffee Tulip's Facebook page and @pamphang on Instagram.
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In response to changing travelling habits, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) Singapore has been exploring potential locations where road lanes can be repurposed for wider footpaths, pedestrianised streets or cycling paths.LTA announced that an upcoming project is the partial pedestrianisation of Woodlands Ring Road, located between Woodlands Drive 63 and Drive 71. The westbound lane of this road lane will be closed off starting from February 2021.Residents, as well as students from nearby schools - MINDS Woodlands Gardens School, Woodlands Ring Primary and Secondary Schools, as well as Spectra Secondary School - will have more space for walking and cycling.Access to Kampung Admiralty, Admiralty MRT station and other amenities will become more convenient for pedestrians too.The eastbound road (towards Drive 63) will be converted to a bus-only road, for buses and emergency vehicles only.#transport #infrastructure #cycling
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/lta-kampung-admiralty-footpath-cycling-path/
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Editor's note on Jan. 21, 3:30pm: The headline of this article has been amended for accuracy.
In response to changing travelling habits, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been exploring potential locations where road lanes can be repurposed for wider footpaths, pedestrianised streets or cycling paths.
In a release on Jan. 21, LTA announced that an upcoming project is the partial pedestrianisation of Woodlands Ring Road, located between Woodlands Drive 63 and Drive 71.
The road is adjacent to Kampung Admiralty which is frequented by residents from Sembawang and Woodlands, according to Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung.
Temporary changes to road lanes
The westbound lane of this road lane will be closed off starting from February 2021.
Residents, as well as students from nearby schools - MINDS Woodlands Gardens School, Woodlands Ring Primary and Secondary Schools, as well as Spectra Secondary School - will have more space for walking and cycling.
Access to Kampung Admiralty, Admiralty MRT station and other amenities will become more convenient for pedestrians too.
The eastbound road (towards Drive 63) will be converted to a bus-only road, for buses and emergency vehicles only.
LTA will temporarily modify the road layout by placing water-filled barriers along the stretch of Woodlands Ring Road to close off the westbound road (towards Drive 71) from private vehicular traffic.
To seek public feedback
The agency will be engaging the community to seek feedback and suggestions.
If the public is supportive of this project, permanent infrastructural changes will be made in the second phase, LTA said.
Ong also said in his post that more projects in the pipeline to turn Singapore into "a greener and car-lite city through a careful and sensible balance of trade-offs".
Top photo via LTA
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In the coming year, the Singapore government's biggest priority with regards to the Covid-19 pandemic will be rolling out the vaccines to the masses as soon as possible.Co-chairs of the Multi-Ministry Taskforce Lawrence Wong and Gan Kim Yong made clear however, that the government will not hold back its vaccination efforts for those who hesitate.Wong said:"Our philosophy in rolling out the vaccinations is to push out whatever supplies of vaccines we have as soon as possible.We are not holding back [our] supply to wait for people who are holding back [themselves]. We are not going to reserve some supply for you until you decide to take [the vaccination] up."Wong added that those who choose to wait and make their decision to take the vaccine later on "must accept the consequences" that there might not be a ready supply of vaccines all the time, as vaccines would be given out to those who are willing immediately.The government would also consider relaxing safe management measures should Singapore have "lots of people getting vaccinated".#covid19 #vaccine #health
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/wont-ration-vaccine-lawrence-wong/
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In the coming year, the Singapore government's biggest priority with regards to the Covid-19 pandemic will be rolling out the vaccines to the masses as soon as possible.
Co-chairs of the Multi-Ministry Taskforce Lawrence Wong and Gan Kim Yong compared Covid-19 to a marathon.
Both Gan and Wong urged Singaporeans not to become complacent.
Both ministers also made clear their stance on those who prefer to wait for others to take the shot first — that the government will not be waiting for them.
Felt "perfectly fine" after vaccination
These statements were made during an interview Wong and Gan had with the media on Jan. 19.
In response to a media question about how 34 per cent of Singaporeans remained hesitant about taking the vaccine — based on a YouGov survey — Gan acknowledged these concerns about the new vaccines.
However, he said this could also be an opportunity for the government to ramp up their public education efforts on vaccinations, particularly for seniors in Singapore.
As seniors more often remain cooped up at home, Gan said that vaccinating those within this demographic would have to be done the hard way — by doing door to door, explaining and making the case for vaccinations.
Gan mentioned that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Wong and himself had already been vaccinated as a show of confidence to the Singapore population.
https://mothership.sg/2021/01/pm-lee-covid-vaccine-sgh/
When asked how they felt after their own vaccinations, Wong immediately quipped "I feel perfectly fine!".
Both men then chuckled and commented that they both had sore arms for a day after.
Vaccines will be rolled out ASAP
However, a lot more still has to be done to convince those who have adopted a wait-and-see attitude, Gan said.
This attitude has perhaps been bolstered by the misconception that the vaccine is not necessary due to the relatively low number of community cases in Singapore.
"But you must remember that the rest of the world is still burning up. There are new cases everyday and new records being set," Gan said.
Wong and Gan made clear however, that the government will not hold back its vaccination efforts for those who hesitate.
Wong said:
"Our philosophy in rolling out the vaccinations is to push out whatever supplies of vaccines we have as soon as possible. We are not holding back [our] supply to wait for people who are holding back [themselves]. We are not going to reserve some supply for you until you decide to take [the vaccination] up."
Wong added that those who choose to wait and make their decision to take the vaccine later on "must accept the consequences" that there might not be a ready supply of vaccines all the time, as vaccines would be given out to those who are willing immediately.
"We are not trying to hold back or ration the supply. It's not in Singapore's interest to do that," Wong said.
Measures might be eased if more people are vaccinated
In response to a question on whether stringent restrictions would be implemented on those who are unvaccinated, and if those who are unvaccinated by choice would be differentiated, Wong explained that the situation was not that simple.
It would be hard to differentiate between those who choose not to take the vaccine, and those who are unable to take the vaccine due to medical reasons, he said.
In any case, restrictions such as safe management measures would still be in place for some time after the vaccinations.
Wong did mention however, that there might be potential easing of certain measures for individuals who have been vaccinated.
Both Wong and Gan extolled on the potential benefits vaccines can hold for the future as well.
"At some point in time, we need to open up more and vaccinations will help us get there faster," Gan said.
Wong also acknowledged that while studies are ongoing to determine the extent to which the vaccine can reduce the transmission of the virus, positive results could equate to various advantages for those in Singapore.
"But if the data and evidence show that transmission risks are reduced, you can expect that for somebody who wants to travel [and who is vaccinated], then potentially the Stay-Home Notice requirement can be reduced or even eliminated."
People who are subject to regular testing in their line of work may even see testing frequency or requirements reduced or eliminated, Wong added.
The government would even consider relaxing safe management measures should Singapore have "lots of people getting vaccinated".
"Additional motivation for all of us who want to step forward and get ourselves vaccinated," Wong said.
Top photo from Andrew Wong and MCI
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Calvin Benton, who set up a psychotherapy company called Spill, thought that paying his employees the same salary would bring harmony to the team. But he was forced to scrap this model of pay after a year.When Benton founded Spill two and a half years ago, he made the decision to pay himself and his colleagues an equal salary.There were five people in the company at that time, and everyone was “pretty much contributing the same”.Hence, everyone was paid the same amount of money regardless of experience and role.As the team grew, Benton also noted that the equal pay system began to cause conflict as some team members worked longer hours and felt that they were contributing more than others.After a year, Benton decided to pull the plug on the equal pay scheme following pressure from his staff, replacing it with a traditional structure of pay grades based on seniority in the company and technical expertise.The company also takes an open salary policy approach, where everyone’s salary level is made known.Benton also admitted that “sometimes traditional practices are there for a reason”.#businessandmanagement #humanresources #salary
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/ceo-spill-same-salary/
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Calvin Benton, who set up a psychotherapy company called Spill, thought that paying his employees the same salary would bring harmony to the team.
But he was forced to scrap this model of pay after a year.
The story, which was published as part of BBC's "CEO Secrets" series, detailed Benton's challenges with the scheme, and why he eventually did away with it.
Equal salary of £36,000 a year
Two and a half years ago, Benton founded Spill, which offers counselling and therapy to employees of companies.
BBC reported that when he founded the company, Benton made the decision to pay himself and his colleagues an equal salary.
There were five people in the company at that time, and everyone was "pretty much contributing the same".
Hence, everyone was paid the same amount of money regardless of experience and role.
The amount they decided on was £36,000 (S$65,575) a year for everyone as they had calculated that it was a decent living wage for London.
Problems faced following company's expansion
As the company expanded, and as they tried to hire staff such as software developers and salespersons, Benton shared that he soon ran into problems.
Benton told BBC that software developers are usually very in-demand, so they typically have higher salaries. The company also struggled to attract senior talent for the software role.
As for the salespeople, they are usually paid on commission so the equal-pay model was unsuitable for their role as well.
As the team grew, Benton also noted that the equal pay system began to cause conflict as some team members worked longer hours and felt that they were contributing more than others.
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Soon, there will be no need to check-in via SafeEntry at individual stores within the same shopping mall.According to a written parliamentary reply by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean on Monday (Feb. 1), a single check-in with either the TraceTogether app or token will suffice in the future.While an individual no longer needs to check-in to larger retail stores and supermarkets within a mall, they would still be required to check-in to gyms and F&B dine-in outlets, via TraceTogether-only SafeEntry.This is because these establishments have a higher transmission risk, with individuals likely to be in close proximity for long periods, and where such individuals will legitimately remove their masks, explained Teo.#retail #covid19 #shoppingmall
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/no-need-check-in-same-mall/
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Soon, there will be no need to check-in via SafeEntry at individual stores within the same shopping mall.
A single check-in with either the TraceTogether app or token will suffice in the future, according to a written parliamentary reply by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean on Monday (Feb. 1).
More than 20,000 venues ready to implement TraceTogether-only SafeEntry
According to Teo, SafeEntry is currently mandatory at venues that have high visitorship, or have high transmission risk.
The government intends to implement TraceTogether-only SafeEntry at these venues, which will require businesses to allow check-ins with either the TraceTogether app or token.
More than half of these 40,000 public-facing venues are estimated to have already begun accepting TraceTogether token check-ins, and are ready to implement TraceTogether-only SafeEntry, according to Teo.
Individuals still need to check-in to gyms and F&B outlets
The successful implementation of TraceTogether-only SafeEntry will also offer more carrots to members of the public.
"With the better TraceTogether coverage after the implementation of TraceTogether-only SafeEntry, we will also remove some existing SafeEntry check-ins to minimise public inconvenience," he said.
While an individual no longer needs to check-in to larger retail stores and supermarkets within a mall, they would still be required to check-in to gyms and F&B dine-in outlets, via TraceTogether-only SafeEntry.
This is because these establishments have a higher transmission risk, with individuals likely to be in close proximity for long periods, and where such individuals will legitimately remove their masks, explained Teo.
"We are working on potential solutions that would make it more convenient for public-facing businesses to enable the checking-in of TraceTogether tokens and TraceTogether-only SafeEntry. Details will be announced later," said Teo.
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Young cousins — Nicholas Lim, 20, and Tommy Pang, 23 — share what it was like starting an eatery in their 20s.Aside from borrowing a tidy sum to the tune of S$200,000 from their parents, the pair could draw on their family’s experience in running the popular Bai Nian Yong Tau Foo chain, which Pang’s parents founded.Unfortunately, the business, Fu Er Dai, didn’t kick off the way they expected it to. Six months in, the eatery was serving a paltry 30 tables daily — 40 on good days. It was bleeding money by the buckets.Disheartened, the pair contemplated closing the restaurant — until a particular incident, says Pang.An owner of an F&B business along the same street came over during a lunch peak hour.The owner peeked in, saw the largely empty eatery with only two customers, and laughed out loud before heading back to his brisk business.Determined to make sure that the eatery succeeds, the cousins rebranded the eatery with new furniture and decor, and reopened as Nic & Tom Eatery in January 2020.The two also started to do their own marketing outreach.In recent times, having been through the challenges of the Circuit Breaker, amongst other obstacles, Nic & Tom Eatery is finally going strong, seeing huge crowds every weekend.#restaurant #marketing #business
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/nic-and-tom-eatery-free-food-influencers/
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Nicholas Lim and Tommy Pang are wonderful hosts.
The young cousins — Lim is 20, while Pang is 23 — give us full rein in their Serangoon Gardens eatery to move the tables and chairs around for the interview. As we set up, Lim quietly brings over mugs of iced mango cordial.
To be honest, it was a little surprising to learn that the owners of Nic & Tom Eatery are so young. I mean, what were you doing in your 20s? Not running a food establishment, probably.
Wanting to strike out on their own
In a way, you can say that being an entrepreneur is in their blood. Pang's parents are the founders of the popular Bai Nian Yong Tau Foo chain which started out as a lone hawker stall at Albert Food Centre in 2013.
Watching them slog as hawkers working 19-hour days clearly made an impression on Pang who used to help out whenever he could. The many hours spent at the stall sparked an interest to "do something with [his] hands".
For Lim, who used to help out with the cashiering and making prawn paste at his uncle's second stall at Clementi, it was seeing the smiles of satisfied Bai Nian customers that inspired him to pursue a career in the food and beverage industry.
Seeing the success that Pang's parents had from selling one dish — yong tau foo — also made the boys question if they could do more, and "serve a wider variety, at affordable prices, in a comfortable environment".
Perhaps it was the privilege of having a front row seat to the difficulties of a mid-career pivot into the food and beverage industry (the Pang seniors were in the timber industry before they started Bai Nian), but both Pang and Lim were adamant that they should start their business while they were young.
Pang says:
"I do not want to have any regrets...An idea came came about and I want to know whether I really can start something of our own...I think, in a way, it was to prove myself."
Finding the right fit for the eatery
Aside from borrowing a tidy sum from their parents (to the tune of S$200,000, we learn), the pair could draw on their family's experience in running the Bai Nian stalls. But operating an eatery is quite a different ball game.
For instance, says Pang, restaurants have more to fuss around with because they have a front-end of the house to manage.
"At that point, it was actually something very new to us, and also very new to our parents because our parents don't run restaurants. They run hawker stalls and coffeeshop stalls. So we had to do our research on our own."
The boys went around observing how other restaurants made use of technology in their operations. Some had iPads and Quick Response (QR) codes for customers to place their orders. Others had a queue system where customers pick up their own orders instead of being served.
Such technology go a long way in helping food and beverage companies cope with the perpetual manpower crunch but Pang and Lim decided that it wasn't for them.
The pair are amusingly old-school when it comes to serving their customers. Aside from flipping the (very extensive) menu, customers don't need to lift a finger.
"I hope to deliver customer service to them, to have a personal touch, you know, like coming home, to eat. So there was why we adopted a system that fits what we wanted, where we help the customer to order and we also serve them as well."
A naming blunder — Fu Er Dai
The pair opened the eatery in 2019, offering a smorgasbord of dishes — think fried chicken wings, cheesy seafood noodles, pig intestine mee sua, and pig-trotter rice — that they personally love.
Somewhat naively as well, they decided to name the eatery Fu Er Dai (富二代), which translates into Rich Second Generation.
Popularised in China, the term 富二代 carries a negative connotation, describing young, rich, and typically lazy folks who live on the wealth accumulated by their parents.
Of course, that wasn't what the pair was gunning for, says Lim:
"We were trying to show people that we can actually become rich with our own hands, through hard work and dedication."
The two are acutely aware that they have the privilege of being financially backed by their parents. But they hoped that a successful eatery business would be proof that they can make something of their own, despite their youth.
Laughed at by neighbouring business
Unfortunately the business didn't kick off the way they expected it to. Six months in, the eatery was serving a paltry 30 tables daily — 40 on good days. It was bleeding money by the buckets.
Disheartened, the pair contemplated closing the restaurant. In fact, they would have wound up the business if not for a particular incident, says Pang.
He recalls how an owner of an F&B business along the same street came over one day during lunch.
It was peak hour but Fu Er Dai had only two customers.
The owner peeked in, saw the largely empty eatery, and laughed out loud before heading back to his place which was enjoying brisk business.
"I witnessed the whole situation and it really broke my heart."
Turning the business around by giving away free food
Determined to make sure that the eatery succeeds, Pang went back to his parents and asked to borrow another S$50,000 and six months to turn the business around.
A small portion of the money went into rebranding the eatery with new furniture and decor. The restaurant reopened as Nic & Tom Eatery in January 2020, complete with a huge exterior signboard with their faces.
The two also started to do their own marketing outreach.
Having no money to spend on marketing the eatery, Pang decided to give vouchers for his signature dish — cheese bee hoon — to Instagrammers with at least 1,000 followers.
"So I'd DM them and say, like, Hi, so-and-so, here's a voucher for free cheese bee hoon — totally free. You come in, you can just eat, and then you can walk out. You don't have to take Instagram story, you don't have to do a post for me. I just want to invite you sincerely over to the restaurant to try our dish. You eat already, you can just walk out."
It was a gamble, but Pang and Lim were confident about their food.
"We knew that when they see the food, they cannot help it but take a photo and post online," laughs Pang.
It is true. My first reaction upon seeing this bowl of Abalone Cheese Bee Hoon was to snap a photo of the abalone and forward it to my family, exclaiming, "Wah, very dua liap (big)."
The food is indeed very good. You can read our review of the eatery here; I recommend the Pig Intestine Mee Sua.
The pair's influencer outreach worked. More and more customers started turning up at the eatery. By February, they were serving 60 tables daily. All seemed to be going well — until the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
Overwhelmed during Circuit Breaker
Like many other food and beverage outlets, Nic & Tom Eatery could not accept walk-in customers during the Circuit Breaker in April 2020. Left to depend on deliveries, the cousins feared that all their efforts in turning the business around would go down the drain.
They scrambled to set up their WhatsApp business account and braced themselves for the inevitable. Best case scenario? 10 orders per day, says Lim.
"So on the first day, we had a lot of orders. Over 400 plus. People keep calling in because we weren't ready for so many orders. So it was very, very messy."
Why the unexpected jump in orders? Probably because the eatery promised free delivery islandwide for orders that were as low as S$15 — a "mistake" says Pang, that is understandably attributable to their lack of experience.
The cousins subsequently increased the minimum spending for free delivery and set a cap on orders so that they would not be overwhelmed.
During the Circuit Breaker, the eatery managed to deliver a respectable 120 orders per day on average thanks in part by a group of taxi drivers.
In return for delivering food, Pang and Lim paid these drivers S$5.50 per trip and provided them with three meals a day. Pang says that it was the eatery's way of helping out fellow Singaporeans who were also struggling during the pandemic.
Fast forward to the present, Nic & Tom Eatery is still going strong, seeing huge crowds every weekend.
The pair also started a Telegram group so that they can speak to their customers directly, blasting out new promotions every now and then (the current one is a 1-for-1 offer for Fried Prawn Cheese Bee Hoon).
Yes, the business is indeed picking up, says Pang, but there's still some time to go before they can start pocketing their earnings — 100 per cent of their profit today goes into repaying the loans they took from their parents. In the mean time, his goal is quite simple:
"You know, regardless, whether today there are only 10 customers that walk in, I want to serve the best quality dish that I can to make these 10 people happy. Even now, with a bigger crowd, you know, that's also our duty."
Nic & Tom Eatery
Address: 55 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555951 (map)
Operating Hours: 10am to 10pm, daily
Contact: 6789 9696 / 8410 4122 (WhatsApp for delivery services)
Social Media: Facebook • Instagram • Telegram
Related story:
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Local KTV chain Teo Heng announced on January 21, 2021 that it will be temporarily closing most of its outlets.The move, said the KTV chain, is a temporary one, as it negotiates the rental with its landlords.Teo Heng's announcement came as a blow to many Singaporeans who have fond memories of the KTV chain. Here are two major reasons why:- Teo Heng was one of the pioneers in breaking the stereotype of KTV outlets as sleazy places by prohibiting smoking and the consumption of alcohol in their outlets. - Teo Heng was also very affordable compared to its competitors. While other KTV outlets were charging karaoke sessions per head (more patrons = more fees), Teo Heng charged a standard rate depending on room size. Unlike other KTV outlets, Teo Heng also did not charge its patrons a premium for food and drinks as well.#entertainment #retail #covid19
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/teo-heng-ktv/
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Local KTV chain Teo Heng announced on January 21, 2021 that it is closing most of its outlets.
The move, said the KTV chain, is a temporary one, as it negotiates the rental with its landlords.
Teo Heng was forced to cease operations in March 2020 due to restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nightclubs and karaoke outlets were scheduled to reopen under a pilot programme in 2021.
However, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on January 19 that the pilot programme will be deferred until further notice due to the recent rise in community cases
Teo Heng's announcement came as a blow to many Singaporeans who have fond memories of the KTV chain.
We spoke to some friends and colleagues who had much to say about Teo Heng's family-friendly vibes and its affordability.
Family-friendly, great hangout for friends
At a time when KTV outlets were mostly seen as sleazy places flush with cigarette smoke and unsavoury characters, Teo Heng was one of the first to break that stereotype.
For one, the chain prohibits smoking and the consumption of alcohol in its outlets.
When it first started in 1989, Teo Heng deliberately positioned itself as a family-friendly business where youngsters could come and enjoy themselves without resorting to vice, reported Vulcan Post.
"Those days when I first started going to Teo Heng, family-friendly KTV were not really common or a concept that my parents had a good impression of," says a fan who wishes to be known as Ms Goh.
"I had to lie to my parents to go to Teo Heng with my friends."
She adds that the perception of KTV outlets has changed over the years, helped in part by Teo Heng's popularity and positive image.
Fellow Teo Heng patron Royston remembers bringing his daughter to her first KTV session at Teo Heng.
"We sang with friends and really enjoyed ourselves... Very sad about the closure because I had a lot of memories there. Teo Heng represented affordable KTV for the masses!"
Singing at Teo Heng outlets was also a ritual for our colleague Jing Hui and her friends after their exams.
"My favourite song at Teo Heng was 'Love The Way You Lie'. It was our anthem!" she adds.
Affordable, cared for customers
Teo Heng operated in very different manner from its competitors.
While other outlets were charging karaoke sessions per head (more patrons = more fees) Teo Heng charged a range of rates depending on room size.
Its smallest room (which fits four patrons) cost S$8 per hour, while its largest room (for up to 10 people) will set you back by S$12 per hour.
Unlike other KTV outlets as well, Teo Heng did not charge its patrons a premium for food and drinks.
"At a time when most family-friendly KTV establishments were charging customers for food and drinks, Teo Heng went the other way; they allowed customers to bring their own food, snacks or drinks," says another patron, Yuk Lum.
"Their rates were quite affordable too, which made me feel that they genuinely cared about customers and wanted us to have a good time there. Really sad to see them go, but hats off to them for putting up such a tough fight till the end."
Its canned drinks were going for S$1 each.
That's cheaper than the canned drinks from coffeeshops, says long-time Teo Heng patron Jon who had been visiting Teo Heng since it opened its first outlet at Katong Shopping Centre.
"There was a period before they became super popular where you can KTV from 8pm to 2am for like S$30 for the room... Awesome times."
Founder is a man who love singing
Perhaps Teo Heng's approach to serving karaoke fans stems from its founder's passion for singing.
Jackson Teo is said to be an uncomplicated, happy man who used to sing in Katong Shopping Centre back in 1989 in order to sell karaoke mixers from Japanese brand BMB.
He later brought portable BMB karaoke mixers to coffee shops and sang live there to attract home users.
He then became the official distributor for BMB karaoke mixers for the region, China, and Hong Kong, and started the karaoke lounge business in 1993.
Over the years, Teo and his family's insistence on putting their patrons first earned Teo Heng a loyal following.
As a colleague puts it, Teo Heng has left an indelible mark on her:
"That's my go-to place to mark the end of exams during secondary school, a go-to place after we graduated and wanted to keep in touch, a go-to place when a friend broke up and wanted to sing some Eric Chou songs and be absolutely OK to be vulnerable in that room."
Top image credit: Jon, Joshua Lee.
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When was the last time you felt like you were in danger in Singapore?“If we truly scrutinise our lives, we might realise that we’ve taken the people behind the safety and security that we enjoy for granted,” our writer shares her thoughts after listening to the stories of seven Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers who protect Singapore’s borders.#bordersecurity #security #immigration
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/behind-the-scenes-how-ica-officers-protect-our-borders-from-the-dangers-you-never-knew-existed/
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Every day, we live the mundane lives we are used to. Get out of bed, go to school/work, go home. Once in a while, we go for a holiday if the situation permits.
Rinse and repeat.
We give little thought to the dangers we unknowingly missed or the people working hard for us to enjoy the sanctuary we’re used to.
If we truly scrutinise our lives, we might realise that we’ve taken the people behind the safety and security that we enjoy for granted — at least, that’s how I felt after listening to these seven Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers.
1. Overseeing Changi Airport’s immigration hall
Counterfeit passport sounds like part of the plot of a spy movie until you realise it's a real situation that ICA officers deal with at the checkpoints.
Fiona Lai, who leads a team of ICA officers, says, “Travellers would claim that they have purchased these counterfeit passports from agents at a certain cost.”
The 26-year-old has been working at ICA for a year. She works with a team of 40 officers deployed at Changi Airport's immigration hall.
“It’s so much more than stamping of passports,” Lai tells Mothership about her job.
Her job scope includes profiling travellers, conducting investigations, performing security questioning, and more.
Sounds like a stressful job? Probably.
But the jovial team leader shares that the most rewarding part of her work is when members of the public appreciate her for her hard work with a gesture as simple as a warm smile.
Her coworkers, who hold the same vision of keeping Singapore safe, also motivates her.
Watch our interview with Lai here:
2. Living his childhood dream as an investigation officer
If you dreamt of becoming a law enforcement officer after watching countless Hong Kong crime dramas as a kid, you’re not that different from Liew Shi Xiong.
Like many of us, Investigation Officer (IO) Liew grew up watching films by Johnnie To and John Woo, which inspired him to become a law enforcement officer.
Decades later, the 35-year-old is now the Officer-in-Charge (OC) for the Special Investigation Team — Enforcement Division.
That was a mouthful. So what exactly does Liew do?
He describes his work as “playing a jigsaw puzzle”.
Other than interviewing and recording statements from suspects and witnesses, Liew sieves through all the information received by ICA before piecing the important parts together.
The IO estimates that the longest interrogation he’s done is around 12 to 15 hours, with breaks for the interviewee in between.
Most of Liew’s work involves illegal immigrants, harbourers and employers of immigration offenders, and marriage of convenience syndicates.
What, then, is the key to success in this job?
“A good IO should be… kaypoh,” Liew summarises.
Officers have to be relentless in asking questions and chasing for information regarding the subject.
Every piece of information can be salient to solving a case.
If you’re harbouring hopes of chasing your childhood dream, watch this:
3. Handling real-life movie scenarios
Ever watched a movie and wondered if a scene reflected the situation in real life?
We have — that’s exactly why we asked Muhammad Fadhli, a Task Force Officer at Woodlands Checkpoint, to react to how border security is being portrayed in some of our favourite movies.
Fadhli’s professionalism and passion for his job shone through with his eagle-eyed observations.
For example, Fadhli quickly pointed out that Billy Hayes (played by Brad Davis) from Midnight Express wore shades to avoid eye contact with the authorities.
While his bag was being searched, Hayes chewed gum to hide his nervousness — a common tactic used by suspects.
“(The area above one’s stomach) is a common place for a subject to conceal items — contraband items — underneath their clothing,” Fadhli says, adding that seeing such scenarios on his job is “quite normal”.
As a Task Force Officer, Fadhli has to profile travellers, conduct interviews to find out the intentions of suspicious travellers, and observe their behaviours.
While some movie scenes reflect his job scope, Fadhli explains that Task Force Officers have the responsibility to take every situation grievously as they play an essential part in keeping Singapore safe.
What else did Fadhli comment on? Watch here:
4. Interdicting dangerous or illegal shipments
Did you know that your parcels could risk being contaminated by radioactive material? I didn’t.
Prasad, a Radiographic Image Analyst at ICA, leads a team of “specially selected officers” at Pasir Panjang Scanning Station. Their job is to analyse scanned images of containers to ensure that no dangerous goods enter Singapore.
A few years back, a consignment of bamboo charcoal pillows triggered the radiation alarm as it was going through radiographic scanning at Pasir Panjang Scanning Station.
Upon inspection, it turns out that the pillows — initially meant for sale in Singapore — were emitting radiation.
The pillows were eventually sent back to its country of origin.
Through the various equipment ICA owns, the officers were able to identify the source location of the radiation as well as the type of radioactive source hidden in the container.
These intricate checks led to the exposure of wildlife trafficking attempts like elephant ivory and pangolin scales, for example.
According to Prasad, who has been working at ICA for 26 years, to qualify as a Radiographic Image Analyst, you’ll need to have strong attention to detail and be passionate about the job.
Think you’re up for it? Watch the Radiographic Image Analysts at work here:
5. State-of-the-art technology to enable quicker immigration clearance
Before Covid-19 temporarily shut down leisure travel, Woodlands Checkpoint was one of the busiest land checkpoints in the world.
What do the ICA officers do to safeguard our borders at Woodlands Checkpoint?
As a Primary Screening Officer, Akio Wong's job includes profiling travellers to ensure that they do not have dubious intent when entering Singapore.
He verifies that the travellers are the rightful owners of the travel document they present, and that the travel documents are legitimate.
Wong also checks vehicles around the checkpoint to intercept suspicious activities, and plan duty rosters.
Although the Singapore-Johor Bahru border is still closed for leisure travellers due to the ongoing pandemic, Wong’s job is not less relevant today.
Since July 2020, all automated and manual immigration lanes and counters at the passenger halls of Singapore's checkpoints have been equipped with the Multi-Modal Biometric System (MMBS), including Woodlands Checkpoint.
Wong led us on a short tour of MMBS.
Immigration clearance is expected to be more convenient and efficient with MMBS, which uses iris and facial biometrics.
By using iris patterns in lieu of fingerprints for identification, issues with fingerprint verification, such as deterioration of fingerprints due to ageing, scarring or dryness, are avoided.
According to Wong, who has been working at ICA for three years, iris and facial scans taken together are more accurate than the traditional thumbprint security model.
Furthermore, the technology allows ICA to capture the traveller’s biometrics without any physical contact with the machine, which is especially important, given the current Covid-19 situation.
Echoing Lai’s statements, Wong told Mothership that his coworkers are his favourite part of working at ICA: “If you encounter something difficult, everyone is in it together.”
Watch our interview with Wong here, where he shared a tip on how to get across the Causeway quicker when the borders reopen for leisure travel:
6. Frontline security
“The gunman is alive, last seen moving towards (the) train track. Please proceed with care.”
What would you do if you hear this in the middle of your job?
For First Response Team Officer Mohammed Syamil, attending to such situations during his operations or training is part of his daily job.
The sergeant is part of a team of specially trained officers in charge of various areas of security relating to potential threats and protective security around Woodlands Checkpoint.
Besides supervising Woodlands Checkpoint, Syamil’s team does at least two operations a day, including their day-to-day trainings.
On one occasion, Syamil was summoned to attend to a potential bomb threat after a black box with protruding wires was found at Woodlands Checkpoint.
Although the box turned out to be not an explosive item (fortunately), Syamil recalls the incident vividly:
“It highlights the fact that we have to be fast in our response, [and] we have to be quick and decisive. At the same time, our incident management skills have to be top-notch.”
How do you become a successful First Response Team Officer?
According to Syamil, you need to have an “outstanding sense of responsibility”, as well as the ability to adapt to changes in a quick but composed manner.
Here’s what a day in Syamil’s life as a First Response Team Officer looks like:
Ultimately, what these six officers at ICA have in common is their determination in working towards a common goal: keeping Singapore safe.
If you’re excited by the prospect of joining a team like that, you can find out more here.
This article sponsored by ICA made this Mothership.sg writer realise how much work goes behind protecting Singapore from threats.
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IKEA Singapore wrongly printed with the IKEA website URL missing a letter — as “www.ikea.co.sg” instead of “www.ikea.com.sg” on its KLAMBY reusable shopping bag. The misprinted bags are now on sale on IKEA’s online store, and are in stock at both its physical stores at Alexandra Road and Tampines.A photo posted by Facebook user Alicia Cho shows the bags on offer for S$1.90, with the Swedish furniture store marketing them as being “limited” and “unique”, while candidly acknowledging the mistake with an “alamak…” as well.#marketing #advertising #ecommerce
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/ikea-misprinted-reusable-bags-alamak/
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Imagine misprinting hundreds of pieces of merchandise and having to own up to your boss, only to be told that your company will be selling the goods anyway.
This apparently happened at IKEA Singapore with its KLAMBY reusable shopping bag, which was wrongly printed with the IKEA website URL missing a letter — as "www.ikea.co.sg" instead of "www.ikea.com.sg".
Owning the mistake
The misprinted bags are now on sale on IKEA's online store, and are in stock at both its physical stores at Alexandra Road and Tampines.
A photo posted by Facebook user Alicia Cho shows the bags on offer for S$1.90, with the Swedish furniture store marketing them as being "limited" and "unique", while candidly acknowledging the mistake with an "alamak..." as well.
On the product's signage, where one would typically find a description of the product, IKEA explained:
"At IKEA it's OK to make a mistake. We printed the wrong website address on the KLAMBY reusable bag but because it's re-usable we won't scrap them. They're limited edition and they won't be back!"
On IKEA's online store, the bags also appear to have been given the usual photoshoot treatment, misprinting notwithstanding.
However, there is no indication in the product details that the bag has been wrongly printed.
The mistake may not be apparent to online shoppers, except if they happened to notice that the actual site's URL does not match the one printed on the bags.
Totally unrelated but follow and listen to our podcast here
Top images via Alicia Cho on Facebook and IKEA's website
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You might have seen the name “GameStop” in the news recently. The saga concerning it is the classic story of David versus Goliath, except that in this epic tale, it was a battle of wills between small investors and a bunch of Wall Street hedge funds.Simply put, a bunch of retail traders (people who trade on the stock market for their own personal accounts, instead of an organisation) on Reddit, Inc. pushed up the value of shares belonging to GameStop, a video game retailer.In the process, the Redditors foiled the plans of several hedge funds who were betting that the GameStop’s share value would go down, causing the hedge funds to lose billions of dollars.Our writer attempts to simplify this complicated story with a durian-selling analogy.#investing #financeandeconomy #hedgefund
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/gamestop-hedge-fund-shorting-explainer/
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mothership-sg
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You might have seen the name "GameStop" in the news recently.
Battle of wills
The saga concerning it is the classic story of David versus Goliath, except that in this epic tale, it was a battle of wills between small investors and a bunch of Wall Street hedge funds.
Simply put, a bunch of retail traders (people who trade on the stock market for their own personal accounts, instead of an organisation) on Reddit pushed up the value of shares belonging to GameStop, a video game retailer.
In the process, the Redditors foiled the plans of several hedge funds who were betting that the GameStop's share value would go down, causing the hedge funds to lose billions of dollars.
This story might seem a bit complicated, but read on; we'll try our best to simplify it for you.
A video game retailer in decline?
We start with GameStop, the video game retailer who operates more than 5,000 stores in the United States.
GameStop had not been doing well for a variety of reasons, as explained by Vox: Malls that are dying out, threats from digital game downloads, and, of course, the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, in September 2020, Ryan Cohen, an investor and co-founder of a pet e-commerce company, acquired a 13 per cent stake in GameStop and urged the company to move its business online to rival Amazon, reported The Guardian.
"What an ambitious bet. Confirm will fail," thought several Wall Street hedge funds and investors who saw this as an opportunity to "short" GameStop's stock.
What is shorting?
This is when you borrow shares from someone and make a bet that the share price will go down.
You then sell the shares at the current price, buy them back once the price goes down, and make a profit in the process.
Importantly, the shares must be returned to whomever loaned them out after a period of time, along with some interest.
Complicated? Here's a simple analogy, using durians:
Peter has a basket of durians. The market price of durians is S$20 a piece. John comes along and takes one durian from Peter, promising that he would return the durian after a week. John goes out and sells this durian for S$20, which he promptly pockets. It is durian season and he is pretty confident that the price of durians will go down. He surveys the local durian shops closely and true enough, the price of durians falls by S$2 within one day. On the fifth day, the price of durians falls by another S$5. Seizing the opportunity, John buys a durian for S$13, which he returns to Peter. Receiving S$20 for the first durian and paying out S$13 for the second durian means that John made a profit of S$7 — all without needing a durian of his own.
Shorting shares is not illegal. In fact, many Wall Street fortunes have been made this way.
It is, however, very risky because the losses can be immense if the price goes up instead of falling.
Going back to the durian analogy, John would make a loss if the price of durians goes up to, say, S$30 — perhaps because of a blight that ruined a huge shipment of durians.
Buying a durian back at S$30 means that he makes a loss of S$10.
Redditors decide to mess with Wall Street hedge funds
Now, let's return to GameStop and the Wall Street hedge funds.
Many hedge funds and investors went to borrow GameStop's shares from the company's shareholders.
They then sold the shares, betting that the share price would drop. They expected that they would be able to buy back the shares at a lower price later.
Now, a bunch of amateur investors on the /wallstreetbets/ subreddit forum noticed that GameStop's stock was heavily shorted by many hedge funds on Wall Street and investors.
Redditors promoted the buying of GameStop shares, framing it as a battle between small investors like themselves and the big Wall Street firms and hedge funds, and spurred the price of GameStop shares upwards by buying and selling among themselves.
This is called a short squeeze.
Using the durian-selling analogy again:
Encouraged by his success with Peter's durian, John decides to borrow Peter's entire stock of 1,000 durians, promising to return him 1,000 durians in a week's time. John takes the durians and sells them for S$13 each. He makes 1000*13 = S$13,000. John bets that the price of durian will fall even further, perhaps to S$10. Then, when he buys back all 1,000 durians, he would still make a profit of S$3,000. Nice. Now, a group of Redditors finds out about John's profit-making scheme. Together, they go around Singapore buying up all of the durians that they can find. They then drive up the price of durian by buying and selling the fruits among themselves on Reddit. By the end of the week, the price of durians is S$100 a piece. John, having to return 1,000 durians to Peter by the deadline, has no choice but to spend S$100,000 to buy the durians back. However, John does not have S$100,000. He would have to seek help from a buddy (a bailout) or suffer the losses and be declared a bankrupt.
Very big losers and very big winners
The same thing happened with the price of GameStop's shares.
On Dec. 31, 2020, each share cost about US$19 (S$25).
By Jan. 26, 2021, the price had soared to about US$148 (S$197).
Yesterday (January 28), it climbed to US$346.51 (S$462.71).
Reuters reported that GameStop's shares jumped by a staggering 1,600 per cent in the last few days.
At this point, the investors and hedge funds who shorted GameStop's shares would face huge losses if they bought back those shares to return them to GameStop shareholders.
One hedge fund in particular, Melvin Capital Management, lost 30 per cent of the US$12.5 billion (S$16.7 billion) it was managing. Other hedge funds came to bail it out, and it eventually stopped trading GameStop shares.
The Guardian reported that from the start of the year until now, these bets have cost professional investors (including hedge funds) a cool US$6.12 billion (S$8.15 billion). On Monday (Jan. 25) alone, the loss amounted to US$2.79 billion (S$3.72 billion).
Conversely those small investors who bought GameStop's shares — but not for shorting — would have made quite a tidy sum if they decide to stop holding on to the stocks and sell them.
One /wallstreetbets/ trader claimed that they turned US$50,000 (S$67,000) into US$11 million (S$14.7 million) by playing options, reported Vox.
Why did these Redditors do such a thing?
So why would this group of Redditors come together and do something that might even cause them to lose money (when GameStop's share price drops)?
An analyst told the BBC that he believes this battle is personal, that these group of average Joes hate hedge funds and are "hell-bent on taking on Wall Street".
"It's a generational fight, redistributive and all about robbing the rich to give to the millennial 'poor'," he opined.
Damn, actually on the sub rn and it's common sentiment. Just wow pic.twitter.com/uGb8gen2lY — im a spoon ≥ 🧢🗽🥂 (@Velokx) January 27, 2021
And it's not just the small traders who have a bone to pick with short sellers.
Some millionaire and billionaire investors, also known as "whales" due to their ability to impact the stock market with their high liquidity, aren't the greatest fans of short sellers either.
One of them was Elon Musk, Tesla entrepreneur and also currently the richest man in the world, who apparently had a beef with short sellers who tried messing with Tesla's stocks by driving them down.
With a single tweet, he sent GameStop's shares soaring.
When will it stop?
Some investors are continuing to short GameStop's shares, in hopes that its price will stop climbing and plunge to its actual value.
According to The Guardian, about 71.66 million GameStop shares are currently shorted.
The founder of investing firm Citron Research — one of those who shorted GameStop's shares — put out a video (now deleted) on Twitter last week predicting that the stock would plunge to US$20 (S$25).
Today, Citron Research has also pulled out of the game.
Last night, GameStop's shares peaked past US$500 (S$664) before it dropped to US$193.60 (S$257.28)
It has dropped because some brokerage firms prevented traders from buying as the price fell.
Will the price of the GameStop's shares drop further? Possibly. The situation is now a game of chicken as investors on both sides continue to buy and sell off the company's shares.
Financial experts have warned that small investors — especially those who have made money — need to unload the shares and exit before they make losses.
Mothership Explains is a series where we dig deep into the important, interesting, and confusing going-ons in our world and try to, well, explain them.
This series aims to provide in-depth, easy-to-understand explanations to keep our readers up to date on not just what is going on in the world, but also the "why's".
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Local supermarket chain SHENG SIONG SUPERMARKET PTE LTD has reportedly performed "tremendously well" for the "turbulent" year of 2020, and staff are getting a windfall.The company's profits grew about 54.4 per cent on a year-on-year basis to S$31.8 million for the third quarter of 2020, ending on Sep. 30.According to an internal company circular, this is the total annual bonus that each employee will supposedly receive, depending on their position in the company:• 4.68 months for part-time staff,• 8.36 months for general staff,• 12.04 months for staff who hold a position ranging from Assistant Supervisor to Senior Executive, and• 15.72 months for staff who hold the position of Assistant Manager and above#bonuses #profits #supermarket
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/sheng-siong-staff-bonus-2020/
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Local supermarket chain Sheng Siong has reportedly performed "tremendously well" for the "turbulent" year of 2020, compared to previous years — and staff are getting a windfall.
The total annual bonus that each employee will supposedly receive will range from nearly 4.7 months for part-time staff to more than 15.5 months for employees holding the positions of assistant manager and above, an internal company circular shows (see below).
Mothership has reached out to Sheng Siong for more information on the matter.
Variable portion of total bonus increased
Explaining that the size of the variable portion of the total bonus had increased, the supermarket chain added that all eligible employees are entitled to 20 per cent of the Sheng Siong Group's profit before tax as variable bonus, on top of the 13th month payment (AWS, also known as Annual Wage Supplement).
Staff will receive their total bonuses in the following amounts, depending on their position in the company:
4.68 months for part-time staff,
8.36 months for general staff,
12.04 months for staff who hold a position ranging from Assistant Supervisor to Senior Executive, and
15.72 months for staff who hold the position of Assistant Manager and above.
It will also be paid out as part of the chain's February 2020 salary payslip.
Sheng Siong reported growing profits in 2020
According to Sheng Siong's latest financial update on its website, the company's profits grew about 54.4 per cent on a year-on-year basis to S$31.8 million for the third quarter of 2020, ending on Sep. 30.
Revenue for the three months increased by 28.9 per cent to S$327.3 million, mainly driven by strong demand as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The report further elaborated that despite the lifting of Circuit Breaker, consumers were still cautious while the trend of working from home was still encouraged.
In addition, gross margin was mostly flat at 27 per cent in for the third quarter of 2020 compared with the same period from 2019, as sales promotions in the industry returned gradually to pre-Covid-19 levels after the lifting of the Circuit Breaker.
The supermarket chain's balance sheet was also reported to be "healthy" with a net cash of S$179.8 million as of Sep. 30, 2020.
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Herman Ho used to speak eight different languages. The 39-year-old was a polyglot who spoke English, Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesia, Hakka, Teochew, Cantonese, German, and Japanese.However, a stroke in 2019 left him with a peculiar language impairment called aphasia.Caused only by injury to the brain, aphasia affects either one's speaking, comprehension of speech, or reading and writing — or all of the above.Ho is able to comprehend what people say to him, but it's hard for him to respond and enunciate his words fluently and in the right order.Here, he shares what it's like to recover his life and speech again.#language #overcomechallenges #difficulty
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/man-aphasia-stroke/
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March 15, 2019, 3pm Singapore time.
Vera Ho felt that something was amiss. The Belitung native, who was back home visiting her parents, was on the phone with Herman Ho, her husband, back in Singapore. He had been complaining of a headache for three days now and it wasn't getting any better.
If you don't feel good, just call a Grab and go to the hospital, she urged.
"What's Grab? What are you talking about?" Herman mumbled, before he lapsed into unintelligible gibberish.
Alarmed, Vera quickly dialled Herman's cousin in Punggol, begging him to send Herman to the hospital. The cousin immediately cabbed over to Vera and Herman's Sengkang house.
Herman managed to walk down from his second-storey flat to the cab all by himself but as the vehicle sped to Sengkang General Hospital, he lost consciousness.
Over at the hospital, doctors found a blood clot in Herman's brain; he was having a stroke.
As a distraught Vera tried to find an alternative route back to Singapore, having just missed the last direct flight back, doctors in Sengkang General Hospital were monitoring the clot in Herman's brain.
The hope was that Herman's brain would be able to absorb the blood clot on its own. But as the clot grew bigger and bigger, that hope shrank. It became apparent that Herman would need to undergo brain surgery.
Be prepared, the doctors said to Vera, for a possibility that Herman might not make it. And if they opened his head for surgery, his quality of life would drop. He might not regain consciousness, or he might lose his sight — the possibilities were endless and grim.
Lost the ability to speak eight languages
"My entire world just shut down," says Vera. "I was so stunned, I kept crying."
It's been 20 months since Herman's stroke, but the trauma from it clearly remains. Vera still freezes whenever she hears an ambulance's siren.
In the end, Herman was transferred to the Singapore General Hospital where he underwent surgery to remove part of his skull, relieving the built-up pressure on his brain. Miraculously, he made it, but the injury to his brain left him with a few impairments.
For one, Herman could not open one of his eyes. He also could not walk by himself. But it was the next impairment which left him literally speechless.
The 39-year-old — a polyglot who spoke English, Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesia, Hakka, Teochew, Cantonese, German, and Japanese before his stoke — woke up eight days later learning that he had lost the ability to speak all of them.
For two whole days, he spoke nothing but gibberish. Then on the third day, he started blabbering in Hokkien.
"So everybody I keep speaking Hokkien only. After five days, it turned again, the Hakka all correct already, but still a little bit difficult to talk," says Herman in fits and starts.
Herman speaks slowly, and it's very clear that he is trying to piece together the right words. Occasionally, he jumbles up the order of the words in his sentences. It's a result of the rare language impairment condition that he has, called aphasia.
Caused only by injury to the brain, aphasia affects either one's speaking, comprehension of speech, or reading and writing — or all of the above. In Herman's case, he is able to comprehend what we're saying, but it's hard for him to respond and enunciate his words fluently.
According to Aphasia SG, about 2,500 individuals are diagnosed with aphasia in Singapore annually.
Hokkien, Hakka, Bahasa Indonesia — these languages slowly came back to Herman as his brain rewired itself after the stroke. But even now, he cannot speak as fluently as he did before.
Languages such as English, German, Japanese, and Mandarin remain a challenge because they are not his first languages, he says.
After a three-week hospital stay at SGH, Herman was transferred to Bright Vision Hospital to recuperate. His recovery, says Vera, was a real miracle:
"When the doctor told me he cannot walk right, immediately the next morning when I reached hospital, he's walking and running, go to the bathroom shower by himself. When I accepted that he cannot see, his eyes cannot open, then immediately opened you know."
Moody and frustrated
While he had a marvelous physical recovery, Herman struggled with having a piece of scalp gone as well as the trauma of having a stroke and the subsequent loss of his speech.
"Easily angry, easily stressed, keep asking sometimes, why, why, why, so many questions."
He wore a protective cranial helmet in public (which looks just like a cycling helmet, for those unfamiliar with it) which helped to hide the the soft dent on his head. However, he was prone to angry outbursts, which he often took out on his family.
But here, Vera is quick to jump in, insisting that her husband's emotional outbursts were due his medication and his stroke injury ("The damage affected the part of the brain that controls emotion").
Herman credits his family for being his pillar of support, and being very understanding towards him, especially when he was moody and frustrated. His wife and daughter would take the time to talk to him and encourage him.
His speech therapy helped as well, and Herman found solace in meeting other people with aphasia through the monthly Chit Chat Café, a support network by Aphasia SG.
Being able to get out of the house to run simple errands — like picking up groceries at the supermarket ("don't need to talk, just buy things!") — also helps to keep his mind off unhelpful rumination.
Working as a stroke survivor
On the work front, Herman is thankful that his company reallocated him to a new part-time role, which he started in October 2010, seven months after his stroke.
The former IT consultant used to communicate with associates from other countries. His new role requires him to communicate less, but Herman is adamant that he is able to do most of the work.
He will have to read through his emails two times or three times now before shooting off a reply. Presentations, which he used to do well before his stroke, is a tad difficult today as well, but other than that, Herman is absolutely sure that he is able to do the job.
Because of his new job scope, his pay has also been cut by half but Herman doesn't mind.
"But it's okay. I feel better if I got activity to do again...Because I'm sick person. So I'm okay if no more opportunity to go overseas, as long as I still can work lah."
Unfortunately, not every aphasia sufferer is as lucky as Herman. Many get terminated from their jobs because they cannot perform like before, says Vera, which in turn impedes their emotional recovery:
"It's not about the money now. It's about how they feel like 'I'm not useless'. I'm still alive. These things can't be given by the family. I can't give [Herman] the secure feeling of his job."
The loss in confidence also affects the recovery of stroke survivors.
"They're physically deteriorating bit by bit, bit by bit, and at the end they have to use the wheelchair. This is why I think it's very important for the employer to keep them," adds Vera.
Today, Herman's still struggles with speaking but "it's much much better". Thanks to a cranioplasty in August 2020, there's no longer an obvious dent in his scalp.
To the untrained eye, he looks quite normal, much like the next guy, except for a patch on his head where his hair has yet to grow out.
His tenacity and resilience displayed in his rehabilitation also snagged him SingHealth's Singapore Health Inspirational Patient award last month.
If I do see you again, I hope you'll be much, much better next time, I say.
"Yeah, hopefully lah, and hope my hair will be bit longer and maybe it can be better," he grins.
Stories of Us is a series about ordinary people in Singapore and the unique ways they’re living their lives. Be it breaking away from conventions, pursuing an atypical passion, or the struggles they are facing, these stories remind us both of our individual uniqueness and our collective humanity.
Top image courtesy of SingHealth.
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The annual Light to Night Festival has returned for its fifth edition from Jan. 22-31, 2021 at the Civic District and beyond.For the first time in the festival’s history, the “phy-gital” event will have both online and on-site attractions in a continued effort to make art accessible for everyone, wherever they are.Drawing inspiration from the Covid-19 pandemic the world is now experiencing, this year’s theme of ‘_______-In-Progress’ invites participants to reflect on their lives in 2020 and fill in the blanks with their hopes for the future.Here are the top five must-see attractions at this year’s festival.#art #festival #arts
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/top-5-light-to-night-2021
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The annual Light to Night Festival will be returning for its fifth edition from Jan. 22-31, 2021 at the Civic District and beyond.
For the first time in the festival’s history, the “phy-gital” event will have both online and on-site attractions in a continued effort to make art accessible for everyone, wherever they are.
Drawing inspiration from the Covid-19 pandemic the world is now experiencing, this year’s theme of ‘_______-In-Progress’ invites participants to reflect on their lives in 2020 and fill in the blanks with their hopes for the future.
From pop-up art encounters and online programmes to augmented reality (AR) filters, here are the top five must-see attractions at this year’s festival.
On-site Attractions
1) Art Skins on Monuments
In 2021’s edition, various artists respond to the festival theme of what is in progress for them via exhilarating light projections.
The Arts House, Asian Civilisations Museum and more will come to life in a cacophony of colour and light as one takes a stroll around the Civic District.
(Re)rooting by Joanne Ho and W.Y. Huang, National Gallery Singapore
(Re)rooting embodies how the memory of a place is passed on and transformed through our imaginations, as well as the process we go through to capture moments in time.
Designed using machine learning frameworks, visions of Singapore’s past and present are transformed into colourful pixel landscapes and projected onto the National Gallery’s facade.
2) Arrive, Arrive by Guo-Liang Tan
Arrive, Arrive is a series of “painterly objects” suspended at Padang Atrium.
These pastel-hued, wing-like structures take the experience of viewing paintings out of the gallery and into a public space, inviting viewers to think about what really makes a painting.
Ultimately, the installation invites introspection and meditation, and hopes to provide viewers with a moment of peace and serenity.
3) Decoding the Civic District
Decoding the Civic District is an Escape Game held within the wider Civic District from Jan. 22 to 23 and Jan. 29 to 30, 2021.
Players will be invited to solve a mystery by journeying around the Civic District to uncover hidden secrets across five iconic cultural institutions.
There will also be opportunities to examine notable artworks and artefacts from the National Collection along the way.
Click here to grab your tickets, while stocks last.
Online Attractions
4) Gallery Gigs
Gallery Gigs is a video series that takes viewers behind the scenes with local performing artists such as Yung Raja, Lew, .gif, Scrach Marcs and more.
One will be able to catch a glimpse into the creative journeys of these artists as they perform original works in response to artworks from the National Collection and share what the festival theme “_____-In-Progress” means to them.
5) Instagram AR filters by Eugene Soh
In response to this year’s festival theme, Singaporean tech artist Eugene Soh has taken inspiration from the works and artistic techniques of Singaporean photographer Tan Lip Seng, as well as the woodcut print works found in the National Collection.
Contrasted with how easy it is to manipulate images and colour saturation using digital image-editing tools today, Soh intends to highlight the relationship between the two approaches and mediums through the interactive AR filters.
Audiences will be able to access these Instagram and Facebook filters on the festival’s dedicated social media pages here and here.
Details
Kill two birds with one stone by visiting the Light to Night Festival and activating your FREE Gallery Insider membership at the same time.
As a Gallery insider, you’ll get to save up to S$120 from unlimited and priority access to all exhibitions, as well as 15 per cent discounts on dining and shopping.
Do note that this promotion will end on Jan. 31, 2021.
There will also be free admission to exhibition galleries at the National Gallery Singapore from Jan. 22 to 24 and Jan. 29 to 31, 2021.
Opening hours will also be extended to 10pm during these dates.
Find out more about the Light to Night Festival here.
This sponsored article by Light to Night Festival made this writer thankful for a phy-gital event this year.
Top image via National Gallery
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Singapore Airlines has been awarded a Diamond rating in the 2021 APEX x SimpliFlying Health Safety audit of global airlines.The audit evaluates airlines based on a 58-point questionnaire covering 10 categories with regard to passenger safety and well-being in light of Covid-19.These include testing, tracing, on-the-ground procedures, in-flight measures and partnerships that further the integrity of airline product safety.According to the press release by APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association), diamond ratings are only given to airlines with “hospital-grade health safety measures”, and “end-to-end focus on wellness”.#safety #aviation #airlines
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/singapore-airlines-highest-rating/
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SIA has been awarded a Diamond rating in the 2021 APEX x SimpliFlying Health Safety audit of global airlines.
The audit evaluates airlines based on a 58-point questionnaire covering 10 categories with regard to passenger safety and well-being in light of Covid-19.
These include testing, tracing, on-the-ground procedures, in-flight measures and partnerships that further the integrity of airline product safety.
According to the press release by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), diamond ratings are only given to airlines with "hospital-grade health safety measures", and "end-to-end focus on wellness".
Above and beyond
Of the 33 airlines reviewed, SIA is one of the first 12 to get certified.
To achieve its Diamond rating, SIA scored at least 200 points above the "gold standard", which indicated that the airline met and exceeded all needed health standards for safety and well-being.
Organisers expect airline certification to encourage more informed customer decisions, and increase air travel by at least 2 per cent for certified airlines looking to return to the skies.
Joe Leader, CEO of APEX, had this to say:
“Singapore Airlines’ commitment to customer well-being shines via a contactless journey management bolstered by best-in-class onboard hygiene."
Measures introduced for customer safety
In an SIA press release, Yeoh Phee Teik, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience in SIA, said that the rating represents the airline's "unwavering commitment" to safeguarding the well-being of passengers and staff.
Here's a list of the current health and safety measures implemented:
Pre-departure measures including basic passenger health assessments and contactless services such as mobile check-in and digital in-flight menus.
Trials for a new digital health verification app, launched December last year, to validate a passenger's Covid-19 test results and vaccination information.
new digital health verification app, launched December last year, to validate a passenger's Covid-19 test results and vaccination information. Anti-microbial coating, which is regularly applied on high-touch surfaces, such as areas in lounges and aircraft toilets. On selected aircraft, cabins are sanitised with electrostatic spraying machines containing a disinfecting agent.
During flight, all customers and staff are required to wear masks unless eating or drinking. Cabin crew wear protective equipment like goggles and gloves, or even the full protective gown, whenever necessary.
Free e-Library with digital copies of newspapers and magazines, accessible via passengers' personal tablets and mobile devices, since physical copies have been removed.
Simplified meal services to reduce contact.
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters on all SIA aircraft, which refresh the cabin air regularly throughout the flight.
Top image via SIA Facebook
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“My seven-year-old and 13-year-old have very different temperaments and learning styles. And their P1 experiences were so different.In my elder daughter’s case, her first three years in school were fraught with learning difficulties. The term tests as well as mid- and year-end exams were a source of anxiety.I remember sitting through parent-teacher sessions, where her lacklustre grades and inability to complete timed tests and exam papers would form the bulk of the conversation.In contrast, her younger sibling’s learning is now assessed through bite-sized doses of school work including homework, class work, and worksheets. She regularly brought home school work and worksheets done in class for me to look through (a parent’s signature was required to show that I had looked at it).This was sufficient to allay any anxieties I previously had about her not having exams and hence not knowing how she was faring.”When the Ministry of Education, Singapore (MOE) first announced that it would be removing certain examinations for students, Eveline Gan was sceptical.The mother-of-two writes has since come to realise that shifting the focus away from exams has allowed her younger daughter to have a more enjoyable experience with learning than her older daughter had.#education
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/no-exams-eveline-gan/
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COMMENTARY: When the Ministry of Education (MOE) first announced that it would be removing examinations for students in lower primary school, and mid-year exams in Primary 3 and 5 and Sec 1 and 3, Eveline Gan was sceptical. After all, how would she know if her daughters were keeping up in school?
The mother-of-two writes about how she has since come to realise that shifting the focus away from exams has allowed her younger daughter to have a very different — and more enjoyable — experience with learning than her older daughter had.
This essay was originally published by Schoolbag.sg, an online publication by the Ministry of Education, on Jan. 4, 2021. The publication provides parents, educators and the general public with education news, school features and tips.
By Eveline Gan
2020 was a milestone year for both my daughters — and I am not talking about the impact of Covid-19. My elder one started Secondary school while my younger one started Primary 1 (P1).
Looking back on the year as my little one now heads to P2, I can’t help but reflect on how different my daughters' P1 experiences were.
Sure, the two have very different personalities, but the biggest difference? My younger child did not go through any exams, unlike my firstborn.
Different experiences of lower primary school
She was among the first two batches of Primary 1 and 2 students, who would not have any weighted assessments in school. (Weighted assessments are tests in which scores count towards a student’s overall result in a subject for the semester or year.)
The irony is that when the Ministry of Education unveiled these changes to school assessments — no exams in lower primary and no mid-year exams in P3 and 5 and Sec 1 and 3 — I was one of the sceptics.
The Ministry’s idea was to provide adequate time and space for students in these "transition years" to adjust to new subjects and higher content rigour. Report books also no longer state certain academic indicators such as class and level positions.
But I was a child of the Singapore education system, and to me, removing exams seemed like a risk.
I was worried that the lack of academic indicators would make it hard for me to assess if my daughter was learning at a steady pace. How could I tell if she was actually absorbing anything in class without putting her to the test?
And while the changes were intended to rein in unnecessary academic stress, what if my kid’s inability to "acclimatise" to taking exams ended up causing her more stress later on?
However, I am now eating my words.
Older daughter struggled in first years of school
As I mentioned, my seven-year-old and 13-year-old have very different temperaments and learning styles. And their P1 experiences were so different.
In my elder daughter’s case, her first three years in school were fraught with learning difficulties. The term tests as well as mid- and year-end exams were a source of anxiety.
I remember sitting through parent-teacher sessions, where her lacklustre grades and inability to complete timed tests and exam papers would form the bulk of the conversation.
I realise that her teachers were right to be concerned as she had not outgrown mirror-writing (her letters and numbers were flipped) at the time and could not keep pace with her classmates’ writing speed.
In contrast, her younger sibling’s learning is now assessed through bite-sized doses of school work including homework, class work, and worksheets. She regularly brought home school work and worksheets done in class for me to look through (a parent’s signature was required to show that I had looked at it).
This was sufficient to allay any anxieties I previously had about her not having exams and hence not knowing how she was faring.
Able to focus on other areas of competence
For her Primary 1 parent-teacher session (done remotely via a phone chat in view of the Covid-19 situation), the usual talk on exams, grades, or scores was notably absent.
Instead, my chat with her Form teacher, known as "care teachers", was a pleasantly chill one where my daughter’s work-in-progress social and communication skills were the main focus.
The teacher also provided updates on her general learning attitude and progress observed in class, which allowed me to understand my child in a way that would not be possible if her learning had been condensed to a single grade.
Some of the things I learnt about my child were that she could listen attentively for a sustained period and had no obvious issues with her reading, writing and basic math, but was still "developing" in terms of sharing her thoughts and feelings with her group members.
That spurred me to hold more heart-to-heart conversations with her about empathy, feelings, and emotions, so she would get comfortable doing this in school as well.
I was also surprised to learn that she was "competent" in asking and responding to simple questions in Mandarin and could read aloud Chinese text. I had assumed that Mother Tongue Language would be her weakness as we do not speak Mandarin at home and she had refused to speak Mandarin with family members.
The overall result of all this has been that away from the stress of prepping for tests and exams, our mother-daughter chit chats have taken on a relaxed tone.
While after-school conversations with my 13-year-old when she was in Primary 1 and 2 used to revolve around when the next test was scheduled and strategies to help her complete her exam papers and homework, my younger daughter will happily share how her English teacher dressed up as Red Riding Hood, a polar bear, or a cat for reading week and the fun hands-on activities they had done in class.
If the Covid-19 pandemic had not put a damper on many exciting school activities last year, I have no doubt that she would have had a lot more interesting stories to share.
Learning to embrace the "true spirit of learning"
These observations over the year reminded me of something I had read by Ong Ye Kung, now Minister for Transport, who was the Education Minister then.
He had encouraged Singapore parents to focus on "the true spirit of learning" instead of being over-reliant on examinations. He had called exams "a comfortable security blanket" that we needed to withdraw from.
His comment had struck a chord. Since then, I have been asking myself: What exactly is the true spirit of learning?
While exams will continue to be a part of the education journey, how can we help our children find joy, wonder, and passion in learning even while they go through the necessary academic rigour?
When I posed that question to my husband, who works as an educator, his reply had been straightforward and startlingly simple:
"All children are naturally curious and start out wanting to learn. I think your question should be framed as 'how not to kill the joy of learning?'"
We know that babies and young children start out with an instinct to explore and learn about the world around them. But, along the way, the enjoyment of learning appears to drop — something which some researchers, like Kimberly Tanner and Jeffrey Schinske have attributed to an overemphasis on academic outcomes in older children.
Both are biology teachers, who have done work on how students learn.
And while the changes to schools' assessment policy are a step in the right direction, a lot will depend on whether we adults all walk the talk.
What use is scrapping exams in school if at home and on the ground, we are still cramming children with past years' exam papers from "top" schools and sending them to expensive tuition bootcamps all year round?
Must not fall into kiasu parent trap
Understandably, as parents, we fear that our child may be left behind if we don’t. Yet, too much focus on the chasing of grades could hurt our children in the long run and send out the wrong message about learning.
We, as parents, know this, but what is the action that we can take?
On my end, I have tamped down the urge to put unnecessary academic pressure on my elder daughter, so that I don’t fall into the stereotypical kiasu parent trap.
As for my younger daughter, I cannot predict what impact the changes to the education system will mean for her in the long run. But for now, her positive Primary 1 experience has shown me that learning takes place even in the absence of exams.
One thing’s for sure, I am glad that exams are absent from my little one’s memories of her first year in "big-kid" school. I love that one of her fondest memories of Primary 1 is her enthusiastic teacher turning up in class as various storybook characters.
To her, tests are just "a bunch of questions that the teacher gives". There is currently no pressure, no stress tied to them – for now.
Perhaps it is for this reason that she views math word problems and multiplication as "fun things to do", rather than a source of dread and stress. Now, isn’t that the true spirit of learning?
And as for my initial misguided worries about the no-exams policy, I’ve left that behind in 2020.
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Top image courtesy of Eveline Gan. Some sentences have been edited for clarity and grammar.
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On Nov. 30, 2018, Selvaganeshamoorthi Balakrishnan, at the age of 20, decided to embark on a nine-month-long trip from Singapore to Montreal, Canada, without flying.The route took him through Southeast Asia, China, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe.He shares how he saved up for a budget of S$10,000 to make the trip and limited himself to spending only S$25 per day.This included sleeping in a tent at beaches and parks, spending the nights at bus stations, or using the Couchsurfing International website to stay at the homes of locals for free.While acknowledging that such a travelling style came with its fair share of difficulties and dangers, there were also many instances where he received various acts of kindness from strangers.#backpacking #travel #adventure
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/singaporean-canada-backpack-without-flying/
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On Nov. 30, 2018, Selvaganeshamoorthi Balakrishnan, at the age of 20, decided to embark on a nine-months long trip from Singapore to Montreal, Canada, without flying.
The route took him through Southeast Asia, China, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
He shares how he saved up for a budget of S$10,000 to make the trip and limited himself to spending only S$25 per day.
This included sleeping in a tent at beaches and parks, spending the nights at bus stations, or using the Couchsurfing website to stay at the homes of locals for free.
While acknowledging that such a travelling style came with its fair share of difficulties and dangers, there were also many instances where he received various acts of kindness from strangers.
You can find out more about Selvaganeshamoorthi's account of his trip here.
By Selvaganeshamoorthi Balakrishnan
While waiting to enrol in university after my National Service ended in end-2018, I had about ten months to do long-term travelling.
So, at the age of 20, I decided to embark on an ambitious, flightless trip from Singapore to Montreal, Canada, with the entire journey completed over land and sea.
The overland Singapore-London route was a top choice for me as many heavy weights in the travelling world, including the founders of the travel company Lonely Planet, had done this trip.
But wanting to challenge myself, I thought: Why not extend this flightless trip across the Atlantic to Montreal?
https://www.instagram.com/p/B12wQ3Rn_JS/
Travelling halfway across the world at 20 years old
I left home on November 30, 2018. My route took me across 23 countries, three continents and an ocean.
On average, I spent around two weeks in each South East Asian country and Turkey, around a month in China, ten weeks in Central Asia, five weeks in Iran and just a few days for each European country, as Europe was expensive.
It took me nine months to meander my way north through South East Asia and China, do a small tour of North Korea before swinging westward to travel across the great deserts, steppes and mountain ranges of China’s Xinjiang province, Central Asia – the ‘stans – and Iran.
By early-June 2019, seven months into the trip, I was in Turkey and I quickly hitchhiked my way up Europe to Bremerhaven, Germany, where I took a cargo ship to sail across the Atlantic.
I arrived in Charleston, the U.S. in mid-August and for the last two weeks of my trip, bus-hopped my way across the U.S. eastern seaboard to Montreal.
On a budget of S$25/day
In my quest to save up for my trip, I gave tuition (English and French) to primary and secondary school students.
Within a span of 22 months, I managed to save up a significant amount and spent around S$10,000 for my trip, which included transport fees, accommodation and daily expenses.
Over S$6,000 was spent on daily expenses across nine months. The other S$3,000 involved S$2,500 to sail across the Atlantic on a cargo ship and S$600 lost to a motorcycle scam in Thailand.
While on the road, I scrimped as much as possible. In fact, I was on a shoestring budget and set aside S$25 a day for my three meals, accommodation, transportation and miscellaneous spending (like entry tickets to attractions, for example).
On average, S$12 to S$15 was spent on accommodation – when I couldn’t find a Couchsurfing host and didn’t tent – S$8 for meals and S$5 for miscellaneous expenditure.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxjiDT-HWek/
Often, any balance in the daily budget was rolled over to the next day, and if I had a considerable balance after a few days, I treated myself to a ‘luxury item’, such as a meal or a beer at a local pub.
Fortunately, many of the cities I visited were very affordable. In places that are more expensive, I walked a lot to avoid spending on intra-city transportation.
Staying with strangers, pitching tents, and sleeping rough
Me ‘roughing it out’ meant that I had to neglect comfort. But I not only quickly grew accustomed to this vagrant-like travel lifestyle, I also fell in love with it.
I wasn’t afraid to eat cheap street food (while being aware of hygiene standards, of course). My rule of thumb? If the food is served hot, it’s probably safe to eat.
From time to time, I would also lodge at dirt cheap hostels. However, I mostly used Couchsurfing – a hospitality website where travellers can stay at the homes of locals for free.
In such cases, I’ve learnt to always read a potential host’s review before requesting to stay with them. Also, it’s better to stay with a family than with someone living alone.
When I was unable to find a place to crash for the night, a kind stranger I met at random might take me in for a few nights.
I recall a particularly touching incident in Uzbekistan. I wasn’t able to find affordable accommodation and thus slept under a store awning in my sleeping bag in Bukhara. In the middle of the night, I was awoken by a middle-aged woman who told me in Russian that I was ‘a visitor in her country and not a dog’. She took me in for a night.
A few times, when my luck with finding a Couchsurfing host fizzled and a bed at a hostel was over my budget, I even tented in city parks and beaches, or spent nights sleeping at train stations.
When tenting, I would pitch the tent in a visible and non-secluded area (anywhere near police stations or brightly lit-up city parks are good options).
Alternatively, I would sleep in a sleeping bag in places that are crowded and highly frequented by the police – train and bus stations, and subway stops are good locations.
Once, I camped at an abandoned and decaying section of the Great Wall in the dead of winter — an experience that I do not recommend as it was very dangerous.
I almost fell from a height of four floors when scaling the almost vertical wall as a brick that I had clung onto dislodged itself. It was also frigid – the temperature was around minus 20 – and the winds were strong and doused the campfire I had made. A bottle of water I had completely froze through as well.
Hitchhiking
For intercity travel, I mostly thumbed and, at times, took buses and trains, especially when constrained by time (often due to short visa durations).
I found that Hitchwiki.org is a good resource to find the best waiting spot, and hitchhiking in places like the former Soviet states and Iran were the easiest.
The hitchhiking culture was still very much alive in these regions, and that meant short waiting times thumbing by roads. (Hitchhiking in Europe, on the other hand, was often a drawn-out endeavour.)
I also found people to be extremely frank when driving, and I’ve had many interesting conversations. Some drivers even treated me to a meal and invited me over to crash at their place.
Not having a plan can be helpful
Yes, while guidebooks can be useful at times, I find that most of them tend to only feature popular tourist attractions and are geared more towards tourists with deep pockets.
During my trip, in order to get a more authentic and off-the-beaten-track experience, I decided to ask locals for their recommendations instead
Even in this age of the internet, many hidden gems are known only through word-of-mouth.
The lack of planning also gave me greater flexibility, which is especially important when hitchhiking and Couchsurfing. Additionally, when hitchhiking, you simply can’t be certain when you’ll arrive.
Sometimes, my host would also have other plans for me, and I was happy to go with the flow.
Learning to take care of myself better
While I was open-minded and would treat everyone as a potential friend, I also learnt to be cautious and trust my instincts — if someone seems sketchy, it means I should walk away.
Being overseas alone, I also learnt to be more street smart and protect myself better.
There were a couple of instances where men had inappropriately touched my inner thighs and groped my groin. One of them was a Couchsurfing host in Beijing, but most other instances involved a random stranger in a packed bus or a shared taxi.
In such situations, I either stood my guard and directly confronted the perpetrator – which often led to the miscreant scurrying away – or extricated myself from the situation.
Once, I was also held against my will for half a day by a Couchsurfing host in Tajikistan who locked me in his room. I suspected that he got jealous that I had planned to meet another local in town.
I escaped from his room in the cover of darkness by leaping out a window.
Brushes with law enforcement
Having grown up in Singapore, I assumed, naively, that law enforcers are there to do their job – to enforce the law. But I quickly learned that that’s not the case everywhere.
In Koh Tao, Thailand, a group of policemen colluded with a rental bike shop owner to scam me. While I had damaged her bike, I was definitely overcharged for just a few scratches. It was a painful and unforgettable S$600 lesson.
But that experience was still better than getting kicked by a group of policemen, though.
I was resting in my sleeping bag at a bus station in Tabriz, Iran when a group of policemen kicked me.
They had assumed that I was a homeless Afghan refugee. Many Afghan refugees had fled their homeland due to war and sought for shelter in neighbouring Iran, where they have gained a reputation for engaging in petty crimes.
After I flashed my Singapore passport, however, they not only profusely apologised but also invited me to sleep the night in the comfort of their air-conditioned police post.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfvgab_gRAE/
Another nerve-wracking experience took place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. As there were only a handful of foreigners in the city, this invited the attention of suspicious police.
My Couchsurfing host told me that the secret police were watching me.
I noticed people (policemen and possibly policemen in plain clothes) were following me for a good half a day. Fortunately, that was all they did. Though I was creeped out, I didn’t feel scared because I knew I had done nothing wrong.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByPEV-fHz5p/
No intention to stop
As a self-proclaimed culture aficionado and adventurer, my travels are primarily motivated by an insatiable thirst to learn about the history of foreign lands, to experience the local culture, and to discover regions less-travelled.
I first travelled alone at 18; backpacking and hitchhiking across Western Europe for a month.
Lands, distant and unknown, have always enthralled me.
During my Secondary school and Junior College years, I spent much time in my room drawing crude lines across maps, drafting itineraries for improbable trips and worming through travel guides.
After this remarkable experience backpacking from Singapore to Canada, I hope to do something equally crazy and seemingly impossible in the future.
Perhaps travelling by land and sea, maybe even on a bicycle, westward from Montreal to Singapore via the U.S. West Coast and the Pacific Ocean.
Then I can finally say that I’ve circumnavigated the planet without getting on a plane.
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Top photos courtesy of Selvaganeshamoorthi Balakrishnan
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What qualities should the ideal Singaporean leader possess?This was one of the major questions discussed on Tuesday (Jan. 19) during "The Values and Qualities of Leadership", a session at the 2021 edition of the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (IPS) annual forum, Singapore Perspectives.Overall, the panellists agreed that leadership in Singapore should reflect the population, with Ambassador-at-Large Chan Heng Chee saying that leadership reflecting diversity is "at the heart" of politics and society in multi-racial Singapore.Here are some other qualities each of the panellists also felt that the ideal Singaporean leader should have:- Innovation and creativity- Humility- Transparency- Character and morality- Being relatable#singapore #leadership #politics
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/ips-forum-leadership/
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What qualities should the ideal Singaporean leader possess?
This was one of the major questions discussed on Tuesday (Jan. 19) during "The Values and Qualities of Leadership", a session at the 2021 edition of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) annual forum, Singapore Perspectives.
Gillian Koh, Deputy Director (Research) and Senior Research Fellow at IPS, and the moderator of the session, opened the session outlining the questions that they would be discussing and noting, "We simply cannot afford a deficit in leadership."
1. Innovation and creativity
One important quality of a leader, according to two speakers at the session — Ambassador-at-Large Chan Heng Chee and University of Bath Professor Margaret Heffernan — is innovation and creativity.
Chan bypassed what she called the "obvious qualities" of charisma, communication skills, and the ability to connect with people.
Instead, she focused on an important skill for the changing world that is to come: "The ability to be bold and instilling a culture of daring to try".
Difference between Singapore and Dubai
She recounted a story told to her by a foreign architect, who noticed a big difference between his clients in Singapore and those in Dubai.
When showing plans for an "innovative and unusual" structure to Singapore clients, the architect would be asked whether the structure had been built before, and how many times.
The clients would only go forward if it had been tried and tested previously.
In Dubai, the same plans shown to Emirati clients would elicit similar questions about whether it had been built before.
However, the response was different; if it had been built before, the clients would reject it, as they wanted something completely new and never built before.
Similarly, Heffernan advocated for creative leadership. Working toward a better future, she said, requires "huge amounts of imagination and creativity", especially with the uncertainty that the future brings.
2. Humility
In addition, Heffernan highlighted the importance of leaders having the "capacity for humility".
She drew from an example of the Irish government's process of deciding what to do about a law regarding abortion.
In order to make the decision, the government convened a citizen's assembly to hear what everyday people felt about the issue.
"Leadership requires the capacity to believe that people can talk argue debate, and learn. It requires some trust in the process," Heffernan said.
Together with humility is also the ability to listen, she added. "It's a really provocative thought that leaders are often behind until they start to listen, hard. And very often as we've seen, it takes activists to bring them up to date."
Chan also encouraged leaders to recognise the times when they might be wrong, and said that changing one's decision after engaging with the people strengthens legitimacy.
Zuraidah Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan MENDAKI and one of two the discussants in the session, agreed with the importance of listening to the community.
She said if people were given the opportunity to speak up, they may agree with the points even if the decision made does not please them.
3. Transparency
Another important aspect of leadership embodied in the citizen's assembly, said Heffernan, was transparency.
Heffernan stated that the Irish government "went to enormous lengths to make the exercises as transparent as possible".
Due to this, people were able to accept the eventual outcome of the decision and accepted its legitimacy, even if they did not agree with it.
Chan concurred with Heffernan, calling the way that Ireland had allowed for time and transparency on the important issue a "beautiful process".
"In the end, if you have to take a difficult decision, you tell them why you do it," she said.
4. Character and morality
The other discussant in the session, Han Fook Kwang, Straits Times Editor-at-large and former Editor, also expounded on the importance of strong leadership, saying "I think, without strong leadership, we would not even survive. It's like air or water."
But this kind of leadership in Singapore, Han said, has historically been very values-driven. "I believe that leadership is less about competence than it is about character and morality," he said.
While competence is important, it can also be provided by professionals like civil servants.
However, moral leadership is about inspiring others, shaping attitudes and behaviour, and forging a sense of community and a shared future.
"Is it more difficult to achieve this today than in the past? I think, only if our leaders allow it to be so," he said.
5. Being relatable
Finally, leaders should be relatable, according to Han. He posed a couple of questions:
"So what differentiates someone from another, and the rest of the 1,000 other voices there are? How does the leader stand out in the crowd, and gain their respect?"
His answer is that someone stands out if they are seen as a real person with feelings and emotions, not someone aloof and detached.
They also stand out if they have a strong conviction about what they believe in, keep their word, and is seen as one of the people.
Leadership reflects the diversity of the population
Overall, the panellists agreed that leadership in Singapore should reflect the population, with Chan saying that leadership reflecting diversity is "at the heart" of politics and society in multi-racial Singapore.
This includes not just racial diversity but also gender diversity and intergenerational diversity in leadership.
Han stated that he feels that the government should broaden the pool of people that it draws upon for positions of authority, such as statutory boards and review committees.
Zuraidah also shared her thoughts on the importance of having a diversity of leaders from different segments of society:
"In turn, we will then have an opportunity to form a leadership group that is multicultural and intergenerational, that embraces diversity and demonstrates empathy and insights of the society that they serve."
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Top photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images.
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“When our boss first broke news of working remotely to us, I was pretty excited. I mean, what could be better than getting to wake up later in the morning, wearing pyjamas while working, and saving money on transport fees to the office?Turns out - a lot, actually.”After weighing the pros and cons, here are three reasons why our writer would rather work in the office than at home:• You actually get to socialise and have fun• Better balance between work and rest• You are more active and mindful of what you eat#workfromhome #office #wfh
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/work-office-home/
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It's been close to a year since my colleagues and I made the transition from working in the office to working from home, and this has kind of made me miss "the good ol' days" of laughter and banter in the shared work space.
You see, even before the government announced plans for the Circuit Breaker (CB) in March 2020, our company decided back in February that it was too risky for all of us to physically continue working together.
This decision was reinforced by the fact that the number of Covid-19 cases in the community kept climbing, and how it soon became apparent that no one was truly "safe" from getting the virus.
I have to admit that when our boss first broke news of working remotely to us, I was pretty excited.
I mean, what could be better than getting to wake up later in the morning, wearing pyjamas while working, and saving money on transport fees to the office?
Turns out - a lot, actually.
After weighing the pros and cons, here are three of my biggest reasons why it's better to work in the office than at home, especially when my office is Mothership.
1) You actually get to socialise and have fun
The first reason - and might I add the most important reason - why working at the office is better than working from home is because you actually get to socialise and have fun.
I don't know about other workplaces in Singapore, but the Mothership office is pretty much a hotbed of laughter and activity during meal times and breaks.
Working from home really took the enjoyment out of work when I couldn't physically see or interact with my colleagues on a daily basis (especially since lunchtime was essentially when we would have heart-to-heart talks about life, memes and… just about anything under the sun.)
Unlike when I was working in the office, I felt way more isolated when working at home, and didn’t feel like I was getting the emotional and social support I needed.
Now that we have allocated days to go back to the office, I’ve come to appreciate the presence of my colleagues a whole lot more.
We are not only each other’s encouragers and support networks, but also tab-keepers on each other’s mental well-being.
Likewise, my colleagues have also expressed their gratitude in going back to the office on our allocated days, as their quality of work has seen a drastic improvement compared to the CB period.
(Plus, getting to speak to actual faces and not black screens at meetings is also a huge bonus.)
2) Better balance between work and rest
Before Covid-19 happened, work would typically end at around 6:30pm or 7pm, after I left my laptop in the office and went home.
When I was working from home, however, it seemed as if I had to remain contactable at all times.
Need to do last minute edits for an article at 9pm? Sure.
Reply work messages on a weekend? Sure.
Stay up till 12 midnight for a Covid-19 update from MOH? Sure.
It was as if the boundaries between work and rest were permanently blurred simply because we were at home all the time.
This not only took a toll on my productivity at work, since I was churning out fewer articles per day, but also the quality of my work, as I found myself making more and more errors in my writing.
For the first few months, all of this was still bearable, but as time went on, I soon felt like I was approaching burnout and had to take a few days off work.
I even developed a rather itchy and nerve-wracking (pun intended) case of shingles because of all the built up stress.
Unlike working from home, there is a better balance between work and rest when I work in the office.
Meal times and end-of-work hours are fixed, and we even have a designated nap area just in case any of us wants to catch a few winks before resuming our tasks.
These short breaks not only help my colleagues and I perform better in our work, but also keep us focused and alert so that we can avoid accidents or injuries.
3) You are more active and mindful of what you eat
Which brings me to my next point.
After the CB period, I actually put on around 5kg as a result of the sedentary lifestyle of staying home and not watching what I eat.
How I rationalised my rather careless bingeing of food and lack of exercise was that this was a period of "social deprivation" and "suffering", and should therefore warrant indulgences in other areas such as food and lazing around.
Contrary to my fallacious reasoning, eating more and not exercising during the CB period now burdens me with more physical activity, as I've since made a resolution to consciously try and lose the extra weight.
When I work from the office, however, I am physically more active.
Because I personally don't like exercising, having to make weekday commutes to the office has actually helped me remain active without over-exerting myself, and I've even come to enjoy these short walks here and there.
This has also reminded me that I should take better care of my health for the sake of my personal well being and the quality of my work.
If you'd like to identify how your personal health habits and lifestyle affects your work performance and safety at work, click here to take this quiz designed by the Workplace Safety and Health Council.
You’ll be able to discover what your persona is and receive tips on how you can improve your health and lifestyle habits, as well as be safe at work.
You can also learn from the bite-sized educational messages on the microsite and share them with your co-workers to remind them to stay safe and healthy.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own. We understand that working in the office is not necessarily the best and only approach to staying healthy for everyone as some people may have to continue working from home or enter hybrid working arrangements for various reasons. Having said that, we would still like to encourage readers to get up and get out of their homes after work to stay fit, and to physically interact more with others whenever possible.
This sponsored article by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council made this writer thankful to be able to work in the office.
Top image via Melanie Lim
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Fukudon is run by two Singaporean men aged 23 & 25, Jonathan Khoo and Remus Seow.Seow does everything from food preparation to cooking and taking orders, though he has a team of other workers (also in their 20s, we learn) who help out in the daily operations as well.Their menu features a range of Japanese rice bowls and sides, and their donburi starts from S$5.80.#hawker #foodandbeverage #japanese
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/fukudon-marine-parade/
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Ask anybody living in the area of Marine Parade, and they'll be able to rattle off a list of popular stalls at Marine Parade Central Food Centre.
A new kid on the block, an "Asian fusion donburi specialist" that opened in late-2020, has generated some interest, though.
At 1pm on a weekday -- well into lunchtime -- we noticed a steady stream of customers at Fukudon.
Fukudon: Donburi in Marine Parade
Fukudon is run by two 25-year-old Singaporean men, Jonathan Khoo and Remus Seow.
Seow does everything from food preparation to cooking and taking orders, though he has a team of other workers (also in their 20s, we learn) who help out in the daily operations as well.
Their menu features a range of Japanese rice bowls and sides, and their donburi starts from S$5.80.
We tried the chicken breast oyakodon (S$5.80).
Now, if you're familiar with oyakodon, you would know it typically involves chunks of chicken thigh cooked in egg. But Fukudon's version, however, involves fried chicken breast.
What you get is fried chicken breast and a blanket of egg atop fluffy rice, with a generous sprinkle of chilli powder (and some spring onion) for garnishing.
A closer look at it in case you aren't hungry yet:
While I wished that there was more egg (I love egg), what impressed me was how tender and juicy the chicken breast was. Not at all dry.
The chilli powder also added a nice kick to the dish's flavour, which I appreciated.
If beef is more your thing, they also have a sukiyaki beef don topped with an onsen egg:
And pork belly katsudon too:
Other sides to share
The bowl is a decent portion, but if you're with friends (or are just plain ravenous), you can consider ordering some sides to share.
The stall has a variety of sides, like chicken karaage with curry sauce, potato salad and fries -- all subject to availability, of course, or while stocks last.
According to two colleagues who tried the potato salad, "the potato salad nice."
Their full menu here:
Where and what time?
Fukudon
84 Marine Parade Central Market & Food Centre
#01-48
Tuesday to Sunday: 12pm-3pm, 5:30pm-8pm
Closed on Mondays
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Top photo by Tanya Ong.
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Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have created an aerogel that produces drinking water from the air around us.The product was created by Ho Ghim Wei, a professor from the NUS Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, along with Gamze Yilmaz and Fan Lu Meng.In a humid environment, one kilogram of aerogel can produce 17 litres of water in a day, which could meet a household's daily water needs.The water from the aerogel has also been tested and meets the World Health Organization’s standards for drinking water.#environment #water
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/nus-researchers-air-to-water-aerogel/
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Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have created an aerogel that produces drinking water from the air around us.
The product was created by Ho Ghim Wei a professor from the NUS Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, along with Gamze Yilmaz and Fan Lu Meng.
The NUS researchers published their creation in the journal Science Advances in October 2020.
Does not need an external power source
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about one-sixth of the world's population (or 1.2 billion people) live in severely water-constrained agricultural areas.
At the same time, the earth's atmosphere contains water that can fill almost half a trillion Olympic swimming pools.
To address this gap, the team led by Ho created a type of lightweight aerogel that absorbs water from the air and does not need a battery or an external power source.
One kg of aerogel can produce 17 litres of water in a day
In a humid environment, one kilogram of aerogel can produce 17 litres of water in a day.
This could meet a household's daily water needs.
The gel also does not have to be squeezed to release the water it absorbs from the air.
The water from the aerogel has also been tested and meets the World Health Organization’s standards for drinking water.
How does it work?
Inside the aerogel, there are long-chain polymers (which are long, snakelike structures) that can switch between attracting water and repelling water.
This allows for the 'smart' aerogel to independently gather water molecules from the air, and then condense them into a liquid to release the water it has absorbed.
With sunlight, the structure can transform into a state where 95 per cent of the water vapour that goes into the aerogel comes out as water.
In tests done in the laboratory, the aerogel gave water non-stop for months.
Ho shared:
“Given that atmospheric water is continuously replenished by the global hydrological cycle, our invention offers a promising solution for achieving sustainable freshwater production in a variety of climatic conditions, at minimal energy cost.”
The next step for the team is looking for partners in the industry to scale it up for domestic or industrial use.
Another possibility is that it could even be useful in endurance sports or survival kits.
Top images by National University of Singapore
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Netflix Japan is collaborating with WIT STUDIO,INC. to offer animation scholarships in Japan, as well as stints to work on a Netflix original anime afterwards.WIT Studio is best known for producing the first three seasons of “Attack on Titan”.The WIT Animator Academy course is open to foreigners (including Singaporeans), on the following conditions: they have to be residing in Japan, and their language ability should transcend conversational Japanese.#animation #film #japan
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/netflix-japan-animation-scholarship/
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Weebs and closet weebs now have a chance to live their dreams.
According to SoraNews24, Netflix Japan is collaborating with WIT Studio to offer animation scholarships in Japan, as well as stints to work on a Netflix original anime afterwards.
WIT Studio is best known for producing the first three seasons of "Attack on Titan".
The WIT Animator Academy course is open to foreigners (including Singaporeans), on the following conditions: they have to be residing in Japan, and their language ability should transcend conversational Japanese.
The course
It's a six-month course at the Sasayuri Video Training Institute in Tokyo, and classes will be held five days a week.
The small school is combined with a cafe, from what we gather after a bit of Googling (the cover photo you're looking at is Netflix's very posh office in Japan, not the animation school).
In fact, its website states that the Animator Education Department of Sasayuri Video Training Institute is only scheduled to start in April 2021.
Here's the street where the school is located:
SoraNews24 reported that Hitomi Tateno, who worked for 25 years as an animation checker for Studio Ghibli, is designing the curriculum and leading it as the representative lecturer.
Tateno has worked on "Howl’s Moving Castle", "Spirited Away", and "My Neighbor Totoro", ensuring that the animation in these classics moved artistically.
Details
It's a tough fight — the streaming giant is only looking at 10 students for its first intake.
The course runs from April to September 2021. Applicants should be between 18 and 25 years old.
You can apply here by Feb. 28, with three or more of your own works required.
SoraNews24 adds that there will be "practical skill exams and interviews", with the final selection taking place in March.
Top image via Netflix Japan, Attack on Titan
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According to prison reintegration officer Ponnarasi d/o Gopal Chandra, rehabilitation work must go "hand in hand" with the deterrent effect of punishment, regardless of how public sentiment changes.Neither objective can be allowed to overshadow the other, she says."If you simply put the person in prison and send him out, nothing changes, so he's going to continue reoffending," she adds.But to reduce the chance of reoffending, "we need to do something with them. So that's when rehabilitation actually comes in."On a similar note, correctional rehabilitation specialist Heidi Tan says that "rehabilitation on its own can only do so much."To Tan, the work on rehabilitation done in prison and in community-based programmes is one step in the process toward the ultimate goal of reintegration.In this article, Heidi Tan, 25, and Ponnarasi d/o Gopal Chandra, 36, share their experiences of working with and counselling people who have committed crimes, with the aim of helping them reintegrate into society and staying out of prison.#prison #rehabilitation #community
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/sg-prison-officers-empathy-control/
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One of the first cases that Ponnarasi d/o Gopal Chandra handled as a reintegration officer with the Singapore Prison Service involved a single parent who was serving out the tail end of her prison sentence on a supervised community-based programme.
The supervisee, who had been reunited with her family at home, had just started work, only to suddenly go missing one day.
"I think, for us, as reintegration officers it's important not to judge and [...] jump to a conclusion," the 37-year-old — who is known as Ponna — says.
In some cases, those who went missing had actually ended up being inadvertently hospitalised, she explains.
Which is why, when her supervisee finally picked up the phone after almost three hours of calling, the first thing Ponna asked was, "Are you okay?"
As Ponna found out, the supervisee had been facing a lot of pressure from the expectations placed on her by family members.
While in prison, she had come up with a plan in which she would work toward repaying bank loans, which she had kept secret from her family.
However, when she returned home, she found that her ex-husband expected her to take on a more active role in parenting their two children, while her aging mother's medical needs exacerbated her financial situation.
Ponna explains that her initial "ideal" plan had not taken into account these pressures.
After several months of trying to work things out, she was eventually "unable to cope anymore," and eventually opted to drop out of the programme and return to prison.
As Heidi Tan, 25, a correctional rehabilitation specialist, explains:
"In a way, prison is an artificial environment. In prison, you don't have a lot of the real challenges that you would have outside."
But Ponna's encounter with her supervisee encouraged her of one thing:
"If we didn't have the rapport with them at the onset, she wouldn't have even bothered to return my call or even come back to share."
To Ponna, the episode emphasised the importance of being genuine in her interactions with supervisees — a recurring theme in her 17 years working in prisons.
"If you are genuinely willing to help them, they are willing to share. So far, that's what I have seen in my cases."
Tan shares a similar experience with an inmate who thanked her after a one-on-one counselling session.
It was unexpected because, as far as she could remember, he was quiet, sullen, and disengaged during the programme.
"Did I do anything for you?" she blurted out, incredulous. "Because you didn't share anything with me. And I don't know how I could work with you."
The participant, as it turns out, had been prompted by Tan's probing to reflect on his own habits when facing problems.
"He would just isolate himself," says Tan, causing others to stay away from him, which allowed him to forget about his troubles.
He told her:
"Even though I kept trying to avoid my problems and avoid opening up and sharing, you never stopped trying to reach out to me."
It's telling that Tan cites this particular episode as "the first time" she felt that this was a job that she could do — not because of her academic qualifications or the soundness of the programme, but simply a moment of real human connection.
This is not to say that officers' qualifications and prison programmes are unimportant; Tan explains how her background in psychology is complemented by colleagues who bring in social work expertise.
Psychology is focused on the individual, she says, while social work is about systems.
"So when you kind of mesh these two disciplines together, it makes sense because we are working with the individual within the system. And so having these two different perspectives helps us not to lose focus of what we can do to make a change."
Changing someone's mind, or helping them to change their mind?
There is an important distinction to be drawn between trying to change someone's mind and helping them to change their minds.
Tan emphasises that change has to come from the inmates themselves, and cannot be imposed on them because of the officer's personal beliefs.
Values, Tan says, are subjective after all. "It doesn't mean that because I'm the counsellor my values are objectively correct," she says.
Someone who has been stealing to support their family may ultimately be doing so because they value being able to provide for their loved ones, for example.
Her role, Tan says, "is more about trying to help them see that there are other ways to achieve their values," instead of simply trying to convince them that they should change.
After all, she adds, "nobody really likes to be told what to do."
Making use of shared experiences
Much of the process of rehabilitation has to be led by the ex-offenders themselves. The officers' role is to facilitate, and guide them along, Tan says.
After all, Tan says, "we're not the experts, they are the experts in their own lives, their own journeys, and they know best the struggles that they have."
For example, when counselling those trying to overcome drug addiction, "it's not about telling them, 'Hey, this is wrong,' because they already know that."
Instead, Tan says, the focus is to help them develop their own strategies.
"Like for example, let's say [you're] outside, you are triggered in a certain situation, can you notice your warning signs? Can you use any coping strategies on the spot to regulate your emotions so that you can make a better decision?"
Tan often sees herself playing the role of a facilitator in group counselling sessions, where inmates can share their experiences with one another.
"They're not going to believe when we say, 'oh, if you try this, it will work,' because we don't know what it's like. But they will believe it when someone else who has been in their shoes can tell them that 'this worked for me, you might want to try it as well.'"
Tan shares the story of an inmate who signed up for the Gang Alternative Programme, a support group for those who have renounced their gangs and are seeking a different lifestyle — both during and after their time in prison.
He told her that he had been introduced by a fellow inmate from a previous batch, who shared his experience and recommended it.
This initially took Tan by surprise, she says, but now she has come to realise that this was to be expected from an inmate who had successfully internalised "the reason or motivation for change".
To Tan, being able to see this "ripple effect" in action was hugely encouraging.
Getting family onboard
"You know, that lifestyle that they have had all these years, there is something beyond that, [but] how do we actually push them to see?" Ponna wonders aloud, her experience notwithstanding.
After all, every person they counsel is different, and will require a different approach. Some approaches require more than just the efforts of supervisor and supervisee.
Ponna explains that the default arrangement is for her to work mainly with her supervisees, leaving it to other organisations such as the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to work with the families.
However, in one case, Ponna needed to get a family's acknowledgement in order for one of her supervisees to be allowed to go back home, given his good progress at a halfway house.
Alas, the supervisee's wife was "not really convinced". After all, the supervisee was a repeat offender.
On the other hand, the supervisee's daughter was supportive of her father coming home, though her mother's resistance meant that Ponna could easily have indicated that it would have been a "clear-cut case" for her to indicate that the supervisee was "not supported by the family", and closed the case.
However, in Ponna's opinion, moving back home would be "a more ideal situation for him, because I think it gives affirmation to his own progress."
Yet, she was not in a position to be making promises to his family.
"I wouldn't give, like, an assurance to the family, 'oh, he's going to change, he's not going to reoffend... he's going to be the perfect man,' I can't do that."
Instead, Ponna reassured the family of the support available, if anything in the supervisee's behaviour suggested that he was going back to his old ways or doing anything that made them uncomfortable; letting them know that they would not be alone in the process.
As a final assurance, she gave the wife a direct line to call — her own contact number.
While Ponna acknowledges this as a case where she did go "above and beyond" the scope of her duty, she quickly adds that what she did was only "slightly" more than required of her.
Struggles and failures
Success stories aside, both Tan and Ponna have had their fair share of struggles, and even failures.
The rehabilitation of a person, Tan says, can sometimes feel like an uphill battle.
"I guess in a way, when you talk about change, right, it sounds so positive. It sounds so like, 'yeah, everybody should want to change.' But if you think about what you're asking of a person actually it's to leave behind friends you've known since you were young, leave behind security of that kind of money that you get from doing illegal things. It is quite a big thing to ask of them; to change their lives."
There will thus be ex-offenders who cross paths with Tan and Ponna at a time in their lives where they are not quite ready to leave behind their old lifestyles and ways of thinking.
Ultimately, Tan says, they just have to acknowledge that "change is really a process that does not happen overnight."
"Sometimes, you feel like if you give 100 per cent, you also want to see results. But it's not like that with people, you know? You can't expect that of somebody.
Tan says that dealing with such cases, it is helpful to remember that sometimes, change might still take place "much later down the road".
What happens when a supervisee re-offends?
How might prison officers be affected on a personal level, because of all of this very real and very emotional human "drama" that they have to deal with on a daily basis?
Tan solemnly recalls cases where supervisees who completed programmes with her ended up reoffending, and landed back in prison.
"It's very difficult because you really want to root for the person, you really want them to succeed when they're outside," Tan says.
But she reminds herself that while change is a process, it's often not a linear process.
Instead of classifying those she works with according to "black and white success or failure", Tan says that she's learned that "it's really about the journey of learning and growing."
"If they're motivated to change, they will keep going, and then so should I."
Ponna explains that in her first years on the job, she would take it very personally "when a case fails".
She has, however, seen the importance of separating her personal opinions and emotions from her professional obligations.
With experience, Ponna has come to realise that there could be other factors which kept them from making the right decisions, even after she has done all that she can for her supervisees.
"It's more important for me to identify, how can I close these gaps that they have? Instead of, you know, putting it on myself."
Misconceptions about rehabilitation
As we round up the interview, Ponna shares an observation about how prison officers, and their work with ex-offenders is viewed by the public.
She recalls with some amusement the changing perception of prison officers over time:
"Years back, they always have... scary stories, like, prison officer are very cold hearted... that [a] prison officer is somebody who is scary, who don't talk, who don't smile."
However, that stereotype is evolving, Ponna says, due to more public awareness of what's happening in prison.
Today, "[members of the public] view rehabilitation as a softer approach, which is actually a misconception," she says.
Ponna explains that regardless of how public sentiment changes, rehabilitation work must go "hand in hand" with the deterrent effect of punishment.
Neither objective can be allowed to overshadow the other, she says. "If you simply put the person in prison and send him out, nothing changes, so he's going to continue reoffending," she adds.
But to reduce the chance of reoffending, "we need to do something with them. So that's when rehabilitation actually comes in."
Tan, on a similar note, says that "rehabilitation on its own can only do so much."
To Tan, the work on rehabilitation done in prison and in community-based programmes is one step in the process toward the ultimate goal of reintegration.
"We try to develop their capabilities, to increase their motivation to change, [and] people can get there. But when they are out in society, they also need people to give them a second chance so that [they] can actually find opportunities, [they] can actually get resources to sustain the change."
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Stories of Us is a series about ordinary people in Singapore and the unique ways they’re living their lives. Be it breaking away from conventions, pursuing an atypical passion, or the struggles they are facing, these stories remind us both of our individual uniqueness and our collective humanity.
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Top photos by Singapore Prison Service
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In Nov. 2018, Justine Ong-Farmer and her husband, 31-year-old Scott Farmer (yup, their last names are “Farmer”) started a small urban agriculture business, aptly called The Farmers, right in their own front yard.They started this venture in a bid to introduce local herbs and encourage Singaporeans to grow their own food.Starting this venture hasn’t always been smooth sailing.Since both of them had no experience with gardening at all, they had to go through various rounds of trial-and-error and committed several rookie mistakes.Thankfully for them, they have supportive communities they can learn from including, the people they have met at farmers’ markets and online resources.While The Farmers doesn’t make much (yet), the Farmers’ do generate some income from this project by occasionally selling their produce like dried flower tea and kaffir limes at the farmers’ markets at Emily Hill or Dempsey Village.Apart from the occasional farmers’ market, they also used to do lunch drops of their homemade nasi ulam (herb salad rice) to nearby offices.Once a month, they hold two-hour workshops at S$80 per pax.#sustainability #agriculture #gardening
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https://mothership.sg/2019/07/the-farmers-singapore/
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A bowl of ice cold gula melaka sago dessert was all I needed after back-to-back interviews on a sweltering hot Tuesday afternoon.
This particular dessert that I scoffed down in seconds was especially impressive, because the pandan leaves were freshly picked from the humble yet diverse home garden of 27-year-old Justine Ong-Farmer and her husband, 31-year-old Scott Farmer.
(Yup, their last names are "Farmer".)
Working out of the front yard
In November 2018, the couple started a small urban agriculture business, aptly called The Farmers, right in their own front yard.
They started this venture in a bid to introduce local herbs and encourage Singaporeans to grow their own food.
But why would two young people want to introduce such a concept in such a fast-paced country like Singapore?
To (hopefully) bridge the disconnect between where food is grown and where it is consumed, we were told.
Travelled for nine months
Scott and Justine's love for gardening sprouted when they were travelling overseas last year.
Both of them quit their old jobs in February 2018 and embarked on a nine-month trip the following month to 16 different countries including Spain, Cyprus, Morocco and the U.S.
In their travels, they noticed how common it was for people to have their own little gardens, where they would grow their own vegetables and herb.
"The food tasted fresh and different from what we have in Singapore," said Scott.
But it wasn't just the freshness that they were intrigued by, it was also the fact that gardening made people closer to one another.
"We noticed how gardens became where people met up with one another and we wanted that back at home too."
Alternate income stream
While it doesn't make much (yet), the Farmers' do generate some income from this project by occasionally selling their produce like dried flower tea and kaffir limes at the farmers' markets at Emily Hill or Dempsey Village.
This, of course, is heavily dependent on how much crop they can harvest during that period.
Apart from the occasional farmers' market, they also used to do lunch drops of their homemade nasi ulam (herb salad rice) to nearby offices.
Once a month, they hold two-hour workshops at S$80 per pax.
Participants can go back to basics by discovering local herbs, making their own chilli chukka (chilli vinegar) and have a meal of nasi ulam along with it.
These workshops, however, have a smaller crowd since it is held in their own front yard, after all.
No agricultural background
While Scott went on to get another job in a law firm after starting the project, Justine decided to devote her fullest attention to their agricultural passion project.
With over three years of experience in the fashion industry and no background in agriculture, this was a bold move for Justine.
However, venturing into a path less trodden wasn't something new to her.
In fact, Justine and everyone else around her knew that she was going to take this new venture head-on.
"My background was in fashion and it already was considered an unconventional route. People around me would know that my next project would be just as 'weird'."
No-frills lifestyle
And while some might worry about the cut in earnings, Scott jokingly shared that it's a good thing that they both are "very cheap people".
Justine also added that living frugally is just one of The Farmer's purposes:
"There was definitely a difference in earning for me, from something to almost nothing, in fact. But it helps that we save quite a bit and reinforce our intention that there's always ways to repurpose things in the garden."
Local plants like soursop and butterfly pea
The Farmers' garden mostly has local crops like a soursop tree:
A handful of butterfly pea flowers:
And recently, they have been trying their hand on non-indigenous plants like tomatoes:
As well as roselle:
Snails are enemies
But starting this venture hasn't always been smooth sailing.
Since both of them had no experience with gardening at all, they had to go through various rounds of trial-and-error and committed several rookie mistakes.
For one, they learnt the hard way that cute snails turn out to be a gardener's worst enemies:
"We try not to use any chemicals or pesticides so we didn't know that snails were going to be such a big issue, eating all of our crops. We also learnt that we had to be more diligent with soil mix because we were lazy at first and would use random mix of soils."
Thankfully for them, they have supportive communities they can learn from including, the people they have met at farmers' markets and online resources.
Bridging gaps with neighbours
Prior to starting The Farmers, Justine and Scott barely interacted with their neighbours.
But a garden in their front yard, the couple noticed that people were stopping by their house to see their crops and exchange tips with one another.
Now, however, their garden is the talking point of their neighbourhood where they exchange tips with other residents.
For instance, an elderly neighbour actually brought them to her house — which was 15 minutes away from theirs — and showed them around her garden.
She also gifted them with seedlings and a fruit they didn't know had existed before, the balonglong.
Justine shared:
"Before that, we didn't even know what was a balonglong. I grew up here, but I didn't know a lot of my neighbours. Now, I've spoken to more of my neighbours than I did in twenty over years."
Making it a lifestyle
The Farmers had to (and still are) finding new ways to find their purpose in the urban farming community, from selling produce like dried flower tea and nasi ulam at farmers' markets to conducting their own workshops.
As they are only eight months into this project, The Farmers are still finding their groove.
While others may have given up by now, the couple remains optimistic and has high hopes for this venture.
Justine shared:
"It's important to remain positive. If we plant 20 seeds and only three grows, then that's great, it's already a success. Every plant has different characteristics and we're always learning new things."
Besides, this is more than just a business to them.
To them, having their own home garden and using their own produce is already part of their lifestyle, and they hope others can incorporate it into their lives too.
"We hope to integrate it into our lifestyle, especially when we choose to have kids later. It is something that has and will continue to enrich our lives."
Top image by Fasiha Nazren
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If you’re a working adult in Singapore, you may have your money stored in one or more popular savings accounts offered by local banks, such as the OCBC 360 savings account, or the DBS Multiplier account.These savings accounts are popular because they offer significantly higher interest rates than traditional accounts, in exchange for going through several hoops.These hoops include having to credit your salary to the bank account every month, spending a certain amount on credit cards, investing through the bank, and so on.And if you haven’t been living under a rock, you may also have noticed that the interest rates offered by these accounts have been cut several times over the past year.In this article, our writer explains why this has been happening and the alternatives one can adopt besides storing money inside a bank.#interestrates #financeandeconomy #bankingindustry
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/banks-cut-interest-rates-explain/
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If you’re a working adult in Singapore, you may have your money stored in one or more popular savings accounts offered by local banks, such as the OCBC 360 savings account, or the DBS Multiplier account.
These savings accounts are popular because they offer significantly higher interest rates than traditional accounts, in exchange for going through several hoops.
These hoops include having to credit your salary to the bank account every month, spending a certain amount on credit cards, investing through the bank, and so on.
And if you haven’t been living under a rock, you may also have noticed that the interest rates offered by these accounts have been cut.
Several times last year, in fact.
So what’s going on? Why are there so many changes at once? And should customers be concerned?
How bad are these changes? Pretty bad.
Take the DBS Multiplier account for example.
In January 2020, someone who spends — for example — S$500 on a DBS credit card and credits a S$3,000 salary to DBS monthly could earn 1.85 per cent interest on his or her savings.
1.85 per cent may not seem like much, but it's higher than Singapore's inflation rate for the last five years, so you're at least coming out ahead in that regard.
Just one year later, in January 2021, after several rounds of interest rate changes, the same person would only earn 0.40 per cent interest.
For a person who jumps through all of DBS’s hoops in order to maximise their interest rates, the situation is similar.
A person who spends S$1,000 on a DBS credit card, invests S$500, buys insurance with DBS and credits a salary of S$4,000 to DBS would have earned 2.4 per cent interest in January 2020.
Now, that same person would only earn 1.6 per cent.
And DBS was not alone in reducing interest rates in 2020. Both Standard Chartered and OCBC have also slashed interest rates, and to similar levels.
Central banks around the world lowering interest rates
So why have banks decided to collectively slash interest rates last year?
Well, the main reason is the lowering of interest rates by central banks around the world, especially the U.S. Federal Reserve (more commonly known as the Fed).
During economic downturns, the Fed cuts interest rates in order to stimulate the economy, as part of its monetary policy.
When interest rates drop, borrowing becomes more attractive not just for businesses, but also for consumers.
This helps to stimulate investing and spending, which gives the economy a boost.
How this affects Singapore
What does that have to do with interest rates for Singapore bank customers, you might ask.
Interestingly, the answer lies in the fact that Singapore’s central bank, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), is one of the few economies that chooses not to influence interest rates, relying instead on managing exchange rates.
According to MAS, since Singapore is a small and open economy, Singapore's exchange rate has a much stronger influence on inflation than the interest rate.
With the Fed slashing interest rates amid the Covid-19 pandemic, MAS also manages the strength of the Singapore dollar accordingly by increasing its supply. When there is a increase in supply of Singapore dollar, the price of it — the interest rate — goes down as well.
In practice however, says MAS, Singapore's central bank does not need to intervene much aside from announcing plans to adjust the exchange rate.
If it announces that the Singapore exchange rate will go down, demand for the Singapore dollar goes down in anticipation of the weaker Singapore dollar. When demand for the Singapore dollar goes down, the price of it, again the interest rate, goes down as well.
Individuals and companies can borrow money at lower interest rates
The low interest rate environment is why you, as a potential house buyer, can get housing loans from banks at lower rates now.
Companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), can also get loans from banks at lower interest rates because of government intervention.
In 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, MAS provided a series of loans to banks, at an extremely low interest rate of 0.1 per cent per annum, in order to encourage them to loan to SMEs who need capital during the crisis.
Since banks are expected to pass these cost savings on to their clients, it means that companies borrowing money from banks can enjoy lower interest rates too.
Banks can no longer offer high interest rates on deposits
But this also means that the banks must adjust interest rates offered to consumers for their savings accounts.
After all, one of the ways that a bank traditionally earns money is by offering interest to depositors (such as you), who deposit their money in bank accounts, which the banks lend to businesses at higher interest rates.
When the economy is booming, and interest rates are high, banks can offer attractive interest rates of more than two per cent to consumers for their savings accounts, as they are able to charge even higher to businesses.
However, now that interest rates for loans have dropped significantly, banks can't afford to offer high interest rates for deposits, as it will cut into their profits.
In a nutshell, as long as the recession continues to loom over us, interest rates for savings accounts are likely to stay low.
Fortunately, interest rates are often tied to business cycles, and when the economy begins to pick up, there's a good likelihood that the interest rates offered by banks will rise correspondingly.
What are the alternatives?
So where should you keep your money instead?
For one, you can try putting your money into insurance savings plans such as Singlife, which promises up to 2 per cent returns per annum, and provides life insurance at the same time.
This is a great option because it is protected by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC), under the Policy Owners' Protection Scheme.
This scheme provides 100 per cent protection for the guaranteed benefits of your life insurance policies, subject to any applicable caps.
However, such plans are clearly very popular, and new sign-ups for the Singlife account have been placed on hold since Dec. 15, 2020.
Another option would be to invest your money, although this is a riskier option, given that investment returns are not guaranteed.
Robo-advisors such as StashAway, AutoWealth, and MoneyOwl are attractive options for beginners, as they help individuals invest using data-driven indicators.
Consumers can simply choose the risk level they are comfortable with, and the robo-advisors will do the rest.
While investing is generally a sound idea for the long term, you need to be careful with investing too much of your money, given that you may not always be able to liquidate your investments at a moment's notice without incurring loss.
And if you find all of these options too overwhelming, you can always choose to continue parking your money at the lowered interest rates in your savings account.
Given that Singapore's inflation rate is forecasted to be at around 0.34 per cent in 2021, you may still come up slightly ahead.
At the very least, it's better than keeping your money in a tin under your bed.
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Mothership Explains is a series where we dig deep into the important, interesting, and confusing going-ons in our world and try to, well, explain them.
This series aims to provide in-depth, easy-to-understand explanations to keep our readers up to date on not just what is going on in the world, but also the "why's".
Top image via Jason Fan.
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Filzah Miranti Binte Mohd Dawood, who is in her 20s, is one of the hawkers behind Gerai Nenek Obek, a 57-year-old family-owned stall located at Geylang Serai Market.She is the fourth generation to join her family's business, which sells authentic Malay dishes such as Nasi Rawon, Nasi Jenganan, and Nasi Ambeng.Filzah began helping out at the stall when she was 19 and reveals that all the dishes are prepared "from scratch":"I start at 12 midnight just to [prepare] our dishes manually, so we boiled all our beef, our lungs, everything from scratch. We buy the vegetables from the market just below, cut it all by ourselves and blend the paste by ourselves."As many as 30 dishes are sold daily at Gerai Nenek Obek from as early as 7am.On Jan. 11, 2021, Filzah emerged as one of the youngest winners of the Hawker Heritage Award at the SG Hawker Seminar.The award honours hawker brands that have been established for at least 30 years and have been passed down the generations.#smallbusinessowner #foodandbeverageindustry #business
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/gerai-nenek-obek-hawker-awards/
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Filzah Miranti Binte Mohd Dawood, who is in her 20s, emerged as one of the youngest winners of the Hawker Heritage Award at the SG Hawker Seminar on Jan. 11, 2021.
The award honours hawker brands that have been established for at least 30 years and have been passed down the generations.
Filzah is one of the hawkers behind Gerai Nenek Obek, a 57-year-old family-owned stall located at Geylang Serai Market.
Family business
She is the fourth generation to join her family's business, which sells authentic Malay dishes such as Nasi Rawon, Nasi Jenganan, and Nasi Ambeng.
Her great-grandmother first opened the store in 1963 and the family has continued to use the same recipe since.
Helped out since she was 19
Filzah explained how her mother had helped out at the stall since the former was in secondary two.
"I've seen her work so hard every single day and I always go back to the kitchen to see how she has been cooking every single day to serve the customers traditional food," she said.
As for Filzah, she began helping out at the stall when she was 19, and revealed that all the dishes are prepared "from scratch":
"I start at 12 midnight just to [prepare] our dishes manually, so we boiled all our beef, our lungs, everything from scratch. We buy the vegetables from the market just below, cut it all by ourselves and blend the paste by ourselves."
As many as 30 dishes are sold daily at Gerai Nenek Obek from as early as 7am.
Support for hawkers
Filzah expressed her appreciation to the various organisations for helping the older hawkers with technology, such as contactless payment and delivery platforms.
The National Environmental Agency (NEA) had also given grants to help the hawkers bring their businesses online. For instance, a one-time S$500 grant was given to hawkers to defray the costs of providing food delivery services for customers.
Support was also offered to hawkers in the form of rental waivers and subsidies for cleaning services during the circuit breaker period, when dining in was not allowed.
Other winners
Other winners at the SG Hawker Seminar include Tan Wee Yang from Ah Tan Wings, who won the Enterprising Hawker Award.
Another is Elayne Ang from Tian Kee Carrot Cake & Hokkien Mee, who won the Promising New Hawker Award.
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Top photos via Gerai Nenek Obek on Facebook
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Electrical, IT and furniture retailer Courts Asia is set to open a new flagship store in Orchard Road by the first quarter of 2022.The new flagship store will take over six floors of space in The Heeren's retail podium, spanning 189,000 square feet.According to a press release from Courts, they are set to deliver Japanese standards of customer experience as their key differentiating factor.#retail #furniture #customerexperience
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/courts-the-heeren
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Electrical, IT and furniture retailer Courts is set to open a new flagship store in Orchard Road.
It will be located at The Heeren.
6-storey Courts
This flagship store will open by the first quarter of 2022, and is said to be the Courts' largest retail space in Singapore.
The new flagship store will take over six floors of space in The Heeren's retail podium, spanning 189,000 square feet.
According to a press release from Courts, it is set to deliver Japanese standards of customer experience as its key differentiating factor.
Previously occupied by Robinsons
The Heeren was previously occupied by Robinsons.
In Oct. 30, 2020. Robinsons announced that it will be closing for good after 162 years.
It was founded in Singapore in 1858 and had other outlets in Jem and Raffles City.
The department store's last day at The Heeren was on Dec. 16, 2020.
Related stories
Top image courtesy of Courts Singapore.
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Local community initiative ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR) is collecting unopened and unexpired CNY snacks and will be passing them on to migrant workers at their worksites, construction areas and dormitories.IRR said its volunteers are spread across the island and donors can contact the IRR team via WhatsApp to arrange for a time and place to make the drop-off.#societyandculture #singapore #charity
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/donate-chinese-new-year-snacks-singapore/
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Have you eaten too much this Chinese New Year? Do you feel like you really shouldn't eat another pineapple tart or kuih bangkit?
Well, don't let good food go to waste if you already had your fill.
Local community initiative ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR) is collecting unopened and unexpired CNY snacks and will be passing them on to migrant workers at their worksites, construction areas and dormitories.
IRR said its volunteers are spread across the island and donors can contact the IRR team via WhatsApp to arrange for a time and place to make the drop-off.
The full list of locations throughout Singapore can be found here.
Background
IRR has been actively putting together such initiatives for people in Singapore to do good for the migrant worker community.
In January 2021, IRR spearheaded a project to allow Singaporeans to donate their SingapoRediscover vouchers to migrant workers, a group that was hit disproportionately hard by the Covid-19 pandemic in Singapore.
Previously, IRR collected unsold Starbucks food and donated fruits for foreign workers.
Top photo via ItsRainingRaincoats & Yew Tee Point
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William Tay was diagnosed with Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) when he was 10 years old. People with CAPD can’t process what they hear in the same way other people do as their ears and brain don’t fully coordinate.Naturally, his ability to learn in school was affected, especially when he was younger.As CAPD was not a condition known to many people, Tay said that it was hard for teachers to understand him at first, especially during his primary and secondary school years.Republic Polytechnic (RP)’s lecturers, however, have gone the extra mile for him.To help him during lessons, they would arrange for Tay to sit in front of the class so he could focus and hear clearly.They also consistently checked on Tay’s progress.Tay eventually completed his internship at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), where he received good feedback, and passed his internship with commendation.For his civic-mindedness, Tay also attained the Harvard Prize Book (Singapore), an award that acknowledges and encourages altruism.After completing his studies in RP’s Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science, Tay topped his cohort and graduated with a gold medal.He was also placed on the Director’s Roll of Honour for three consecutive years.#science #education #singapore
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/rp-student-auditory-processing-disorder/
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William Tay was diagnosed with Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) when he was 10 years old.
People with CAPD can't process what they hear in the same way other people do.
This is because their ears and brain don't fully coordinate.
CAPD affects about five per cent of school-aged children, including Tay.
Naturally, his ability to learn in school was affected, especially when he was younger.
He told Mothership:
"There were moments that I felt like giving up. As a student with special educational needs (SEN), it was not easy to mingle around with my peers and cope with my studies. Many of my classmates who did not understand my condition would often look down on me and make fun of me for being a slow learner."
Despite the challenges, the 20-year-old Singaporean stood his ground.
He worked twice as hard as his peers and took control of his own life.
"I motivated myself and pushed myself to find new ways to learn and cope with my SEN while telling myself to always do my utmost best. This can come in the form of staying back after classes or school to clarify my doubts in my respective subjects or modules."
His efforts eventually paid off.
After completing his studies in Republic Polytechnic (RP)’s Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science, Tay topped his cohort and graduated with a gold medal.
He was also placed on the Director’s Roll of Honour for three consecutive years.
Credits Republic Polytechnic for his success
Tay refuses to take all the credit.
Instead, he said that his achievements were only possible with the help of RP, or more specifically, his lecturers.
As CAPD was not a condition known to many people, Tay said that it was hard for teachers to understand him at first, especially during his primary and secondary school years.
RP’s lecturers, however, have gone the extra mile for him.
To help him during lessons, they would arrange for Tay to sit in front of the class so he could focus and hear clearly.
They also consistently checked on Tay’s progress.
"Whenever I had difficulties understanding the topic, they would guide me during my lunch break or even after classes. Over my three years in RP, all my lecturers have helped me so much in clarifying my doubts as well as giving me advice on how I can further improve to better understand the topic."
In particular, Tay singled out two lecturers who have helped to build his confidence: Dr Chiradip Chatterjee and Dr Dawn Er.
Lending a helping hand to others
Seeing his lecturers’ passion and care inspired Tay to lend a helping hand to others as well.
"Without my lecturers’ support and encouragement, I would not have done well and be able to progress throughout my three years in RP. Hence, I wanted to guide and encourage all my juniors so that they are not left out or fall behind their peers when it comes to their studies, just like how all my lecturers have done so with me."
Tay explained that he wanted to be a good example to his juniors and bond with them.
Besides tutoring them, Tay regularly offered advice on polytechnic life, and life in general.
"In my opinion, a good senior is one who is a good role model in their studies and attitude, and guides their juniors in doing the same," he said.
He added that "nothing is more rewarding" than seeing his juniors gradually improve in their studies.
Internship with Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
The only time Tay was too busy to help his juniors was when he had to go through his 20-week internship.
Tay completed his internship at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), which he described as "the best internship experience" he could ever ask for.
You see, pharmaceutical science has always been a passion of his. That’s why he chose to pursue this course in RP.
He was interested in the healthcare industry and how the medical conditions and treatments worked.
In KTPH, Tay was a pharmacy technician. He was in-charge of picking, packing and dispensing medication to the patients.
This included learning other hospital operations relating to the dispensing and counselling of patients.
"My studies in RP has helped me a lot in my internship. The use of problem-based learning in every module has helped students like me to think beyond what was being taught in the books and materials."
Tay also encountered many elderly patients with mobility issues.
As a person with SEN, Tay empathised greatly with them.
He never failed to offer a helping hand when needed.
One of the patients he served wrote a positive feedback form and told his internship trainer to commend him to the supervisor.
Even though Tay humbly refused, the patient insisted on writing him a compliment.
Tay received good feedback from the hospital, and passed his internship with commendation.
His achievements didn’t stop there though.
For his civic-mindedness, Tay also attained the Harvard Prize Book (Singapore), an award that acknowledges and encourages altruism.
A supportive and caring school
Tay is glad he chose a polytechnic that helped him grow as an individual, as well as a leader.
Ironically, Tay’s former teachers weren’t exactly keen on the idea of him entering RP.
"I was told by my teachers back then in secondary school that RP is not a good polytechnic, but I beg to differ. It is not true at all. RP is a very good polytechnic that offers great support to all students, regardless of their circumstances."
RP’s creative problem-solving pedagogy
Another reason why he chose RP was because of its hands-on programmes.
Like all full-time courses at RP, the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science is delivered through the problem-solving pedagogy, preparing students to be problem solvers and professionals at the workplace.
Tay said:
"As a student who was used to the conventional way of learning, getting used to problem-based learning was not easy at first as I was not used to thinking out of the box. However, thanks to RP and its teaching approach, I am now able to approach problems with an analytical attitude, which has benefited me in my studies and personal life."
RP is having its virtual open house from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9, where you can find out more about its programmes.
In addition, you can join admissions webinar on Jan. 12 to gain useful information and valuable tips on applying to a polytechnic through the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE).
For more information, head over to RP’s website.
Top images courtesy of William Tay. Quotes were edited for clarity.
This sponsored article was brought to you by Republic Polytechnic.
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A new Housing & Development Board (HDB) Flat Portal, which will create more convenience for home buyers and sellers to gather information on the purchase or sale of a flat through a single integrated platform, has been rolled out, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee.Main features of this portal include:- Customised financial calculators for buyers to estimate their housing budget, and for sellers to estimate their sales proceeds- A one-stop loan listing service for buyers to obtain information on housing loans offered by both HDB and participating financial institutions- A flat-listing service with information on current and upcoming new HDB flats for buyers to compare their housing options holistically. In subsequent phases, HDB is looking to include resale flat listings. #housing #realestate #homebuyers
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/new-hdb-flat-portal-launched-with-upcoming-btos-flat-listing-service-housing-budget-calculator/
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National Development Minister Desmond Lee announced on Wednesday Jan. 13 that a new HDB Flat Portal has been rolled out.
New HDB portal
With this portal, it will be more convenient for home buyers and sellers to gather information on the purchase or sale of a flat through a single integrated platform, he said.
Main features of this portal include:
Customised financial calculators for buyers to estimate their housing budget, and for sellers to estimate their sales proceeds
A one-stop loan listing service for buyers to obtain information on housing loans offered by both HDB and participating financial institutions
A flat-listing service with information on current and upcoming new HDB flats for buyers to compare their housing options holistically. In subsequent phases, HDB is looking to include resale flat listings.
This portal is the second phase of the HDB Resale Portal that was launched in Jan 2018.
You can access the portal here.
Lee's full Facebook post here:
Top photo via Modern Affliction/Unsplash, HDB.
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A YouTuber couple from Chengdu, China, decided to document what 4am life looks like at Bedok South Market & Food Centre, which is the nearest hawker centre to where they live.The couple, better known as SG Chengdu family, said that they are often awake at 4am in the morning.But the “first time that (they were) curious about Singapore at 4 in the morning” started from this very hawker centre.In Nov. 2020, they had gone to the hawker centre for breakfast with some neighbours, piquing their interest in breakfast food there.In their video, they featured two hawker stalls: one selling youtiao (fried dough sticks) and another selling coffee and toast.They also spoke to the hawkers running the stalls, and found out more about their preparation process.#food #foodandbeverage #coffeeshop
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/bedok-south-hawker-centre-4am/
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Singapore is a little quieter in the wee hours of the morning.
But in Singapore's hawker centres, some hawkers have already stared busying themselves, preparing for their day ahead.
A YouTuber couple from Chengdu, China, decided to document what 4am life looks like at Bedok South Market & Food Centre, which is the nearest hawker centre to where they live.
The couple, better known as SG Chengdu family, said that they are often awake at 4am in the morning.
But the "first time that (they were) curious about Singapore at 4 in the morning" started from this very hawker centre.
In Nov. 2020, they had gone to the hawker centre for breakfast with some neighbours, piquing their interest in breakfast food there.
A youtiao stall & a coffee stall
In their video, they featured two hawker stalls: one selling youtiao (fried dough sticks) and another selling coffee and toast.
They also spoke to the hawkers running the stalls, and found out more about their preparation process.
Currently run by second-generation owners, the boss of Yong Hua You Tiao said that the business has been around for 40 years.
"It'll be about 1:30pm by the time I finish working... When I get home in the afternoon, I'll take a nap after lunch. I'll wake up in the evening for dinner, and go to bed again. Then get up to work. On my off days, the alarm clock in my body (still keeps running). I would still wake up at around 12am or 2am as usual."
The woman running the coffee stall said that she was previously at Ang Mo Kio before moving to Bedok.
(What time do you come to the stall every day?) 4:45am. Mainly to wash the area, flush the water... As soon as the bread arrives, (we) cut off the skin of the bread. The bread will harden if you cut it the night before." (Does tea making take a long time to practise?) If you want to pull it further it probably takes about two to three months.
You can watch the full video here:
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Top photo via SG Chengdu Family/YouTube.
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For Singaporeans who haven’t decided how to use your #SingapoRediscovers, or who wish to put your vouchers toward a good cause, one option is to use them to purchase Singapore Flyer tickets for migrant workers.Through an opportunity organised by local community initiative ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR), Singaporeans can donate their SingapoRediscovers to migrant workers, a group that was hit disproportionately hard by the Covid-19 pandemic in Singapore.In this article, we demonstrate how you can use your vouchers to fund one or more migrant workers to have the experience of riding the Singapore Flyer.#volunteering #community
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/singaporediscovers-migrant-workers-flyer/
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It has been about a month and a half since all Singaporeans received S$100 in SingapoRediscovers vouchers to spend on local hotels, attractions, and tours to support Singapore's tourism industry.
For those of you out there who haven't decided how to use your vouchers, or who wish to put your vouchers toward a good cause, one option is to use them to purchase Singapore Flyer tickets for migrant workers.
Initiative by ItsRainingRaincoats
Through an opportunity organised by local community initiative ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR), Singaporeans can donate their SingapoRediscovers to migrant workers, a group that was hit disproportionately hard by the Covid-19 pandemic in Singapore.
Here's how you can use your vouchers to fund one or more migrant workers to have the experience of riding the Singapore Flyer:
1. Go to the Klook link.
The tickets can be purchased on Klook here.
2. Select the date and number of tickets.
Scroll down to the package options. Click "Check availability" and select Mar. 8, 2021 as the date.
Select the number of tickets that you wish to purchase. Each ticket is S$35, and includes entrance to the Singapore Flyer and its newest attraction, The Time Capsule.
Once you have done so, click "Book now".
3. Log in or sign up for an account to proceed with the order.
Once you have either logged in to or signed up for a Klook account, you will be directed to a new page to enter your booking info.
Tick the box acknowledging that the purchase goes toward IRR, to purchase tickets for migrant workers.
4. Fill in your contact information
5. Select the "Use SingapoRediscovers Vouchers" option.
Once again, click "Use Singaporediscovers Vouchers", which will open up a new window of the LifeSG SingapoRediscovers website.
There, select "Redeem vouchers", which you can redeem using your SingPass.
Select "Copy voucher code".
6. Enter voucher code(s).
Back on Klook, paste the copied promo code(s) into the box.
Select "Redeem", and then "Book now".
You will be prompted to pay the difference, if you are topping up.
IRR's Facebook post about the initiative is available here:
Related story:
Totally unrelated but follow and listen to our podcast here
Top photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash and Getty.
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Just five years into her 22-year prison sentence for drug offences, Anna (not her real name) decided to retake her O-levels.The 29-year-old said that she took the opportunity to retake her exam as she was now "100 per cent certain she would give it her best".“Opportunities like this don’t come easy, I would never take it for granted," she said.After the release of the GCE O-level results in 2021, Anna emerged as the top inmate student, scoring straight As.Reflecting on her teenage years, Anna said that the younger her never thought too much about the consequences of her actions.“If my friends told me to do something, I would agree without thinking," she said.Apart from this, the mother of one also shared that she often dreams of the day when she is released.But until that happens, Anna remains focused on what she hopes to achieve while serving her sentence: she intends to sit for the GCE A-Level examinations later this year.#prisons #rehabilitation #success
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/female-inmate-o-levels/
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Five years into her prison sentence, Anna (not her real name) decided to retake her O-levels.
It turned out that after the release of the GCE O-level results in 2021, she emerged as the top inmate student, scoring straight As.
In a Captains of Lives Facebook post on Jan. 13, the 29-year-old reflected on her teenage years and how she never thought too much about the consequences of her actions.
“I never thought much about my actions or consequences. If my friends told me to do something, I would agree without thinking," she said.
Anna, who is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for drug offences, said that she took the opportunity to retake her exam as she was now "100 per cent certain she would give it her best".
“Opportunities like this don’t come easy, I would never take it for granted," she said.
The Facebook post said that she had "wiped away her tears" while holding her O-level cert, and later wrote "I did it!" in her personal diary.
She also thoughtfully reflected on her past as well as her grades, saying: “Good results won’t bring you anywhere, good choices will".
The mother of one also shared that she often dreams of the day when she is released.
But until that happens, Anna remains focused on what she hopes to achieve while serving her sentence.
She intends to sit for the GCE A-Level examinations later this year.
The full Facebook post here:
Top image from Captains of Lives Facebook post.
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2020 was a watershed moment in Singapore’s history, as the country experienced its worst recession since independence. The resulting government response, with budgets that funnelled S$92.9 billion in economic support, saw many ground-breaking measures.Economic orthodoxy fell by the wayside as the vaunted national reserves were tapped into, precisely for such a rainy-day scenario anticipated by previous generations.But if 2020 broke new ground, then 2021 is something of a return to form.Our writer summarises all that you need to know for Budget 2021 in this article.#singapore #economics #budget2021
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/emerging-stronger-together-budget-2021-summary/
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2020 was a watershed moment in Singapore's history, as the country experienced its worst recession since independence. The resulting government response, with budgets that funnelled S$92.9 billion in economic support, saw many ground-breaking measures.
Direct government payouts for those who lost their jobs and saw incomes reduced due to the pandemic. Direct government support for companies to continue paying their employees. Transfers for sectors that were hardest-hit, like aviation.
Economic orthodoxy fell by the wayside as the vaunted national reserves were tapped into, precisely for such a rainy-day scenario anticipated by previous generations.
But if 2020 broke new ground, then 2021 is something of a return to form.
1. No big hongbaos, targeted support
There were no wide-ranging hongbaos, as Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat presaged in his Facebook post the day before.
The pandemic still loomed large, with policies like the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) and Jobs Growth Incentive to continue for some sectors, and more direct support for taxi drivers and the aviation sector.
But the response to Covid-19 was not the be-all and end-all of the Budget. There were also policies with an eye on the future, such as the Green Plan for sustainability, and adjusting the tax regimen to respond to changing demands of consumers.
After a tumultuous year, the Emerging Stronger Together (EST) Budget resembles a hybrid of the pre-pandemic era and measures to tide Singaporeans through the pandemic, even as vaccines are being rolled out.
2. Covid-19 response
An S$11 billion Covid-19 resilience package will be launched to safeguard public health, support workers and businesses, and provide targeted support to the hardest-hit sectors.
S$4.8 billion will be dedicated to public health and re-opening measures.
S$700 million will be committed to extending the JSS, with an extension of six months for hardest-hit sectors like aviation and tourism.
The aviation, land transport and arts, culture and sports sectors will receive targeted support and cost relief of about S$1.05 billion.
3. Workers & Businesses Emerging Stronger
Heng committed S$24 billion over the next three years to help firms and workers to revamp themselves in light of changes in the global economy.
The government aims to grow a vibrant business community, catalyse a wide range of capital and create opportunities and redesign jobs.
An additional S$5.4 billion will be channelled to a second tranche of the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package, including an extension of the Jobs Growth Incentive.
4. Strengthening the Social Compact
Heng introduced a S$900 million Household Support Package to support families, with lower-to-middle-income families receiving more.
Households that qualify will get an additional S$200 special payment, an additional 50 per cent of their U-Save voucher, Service and Conservancy Charges rebates of 1.5 to 3.5 months.
Children below 21 in 2021 will receive an additional one-off S$200 in their Child Development Account/Edusave account/Post-Secondary Education Account.
Also, all Singaporean households will get S$100 in CDC vouchers to support heartland shops and hawker centres.
Vulnerable groups such as lower-wage workers and lower-income families will be supported, with ComLink expanded over the next two years to cover 14,000 families with children in rental housing.
5. Green Plan 2030
The EST Budget also announced several measures under the Singapore Green Plan 2030. S$60 million will be given to a new Agri-Food Cluster Transformation Fund to support technology adoption.
The car-lite society will be boosted with various measures to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, such as S$30 million over five years for related-initiatives, and 60,000 charging points at public carparks and private premises by 2030.
The government will also issue green bonds on select public infrastructure projects, having identified S$19 billion public sector green projects.
Heng also announced an immediate hike in petrol duty rates of up to 15 cents per litre.
6. Fiscal strategy - GST will be raised sooner than later
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) will not be raised in 2021, but will come "sooner rather than later" depending on the economic conditions, and no later than 2025.
For Financial Year 2021 (FY2021), the government expects an overall budget deficit of S$11 billion or 2.2 per cent of GDP. This is a drop of the budget deficit of S$64.9 billion in FY2020, but remains an expansionary position.
This will be the second consecutive Financial Year where the past reserves will be drawn on, a necessary move due to the exceptional circumstances.
Top image from Heng Swee Keat's Facebook page.
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As part of its annual open house event, Victoria Junior College has created a 64-bit version of its entire campus on Minecraft, so new students can continue to explore its campus even when large-scale events like annual open houses have been postponed indefinitely.The mega-project is the result of over 1,000 hours, involving 10 builders from both the Student Council and other non-Councilors. They were also joined by a supervising teacher from the Students’ Council.The team began their project right after the exams, with support and supervision from school teachers.As an exact replica of the campus, the Minecraft tour allows people to “walk freely” within the school, and explore the campus at their own pace.To encourage interaction, it allows visitors to “meet” one another inside the 3D world.Speaking to Mothership, the builders emphasise that the Minecraft world is just “one part” of the open house, and represents a collective effort put in by the school’s community.#computergraphics #openhouses #school
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/junior-college-minecraft/
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With the pandemic, many large-scale events have been cancelled.
This includes open houses and orientation programmes for tertiary institutions.
As part of its annual open house event, Victoria Junior College has created a 64-bit version of its entire campus on Minecraft, so new students can continue to explore its campus.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJufOBdrm7V
Over 1,000 hours spent
The mega-project is the result of over 1,000 hours, involving 10 builders from both the Student Council and other non-Councilors. They were also joined by a supervising teacher from the Students' Council.
The team began their project right after the exams, with support and supervision from school teachers.
As an exact replica of the campus, the Minecraft tour allows people to "walk freely" within the school, and explore the campus at their own pace.
To encourage interaction, it allows visitors to "meet" one another inside the 3D world.
"Representation of school effort"
Speaking to Mothership, the builders emphasise that the Minecraft world is just "one part" of the open house, and represents a collective effort put in by the school's community:
"We feel that it’s important to acknowledge that Minecraft is simply one part of our Open House, we would also like to mention that this Minecraft world is a part of a bigger picture. It’s a representation of an entire school effort, which is only able to happen because of the collective effort put in by the whole community in VJ, including staff, teachers, every CCA leader, StudioV, Robotics Makers Club and many other people in the Victorian community."
They also acknowledged the contributions of those who did not build the replica, but still shared it on Instagram, tagged various outlets and generally supported the project.
Minecraft gamers can opt to join the server and download the texture pack here.
Here's the full guided tour:
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Top image courtesy of Victoria Junior College
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The death of a 22-year-old female employee, surnamed Zhang, after working long hours past midnight at Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo has sparked renewed discussions on social media about the overwork culture prevalent among China’s tech companies. On social media, Zhang’s sudden death has been linked to China’s notorious “996” culture, which refers to a work schedule of 9am to 9pm, six days a week.This phenomenon is reportedly a common but unofficial practice in China’s fast growing tech companies.In 2019, Jack Ma was criticised after announcing that employees at Alibaba Group Holding Ltd have to work 12 hours a day, with only one day off a week.“To be able to work 996 is a huge bliss,” said Ma.“If you want to join Alibaba, you need to be prepared to work 12 hours a day, otherwise why even bother joining.”#workculture #worklifebalance #china
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/china-overwork-culture-pinduoduo/
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The death of a 22-year-old female employee after working long hours past midnight at Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo has sparked renewed discussions on social media about the overwork culture prevalent among China's tech companies.
According to South China Morning Post, the incident occurred in China's western region of Xinjiang.
The employee, a woman surnamed Zhang, collapsed at around 1.30am on Dec. 29, 2020, while she was walking home from work with colleagues.
Her colleagues then sent her to a nearby hospital, where she died six hours later, according to the statement issued by Pinduoduo.
"996" overwork culture
On social media, Zhang's sudden death has been linked to China's notorious "996" culture, which refers to a work schedule of 9am to 9pm, six days a week.
This phenomenon is reportedly a common but unofficial practice in China's fast growing tech companies.
According to SCMP, the hashtag #996 was trending on microblogging platform Weibo, before it was taken down from the platform.
China's Labour Law allows employees to extend work hours by up to three hours for special reasons, but staff should not work more than 36 extra hours in a month.
In 2019, Jack Ma was criticised after announcing that employees at Alibaba Group Holding Ltd have to work 12 hours a day, with only one day off a week.
"To be able to work 996 is a huge bliss," said Ma.
"If you want to join Alibaba, you need to be prepared to work 12 hours a day, otherwise why even bother joining."
Company made insensitive remarks over death
In addition, the company also triggered a second wave of anger on China's social media, after it made an insensitive remark on the incident through one of its official social media accounts.
On Jan. 4, 2021, a post was published on Q&A social platform Zhihu.com, with one user questioning whether Pinduoduo should be held responsible.
In response, the official Pinduoduo account on Zhihu had this to say:
"Look at the people at the bottom [of society]. Who's not exchanging their life for money? I never thought of it as a problem of capitalism but as a social problem. This is the era of hard work. You can choose to spend your days easy and comfortably. But you have to accept the consequences of ease and comfort. People can control their own efforts - we all can."
The comment, which suggested that working extremely long hours is up to an individual, angered many netizens, given that leaving one's job or turning down long hours may not be an option for many.
The comment was deleted within minutes, and the company allegedly denied posting such a comment.
However, Zhihu later confirmed that the account writing this comment was a verified account belonging to Pinduoduo.
The company later apologised for the post, claiming that it was posted by a person who worked for Pinduoduo's marketing department, and had originally replied to the thread with their own personal point of view, not realising that they had not logged out of the company's official Zhihu account.
The employee later deleted the comment the moment they realised it was not sent from their own personal Zhihu account, said Pinduoduo.
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If you’ve been to Tokyo, chances are you might have seen Mario Kart themed go-karts. The tour company behind the Street Kart (previously known as MariCar) has officially lost its legal battle against gaming giant Nintendo.The three-year-long dispute over the Mario Kart themed tour company’s go-kart services ended when the Supreme Court of Japan ruled in favour of Nintendo, according to Engadget.#tokyo #japantravel #japantourism
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/mario-kart-tours-legal-battle/
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Street Kart (previously known as MariCar) has officially lost its legal battle against gaming giant Nintendo.
Per Engadget, the three-year long dispute over the Mario Kart themed tour company's go-kart services ended when the Supreme Court of Japan ruled in favour of Nintendo.
Reinforced decision
If you've been to Tokyo, chances are you might have seen the go-karts.
Here they are:
According to Sora News, Nintendo first filed a lawsuit against MariCar in 2017 due to concerns over brand image after a series of road accidents.
Another Sora News article, carried by Japan Today, noted that the company perhaps played in a bit too much to their Mario Kart-inspired roots. With the original name in katakana being "exactly the same" as the fan nickname for Mario Kart in Japan. They also rented out costumes of characters like Mario at an extra charge.
According to a Nintendo press release in 2018, they were protecting their intellectual property.
The Tokyo District Court ruled in favour of Nintendo, and MariCar was ordered to stop renting out Nintendo-themed costumes and pay 10 million Yen in compensation.
"Unrelated to Nintendo" signs were promptly slapped on all MariCar's go-karts for extra emphasis.
That was perhaps not the wisest move.
In 2019, Nintendo took the case to the Intellectual Property High Court, and won once again.
Undaunted, Mari Mobility Development Inc would appeal against the decision.
But on December 25 2020, Japan's Supreme Court put an end to the three year legal proceedings by ruling in Nintendo's favour.
"No way a reflection of Nintendo"
At the moment, Street Kart still states on its website that it is "in no way a reflection of Nintendo, the game 'Mario Kart'", and has pivoted to a superhero theme.
According to Sora News, the company is surviving, but currently faces poor demand from both locals (due to brand damage), and tourists (due to the pandemic).
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As part of its Hawkers’ Development Programme, National Environment Agency (NEA) has announced a 12-month programme offered in collaboration with Temasek Polytechnic and SkillsFuture SG (SSG).The course offers a Work-Study Post-Diploma (Certificate) in Hawkerpreneurship and aims to ease the entry of younger aspiring hawkers into the trade.Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents who are recent graduates, less than 3 years from Polytechnics or ITE, or from the Operationally Ready Date for National Servicemen may apply for the course.According to NEA, participants will also receive a monthly training allowance of S$1,000.#foodandbeverage #hawker #entrepreneurs
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/young-hawker-work-study-post-diploma-nea/
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While hawker food is well-loved by its residents, the future of hawker culture can be uncertain, with fewer young people picking up the skills of the trade.
One solution that the National Environment Agency (NEA) has announced as part the the Hawkers' Development Programme is a 12-month programme offered in collaboration with Temasek Polytechnic and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).
The course offers a Work-Study Post-Diploma (Certificate) in Hawkerpreneurship and aims to ease the entry of younger aspiring hawkers into the trade.
Open to young S'poreans or PRs from Polytechnics or ITE
According to the programme overview on Temasek Polytechnic's website, the course is catered to recent graduates from polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education (ITE).
Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents who are recent graduates, less than 3 years from Polytechnics or ITE, or from the Operationally Ready Date for National Servicemen may apply for the course.
S$1,000 training allowance per month
The course duration stretches over a year and is a full-time course with lessons from 9am to 6pm.
The fee is S$1,733.40 for eligible Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents.
The course is conducted in three phases:
Phase 1 (Training Phase): Lessons on campus for two months on topics related to culinary art and science, and business operations
Lessons on campus for two months on topics related to culinary art and science, and business operations Phase 2 (Apprenticeship Phase): Work attachment with an experienced hawker for 4 months
Work attachment with an experienced hawker for 4 months Phase 3 (Incubation Phase): Trainees run their business at individual stalls under NEA's Incubation Stall Programme
According to NEA, participants will also receive a monthly training allowance of $1,000.
The first course is expected to start in March 8, 2021.
More details on the course registration can be found here.
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People are flocking to alternative messaging apps after WhatsApp announced an update to its privacy terms on January 6, 2021.Telegram Messenger founder Pavel Durov announced on Telegram on January 13 (Singapore time) that 25 million new users joined the platform in the preceding 72 hours.These new users came from all around the world — 38 per cent from Asia, 27 per cent from Europe, 21 per cent from Latin America and 8 per cent from Middle East and North America.#socialmedia #messagingplatforms #messagingapps
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/telegram-new-users-whatsapp/
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People are flocking to alternative messaging apps after WhatsApp announced an update to its privacy terms on January 6, 2021.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced on Telegram on January 13 (Singapore time) that 25 million new users joined the platform in the preceding 72 hours.
These new users came from all around the world — 38 per cent from Asia, 27 per cent from Europe, 21 per cent from Latin America and 8 per cent from Middle East and North America.
This is a huge surge, considering that Telegram's rate of new sign ups in 2020 was 1.5 million daily.
"We've had surges of downloads before, throughout our 7-year history of protecting user privacy. But this time is different," said Durov.
Telegram surpassed 500 million active users in January 2021.
What is this WhatsApp privacy update?
Under the new update, users have to agree to let owner Facebook and its subsidiaries collect user data, such as phone number and location, in order to roll out advertising and e-commerce.
The update comes into effect on February 8. Users will be prompted in the app to accept the updated terms in order to continue using WhatsApp
The announcement resulted in a backlash, forcing WhatsApp to clarify that the changes do not affect the privacy of private messages which are encrypted.
It added that the update will include “changes related to messaging a business on WhatsApp".
Under these changes, information gleaned from WhatsApp messages sent to businesses can be used for marketing purposes, including advertising on Facebook and personalising shopping activity on Facebook.
Top images via Telegram and Joshua Lee.
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Yu Xiao Qian, a 16-year-old, reflects on what she has learned from following her mother, who works as a housekeeper, to work, during her December holidays.The essay was published in The Birthday Book Jr 20/20: Seeing Clearly titled ‘Following My Mother To Work’.“As I am a foreigner, my school fees are very high which means my mom had to work harder in order for me to live a better life.After I saw her coming back from work late everyday with pain all over her back and body, I decided to make use of my free time to help her so that she would not be so tired.[…]Although we went to different houses every day, after some days, I felt like everything was repeating in a cycle. Doing the same thing over and over again is really very boring.So, sometimes, I wonder how my mom persevered throughout these years as a cleaner.Even though the job is tiring, I still have fun following her around. I have met new people and learnt a lot from them. Sometimes I cannot even wait to see them.[…]I think I have changed after following my mom as I have become more mature. She has taught me that in order to overcome hardships, you need to change your mindset and be positive. When you do that, you would not think that life is so hard and you will overcome it eventually.”#mindset #work
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/mother-housekeeper-experience/
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PERSPECTIVE: A 16-year-old reflects on what she has learned from following her mother, who works as a housekeeper, to work, during her December holidays.
Here, we have reproduced the girl's essay from The Birthday Book Jr 20/20: Seeing Clearly titled "Following My Mother To Work".
Mothership and The Birthday Collective are in collaboration to share essays from the 2020 edition of The Birthday Book Jr.
The Birthday Book Jr is a collection of 56 essays featuring young people in Singapore, who come from various walks of life.
Apart from showcasing the diversity of young voices in Singapore, these essays also call attention to issues that matter to children, and the broader world.
By Yu Xiao Qian, 16
To you, my life might be wonderful as it is quite interesting for a teenager to follow her mom to work.
However, I feel that my life is full of hardships, as I am a foreigner, my school fees are very high which means my mom had to work harder in order for me to live a better life.
After I saw her coming back from work late everyday with pain all over her back and body, I decided to make use of my free time to help her so that she would not be so tired.
My mom works as a housekeeper. She is someone who goes to your house and does all the household chores for you weekly. She vacuums, mops, washes toilets and irons clothes.
None of this is as easy as you think. You need a lot of energy to do all these things.
It is not only that, the important thing is to take pride in what you are doing. I know my mother takes a lot of pride in her work because I have had the chance to watch her at work.
The first few times I followed my mom, everything did not go smoothly as I did the chores in a perfunctory manner. I did not like it. It was extremely tiring to do all these chores every day. Besides that, it was boring.
I followed my mom almost every day during the December holidays, when my friends were relaxing and enjoying themselves.
Although we went to different houses every day, after some days, I felt like everything was repeating in a cycle. Doing the same thing over and over again is really very boring.
So, sometimes, I wonder how my mom persevered throughout these years as a cleaner.
Even though the job is tiring, I still have fun following her around. I have met new people and learnt a lot from them. Sometimes I cannot even wait to see them.
The people who I cannot wait to see are usually the families with cute little babies. This makes me look forward to the day.
I also love to see the aunty who I consider to be the nicest person amongst all my mother’s employers.
She gives me a lot of stuff like shoes, clothes and food. Every time I go to her house, even though my job is to help my mom clean the house, I feel like I am going there for a vacation as she treats us like her guests. She even cuts fruits and puts them nicely on the plate and asks us to eat.
Once, as I was resting while waiting for my mom to finish her work, she even turned on the aircon and placed the fan facing my direction. She said I am forever sweating whenever she sees me, and she wants me to feel cool.
This lady has two children who are both older than me and I have also made friends with them. They are just like their mother as they are very nice to me. They give me a lot of tasty snacks and even help me with my school homework.
To sum up, even through the hardships, I have realised that you still can find something good, fun or meaningful out there. You just have to take pride in what you are doing.
I think I have changed after following my mom as I have become more mature. She has taught me that in order to overcome hardships, you need to change your mindset and be positive. When you do that, you would not think that life is so hard and you will overcome it eventually.
In short, I think my life is full of hardships with a little bit of sweetness and the sweetness is what keeps me going.
Have an interesting perspective to share or a commentary to contribute? Write to us at [email protected]
If you happen to be in the education space and think this essay may be suitable as a resource (e.g. for English Language, General Paper or Social Studies lessons), The Birthday Collective has an initiative, "The Birthday Workbook", that includes discussion questions and learning activities based on The Birthday Book essays. You can sign up for its newsletter at bit.ly/TBBeduresource.
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On Jan. 8, OCBC Bank (OCBC) announced the appointment of Helen Wong as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO).Wong will succeed Samuel Tsien on Apr. 15, and will become OCBC’s first female group CEO.She is also the first woman to head a Singapore bank.Wong had started her career in OCBC in 1984, and was the bank’s first China Desk Manager.In her 37-year career, she has also worked in various capacities in investment banking and corporate banking in other firms.From 2015 to 2019, she was Chief Executive, Greater China at HSBC bank. She then rejoined OCBC in Feb. 2020 as Deputy President and Head of Global Wholesale Banking.#femaleceo #femaleleaders #bankingindustry
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/ocbc-female-ceo-helen-wong/
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On Jan. 8, OCBC Bank (OCBC) announced the appointment of Helen Wong as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Wong will succeed Samuel Tsien on Apr. 15, and will become OCBC's first female group CEO.
She is also the first woman to head a Singapore bank.
The Chairman of OCBC Bank, Ooi Sang Kuang, said: "Helen's experiences and expertise extend beyond corporate banking, Greater China and North Asia."
"We are confident that Helen will be able to lead the OCBC group to greater heights in an increasingly complex and challenging environment."
Started her career in OCBC
Wong had started her career in OCBC in 1984, and was the bank's first China Desk Manager.
In her 37-year career, she has also worked in various capacities in investment banking and corporate banking in other firms.
From 2015 to 2019, she was Chief Executive, Greater China at HSBC bank. She then rejoined OCBC in Feb. 2020 as Deputy President and Head of Global Wholesale Banking.
On accepting her new role, Wong said:
"I am deeply honoured to be succeeding Sam, who is highly regarded and respected, not just in Singapore's banking industry, but also regionally. Although Covid-19 struck fiercely at the economy and impacted many lives and livelihoods, we navigated the storm deftly thanks to Sam's leadership, the team's united efforts and the Board's guidance. The team and I will now continue to build on OCBC's strong foundations to further entrench it as a leading and progressive regional financial institution."
Top image from adapted from Wikipedia Commons and OCBC.
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Roger Lee is a Singaporean lighting artist whose name appears in the credits of several award-winning films, including Frozen, Frozen 2, Wreck-It Ralph and Big Hero 6.The 41-year-old had initially grown interested in films and animation as a child, when he saw Mickey Mouse and other Disney cartoons on the television.“I loved to draw when I was a kid so my parents sent me to do some art classes. I thought maybe one day I can do it for a living.”That thought turned into action when Lee decided to study film and sound at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, where he majored in computer animation.When he graduated, the industry was scant compared to what it is today, as “there wasn’t any big companies (operating in Singapore)“.Lucasfilm’s arrival in Singapore allowed Lee a chance to try his hand working on large-scale projects when he joined the company in 2005.There, he was a lighting artist on the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated series, as well as “Rango”, which clinched the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2012.However, when he came across an online advertisement for a position at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Lee saw it as a chance to fulfil a lifelong ambition.#film #animation #singapore
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https://mothership.sg/2019/11/roger-lee-lighting-artist-animator-interview/
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If you're planning to catch "Frozen 2" on the big screen, it might be worth pausing for a moment before you leave the cinema.
At the end of the film as the credits scroll vertically across the screen, look out for one name — Roger Lee.
If you manage to spot it, you might feel a swell of national pride, as Lee is a Singaporean lighting artist whose name appears in the credits of several award-winning films.
These include:
"Wreck-It Ralph" (2012)
"Frozen" (2013)
"Big Hero 6" (2014)
"Zootopia" (2016)
"Moana" (2016)
"Ralph Breaks the Internet" (2018)
and now, of course, "Frozen 2", which is just out in cinemas this week.
Childhood dreams
Talking to Lee in his usual surroundings at the Walt Disney Animation Studios in Los Angeles, I ask if he could explain what exactly he does in these movies.
"As a lighting artist, we use lighting and colours to create the time of the day, or to create a specific mood that helps to tell a story."
In a gentle manner that belied his Bruce Lee-esque physique, Lee described for me how the lighting in animation films can accentuate and highlight movements, helping to draw us into what is happening on-screen.
It's a craft that he's become an expert in, having perfected it over 18 years.
The 41-year-old had initially grown interested in films and animation as a child, when he saw Mickey Mouse and other Disney cartoons on the television.
"That was my very first contact with animation," he says.
"I loved to draw when I was a kid so my parents sent me to do some art classes. I thought maybe one day I can do it for a living."
Job prospects
That thought turned into action when Lee decided to study film and sound at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, where he majored in computer animation.
"Back then, doing computer animation allowed me to combine art and technology, so I thought okay, that is something cool."
Lee admits that it was a decision based far more on passion, with less consideration given to future job prospects.
He tells me that back when he graduated from polytechnic, the industry was scant compared to what it is today, as "there wasn't any big companies (operating in Singapore)".
"So I started with a post-production house, animating soap bubbles, animating titles, animating flying toothpaste and toothbrush. That was the only bread and butter job available."
Lucasfilm's arrival in Singapore allowed Lee a chance to try his hand working on large-scale projects when he joined the company in 2005.
There, he was a lighting artist on the "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" animated series, as well as "Rango", which clinched the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2012.
Fulfilling lifelong ambitions
However, when he came across an online advertisement for a position at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Lee saw it as a chance to fulfil a lifelong ambition.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Baah45Kl_xk/
Yet, it would mean uprooting his young family and moving across the world to California, something which Lee did not take lightly.
"It was a big decision because then I was still with Lucasfilm and I had a great job over there. And my kids, I have triplets, they were only 13 months old back then. But then to get this chance to work for Disney animation was my childhood dream."
A "very supportive" wife eventually helped Lee to make the switch, and the family has been living in California since April 2012.
Singaporean in America
Lee says that initially, his biggest struggle in coming over to the U.S. was in communicating with his new colleagues, even though they technically spoke the same language.
"Our English and their English is a bit different," he says with a laugh.
"I think I understand them more than they understand me (laughs). Sometimes the way I pronounce things, I have to repeat it a few times before they get it."
Spoken in a Singaporean accent, words like water and butter often draw an American-accented "Huh?" says Lee.
Thankfully, Lee has able tutors in his eight-year-old triplets who — having grown up in the U.S. — speak with American diction.
"My kids will sometimes laugh at my wife or myself and ask, 'Why do you pronounce it like this?' They’ll say, 'You shouldn’t pronounce it this way, you should pronounce it the American way.' To me it sounds the same, but to them they can tell the difference."
Lee's greatest challenge of living abroad thus far, though, marks him out to be a true Singaporean, as he tells me that one of the things he misses the most is a good plate of Hokkien mee.
"There's a lot of Chinese food over here, but there’s still some difference. So whenever I go back I try to eat as much as I can."
A rewarding career
Nevertheless, there are real perks to living in the U.S. and working for Disney.
"The best thing has been going to Disneyland for free with my family," he says playfully.
"For my wife she’s able to bring the kids to Disneyland without me if I’m working. She has a pass, and sometimes when its crunch time and I’m working long hours, at least I know my family is having a good time in Disneyland."
Lee tells me that these "crunch times" — usually during three to four months before a movie is released — often see the lighting artist working up to 15 hours of overtime a week.
But it seems to have paid off, with many of the films Lee works on going on to win Academy Awards and Golden Globes.
You'd expect someone who's tightened their grip around many an award trophy to be satisfied.
Not Lee though, who tells me that he still desires to grow in his skills.
"When you get the chance to work with these very talented artists from all around the world, it's something that keeps me going. Because you just get better, when you work with some of the best."
Yet, as I watch his features soften into a warm smile, I get the sense that Lee's biggest motivation comes from back home.
"Do your kids know about your work?" I ask.
"Yeah they do, and I’m glad that they’re quite proud about that, because they do tell their friends that their dad works on Disney movies."
"Frozen 2", the latest film Lee worked on, is currently in cinemas.
Top photo by Andrew Koay
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At first glance, you might think that Lilly Ong Swee Neo and Tara Prasob couldn’t be more different.Ong is 79 years old and the grandmother to 18 grandchildren. Tara, on the other hand, is a 19-year-old polytechnic student studying events management.But Ong and Tara are also the oldest and youngest applicants to sign up for the second season of MasterChef Singapore, respectively.For Tara, cooking is very much about experimenting with different flavours and trying to replicate dishes that taste good, rather than following recipes to the tee.“It’s like, when I’ve tasted a curry, I have the ability to be like, ‘this has tamarind, this has tomato, this has sugar.’ Then I will know that these are the ingredients in there.”She then looks up the recipe online to check the basic ingredients, and then adjusts them as she sees fit along the way.Ong also enjoys playing with different flavours.A proud Peranakan, Ong loves to make traditional Peranakan food, a food culture which is already imbued with a montage of flavours.She hopes to pass these Peranakan recipes down to her grandchildren, especially the recipes for making Nyonya kaya and Nyonya cookies, as they are part of their culture.Follow Mothership.sg on LinkedIn for similar content.#cooking #food #chefs
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/oldest-youngest-masterchef-sg-contestants/
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At first glance, you might think that Lilly Ong Swee Neo and Tara Prasob couldn't be more different.
Ong is 79 years old and the grandmother to 18 grandchildren. Tara, on the other hand, is a 19-year-old polytechnic student studying events management.
But one thing they definitely have in common? A passion for cooking.
Ong and Tara are also the oldest and youngest applicants to sign up for the second season of MasterChef Singapore, respectively.
Oh, and the best thing they have in common (in my opinion)? Their generosity with food, which they both shared with me when I sat down to chat about their passion for cooking a few months ago.
Started at a young age
Sitting in the living room of her youngest son's flat, where she lives, Ong tells me that she started learning to cook Peranakan cuisine from her grandmother when she was only eight years old.
And because her neighbours came from diverse backgrounds, she also learned to cook a variety of cuisines — Malay, Indian, and Chinese.
Back then, she says, things were different. There were no machines, so everything had to be done by hand.
"Nowadays, all press button. Last time, your fire, must chop the wood, bring charcoal."
Coincidentally, Tara also developed an interest in cooking at the young age of eight.
Realising that she enjoyed cooking, Tara's parents allowed her to work in the kitchen under supervision.
Back then, she would prepare simple dishes, like omelettes and instant noodles, she tells me, perched on a couch in her parents' living room.
Tara's cooking skills developed further when, as a teen, she began searching for more difficult recipes online, expanding her repertoire to include western food, Chinese food, and her favourite cuisine of all — Thai.
Experimenting with new recipes
As someone who is quite inexperienced when it comes to cooking, one thing that I'm curious about is how Ong and Tara even decide what to make, and where their recipes come from.
For Tara, cooking is very much about experimenting with different flavours and trying to replicate dishes that taste good, rather than following recipes to the tee.
"It's like, when I've tasted a curry, I have the ability to be like, 'this has tamarind, this has tomato, this has sugar.' Then I will know that these are the ingredients in there."
She then looks up the recipe online to check the basic ingredients, and then adjusts them as she sees fit along the way.
"I don't really follow a recipe that often," she chuckles.
Innovation is a big part of her cooking, Tara explains, rather than being a "copy-paste chef".
"I feel like when it comes to cooking, if you copy-paste, you don't really learn much, lah. When it comes to turning the dish to your favour and start incorporating things that are not in the recipes, that's when you start to realise that, hey, this is actually quite fun."
Tara explains how she started off her experimenting with spaghetti carbonara when she was around 14 years old, after having used an original recipe many times.
First, she says, she tried adding mushroom, which turned out tasting "not bad".
Another time, she tried adding tom yum paste. Unfortunately, that was "not that nice", Tara says quickly, laughing.
However, it did open up a different door for her:
"I mean, it's a mistake. But then what happened is that I realised that carbonara and tom yum, no. But just tom yum with pasta? It actually tastes good. Just don't add cheese to tom yum."
Tara brings me to the kitchen, where she opens up the fridge to give me one of her latest creations — an earl grey tea cupcake.
"Yesterday, I drank earl grey tea, and I was like, I want to make this into a cake. Maybe I'll turn it into a cupcake first."
While making it, she felt that the recipe could use a bit of citrus, even though it seemed like a "weird combination", so she added a bit of lime juice to the buttercream.
Perhaps she will try adding sour cream to the cupcake batter next time around, to make it more moist, she muses.
She's only in the early stages of this taste experiment, she says, but she will eventually come up with a recipe.
Peranakan culture
Ong also enjoys playing with different flavours.
She serves us generous heaps of tom yum tang hoon that she made, a dish derived from Thai, Peranakan, and Malay cuisines, checking repeatedly throughout our one-hour conversation whether we've had enough to eat, and if we'd like more water or tea.
A proud Peranakan, Ong loves to make traditional Peranakan food, a food culture which is already imbued with a montage of flavours.
Her favourite dishes to make? Fish otah, babi pongteh, and chicken rendang, she says.
She hopes to pass these Peranakan recipes down to her grandchildren, especially the recipes for making Nyonya kaya and Nyonya cookies, as they are part of their culture.
And as all of her recipes are currently in Ong's head, her eldest granddaughter is helping her to write them down.
"It's for your own good," she tells her grandchildren.
"Because you can never get such ethnic food [outside] nowadays. Even if you go to a Peranakan place, the food is totally different."
Time- and labour-intensive
The thing about cooking, though, is that most of the time, it isn't quick and easy. Sourcing ingredients also takes time.
Ong wakes up early in the mornings to go buy the best spices and freshest ingredients. One of the places she frequents is Kovan Market, where she goes to buy her fish.
"Because I know the fishmonger. So I will bargain with him lah! I always tell him, 'I always buy from you, so expensive!'" she says lightheartedly.
The cooking process itself, though, Ong says is "very fast", despite having to prepare large portions for her large family. As she has been cooking for decades, she's picked up a habit of efficiency.
Tara, on the other hand, loves to savour the time she spends cooking.
When she cooks — usually twice a week — she sets aside seven hours to do so, starting at around midnight.
"When I'm cooking, I feel like I'm in a different space. I can't really see the things around me, and there's drive, there's a focus. I know what to do. And the seven hours just go like that. I won't even notice it."
And that's not even including the time it takes her to acquire ingredients, a process which starts with her earning the money to buy them.
Tara still lives with her parents, but funds her cooking by working part-time.
"That's something unique about me, I guess. Most of my friends, when they get money, they'll be like, 'Eh, let's go to a bar.' Or 'let's go drink'. Or 'let's go for a movie'. I'm the kind who will say, 'I'm going to go home and cook now.' That's how much I really love to cook."
Despite the time and energy that the cooking process demands, both Ong and Tara say that they don't feel stressed or tired while cooking.
"Actually, if you see me cooking, right, I don't look stressed at all. Like, it can be 100 degrees in the kitchen, but I can be dancing and cooking, in my own world," Tara explains.
"So, it's more an escape from reality, and that's what I enjoy so much about it."
Cooking for loved ones
Ong and Tara both find joy in cooking for their loved ones.
Ong, who cooks a few times a week for her church members, remarks:
"It's really a joy, to see people eating [your food]. The way they eat, that is satisfaction."
Cooking for her family also brings her that joy, she adds, earnestly:
"People ask me, 'You go to market, you cook, you wash, you clean, then after that at night you still cook some more?' I say, 'Nothing, what.' It's like nothing to me. It's the kind of joy you get."
For Tara, she really enjoys cooking for her friends and her parents, and often gets their help to taste-test new recipes that she tries out.
She often organises picnics where she prepares food for her friends.
"The most recent one was butter chicken and naan, and they finished it before I got back from the toilet. When I asked if it was good, they just said, 'Is there any left?'"
I make a mental note to myself that I should definitely encourage more of my friends to take up cooking.
Tara's father has also been one of her biggest supporters, and gives her constructive criticism whenever she tries a new recipe.
"He's very critical of my cooking, but it's a good thing in my opinion [because] there's always room for improvement."
Encouraged to apply to MasterChef Singapore
Ong and Tara — who are the oldest and youngest applicants to audition for MasterChef Singapore's second season — were both encouraged by their friends and loved ones to apply.
Ong had actually wanted to apply for the first season, but missed the deadline. So when she saw a call for applicants for season two on TV, she immediately asked her oldest granddaughter to help her sign up.
"It was a wonderful experience," she says about the opportunity to cook in the test kitchen.
Just like Ong, Tara had also wanted to audition for the first season of MasterChef Singapore. She was disappointed to find out, though, that she was too young for the cutoff age.
So when the call for season two participants went out, a number of Tara's friends reached out to encourage her to sign up.
What's next?
The next step in both Ong's and Tara's cooking journeys is finding out whether they made the cut for MasterChef Singapore season two, which will premiere Sunday, Feb. 21 at 9:30pm on Channel 5.
The top 24 cooks will be chosen to contest one another in a series of high-pressure cooking auditions, and the top 12 will then have the opportunity to compete in the MasterChef kitchen to become Singapore's next MasterChef.
Whether or not Ong and Tara make the cut, they both seem to be content pursuing their passion for cooking.
After she finishes polytechnic, Tara plans to apply to culinary degree programmes, because cooking is her first love — a realisation that she had after studying events management for three years:
"I realise that... what you love comes first. So that's when I realised that I really want to be a chef now. There's nothing else that can even compare."
Thankfully, she says, her parents are supportive.
Tara's father tells me:
"You can study be a doctor or whatever, but if you don't have a passion, there's no use. Your life will be ruined, you know. If you have a passion, no matter what, it's not [about] money, it's other things; it's job satisfaction that makes you happy."
While joining a culinary competition is an exciting prospect for Ong, there is no doubt that she will continue to derive great joy from serving delicious food and passing on her culture to those around her, be it her family, her church members, or even a random Mothership writer.
As she presses a takeaway container full of tom yum tang hoon and an entire jar of homemade achar into my hands, Ong remarks about her passion for cooking for people around her:
"It is a kind of a life that you feel is well worth it."
Read more:
Stories of Us is a series about ordinary people in Singapore and the unique ways they’re living their lives. Be it breaking away from conventions, pursuing an atypical passion, or the struggles they are facing, these stories remind us both of our individual uniqueness and our collective humanity.
Totally unrelated but follow and listen to our podcast here
Top photos by Jane Zhang and courtesy of Tara Prasob. Some quotes have been edited for clarity.
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While some of us look back and laugh at what we used to dream of becoming, Siti Aisyah is living her childhood dream as part of a Emergency Response Team (ERT).The senior staff sergeant shared with Mothership that she joined the force in 2011 and was previously a Ground Response Force officer at Woodlands West Neighbourhood Police Centre.She then volunteered to join the ERT, which was set up in 2016 to deal with threat of terrorism.ERT officers are specially trained in counter-assault skills so that they can neutralise the attackers immediately.She shared that it was a rather “surreal” experience as her childhood has now evolved into a career, which she is very proud of.Being in the force for eight years also made Siti Aisyah appreciate Singapore’s safety and security more so than ever.“The last eight years as a police officer have taught me not to take Singapore’s safety for granted. The privilege of feeling safe to walk on the streets and sleeping peacefully at night does not happen by chance. I am proud to say that I am one of the officers in blue who are committed to keeping Singapore safe and secure.”#safety #police #security
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https://mothership.sg/2019/09/siti-aisyah-police-woodlands/
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Siti Aisyah Binte Aidil, 28, has been part of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) for a year now.
The senior staff sergeant has attracted a fair bit of attention online recently as she was featured in a Facebook post shared by Minister of Home Affairs, K Shanmugam.
The post on Sep. 2 described Siti Aisyah as young and fearless, as she has to deal with any terror attacks in Woodlands.
The post has since garnered over 600 shares and 4,000 reactions.
As an ERT officer, she patrols the public areas such as shopping malls and MRT stations.
"Young" and "fearless" policewoman
Siti Aisyah shared with Mothership that she joined the force in 2011 and was previously a Ground Response Force officer at Woodlands West Neighbourhood Police Centre.
She then volunteered to join the ERT, which was set up in 2016 to deal with threat of terrorism.
ERT officers are specially trained in counter-assault skills so that they can neutralise the attackers immediately.
While most of us often see ERT teams in shopping malls or on the trains, that is definitely not the only responsibility they have.
Siti Aisyah said:
"We conduct patrols at crowded locations such as shopping malls, bus interchanges and train stations. We also engage relevant stakeholders to fight terrorism through the joint development of counter-terrorism contingency plans and security exercises. If necessary, we may be activated to respond to violent crime incidents."
Carries 17kg of gear every day
On a day-to-day basis, Siti Aisyah has to patrol public areas while carrying 17kg of gear, including the submachine gun that she's holding in the photo.
Given her seemingly small built, one might wonder how she copes with that when she's on duty.
Siti Aisyah admitted that it was not easy initially.
She said:
"Personally, I found it both physically and mentally challenging to cope with the heavy equipment initially. However, I was put through a rigorous basic course with my fellow ERT officers to build up our endurance; and to develop key tactical skills."
However, after undergoing rigorous training and conditioning, the gear "now feels like a second skin" to her.
"After these training and conditioning, my gear now feels like a second skin. Our training do not end with our basic course either. ERT officers go through continuous and regular physical and tactical training to ensure we stay proficient at what we do."
Great teammates probably made the tough times easier too.
She added:
"The physical and mental demands of this vocation keeps me on my toes and drives me to constantly improve and break out of my comfort zone. More importantly, the close bonds I have forged with my team keep me motivated in this job."
Childhood dream came true
While some of us look back and laugh at what we used to dream of becoming, Siti Aisyah is living her childhood dream.
She shared that it was a rather "surreal" experience as her childhood has now evolved into a career, which she is very proud of.
She said:
"It is surreal to look back and to realise that what started off as my childhood dream has evolved into a career. I am proud to be a full-time police officer and I am driven to serve the nation."
Being in the force for eight years also made Siti Aisyah appreciate Singapore's safety and security more so than ever.
"The last eight years as a police officer have taught me not to take Singapore’s safety for granted. The privilege of feeling safe to walk on the streets and sleeping peacefully at night does not happen by chance. I am proud to say that I am one of the officers in blue who are committed to keeping Singapore safe and secure."
Here's the original post:
Top photo collage from K Shanmugam's Facebook and courtesy of SPF
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Lena Kwa, 48, and Adrian Gair, 46, met in 1998, during the course of their work. That was the time of the Asian Financial Crisis.He was working in M1 Limited’s customer service department, while also serving as a leader in the Singapore Industrial & Services Employees’ Union (SISEU). She worked in Event Management.During the Covid-19 pandemic, Adrian felt that he could do more than what he was doing. He felt that he could only go “so far” in customer service, and that while he gained essential knowledge and experience over the years, he felt the need to go further.That’s the reason why the couple went “back to school” and decided to enrol in a digital marketing diploma course.Said Lena, “With (the arrival of) covid, working from home and (reduction in) outings have provided more spare time. And with the increase in government (course fee support), I decided to head back to school.”Adrian agreed. To him, the Covid-19 pandemic was a crisis, but it was also an opportunity.“Since the government topped up my SkillsFuture SG (Credit) and I can apply for a sponsorship with the SISEU, this is the best opportunity for me to upgrade myself and perhaps, (make a) a mid-career change.”PSB Academy #adultlearners #maturestudent #upskilling
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/learn-something-new-psb-academy/
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There’s a famous scene in Martin Scorsese’s critically-acclaimed film, The Wolf of Wall Street, where the roguish anti-hero Jordan Belfort conducts a training seminar and asks the participants, one-by-one, to “sell me this pen.”
The attendees, those who paid to learn his secrets, step up to try. All of them fail. None possess the ability to persuade others like Belfort did, whose skills made him a multi-millionaire and whose greed led to a stint in prison.
Underneath the glamour and the sleaze, one message from that film rings true -- no matter what you’re doing in life or career, the ability to persuade others is invaluable.
What's the most marketable skill?
Even if you have a job that doesn’t involve interacting with clients or members of the public, improving your marketing skills will give you a leg up when working with colleagues or negotiating with your boss for that raise.
But no one sells pens face-to-face any longer. We are on the cusp of the next Industrial Revolution and those who master the new forms of technology will be able to have a leg-up over their competitors.
And it doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old -- to borrow a phrase from Pixar’s Ratatouille, anyone can learn.
That’s the reason why Lena Kwa, 48 and Adrian Gair, 46 went “back to school” and decided to enrol in a digital marketing diploma course.
The couple held different jobs in the past. He was working in M1’s customer service department, while also serving as a leader in the Singapore Industrial & Services Employees’ Union (SISEU). She previously worked in Event Management.
They met in 1998, during the course of their work. That was the time of the Asian Financial Crisis, a demonstration that economic growth is not always a given and workers can be vulnerable at any moment.
However, Adrian felt that he could do more than what he was doing at the time. He felt that he could only go “so far” in customer service, and that while he gained essential knowledge and experience over the years, he felt the need to go further.
No travel? Study instead.
Living through that and the Global Financial Crisis in 2009 made them no stranger to unprecedented situations.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Lena and Adrian saw their plans derailed. Travelling overseas? That would have to wait.
Said Lena, “With (the arrival of) covid, working from home and (reduction in) outings have provided more spare time. And with the increase in government (course fee support), I decided to head back to school.”
Adrian agreed. To him, the Covid-19 pandemic was a crisis, but it was also an opportunity.
“Every year, I usually make a few trips overseas but because of Covid, we are stuck in Singapore. Since the government topped up my Skills Future (Credit) and I can apply for a sponsorship with the SISEU, this is the best opportunity for me to upgrade myself and perhaps, (make a) a mid-career change.”
That was when Lena and Adrian chose to dive into something new and take up the digital marketing diploma at PSB Academy. But they had similar reasons.
For Lena, the digital movement represents the “wave of the future.”
“To increase knowledge, why not?” she said, of her decision to go back to school. As she was formerly a student at PSB Academy, she has fond memories of her learning experience there.
Her familiarity with the school, plus its convenient location, led her to choose PSB Academy once more.
Keeping up
For Adrian, he believes that Singapore’s Smart Nation push means that those who don’t keep up will be left behind.
He explained that he was more interested in the comprehensive knowledge associated with Digital Marketing instead of a specific discipline.
The digital marketing diploma at PSB Academy allows students to learn a variety of skills, such as paid search and display advertising, email marketing, search engine optimisation (SEO) and social media marketing on various platforms. These digital skills help equip students to handle new mediums of communication, on which modern businesses rely.
Adrian also appreciated the chance to potentially offset 50 per cent of the costs through his association with the SISEU, which partnered with PSB Academy to help support workers interested in upgrading their skills.
He said that through his role as an executive committee member in the union, he has seen many cases of employees feeling “left behind” by their companies. Adrian added:
“Since learning is never ending, yes, we should go back to school if and when possible. Always think about upgrading and upskilling oneself so that you will not become "stale" and unwanted by companies.”
This sponsored article by PSB Academy made the writer want to plan ahead for his retirement.
Top image from PSB Academy.
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Ben Chua, who runs a non-profit organisation called Cyber Youth Singapore (CYS), had his first personal laptop only when he entered Singapore Polytechnic, citing his “very conservative parents”, who were against screen time in the household.“I think many cybersecurity people you will come across, they will usually have very interesting stories, like being hacked by someone, before deciding to pick up cybersecurity as a career”, he said with obvious amusement.His first year in polytechnic was tough, given that most of his peers were already coding, while he was still figuring out how to use his laptop properly.However, he persevered, and his experience was what led to the formation of CYS.Chua wanted to ensure that youth who were interested in entering the industry will have a safe and welcoming environment to do so, no matter what their background is.With this in mind, in 2019, Chua held CYS’s first youth meet-up within the SP campus, which drew the attention of around 70 youths at the time.He hopes that in the near future, cybersecurity can be inculcated into early education curriculums, given that many children now come into contact with technology at a young age.#cybersecurity #youngentrepreneur #youngleaders
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/sp-grad-founder-ceo-cybersecurity-organisation/
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You probably know that it’s a bad idea to use 123456 for your iBanking password, and you’ve probably installed the free antivirus software you received when you bought your laptop at the PC show.
But what do you really know about cybersecurity, and its increasing importance in the modern world?
If you’re anything like me, then your knowledge on the subject is likely to be pretty minimal.
Huh. Is there really a need to be well-versed in cybersecurity?
I get it. You probably aren’t part of a top-secret organisation that deals with valuable information on a daily basis.
It isn’t surprising that you, an average joe, may not feel the need to bother with cybersecurity.
However, this cannot be further away from the truth.
A survey conducted by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) earlier this year revealed that more than a quarter of Singapore residents faced at least one cyber incident in the past 12 months.
These incidents include falling prey to online scams, losing financial information to hackers and being impersonated by hackers.
Perhaps more worryingly, while a significant proportion of respondents were concerned about cybersecurity incidents in general, a much smaller group thought they would actually fall victim to an online scam or fraud.
What does this mean? It means that while Singaporeans are aware of the danger posed by cyber-threats, they are overconfident in their abilities to deal with them.
How do I find out more about cybersecurity?
So where does one go to find out more about cybersecurity?
Well, after reading the Wikipedia entry on the word in length, and not understanding even half of the terms, I decided the best way to know more about the topic is to get someone who is more knowledgeable to explain it to me.
However, getting someone appropriate to speak to wasn’t exactly an easy task.
Luckily, a quick google search led me to a YouTube video, featuring Ben Chua, a recent graduate from Singapore Polytechnic’s (SP) School of Computing. who runs a non-profit organisation called Cyber Youth Singapore (CYS).
&ab_channel=SingaporePolytechnic
The 20-year-old, is both the first President and current CEO of a youth-led organisation called Cyber Youth Singapore (CYS), a non-profit which advocates for strong cyber security awareness in Singapore.
And this is how I ended up meeting Chua, who I realised to be far more mature and forward thinking than most youths his age.
Cybersecurity is often overlooked
I first met Chua a week after he completed his basic military training (BMT) in the army.
While I initially felt terrible for taking up his precious rest time (if I were him, I would still be at home sleeping), it turned out that I wasn’t even his first appointment of the day.
The 20-year-old has been busy meeting up with potential partners for CYS, and appeared to have a schedule that wouldn’t be out of place for a busy executive.
After all, the organisation has over 1,000 members after being established less than a year ago, and the numbers are rising fast.
During the session, I asked him the golden questions: What exactly is cybersecurity all about? Are my passwords safe? Is using incognito mode enough?
Chua was rather amused at all my questions, but humoured me enough to respond to most of them.
For example, a basic aspect of cybersecurity is adopting good digital habits, such as using uncommon and different passwords across different platforms, or knowing what NOT to download (shady pop-up that claims they can make you rich? Don’t click that).
He also said that cybersecurity is one of those things that are often overlooked, until something terrible happens.
In a way, it’s like how we don’t really think about closing the windows at home, until one day a burglar breaks in, and steals everything.
Too little, too late.
Cybersecurity habits should be taught early
While we were on the topic, Chua also told me more about Cyber Youth Singapore (CYS), and its goals.
Chua revealed that his goal was simple: to push Singapore to become a more cyber-resilient Smart Nation.
“As technology becomes more pervasive in our lives, it is critical for every Singaporean to be educated on the proper way to use their digital devices,” said Chua.
He also hopes that in the near future, cybersecurity can be inculcated into early education curriculums, given that many children now come into contact with technology at a young age.
“To teach cybersecurity to a child is like teaching him or her how to cross the road; if they are taught early, they will naturally know how to look left and right before crossing the road,” said Chua.
To him, it’s important that children are taught correct cybersecurity habits early, so that they will never forget them.
He got his first laptop in poly
Given Chua’s obvious enthusiasm for cybersecurity, you can be forgiven to assume that he spent most of his childhood on a computer.
In fact, Chua had his first personal laptop only when he entered polytechnic, citing his “very conservative parents”, who were against screen time in the household.
“I think many cybersecurity people you will come across, they will usually have very interesting stories, like being hacked by someone, before deciding to pick up cybersecurity as a career”, he said with obvious amusement.
His first year in polytechnic was tough, given that most of his peers were already coding, while he was still figuring out how to use his laptop properly.
Not only was the course content something completely new to him, but he also had to adapt to the polytechnic curriculum, which was vastly different from secondary school as well.
However, he persevered, and his experience was what led to the formation of CYS.
“I think the starting of CYS was really because of the struggle that I faced. I didn’t want any other youth to face that kind of apprehension, or that kind of ‘lostness’ that I felt,” he said.
In essence, he wanted to ensure that youth who were interested in entering the industry will have a safe and welcoming environment to do so, no matter what their background is.
CYS’s first meet-up was held within the SP campus
With this in mind, in 2019, Chua held CYS’s first youth meet-up within the SP campus, which drew the attention of around 70 youths at the time.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for CYS, given that securing funding for the event proved more difficult than they had anticipated.
“At the start, no one believed in the vision of CYS,” remarked Chua, who said it was “quite difficult” to gather support from the industry.
“We were running on fumes,” admitted Chua, who had already used his internship pay to fund the non-profit’s operating expenses.
Luckily, their salvation would come in the form of a local cybersecurity company, who gave them their first $11,000 to carry out their event.
Chua said that their leadership saw the value that CYS brought to the industry, and recognised their potential.
This turned out to be the organisation’s turning point, as industry leaders such as Singtel and Ensign began to approach them shortly after, showing support for their cause.
Aspires to get a degree in Computing and Law
And what drives Chua to manage such a massive operation, especially one that is a non-profit organisation?
“To be honest, it was really tiring. I couldn’t watch Netflix, or spend time with my family like other people. But I don’t regret it, because I think it is something I really enjoy doing, and something which I find purpose in doing,” said Chua.
For Chua, his immediate goal revolves around ensuring that CYS remains a stable and sustainable organisation.
He hopes to get a degree in Computing and Law in the future, and aspires to specialise in cyber policies and governance in the long run.
This sponsored article by Singapore Polytechnic made the writer wish he was more productive in his youth.
Top images via Ben Chua.
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Alaric Tan’s first taste of meth was surreal. “I felt like I could do anything in the world,” says the 41-year-old, who today runs The Greenhouse, a substance recovery centre for marginalised communities.Tan was first introduced to drugs, specifically half an Ecstasy (MDMA) tablet, on his 21st birthday in a Bangkok gay club.At first, Tan only indulged in his drug use when he was in Bangkok.But as with all addictions, his usage grew steadily from four times a year to once a month, and then twice a week.In 2008, when Tan was in between jobs and, overwhelmed by uncertainty, he took the opportunity offered by a close friend to give meth a try.“I got hooked on it really, really fast. I went from being an occasional user to a daily user within a matter of months.”It all came crashing down when he was arrested in February 2016 and did a six-month stint at Singapore’s Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Changi Prison. Being forced to be clean for six months gave him hope that recovery was possible.Later in October, Tan joined a 12-step recovery programme that had a peer support component. That would turn out to be the missing piece in his recovery process.It was Tan’s personal recovery process that prompted him to “pay it forward” by starting his own recovery centre.#recovery
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https://mothership.sg/2020/02/alaric-tan-the-greenhouse/
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Alaric Tan's first taste of meth was surreal.
"It hit my brain like a bomb. I just immediately perked up. I was extremely alert, just... incredibly aware of everything that was happening around me. It gave me a sense of confidence and assurance that was extremely unreal."
"I felt like I could do anything in the world," says the 41-year-old, who today runs The Greenhouse, a substance recovery centre for marginalised communities.
Operational for close to three years now, the recovery centre occupies a nondescript two-storey brick house in central Singapore.
Its spartan interiors are furnished with just the barest essentials — a couch and a television occupy the room we're in. A poster exhorts the dangers of drugs — health problems, relationship breakdowns, and a huge drain on finances, just to name a few.
It's a litany of difficulties Tan is acutely familiar with, having been through a 20-year journey of drug abuse, addiction, devastation, and finally, redemption.
First introduced to Ecstasy when he was 21
Tan was first introduced to drugs, specifically half an Ecstasy (MDMA) tablet, on his 21st birthday in a Bangkok gay club.
If it wasn't for a close friend who assured him that half a tablet wasn't a big deal, the self-professed "prim and proper" young man wouldn't have even given it a second look.
The effects, he says, were life-changing.
"I've always walked around with the sense that there's something wrong with me, that I should be ashamed of myself, that I was never good enough. All those feelings just completely melted away the moment the effects hit me."
The effects of Ecstasy — an overwhelming surge in confidence and empathy — were extremely intoxicating, even more so for someone who had been beating himself up for years over his sexuality.
Tan cannot recall when he started identifying as a homosexual, but remembers his parents — a civil servant and a secretary — sending him for a 12-month-long Christian conversion therapy programme (a mix of pseudoscience, prayer, and worship, he says) when he was 16.
Subsequently, he had to attend weekly sessions with a psychologist for his severe social anxiety and depression which, ironically, was brought on by the attempt to "pray the gay away".
And while Tan's conversion therapy was a spectacular failure, it taught him something:
"Unless I was exactly what (my parents) wanted me to be, it's not okay. I felt very rejected."
A dog that had been beaten — that's what Tan likens his past self to, crippled by anxiety and self-loathing.
"When people try to get close to them, they will run away because they're afraid that they're going to be hit with a stick. I did not feel safe," he says, as he fidgets with his fingers.
It's clear that Tan's anxiety still sticks with him, but he recognises and acknowledges it — a shadow that he has learned to live with and embrace ("I think that it makes me relatable.").
From "successful user" to addiction
At first, Tan's drug use was restricted to the occasional Ecstasy, Marijuana and Ketamine, which he would only indulge in when he was in Bangkok.
He was, by his definition, a "successful user" who was very particular about how much and how often he used.
"I could party all weekend and still drive to work on Monday and chair meetings. I could run into roadblocks and have a chat with the police officer who suspected nothing."
But as with all addictions, his usage grew steadily from four times a year to once a month, and then twice a week.
A drug user builds tolerance to the drugs over time so he would require more and more just to reach the same high, explains Tan.
Even then, it was a "manageable" habit, he says, right up to the point he started taking methamphetamine ("a totally different kettle of fish altogether").
Even before he started using meth, Tan says he was well aware of the dangers associated with this incredibly addictive drug.
But in 2008, he was in between jobs and, overwhelmed by uncertainty, he took the opportunity offered by a close friend to give meth a try.
"I got hooked on it really, really fast. I went from being an occasional user to a daily user within a matter of months."
Aside from meth, Tan was also addicted to GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and had to depend on an hourly dosage of 1ml just to go about his day.
"I physically could not get out of bed unless I took the drugs. So when I woke up I had to smoke meth and take GHB. It took me like, an hour to put myself in the right frame of mind to crawl out of bed."
Tan's addiction was so severe that he was compelled to bring his drugs around with him. It was dangerous — drug possession can earn you a 10-year jail sentence in Singapore — but Tan didn't care.
Without his regular doses, his mood would crash and he would quickly find himself overwhelmed by paranoia, fear, and anxiety.
"I would think people were watching me, following me. I would think that people were out to harm me," he says. Once, he passed out from a GHB overdose in public and had to be sent home by (thankfully) his partner.
What was once a silver bullet for his shame and anxiety became a crutch that he hated.
Despite multiple attempts to quit — through counselling and even a detox programme in Chiang Mai — years of addiction made it near impossible. He even managed to convinced himself that he didn't really want to kick the habit.
A lightbulb moment
It all came crashing down when he was arrested in February 2016 and did a six-month stint at Singapore's Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Changi Prison. Being forced to be clean for six months gave him hope that recovery was possible.
Later in October, Tan joined a 12-step recovery programme that had a peer support component. That would turn out to be the missing piece in his recovery process.
But of course, it wasn't that easy. After his release from prison, he suffered three relapses. The third was especially severe, but he says it was a turning point for him.
"I used drugs for a week without eating or sleeping and I went to a recovery meeting and I was high, I was paranoid, I was sweating and ashamed. The strangest thing happened. I realised that not a single person in the room judged me. They understood what I was going through. I felt safe for the first time."
It was a lightbulb moment for Tan.
Being with people who who have been through the same traumas and are working through the same issues is essential for recovery, he says.
"When we can see for ourselves that others are getting better, it's living proof that recovery is possible."
Within eight months, Tan managed to stop using drugs completely. Even the cravings went away.
"No one aspires to be a drug addict"
Conventional wisdom dictates that people turn to drugs because it makes them feel good, but Tan disagrees.
"What's so not good about our lives that we want to feel good so much that we would endanger everything else? We think we want to feel good but no, we just want to stop feeling bad."
Addiction, says Tan, is a mental health issue and a coping mechanism. "No one aspires to be a drug addict."
Being in recovery has allowed him to see that his years of drug abuse was an attempt to handle (rather unsuccessfully) his deep unhappiness and pain.
Gay men, says Tan, are highly susceptible to drug use, be it for personal use or sex, because it helps them get over various inhibitions, both conscious and subconscious:
"Shame over our bodies, the fact that we're not quite okay about being gay, the fact that we feel like a failure, the fact that we don't feel that we're allowed to be authentic, that people judge us, that we are criminals, all of these things are there."
In fact, Tan says everyone who comes to him at The Greenhouse point to at least one of these triggers of their addiction: broken or dysfunctional families, physical, mental, emotional or sexual abuse, guilt and shame over sexual orientation, bullying and discrimination in schools, and internalised homophobia.
Paying it forward... for free
It was Tan's personal recovery process that prompted him to "pay it forward" by starting his own recovery centre.
In July 2017, he did just that, running substance recovery programmes for marginalised communities, including LGBT folks.
The stories he heard from his clients have reinforced his conviction that his recovery programme is all the more needed for this vulnerable community.
He shares one story of a client whose father pushed him down the stairs when he found out he — a recovering drug addict — was a homosexual.
"I don't feel that people who have never had such an experience have the right to say that we use drugs for a good time," says Tan resolutely. "I don't think they understand what they're talking about."
Clients who come to The Greenhouse are usually first assessed to establish their usage pattern, before Tan helps them explore the cause of their addiction and come up with a recovery plan.
Over its two and a half years of operations, the number of people Tan helps has grown from 10 to 150.
The number of people who are stepping forward to seek help has also grown from two to three per month to eight in January 2020. Testimonials from clients laud the centre as a safe space that helps them stay grounded and supported in their recovery journey.
What's more remarkable is that the service Tan provides is completely free — it runs on his own savings, donations from clients, as well as funds raised by the public. "We don't want to add an additional impediment to those want to seek help," he says.
Tan admits that it is difficult to raise funds from the public because his beneficiaries — substance abusers who are LGBT, HIV-positive, and even victims of sexual assault — tend to be "controversial" in many people's eyes.
But of course, he notes, it is for this very reason that this group needs support.
"It's an upward task. We put together campaigns, we spread the word, we have a lot of testimonials from people who have done very well. But it's really hard to bring in the money to keep the centre going. There's a lot of stigma and a lot of education that need to be done."
Despite this, Tan is plowing on for his cause, not just for the people he continues to help but for himself as well.
Today, he is two and a half years clean, and has a thriving relationship with his mother. It's a stage he never thought he would arrive at at just four years ago.
"I thought life would still be extremely challenging to live but I'm much less anxious, stressed, and unhappy. I heard that the third year will be different. I can't wait."
Stories of Us is a series about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Be it breaking away from conventions, pursuing an atypical passion, or making the world a better place in their own small way, these stories remind us both of our individual uniqueness and our collective humanity.
Top image by Joshua Lee. Quotes were edited for clarity.
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Who says you have to spend a ton of money to look stylish? Not Rin Azhar, that’s for sure.In the less than six months that the 21-year-old’s shop, Threadlightly, has been around, its Instagram and TikTok pages — where Rin does most of her marketing outreach — have already garnered more than 3,000 followers each.Nestled between a sports therapy shop and a tailor at Queensway Shopping Centre, Threadlightly officially opened its doors in August 2020.It had been a side project of Rin’s for several years, in the form of pop-up booths at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and *SCAPE SG, where she sold clothing donated by friends and classmates.She had started the initiative as a way to “give back” in two ways — first, to the environment, by encouraging #sustainability through “circular fashion” rather than fast fashion.And second, to give back to the community, donating all of the proceeds from her pop-up business to local non-profit organisation AWARE.However, Rin knew then that someday, she wanted to focus on scaling up Threadlightly into a more permanent business.Her dream of doing so began to materialise earlier this year. Rin settled on a space in Queensway Shopping Centre because of its relatively accessible location, size, and affordability.#sustainablefashion
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https://mothership.sg/2020/12/rin-threadlightly-thrift-shop/
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Who says you have to spend a ton of money to look stylish? Not Rin Azhar, that's for sure.
"I think personal style depends on how you put items together," the 21-year-old explains to me as we stand in between racks of thrifted and vintage clothes at Threadlightly, Rin's shop.
It's a small but quaint shop, with light green walls adorned with paintings by local artists, four racks of clothing, a couple of shelves and boxes of accessories and books, and a small collection of tote bags hand-made by Rin's mother.
Nestled between a sports therapy shop and a tailor at Queensway Shopping Centre, Threadlightly officially opened its doors in August this year.
It had been a side project of Rin's for several years, in the form of pop-up booths at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and SCAPE, where she sold clothing donated by friends and classmates.
She had started the initiative as a way to "give back" in two ways — first, to the environment, by encouraging sustainability through "circular fashion" — a system in which clothing is circulated and reused for as long as possible before being disposed of safely and responsibly when it can no longer be used — rather than fast fashion.
And second, to give back to the community, donating all of the proceeds from her pop-up business to local non-profit organisation AWARE.
However, Rin knew then that someday, she wanted to focus on scaling up Threadlightly into a more permanent business.
Her dream of doing so began to materialise earlier this year. After three months of searching, she settled on a space in Queensway Shopping Centre because of its relatively accessible location, size, and affordability.
She was able to afford the space, renovation, and furnishing costs by drawing on her own savings, together with a few thousand dollars as a form of support from her father, something she is very grateful for:
"I feel very privileged to be able to have a family that supports me in all my endeavours, regardless of how much of a risk it may be."
And in August 2020, Rin officially launched Threadlightly as the founder, owner, and sole employee.
And in the less than six months that Threadlightly has been around, its Instagram and TikTok pages — where Rin does most of her marketing outreach — have already garnered more than 3,000 followers each.
Pre-loved clothes are neither dirty or unstylish
When you hear the words "thrifted clothing" or "thrift shop", what kinds of adjectives come to mind? Are "dirty", "low-class", or "unfashionable" among the words that pop up?
These are some of the misconceptions that people have about thrift store clothing.
Actually, Rin explains, everything in the store goes through a rigorous cleaning and sanitation process.
First, the shop doesn't accept donations of dirty clothes, or clothes with holes in them. Then, Rin diligently washes and hand-irons each of the pieces of clothing that are accepted.
Rin also carefully sanitises the store multiple times a day, as she shared in a TikTok video:
Used — or, "pre-loved", as most in the thrifting community call it — clothing shouldn't be solely associated with lower socioeconomic class, says Rin, adding that it should be a viable option to anybody who wants to shop in a more sustainable manner.
Some others may also think that it isn't possible to be stylish in "old" and "used" clothing.
Rocking a vintage purple and yellow Goofy sweater and zebra print pants, Rin disagrees, although she laughs and admits that there may be some items of clothing that are difficult to look good in.
"It really depends on the person, whether or not they have that eye for good items in the thrift store. Because you can really, really find a lot of good gems."
Styling with vintage pieces may not come easily to many. So Rin has a "lookbook" on Threadlightly's Instagram and website to help potential customers think about how they can style themselves with the pieces available at the store.
She also shares with me a few more ways that customers can style themselves with pieces from her shop:
Three lines of clothing
Staying true to the theme of sustainability, Threadlightly has three different clothing lines: Rehome, Reclaim, and Rework.
Rehome, which makes up about half of the store, consists of donated clothing.
Clothes donated to Threadlightly which don't make it onto the shelves, or anything that doesn't sell after a month or two, are donated to international textile centres.
"So nothing in our store goes to waste," explains Rin.
The Reclaim line is made up of vintage and secondhand items that have been hand-picked by Rin from overseas vintage stores and wholesalers.
It boasts a wide variety of colourful patterned collared shirts, vintage denim jackets and jeans, and dungarees.
Rin explains that there's a way to tell if an item is really vintage just by looking at its threading, material, and quality.
"Most of these vintage items are of very good quality. Because stuff made in the newer age obviously are made just to produce, produce, produce, produce, so they don't use materials that are as good, I would say."
The final line — Rework — consists of clothing tie-dyed and acid-washed by Rin, as well as tote bags hand-sewn from reclaimed materials by her mother.
Inclusive, accessible, and community-based space
For Rin, one of the most important things about running Threadlightly is making sure that it is inclusive and accessible for everyone.
It can be seen in the way she prices her items, such that buying thrifted clothing is financially-viable for many people.
All of the clothes are priced according to which line they are in, and each line has a fixed upper limit for price.
For the Rehome line, items go for as low as S$4, and nothing costs more than S$15.
For Reclaim, vintage t-shirts tend to cost between S$30 and S$35, while jeans sell for between S$40 and S$50.
Rin also finds it important to make sure her prices are realistic for the sake of sustainability:
"I can't price it too high, because then how are people going to shop comfortably and stay within that [sustainable] mindset? Because then they might as well just buy from fast fashion."
Another way that Rin tries to make her store an inclusive space for different people is by being purposeful about making sure that they carry a wide range of sizes, to account for different body types.
Sizes throughout the store range from XS to XXL.
She tells me:
"We kind of take pride in being a lot more size inclusive, because I feel like, even when people shop in fast fashion, they can't really find sizes that, you know, go up to size 42, for example. So we want to make sure that if they have a thrifting secondhand option, that is something that's viable for them as well."
Rin also tries to support other small local brands and artists — mostly her friends' projects — by selling their products in her store.
"We want it to be like a community-centred space, so I wanted to have a space for local brands and also local artists, to kind of put up their items."
She has one shelf dedicated toward doing just that — the "Local Corner" — where she carries curated jewelry and locally-designed tote bags by Wackywears, sustainable vegan lip gloss by Peach Glam Beauty, and sustainable jewellery by Bologna Jam.
Another way that Rin tries to give back to the community is by donating a portion of each month's proceeds to a local organisation.
For August and September, Threadlightly donated to ItsRainingRaincoats, a local initiative that supports migrant workers.
In October and November, the organisation was Project Hills, a ground-up initiative that conducts outreach with and delivers household supplies to residents of rental housing estates.
"That's very important to me, to give back to the community. Because I think that everything in our lives are very community-based," Rin shares, adding that she is always looking for new beneficiaries.
Hopes to expand and for thrifting to become more common
As Rin and I are chatting, a group of four secondary school girls come in.
It's their first time thrifting in Singapore, and they had come across Rin's videos about Threadlightly on TikTok.
Their reason for coming was simple, one of the 14-year-olds, Faith, tells me:
"They looked like they had clothes that we'd want to buy and we'd want to wear, so we just came to check it out."
The girls explain to me that they each have quite different style preferences, and a couple of them end up finding and buying a few pieces of clothing that they like.
As the popularity of thrifting continues to grow in Singapore, especially amongst the younger generation, and with the help of social media, Rin is excited to see what the future brings.
Business has been quite good, with about 15 to 20 visitors to the store per day, with the majority of them coming after seeing videos on TikTok and social media. Some are regular mall visitors who stumble across the store as well.
For herself and her own store, Rin hopes that in the next five years, she will be able to move to a bigger store, and to make thrifting a personalised experience, by adding personal shopper or styling services.
And for the thrifting community as a whole, it looks like there's an exciting future ahead as well:
"Every day I go online on TikTok and there's somebody new who's starting a new store. So it's very very exciting. I'm very excited to see like how this all plays out."
Stories of Us is a series about ordinary people in Singapore and the unique ways they’re living their lives. Be it breaking away from conventions, pursuing an atypical passion, or the struggles they are facing, these stories remind us both of our individual uniqueness and our collective humanity.
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Top photos by Jane Zhang and courtesy of Rin Azhar.
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OCBC will once again lower the interest rates on its OCBC 360 account — the fourth time in just eight months, since May 2020.OCBC said in a statement that it would adjust its product offerings accordingly when the interest rate situation improves.OCBC is not the only one to cut interest rates.Standard Chartered and DBS recently slashed interest rates to 0.4 per cent on the Jumpstart savings accounts and Multiplier accounts respectively for the lowest balance tiers.#banks #savingsaccount #recession
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/ocbc-spore-slashes-360-account-interest-rate/
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OCBC will once again lower the interest rates on its OCBC 360 account -- the fourth time in just eight months, since May 2020.
Starting February 1, 2021, OCBC 360 account's salary bonus interest will be revised downwards according to balances in the account:
Balances up to S$25,000: Drops to 0.3 per cent (previously 0.4 per cent)
Balances between S$25,000 and S$50,000: Drops to 0.6 per cent (previously 0.8 per cent)
Balances between S$50,000 and S$75,000: Remains at 1.2 per cent.
OCBC account holders will also earn a base interest of 0.05 per cent a year on their entire account balance.
Interest rates for other bonus components of the OCBC accounts have also been revised. You can read about all the revisions here.
OCBC said in a statement that it would adjust its product offerings accordingly when the interest rate situation improves.
OCBC is not the only one to cut interest rates.
Standard Chartered and DBS recently slashed interest rates to 0.4 per cent on the Jumpstart savings accounts and Multiplier accounts respectively for the lowest balance tiers.
Top image by Joshua Lee.
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At 24 years old, Elmi Nurfianty Ramlan thought her life was going according to plan. She was engaged to her partner, had a job that she loved in the customer service line, and was generally a fun-loving and bubbly person.But a visit to the doctor changed the course of her life.Following a full #health screening, the doctors found that her kidneys were slanted and diagnosed with Stage 3 chronic kidney disease.While the doctor recommended Elmi to go for a follow-up appointment and to start treatment immediately, she had no choice but to refuse treatment due to financial constraints, as she didn’t want to pass on the burden to her family.Two years without proper treatment caused her CKD to advance to Stage 5, which is also known as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or kidney failure.As she couldn’t go out aside for her dialysis sessions, Elmi and her sisters decided to learn how to #bake together via Zoom sessions, which eventually turned into a budding #dessert business.In a week, she would take in up to 12 orders for AbbyBakes and would occasionally have to buy the ingredients right after her dialysis, for last-minute orders.Despite experiencing lethargy after her dialysis sessions, receiving orders from her customers gives her the strength and motivation to go on.
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https://mothership.sg/2020/12/abbybakes-kidney-disease/
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At 24 years old, Elmi Nurfianty Ramlan thought her life was going according to plan.
She was engaged to her partner, had a job that she loved in the customer service line, and was generally a fun-loving and bubbly person.
But a visit to the doctor changed the course of her life.
Diagnosed with kidney disease
Elmi told Mothership that her vision suddenly went blurry in 2014.
Thinking she needed spectacles for her deteriorating eyesight, she went to an optometrist.
Instead, she was referred to a doctor, as the condition wasn't as straightforward.
To Elmi's surprise, the doctor told her that she had some scarring in her cornea and required a cornea transplant.
But that wasn't the only devastating news she received that day.
Following a full health screening, they found that her kidneys were slanted and diagnosed with Stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD).
At Stage 3, kidney function is moderately reduced. However, with proper treatment, it can prevent the condition from worsening.
The diagnosis shocked Elmi and her entire family as she was mostly in the pink of health.
She thought that the condition was possibly triggered when she had a high-impact fall while at work in 2010, which left her with a fractured leg and neck.
Couldn't afford treatment
While the doctor recommended Elmi to go for a follow-up appointment and to start treatment immediately, she had no choice but to refuse treatment due to financial constraints, as she didn't want to pass on the burden to her family.
"The doctor told me that my kidneys were leaking and I was already at Stage 3 of kidney failure. They wanted to do a biopsy but I was afraid and told them no. I told the doctor I wanted to try home remedy first. I don't come from a well-to-do family so it's difficult for me to do the treatment and each appointment can cost up to S$200."
Life went on as normal for the next two years until Elmi fell seriously ill and was hospitalised.
Kidney failure at 28
Two years without proper treatment caused her CKD to advance to Stage 5, which is also known as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or kidney failure.
As Elmi's kidney couldn't function at all, she had to start going for dialysis sessions.
She started off with peritoneal dialysis (a more flexible kidney disease treatment that can be carried out at home, at work or on trips) from 2016 until 2018, when she contracted peritonitis, which is an inflammation of her inner abdominal wall, rendering her unsuitable for this type of dialysis.
Now, Elmi goes through haemodialysis, a type of treatment where the blood is continuously pumped through the dialyser to remove waste products and excess water.
Dialysis three days a week
In order to undergo haemodialysis, Elmi had to have an arteriovenous fistula implanted in her arm so that it's easier to insert the needles required for the treatment.
She is required to go to the dialysis centre three times a week, up to four hours each session.
To those who can't imagine what it's like to go through dialysis, Elmi simply described it as a pain she can't get used to.
"It's just painful. Even after two years, inserting the needle is still painful for me. I am not able to urinate anymore, so water retains in my body. I feel very weak and puffy, I am always hospitalised. It's just very tiring lah."
While she's thankful to be alive today because of the treatment, Elmi says that it has also affected her self-esteem.
"I didn't use to be this fat... This is all water retention. I was a healthy woman."
Treasure the simple things
It has also made her treasure the little things like travelling to Johor Bahru.
"I see people going for vacation, but I can't. I see people go for a holiday in Korea for a week, which is something I've always wanted to do, but I can't because I can't miss my dialysis. I can't even go for staycations because of my dialysis session and, you know, money lah. Money is a big deal for us as it will mainly go towards paying for the house, food and my dialysis. We don't have extra income to splurge."
What hit her the hardest was that the condition has caused Elmi her career.
"My boss sat down with me and said that it's not working and told me to take some time to recover first. Everyone was looking at me differently as well. When they said that, I took the hint and left my job. Suddenly, all my customer service experience has gone to waste."
At just 28 years old, Elmi had a long-term illness and was unemployed.
She said: "I was demoralised and heartbroken. It made me feel different from everybody else. I'm only 30 now and yet, I still had a long way to go."
Not only did it impact her self-worth, but she also began to worry about paying for her costly treatments.
S$400 a month spent on treatment
Elmi tells us that a month of dialysis treatment typically costs S$1,800.
After subsidies from the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), the treatment has been greatly reduced to about S$400 per month.
This, however, does not include the medication and appointments that she has to go for at least three times a year, which can go up to S$700 per visit.
While the NKF has helped to match her with various employers, most of them, sadly, never got back to her past the first interview.
Heaving a pensive sigh, she said: "Whenever they call me down for an interview, I will tell them that I am a dialysis patient and will have to go for dialysis three times a week. After that, I don't hear from them anymore."
After several job interviews, Elmi finally found her silver lining.
She accepted a job working in a bakery where she got the opportunity to pursue her hidden passion in, well, baking.
"I did have an interest in baking, but I didn't have the foundation so this was actually perfect for me."
Unfortunately, her baking career was short-lived (or so she thought, back then).
A lot of her time was spent carrying heavy equipment and ingredients around the factory.
All the heavy lifting affected her fistula, which caused her to be hospitalised yet again.
"My husband thought that enough was enough, he told me not to look for a job anymore and to prioritise my health because I keep on being rejected everywhere I go, anyway."
In sickness and in health
On that note, Elmi elaborated quite a number of times how her husband is her biggest pillar of strength.
"We almost didn't get married," she casually told me.
"We got to know that I had CKD when we were still engaged. After my diagnosis, my parents did talk to him to, you know, ask him if he still wanted to proceed with this marriage. They don't want me to be a burden to him in the future."
On top of that, the doctor also told her that she may not be able to conceive because of the CKD.
Yet, despite such circumstances, her then-fiancé vowed to stand by her side for better or for worse.
With tears in her eyes as she thought of her husband's sacrifices, she said:
"He's always been supportive. Whenever I feel down and feel like I don't matter, he's always there to make me feel like I matter. He's always there for me whenever I'm in the hospital. He's the only one working, he can't afford to take leave. It makes me feel sad because he's only human and falls ill too but he tries not to take leave because if he doesn't go to work, he gets a pay cut. Without him, I'd probably be so lost right now."
Now happily married for close to five years, the doting husband will always find the time to keep all the financial and health worries off her mind by bringing her to the beach where they would have their own mini barbeque sessions and just relish in each other's company.
It is no wonder that her husband is also partly the reason why she started AbbyBakes, a home-based business that she founded during the circuit breaker period.
Budding baker
As she couldn't go out aside for her dialysis sessions, Elmi and her sisters decided to learn how to bake together via Zoom sessions.
They started off with a variety of cookies and, of course, her husband's favourite coconut blossoms, a steamed dessert with palm sugar and grated coconut filling.
What started off as meaningful baking sessions with her sisters turned into a budding dessert business.
"I needed some extra money because there were some dialysis sessions that I couldn't pay for, and then there were appointments and monthly medications that were expensive as well."
Here's a look at some of her offerings, including the blossoms:
As well as a variety of flavourful cookies:
AbbyBakes picked up when she was featured by influencers Luqman Abu Bakar and Diah Mastura, who also shared her story.
Following their posts, Elmi received a surge in orders and followers on her Instagram page.
"I jumped! Suddenly a lot of people were following me and messaging me to order my blossoms. When Luqman shared my story, I cried because I felt so touched. Now, more people understand what dialysis patients have to go through."
In a week, she would take in up to 12 orders and would occasionally have to buy the ingredients right after her dialysis, for last-minute orders.
Despite experiencing lethargy after her dialysis sessions, receiving orders from her customers gives her the strength and motivation to go on.
Tarts from S$1
Seven months into her business, she has also expanded her menu to add a variety of tarts into her menu.
Her top sellers are fruit tarts and Kinder Bueno tarts.
Some of my personal favourites, however, are her peppermint chocolate tarts and the candy cane chocolate tarts, which are part of the shop's festive offerings.
Each tart costs between S$1 to S$2.20.
At such low prices, Elmi has a very thin profit margin.
However, she's hoping to keep the costs low for now as she wants her customers to enjoy her bakes without breaking the bank.
Dreams to open her own shop
While life has thrown multiple curveballs at her, her small business has driven her to have a newfound purpose in life, and quite a noble one at that.
"To be honest, I really want to open my shop. It would be a nice dream to have my own station to bake and for customers to do walk-in purchases. I'd ask my parents to join as well, especially since my father is out of job due to Covid-19. My family has been supporting me since I fell sick, so if given the chance, I want to help them too."
Top image by Fasiha Nazren and Elmi Nurfianty.
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A lesser-known fact in Singapore is that it’s possible to get a Private Pilot’s License to fly a plane on your own. 30-year-old Kheng Meng Yeo, an Internet of Things (IoT) engineer by profession, shares his journey of obtaining a private pilot license and the General Aviation scene in Singapore.“To learn how to fly, one will have to join a flying club or flight school. I found out that most Singaporeans either learn locally, in Johor or in the U.S.Learning to fly in the U.S. seemed like the best option to me, as the costs of flight training in the U.S. is relatively lower with large training areas.[…][During the first solo flight] a student pilot will first have to demonstrate to the instructor that the flight can be done without any intervention from the instructor.If the instructor is satisfied, the instructor will wish the best of luck to the student and leave.When my instructor first left the plane, I initially did not feel any different while taxiing to the runway.During the takeoff roll, that is when the differences start to feel apparent. Without the weight of the instructor, the plane accelerates and climbs faster than usual.It was only when the plane lifted off the ground after the take-off roll that I felt the full impact of what I just did.”#aviation
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/private-pilot-experience-singapore/
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PERSPECTIVE: Many in Singapore may think that flying in Singapore is reserved only for those working for the airlines and the military. A lesser known fact, however, is that it's possible to get a Private Pilot's License to fly on your own as well.
30-year-old Yeo Kheng Meng, an Internet of Things (IoT) engineer by profession, shares his journey of obtaining a private pilot license and the General Aviation scene in Singapore.
By Yeo Kheng Meng
Ever since I was young, I have had an interest in aviation.
I joined the NCC(Air) uniformed group in secondary school, although I never really pursued aviation any further, due to my focus on my studies, as well as having no suitable role models to follow.
It was only in September 2017, when my friend Joyce told me that her private pilot friend Roger will be going up to the skies with his Socata TB-10 at Senai Airport in Malaysia.
During the flight, Roger brought us up to the local area near the Senai airport.
It was a short flight of less than half hour but it gave me sufficient interest to set the serious goal of attaining my Private Pilot License (PPL).
I decided to learn how to fly in the U.S.
After the flight, I began to look up my options of obtaining a PPL.
To learn how to fly, one will have to join a flying club or flight school. I found out that most Singaporeans either learn locally, in Johor or in the U.S.
Learning to fly in the U.S. seemed like the best option to me, as the costs of flight training in the U.S. is relatively lower with large training areas. (A full comparison table can be found here.)
The American PPL is also unrestricted, which allows one to fly worldwide on the relatively abundant U.S.-registered aircraft.
During my research, I found a local training company called Flightschool.sg, which provides people foundational aviation knowledge over several months, with the option of going for night classes.
They also have a flight simulator, which allows one to be trained on some basic flight manoeuvres and how to interpret the aircraft instruments.
Aircraft flight training is extremely extensive
In November 2018, I headed over to a U.S. flight school called San Diego Flight Training International (SDFTI), which was based at Montgomery Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF) .
Aircraft flight training, even at the PPL level, is extremely extensive.
Apart from practicing flight manoeuvres, there are also all the legal regulations, airport operations, weather theory to study for, which will be tested in the theory and oral exams.
Before the first solo, the instructor will teach the student pilot the required manoeuvres, stalls, slow flight, ATC communication, emergency handling, and so on.
Only if the instructors deem the student as safe enough, will the student pilot make the solo flight.
Flying solo meant I can no longer depend on my instructor
The first solo flight is considered one of the most important and memorable milestones.
How it works is that a student pilot will first have to demonstrate to the instructor that the flight can be done without any intervention from the instructor.
If the instructor is satisfied, the instructor will wish the best of luck to the student and leave.
When my instructor first left the plane, I initially did not feel any different while taxiing to the runway.
During the takeoff roll, that is when the differences start to feel apparent. Without the weight of the instructor, the plane accelerates and climbs faster than usual.
It was only when the plane lifted off the ground after the take-off roll that I felt the full impact of what I just did.
I am now the only person that can bring myself back to the ground safely. I can no longer look to the side, hoping that my instructor can correct any mistakes or take control, because there is no one there.
There is no room to doubt my abilities, my life is now in my hands!
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I would accomplish a few takeoff and landings by myself in this flight. My first landing was a screw-up that needed a go around. Thankfully, I safely accomplished my other landings.
Hours of preparation goes into planning for a cross-country flight
After the first solo flight, the emphasis now is training to make a solo cross-country flight. Plenty of cross-country flights will be made to other airports during this phase.
I made one such flight with an instructor to Hemet-Ryan Airport (KHMT), which is about 50 nautical miles away from MYF.
Hours of preparation goes into planning for a cross-country flight. I had to work through maps and weather forecasts to plan the navigational waypoints through the flight.
After my first solo cross-country landing at Torrance Airport, I took this photo to send to my instructor to assure him that I made it there safely.
There is plenty of learning to be done after getting the license
I passed my checkride about 10 weeks after entering the U.S. It was 10 weeks of hard work of studying and an average of twice-daily flight lessons to finish things as fast as possible before my leave ran out.
After passing the checkride, one of my instructors would say that PPL is a license to learn. And he was right in hindsight.
So one cannot talk about PPL training, without talking about what happens after the PPL.
After returning to Singapore, I chose to join Seletar Flying Club (SFC) to maintain my flying skills. SFC has aircraft that can be rented at affordable rates.
To carry passengers, all pilots must maintain flight currency, which requires them to accomplish at least three takeoffs and landings in the preceding 90 days.
On average, I fly about one to two times a month to maintain this currency, and also to share the joy of aviation with more people.
Pilots can rent the aircraft from SFC, which charges an hourly rate of S$470.
I first started out by getting a taste of flying in Singapore’s training airspace. Even in our tiny airspace, one can still get breathtaking sights of Singapore.
Here is a video of a local flight with a friend of mine, Rahul. We were going through some practice flight manoeuvres in August, 2020.
I had the privilege of bringing Roger on my first passenger-carrying flight as pilot-in-command, in June 2019.
Carrying passengers introduces a completely different dynamic, which one is never exposed to during training.
There is the giving of mandatory safety briefings, the element of distraction, and ensuring they are well on top of the duties of conducting the flight safely.
It's possible to conduct night flights in Singapore
Prior to the pandemic, club members regularly embark on cross-country flights. Favourite destinations include Johor, Malacca and Tioman.
The first international flight I made from Johor Senai Airport to Seletar Airport was one of the legs from Malacca to Singapore.
This was done under the guidance of experienced private pilot Dr Fadzil.
As a side note, it is actually possible to conduct night flights in Singapore, although only over Seletar Airport.
I recently flew with some pilot friends at night in Dec. 2020. It's not uncommon for private pilots to fly with fellow pilots on the same plane, or with friends, due to cost.
One can still learn how to fly without joining an airline or the military
The cheapest way to learn how to fly is to go through the Singapore Youth Flying Club, be an SIA cadet pilot, or go through RSAF training.
However, if one can’t use those routes, the door is not totally closed.
As I have shown, one can choose to do it on your own instead. Earning the basic PPL is enough to satiate my flying dream for now.
Many aspiring airline pilots who did not go through the official SIA cadet pilot programme, or join the RSAF actually saved the entire 6-figure sum necessary for commercial flight training by themselves, just to have a chance at snagging a job as a pilot.
I salute the people who go to such lengths to fulfil their dreams.
The opportunity costs are high, but the reward is worth it
Nothing is impossible, but something difficult to achieve will never come without hard work and sacrifices.
Barring any medical issues, almost everyone can learn to fly if you set your heart and mind to it and are willing to make the sacrifices to earn those wings.
I had to sacrifice a lot of time, money and opportunities to achieve this goal.
With the resources devoted to this, I could perhaps have obtained a Master's degree, or perhaps travelled the world.
However, the feeling of commanding an aircraft in the sky is a privilege few get to experience in this world.
To an external observer, the opportunity costs are high, but, ask any pilot and they will still say it is worth it.
In my time with SFC after getting my PPL, I have made many friends who come from all walks of life.
Air-traffic controllers, airline pilots, accountants, engineers, doctors; all of them are united with a common interest in flying for fun. It is a small and close-knit community, especially in Singapore.
I realised many have the misconception that flying is limited to those working for airlines and the military.
However, General Aviation is actually the most common air traffic in larger countries, such as in the U.S.
With all that I've said, I hope to show that being part of the General Aviation community is something that is achievable to an ordinary person as well.
Top image via Yeo Kheng Meng.
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Like most married couples, Mohamed Iskandar Misran and his wife Nuraziana Mohamed Said share a lot of common interests. However, unlike a lot of Singaporean couples, another trait they share is that they are both legally blind.For Iskandar, he began to knock into things more often as his eyesight deteriorated.Meanwhile, Ziana was only nine years old when she was diagnosed with glaucoma, a condition that damages one’s optic nerve.Because of their condition, they had to leave their mainstream schools and enrolled in the School for the Visually Handicapped (SVH), now known as Lighthouse School.That school also happened to be the place where they both met when he was 14 while she was 10.Eventually, the two of them became good friends, but lost contact for a while.Almost a decade later in Dec. 2010, Iskandar met Ziana again in a chance encounter involving a reunion with their other SVH peers.At the reunion, they exchanged phone numbers again. The couple got engaged three months later and were married in 2012.#visuallyimpaired #loveandrelationships #love
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https://mothership.sg/2019/12/visually-impaired-couple-singapore/
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mothership-sg
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I was warmly invited to visit the humble home of Mohamed Iskandar Misran and his wife Nuraziana Mohamed Said on a weekday night.
Like most married couples, they share a lot of common interests.
They enjoy making music together, are avid foodies and most importantly, they enjoy each other's company.
However, unlike a lot of Singaporean couples, another trait they share is that they are both legally blind.
Legally blind
Like most kids, their childhood was filled with outdoor activities like cycling and playing soccer with their peers.
But as their vision began to give way, they distanced themselves from other children, both in school and at the playground.
For Iskandar, he began to knock into things more often as his eyesight deteriorated.
Ziana, on the other hand, would unintentionally skip lines while reading passages for her oral examination.
At 10 years old, he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative genetic disorder that gradually affects his vision.
Meanwhile, she was only nine years old when she was diagnosed with glaucoma, a condition that damages one's optic nerve.
Grateful
Because of their condition, they had to leave their mainstream schools and enrolled in the School for the Visually Handicapped (SVH), now known as Lighthouse School.
Interestingly, they shared that they never questioned or mulled over their visual impairment.
They reasoned that since they were still kids then, they adapted to their surroundings faster.
In fact, they felt grateful to be able to continue their studies with people of similar circumstances.
"When I met my friends (in school), some of them were in a worse situation than I was. I felt very grateful for what I have and what we can do to support each other."
Friendly competition
That school also happened to be the place where they both met when he was 14 while she was 10.
Their friendship, however, didn't start off on the right foot.
Laughing as he reminisced their childish competitiveness, he shared: "We were very competitive then. I used to always come first in class, but she took over the position when she came. Me and my friend were wondering who is this new girl?"
Eventually, the two of them became good friends, but lost contact for a while when Ziana advanced to Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School while Iskandar couldn't attend school for a couple of years due to his health issues.
He said: "By the time I got into secondary school, I was 20 years old and Ziana was already my senior in secondary four. Luckily I was still quite small-sized then."
Once a year phone call
But they weren't completely estranged.
At least once a year, he would call her and they would talk for hours on end.
"We talk about anything and everything under the sun. For some reason, I can talk to him more than I can to other people."
However, every time she tried to call him back the following day, she would find that Iskandar had already changed his number.
Puzzled by his number-changing habit, I asked him why he went through such lengths every year.
Turns out, he has always held a candle for her.
"Love is blind, we are also blind so I didn't know that I was falling in love with her since we were schooling together. But she kept rejecting me..."
To this, Ziana quickly quipped: "Of course, lah! Later my mother scold me how?"
He knew that if they continued to contact each other, his feelings for her would grow and he couldn't take another rejection.
Unfortunately, he couldn't give a surprise call to her anymore after a few years as she changed her phone number when she moved houses.
Surprise reunion
But fate has a funny way of coming around.
Almost a decade later in Dec. 2010, Iskandar thought he was meeting a mutual friend to buy health supplements.
However, he didn't know that this friend had also organised a reunion with their other SVH peers, including Ziana.
"When I found out that she was going to be there, I said alamak.... I want to go home. But this friend convinced me to stay because they were already there."
At the reunion, they exchanged phone numbers again and as usual, he was ready to change his phone number again.
Just as he was about to step into a telco store, he received a message from Ziana that said: "Don't go missing anymore. Can we talk during the weekend?"
While he agreed to stay in contact, he called her the following day as he simply couldn't wait for the weekend.
"I was so touched when she sent me the message. That night, we clicked instantly and talked from 11pm all the way to 3am."
The couple got engaged three months later and were married in 2012.
Living independently
Iskandar and Ziana have been living independently in their BTO flat for a few years now.
They would do their household chores together and Ziana has even learnt how to cook for the both of them.
But getting to that stage was another challenge, especially when both their parents are protective of them.
As the only girl in the family, her parents were worried for her and tried to convince the couple to continue living with them.
However, Ziana stood her ground.
"We have to start somewhere. Parents will love you forever. But they can't be there for you forever. If we're not sure of anything while living independently, we can still ask them now. But if we wait until the end when our parents have to leave us behind, it will be a little too late to learn (to be independent)."
Eventually, they received their parents blessings and are very proud of their achievements: "They used to come visit everyday, but now they only come once a week. They are always proud to tell other people that we can take care of ourselves and have our own house.
Performing with the band
When I asked what life would be like without one another, the question was met with a pregnant pause followed by a burst of laughter from the both of them.
While he only has less than eight per cent of his sight and she has about 40 per cent, they can only see a future with one another.
"I cannot imagine life without him. We do everything together," said Ziana.
And she really meant it when she said "everything".
Every weekday, Iskandar would send his management executive wife to her office at Raffles Place at 8am before he starts his job as a massage therapist at 10:30am.
After knocking off from work, he would fetch her from the office and they will have dinner together before going home.
In her defence, Ziana said that she can travel to work on her own, but it puts her husband's heart at ease to make sure she is safe at all times.
"Maybe I'm a bit protective... It's my responsibility to take care of her."
Over the weekend, they also keep themselves occupied by jamming with SeeSaw, a band they formed with their visually impaired friends.
While Ziana takes on the role of the band's lead singer, Iskandar plays the bass.
Occasionally, they also have gigs with the band, like this one they recently did at Republic Polytechnic.
Each other's motivation
Even after years together, the two of remain in awe of one another's personality and achievements.
Gushing about his wife, Iskandar shared that she motivates him to always expand his skill sets.
Especially since Ziana managed to earn herself a degree in Malay Language and Literature from the Singapore University of Social Sciences after failing her O Level English Language examinations thrice.
"When I met her and found out she was still studying, I was very impressed and it encouraged me to go for further studies. Even now, I'm thinking of getting a service excellence certification."
As for Ziana, being with Iskandar has made her more courageous.
Just three days into their marriage, they travelled alone to Genting Highlands -- something she has never done without her parents by her side.
This, however, was almost like a piece a cake for her adventurous husband who has also hiked Mount Kinabalu before they were married.
"I have always been focused on my future but when I got to know him again, I felt very inspired because he proved to me that academic achievements are not everything. As long as you are positive and hardworking, nothing is impossible."
"It's not a problem, it's a challenge"
I couldn't help but to imagine the struggles a visually impaired person would face on a day-to-day basis and whether they have been ill-treated by people on the street.
But Ziana casually said that being visually impaired is a blessing in disguise: "The thing is, even if people give us a stink eye, we cannot see. So I will just continue living in my own world."
However, they both stressed that they meet more kind people than nasty ones.
"Everyday people approach us to try to help. Even young kids will want to walk with us. Singaporeans are nice, actually."
If I learnt anything from the couple that night, it is to always see the glass as half full, not half empty.
And as Iskandar puts it: "Being visually handicapped... It's not a problem, it's a challenge. If you face a challenge positively, it shouldn't be a problem. Surely, there will always be a way to go through the hurdle."
Top image by Fasiha Nazren
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We speak to Hashim, a self-employed personal driver for a wealthy family in Singapore living in Bukit Timah. Hashim has been with this family for the past 15 years. Before that, he spent three years chauffeuring bankers.We find out what a day in his life is like, and the stories he has accumulated from his 18 years of experience.“As their family driver, my working hours are around nine to six, five days a week. Unless there’s a dinner appointment or an evening appointment.[…]For the first three to four years of working for this family, I did have to take a bus and walk in (to their house). From the main road in to the house, I need to walk for about 15 minutes.Seeing that I had to walk in and out every day, their mum (who has now passed away) actually bought me a second-hand car to use. The car has since been scrapped.They are a very generous family and treat me as one of their family. That’s why I can work with them for 15 years.Once, their mother asked me to join them for lunch. But because I am Muslim (and their food is not Halal), I said, thank you but I cannot. Instead, they gave me lunch money to buy food elsewhere.[...]My friends tell me about their bosses, and how sometimes, rich people look down on you.But for me, I’m lucky.”#chauffeur #kindness
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https://mothership.sg/2020/12/private-chauffeur-rich-employers-sg/
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mothership-sg
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PERSPECTIVE: We speak to Hashim, a self-employed personal driver for a wealthy family in Singapore living in Bukit Timah. Hashim has been with this family for the past 15 years. Before that, he spent three years chauffeuring bankers.
We find out what a day in his life is like, and the stories he has accumulated from his 18 years of experience.
As told to Tanya Ong
I've been a personal driver for the past 18 years.
In the 90s, I worked for a wealthy Japanese family. The head of the family was a CEO of a big company. That was the first time I worked as a chauffeur.
After that, I stopped driving and worked at the Singapore Zoo for seven years. I drove the tram there.
Then, I was part of a group of drivers who drive bankers from this particular bank around. I did that for three years.
Now, I'm no longer with a company. I've been serving this family for 15 years.
What's a typical day like for you as a driver for this family?
As their family driver, my working hours is around nine to six, five days a week. Unless there's a dinner appointment or an evening appointment.
I usually reach the house at 8:30am, and clean the car. I will send the family members to their appointments, and I will go fetch them when they're done. If their appointment takes a long time, I will come back to be 'stationed' at the family house.
In a day, I might have around two bookings from the family members. But there will be at least one appointment per day.
Since the pandemic hit, I've had very good hours. The family tells me that I don't need to hang back for too long, and I only need to pick them up when they need me. So I'm at home unless I need to drive them somewhere.
How do they 'book' you? Do you know in advance if they will require your services?
We have an app of sorts. Through the app, I can see when they have made a booking, and for what time. This is so the family members know that I have an appointment and there won't be clashes in the booking of timeslots.
There are four people in the family, but not all of them live in that house. I am like their family's driver, though, so I will drive all of them around.
Do you have a fixed car that you drive? Or do you drive their cars?
The family members have their individual cars. Sometimes, they may drive their own car out. If they want me to drive, I use another car (not their personal car), which is stationed at their house.
I drive one of their family cars. The car belongs to one of their relatives.
What car is it? It's a Nissan Serena.
If it's stationed there, do you take public transport to the house every day?
No, the family lets me use this car and drive it home, or use it even on my off days. But if I go on leave for one or two weeks, I leave the car at their house.
It's very difficult to find an employer who lets you drive their car back home. They treat me as one of their family members!
When did they start letting you drive their car home? For the first three to four years of working for this family, I did have to take a bus and walk in. From the main road in to the house, I need to walk for about 15 minutes.
Seeing that I had to walk in and out every day, their mum (who has now passed away) actually bought me a second-hand car to use. The car has since been scrapped.
Wow, that's really lovely of them!
They are very generous family and treat me as one of their family. That's why I can work with them for 15 years.
Once, their mother asked me to join them for lunch. But because I am Muslim (and their food is not Halal), I said, thank you but I cannot. Instead, they gave me lunch money to buy food elsewhere.
The family also gives me an increment every few years, and even let me claim medical expenses. They even paid for my new spectacles.
They're very nice.
As their driver I'm sure you've heard a lot of personal conversations. What happens then? Do you pretend to not hear anything?
I can talk to them about anything! But of course I also respect them as my boss.
(If I hear something very personal) I will not get involved. I might pretend I didn't hear anything. I won't engage in the conversations unless they specifically ask for my input.
Be honest: In all your years of driving, were there any strange habits or routines you had to get used to?
When you first start working with someone (maybe for the first few weeks or months), you don't know [your employer] well yet. You don't know what to expect.
But after a year or so, you'll know what's happening and what their patterns are like. You'll understand their character, and what they want.
For this family, they have their own routines and they go to the same places sometimes.
So you've never had any negative experiences? What about the other times you had to drive other people around?
When I was driving the bankers around, they could be very fussy sometimes.
If they are rushing to a meeting, they might tell me, "Eh I late already, can you hurry up?"
But because safety is a priority, I will tell them "sorry, I cannot speed". They will be unhappy and scold me. I don't talk back to them. As drivers, we just keep quiet.
I also have to get used to waiting for hours at a carpark, until they call me.
(They don't tell you what time they'll be done?) They might. But if they don't tell us, we need to wait at the carpark.
That was the only time you worked as a driver under a company?
Yes. Actually, most drivers work with a company. Being a personal driver is quite risky because there is no contract. One day, the family employs you, and the next day, they chuck you — what can you do? You cannot do anything.
So it really depends on your boss. If you get a nasty one, it's a problem. It's risky.
Are you also friends with other personal drivers?
Every morning, before we go to work, we actually sit at a coffeeshop (in Bukit Timah, near where their bosses live). There are about six or seven of us.
We will sit and chitchat. Among the drivers, we also have a WhatsApp group chat where we share information on traffic, or speed cameras.
Some of the drivers also have stories on how their bosses take it out on them if they are in a bad mood, or stories of very rich people who change drivers very often. Some drivers, they cannot take it. They quit.
But for yourself... you haven't had such experiences with this family.
It's true. My friends tell me about their bosses, and how sometimes, rich people look down on you.
But for me, I'm lucky.
You would say you enjoy your job?
My children tell me not to work so hard. I'm already 66 years old! But so far for me, no problem. I've got a good family and an easy job.
Some quotes have been edited for clarity.
Top photo via Unsplash/Dan Gold.
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As a child, Regina Lim has always wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father and uncle. Her father served in the Singapore Police Force (SPF), while her uncle is still in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) as an infantry soldier.Fast forward to 2020, the 24-year-old had her dream come true at her commissioning parade. Not only that, she was awarded the Sword of Merit, which is given to only the top 10 per cent of each cohort.All that said, her journey in the #Army hasn’t always been a bed of roses.While an OCS course typically lasts for nine months, Lim extended her training by seven months.This meant that she only graduated from the course after 16 months.While the extension of a course would typically dampen one’s spirits, Lim felt that it wasn’t a waste of time and it was, in fact, the right call for her.The extra nine months gave her the chance to understand herself better and improve her leadership skills, she explained.She went through the OCS overseas jungle training with her wing of about 60 other people, and there were only two women in the wing, including herself.But that did not mean that she was treated differently from the men.She stressed that they are tasked with the same missions, and are expected to deliver the same results.#military
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https://mothership.sg/2020/03/singaporean-female-lieutenant-regina-lim/
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mothership-sg
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You might recall a few ambitions you've had as a child — teacher, lawyer, doctor, firefighter, and princess were common ones.
But Regina Lim, who has always wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father and uncle, are among the few who followed through.
Her father served in the Singapore Police Force (SPF), while her uncle is still in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) as an infantry soldier.
Fast forward to Mar. 15, 2020, I was at the SAFTI Military Institute in the far west of Singapore to witness the 24-year-old at her commissioning parade.
Not only did she manage to make her dream come true, but she also was about to be awarded the Sword of Merit, which is given to only the top 10 per cent of each cohort.
Before the parade, I managed to sit down with Lim to find out more about how she got into the SAF.
SAF versus SPF
She enlisted into SAF on July 2018, shortly after she graduated with a degree in Sociology from Singapore Institute of Management Global Education (SIM GE).
This was after she made some research and tough deliberation between the different forces in Singapore.
She elaborated, "Initially when I was younger, I wasn't aware of these different forces. I just knew that I wanted to sign on and do the same thing as them [her father and uncle]. Having been through their parades and award ceremonies, I thought the job satisfaction was there and I want to experience the same thing."
She chose to serve as an infantry soldier not because she liked her uncle more than her father (not that she would tell us, anyway).
On the contrary, the former part-time hockey coach said that her love for the outdoors, coupled with her background in sociology, made her feel like she would be a good fit for the Army.
And her entire family has been very supportive of her career.
"They were glad I did it [sign on]. It was something they knew was going to happen eventually even though we've never discussed about my career path. Going through Basic Military Training (BMT) and now, Officer Cadet School (OCS), they didn't expect that I'd enjoy it so much."
16 months to complete OCS
All that said, her journey in the Army hasn't always been a bed of roses.
While an OCS course typically lasts for nine months, Lim extended her training by seven months.
This meant that she only graduated from the course after 16 months.
While the extension of a course would typically dampen one's spirits, Lim felt that it wasn't a waste of time and it was, in fact, the right call for her.
The extra nine months gave her the chance to understand herself better and improve her leadership skills, she explained:
"I feel even more ready to assume my role. It has been a long time coming, especially after 16 months in the institute. I don't think of it as a disadvantage or as a waste of time. Rather, I feel that I have been provided with a lot of opportunities and experiences that I can't get anywhere else. It made me perform better the second time round."
Not treated differently
While on the topic of OCS, she told me about an overseas jungle training she went through for slightly less than a month.
During the training, she picked up new skills to survive in the jungle, like firefighting and Ridgeline fighting, which essentially equips them with skills to engage in firefights along the highest point of a mountain ridge.
Part of the training includes carrying a heavy load of items everywhere they go including a signal set, their own rations, rifle, and as much water as they can collect from the river.
She also had to learn how to navigate her way through the jungle which required her to walk through a jungle she wasn't familiar with for hours on end.
Of course, being away from a familiar place took a toll on her physically and mentally.
But knowing that she wasn't doing this all alone was what kept her going.
"It's being able to carry on day by day of waking up and walking continuously, going up and down the mountains just to find the checkpoints... It's just about finding that extra ounce in you to carry on the next day because you know when you wake up, you will have to do the same thing again. That's why we are so close."
She went through the overseas jungle training with her wing of about 60 other people, and there were only two women in the wing, including herself.
But that did not mean that she was treated differently from the men.
In fact, she stressed that they are tasked with the same missions, and are expected to deliver the same results.
"As a female (in the Army), it imposes its own challenges, but we do the same exercises and we carry the same load. I don't think we're being shortchanged or treated differently."
And even when she was in the middle of the jungle, she didn't let her periods get in the way of her missions.
Lim said: "It's something for us to manage. We tried to manage it better so it doesn't act like a disruption that would hinder our exercise. So we just brought whatever we need and, really, just deal with it."
Want to give purpose to NSFs
Now that she has been commissioned, what does she hope to achieve?
Lim, who will be heading to the 2nd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (2SIR) as a lieutenant, said that she hopes to leave a meaningful impact on the men that she will be leading.
"A lot of full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) can't find a reason for them to serve. So I think my first desire is to help them understand why they need to serve and find a meaning in what they are doing. I feel that it's very important, especially when they're going to serve two years of their life. That's the basic goal I want to achieve."
Top image courtesy of MINDEF.
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“My daughter is not academically inclined. And we found out that she has dyscalculia (difficulty in learning or comprehending arithmetic). My wife is a Math teacher, and we were wondering why can’t she do Math,” Alfee Mohamed, a 45-year-old father of three, told Mothership.But as someone who is currently working as a Senior Career Coach for Workforce Singapore (WSG), Alfee has developed an understanding that allowed him to learn to embrace his 15-year-old daughter’s strengths and capabilities.He supports his teenage daughter’s non-academic interests, in addition to allowing her to take part in modern dance as a co-curricular activity, even though he “doesn’t really understand it”.Alfee and his wife camped by their laptop to help their daughter buy tickets to K-pop boy group BTS’s concert here in Singapore back in 2019.In his line of work, he advises his clients to find what they are good at instead of what society deems to be good.He said: “I think Singaporeans have this tendency to think this is how they should become successful, but everybody is different.”“You can’t force a cube into a cylinder. Everyone has their own strengths, and their own deadline.”#career #learning #careercoaches
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https://mothership.sg/2019/11/singapore-career-coach-grades-not-everything/
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In Singapore, grades are important -- if not, one of the most important things conceivable.
In-built into this meritocratic system is the belief that anyone, regardless of background, is able to move up the socio-economic ladder as long as he or she does well in school.
While parents do raise their children to chase grades in Singapore, you are now more likely to hear from those who are beyond doing just that.
Grades aren't everything
One Singaporean dad is bucking the trend.
He has a daughter who has been getting less-than-stellar results in school, especially when it comes to the subject she struggles with the most -- Math.
Alfee Mohamed, a 45-year-old father of three, told Mothership:
“My daughter is not academically inclined. And we found out that she has dyscalculia (difficulty in learning or comprehending arithmetic). My wife is a Math teacher, and we were wondering why can’t she do Math.”
But as someone who is currently working as a Senior Career Coach for Workforce Singapore (WSG) at Careers Connect — WSG is a statutory board under the Ministry of Manpower — Alfee has developed an understanding that allowed him to learn to embrace his 15-year-old daughter’s strengths and capabilities.
“By supporting our children in their strengths, that’s when they can excel even further,” he told us while we were seated inside Careers Connect, WSG’s career centre.
And he puts his money where his mouth is.
Alfee supports his teenage daughter’s non-academic interests, in addition to allowing her to take part in modern dance as a co-curricular activity, even though he “doesn’t really understand it”.
He and his wife camped by their laptop to help their daughter buy tickets to K-pop boy group BTS’s concert here in Singapore back in January this year.
The reason for doing so?
As parents, Alfee said he and his wife would like to be truly invested in their children’s overall wellbeing, instead of just obsessing over performance in school.
“Everyone has their own calling”
Letting their child’s academic results take a back seat is probably something not a lot of Singaporean parents are willing to do, but it is a belief that Alfee subscribes to when it comes to his work as well.
In a world where it is sometimes seen as important to keep up appearances for the sake of it, it is encouraging to know that Alfee practices what he preaches as a career coach.
In his line of work, he advises his clients to find what they are good at instead of what society deems to be good.
He said: “I think Singaporeans have this tendency to think this is how they should become successful, but everybody is different.”
“You can’t force a cube into a cylinder. Everyone has their own strengths, and their own deadline.”
Saying that he loves using analogies, Alfee added, “It’s like being in a dark room, and you’re fumbling to find the switch. You may trip and fall in the process, but you know the switch is there.”
Finding a job is not a simple game of match and win
But Alfee sometimes finds himself having to take a while to impress this way of thinking upon his clients.
This is because it is not unusual to see his clients -- who range from fresh grads, to middle-aged PMETs, and even to stay-at-home parents who want to get back into the workforce -- walk into a session thinking they can simply get a job there like they were shopping for groceries.
One of those who walked through the door to seek Alfee’s help had even asked, “What’s your success rate?” right off the bat, Alfee said with a small laugh.
He then replied: “No, I don’t have (a success rate)”, explaining that while it takes as quick as 24 hours to as long as two years to work with a client in finding the right job, it really depends on what the client is looking for and how motivated he/she is in achieving it.
For instance, it can be easier for him to help someone find a PMET position paying a five-figure salary, as compared to someone looking for a lower-paying position, but is extremely specific about certain criteria, like the location.
Depending on the client's individual requirements and preferences, and availability of jobs that match those requests, there is no such thing as a specific job or industry that is easy or difficult to place clients in, Alfee said.
“This is where we probe, and ask them what they want, even to the extent of asking them what their family wants,” he explained, adding that he often tells his team that whenever a human factor comes into play, the outcome is unpredictable, and can often be complex.
For the sake of his clients, he sometimes has to act like a “sports coach” as well, and be like, "Come on, push on!", encouraging his clients to persevere in their job search.
Using another analogy, he said: “It’s like some people who are trying to park their cars, but they keep reversing and going forward, reversing and going forward.”
“Sometimes you just have to take the leap of faith and take action instead of procrastinating.”
Your heart might be in it but it’s not what you’re suited to do
Also, it is not always the case that a client is suited for a certain job, even if they are very much into it.
For instance, one of Alfee’s clients had wanted to switch careers from engineering to healthcare in order to “give back to the community”.
However, after some probing from Alfee, he revealed that he was not able to stand the sight of blood, nor do shift work, nor help to clean up after people.
That was when he realised that a career in healthcare is not necessarily the best path for him.
As such, career coaching is useful for those who need a bit of extra help to realise what exactly they are cut out, or not cut out for.
Alfee said: “We want people to have a career, not a job.”
“Anybody can have a job to pay the bills, but a career in which you find fulfilment? That’s different.”
Takes skill to get clients to open up to him
Alfee added that the human aspect is essential for career coaches like him to do their job well, saying it takes skill to get clients to open up to them so they can better narrow down the criteria for the job search.
This is why it is necessary for him at times to code switch, depending on the type of profile he speaks to.
“I’m Malay, but sometimes I say, ‘Auntie, wo shi ma lai ren, wo bu hui jiang hua yu’ (‘I’m Malay, I don’t know how to speak Mandarin’),” Alfee said.
And if the client is kind of atas, he has to speak in a more “professional manner” with less informal language being used, he explained.
This is so that they can trust him with their job-seeking journey, he added.
In addition, Alfee and his team go on regular “learning journeys” of their own to update their knowledge on the respective industries, as knowing certain industry-specific jargon is useful when it comes to helping them connect with their clients.
They have visited places such as the Nanyang Technological University’s research centre and the Google office as part of knowing how industries are like out there.
As I spoke with Alfee in his office at Our Tampines Hub, his people skills were apparent.
Affable and articulate, he provided answers without prompting, and his easy demeanour made the hour-long conversation feel shorter.
In his previous career, Alfee was a counsellor for five years before joining his current station, where he has been for the last 12 years.
He was his own first client
But it took Alfee a bit of time before he found his true calling.
He was actually trained first as an engineer, and went on to work with a Statutory Board Agency for about a year before he left the field as his “interest wasn’t there”.
He said:
“Back then, there wasn’t any career coaching or counselling, you just ask your friend, ‘Hey what course are you taking? Is it cool, fun?’ Okay, I’ll go there.
So you just end up doing something. I got a degree in the end as it could get me some advanced standing (in society), but my interest wasn’t there at all.”
That was when Alfee thought about it, and told himself he had to do something that he really wanted to do.
But the process of knowing what he truly wanted to do was not easy, Alfee revealed.
Finds job satisfaction in helping people
Thankfully, he landed the right job eventually.
While Alfee and his team could go on to headhunting firms and earn a larger paycheck, they have chosen not to, preferring to stay in public service rather than chasing after monetary gains -- not that there’s anything wrong with that, as everyone’s motivation is different, Alfee said.
But at the end of the day, a simple “thank you” from his clients is enough to make him feel shiok, he said, and for him to know that he made the right career choice.
It is also what he hopes he can guide his children towards.
If you need some career guidance, you can pop by and say hello to Alfee and his team of career coaches at the upcoming CCOTG roadshows:
22 – 24 Nov, Tampines West: Between Blk 826 and 828, Tampines Street 81
30 Nov – 2 Dec, Jurong West: Open Space in front of Blk 503, Jurong West Ave 1
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36-year-old prison inmate Ahmad (not his real name) emerged as one of the top performers in Prison School after scoring all As and a B for his GCE O-level result.Expelled from school previously, Ahmad's teenage years were riddled with drugs and gang activity.Having completed five years of his 13-year sentence, Ahmad "never thought (he) would be able to hold an O-level certificate" and said that this was "long overdue".Ahmad’s primary sources of motivation were the Chief Warden in prison, who was a source of encouragement, as well as his 8-year-old son and 13-year-old step-daughter, whom he wanted to make proud.The O-level exams are just the beginning for Ahmad, who hopes to take the GCE A-Level examination next and eventually become a Software Engineer. #motivation #successtory #prisonreform
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https://mothership.sg/2021/01/prison-inmate-o-levels-top-scorer/
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mothership-sg
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Ahmad (not his real name), a 36-year-old prison inmate, is one of the top performers in Prison School after scoring all As and a B for his GSCE O-level result.
A Facebook post by Captions of Lives shared his story about how he wanted his time behind bars to be spent meaningfully by resuming his education.
Expelled from school previously, Ahmad's teenage years were riddled with drugs and gang activity.
Having completed five years of his 13-year sentence, Ahmad has finally received his results after sitting for O-level exams.
Ahmad, who "never thought (he) would be able to hold an O-level certificate" said that this is "long overdue".
The Facebook post revealed how Ahmad's English teacher, known as Mr Lim, was not surprised to hear about his results at all.
In fact, he was expecting it as Ahmad was a hard worker who was "consistent in his performance throughout last year".
The post also shared Ahmad's daily routine in preparing for the exams, which included gathering other inmate students and engaging in group studies.
In addition, he would also stay away from small talk" and what he felt were "meaningless engagements".
His primary source of motivation? Apart from the Chief Warden in prison who was a source of encouragement, Ahmad also has a son, 8, and a step-daughter, 13, who motivated him to study as he wanted to make them proud.
The O-level exams is just the beginning for Ahmad, who has dreams of becoming a Software Engineer.
Eventually, he hopes to take the GCE A-Level examination.
You can see the full post here:
Top photo via Captains of Lives/FB.
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Last November, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee said that new regulations for HDB flats built in prime locations would be introduced.The objectives of the new regulations, as he explained them, were as such:• To prevent flats in prime locations from becoming the exclusive domain of the more affluent members of society.• To prevent prices being pushed up as properties are traded, to the point that they are unaffordable for "ordinary people".• To address the issue of fairness, as BTO buyers in prime locations receive a "windfall" from higher subsidies on the initial purchase price, as well as greater room for price appreciation in future.With that in mind, our writer looks at past implementation of cooling measures, as well as past and present policies to control the prices of HDB flats. While these do not necessarily predict new policy measures to come, they might provide some indication for the future.#property #realestate #developmentMinistry of National Development Singapore
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/hdb-price-control-policies/
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mothership-sg
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It's Build-to-Order (BTO) application season again, with 3,740 flats being put up for sale last week by the Housing and Development Board (HDB).
The offerings include units in the highly-sought after locations of Kallang/Whampoa and Toa Payoh, which may be of interest to those seeking a place near to the CBD.
These flats won't come cheap, however, with prices for 4-room flats in the McNair Heights development starting at a cool S$532,000, excluding government grants.
In deciding which neighbourhood to ballot for, potential buyers might be thinking about an additional variable this time around: the prospect of future price controls, as well as further cooling measures.
Price controls to be expected
Last November, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee said that new regulations for HDB flats built in prime locations would be introduced.
The objectives of the new regulations, as he explained them, were as such:
To prevent flats in prime locations from becoming the exclusive domain of the more affluent members of society.
To prevent prices being pushed up as properties are traded, to the point that they are unaffordable for "ordinary people".
To address the issue of fairness, as BTO buyers in prime locations receive a "windfall" from higher subsidies on the initial purchase price, as well as greater room for price appreciation in future.
What new measures can be expected?
Soon after, at an event in Jan. 2021, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Heng Swee Keat said that the government would pay "close attention" to the stability of the property market so that young Singaporeans could continue to own homes.
While specific policies were not spelled out by Lee and Heng, Lee said that resale transactions of hotly-demanded units would be restricted, so their prices would be moderated.
Meanwhile, Heng's reference to stability, and saying that the government did not want the property market to "run ahead of the underlying economic fundamentals" echoes the language used when cooling measures have been announced.
Given how Heng noted "some gathering of momentum in prices" in Singapore, the concern he was addressing was more likely to be prices rising too quickly, as opposed to a stagnation or slowdown in the market.
In fact, past press releases announcing cooling measures for the property market also emphasised the importance of "economic fundamentals", and stability in the property market (specifically, that it should remain "stable and sustainable").
With that in mind, here's a look at past implementation of cooling measures, as well as past and present policies to control the prices of HDB flats. While these do not necessarily predict new policy measures to come, they might provide some indication for the future.
Cooling measures that have been implemented previously
"Cooling measures", for the uninitiated, refers to government intervention to slow down property transactions and restrict price increases.
The government in 2018 said that there had been a "sharp increase in prices", calling for measures to "cool the property market" and "keep price increases in line with economic fundamentals."
Two changes were announced: raising Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) rates and adjusting the Loan-to-Value (LTV) limits.
Raising ABSD didn't impact HDB market much previously
Back in 2018, changes to the rate of ABSD impacted the market for HDB flats much less significantly than the private property market.
The rate of ABSD remained inapplicable (or, at zero per cent) for Singapore Citizens purchasing their first property, such as first-time BTO buyers.
And while ABSD was raised to 12 per cent for those buying a second property, it could be waived if they sell their first property within a specified time limit — which would be required under HDB rules anyway.
The hike in ABSD rates in 2018 can therefore be seen as mainly targeting the private property market.
However, DPM Heng's recent comments suggest that if new measures were to be implemented, it would include the HDB market as well.
This is because he spoke about helping young Singaporeans own homes — and likely isn't referring to merely keeping condo prices down so we young people can all go buy one.
Therefore, if the government were to use ABSD to control the price of HDB flats, it would have to be applied in a different way than it is currently, rather than simply increasing the rates under the current rules.
How might the HDB resale market be cooled through ABSD?
ABSD could be used to cool the HDB resale market.
However, to have a significant impact, it would have to be imposed on the largest and most significant group of HDB resale flat buyers: existing homeowners buying a resale HDB property (as opposed to first-time homeowners looking for a resale flat).
This would be a drastic change from the current arrangement, where HDB buyers do not pay any ABSD.
Imposing ABSD (or, a similar tax) would likely slow down the rate of transactions in the resale market in the same way that it did for private properties in 2018.
Could Loan-to-Value ratios be further tightened?
In 2018, LTV ratios were tightened, restricting potential homebuyers in terms of how much of their property could be paid for with a loan from a bank or financial institution.
This could have the effect of cooling the property market by cutting down on speculative purchases — in other words, purchases by those hoping to borrow heavily so they can acquire property that might be beyond their means, in hopes that the prices will rise.
If LTV ratios were further tightened, it means that potential homebuyers would — in general — need to look at purchasing cheaper properties, or save up for longer before purchasing a home.
Tightening LTV ratios would cool the market, but have unwanted consequences
However, Minister Desmond Lee's comments in late 2020 make it clear that price control policies are in the works specifically for HDB flats in prime areas.
Therefore, if LTV ratios are tightened, it would all the more mean that relatively-pricier prime-location flats would only be feasible for richer folks, while growing ever-more out of reach of those with lesser means.
What other ways are there to control HDB prices?
Tightening the current cooling measures by changing ABSD rates and LTV ratios are two ways to moderate prices, though in a much more drastic way that affects the entire market.
But there are many other existing policies that can possibly be tightened or tweaked, to control HDB resale prices.
Increasing supply not feasible
One obvious way to keep prices low is to maintain, or increase, the supply of new flats.
However, this would be unsustainable in the long run. As former Minister for National Development noted in a 2019 speech, "we cannot simply meet demand through building new BTO flats entirely, because there may be a risk of oversupply of such new flats."
Price-setting not in line with "economic fundamentals"
Another theoretically-possible way to ensure that those who are not wealthy can still live in prime areas would be to set price ceilings for new or resale flats in those areas, by mandating that they should not be sold above certain stipulated prices.
However, this would not be in line with "economic fundamentals" spoken of by the government, since the prices of prime-area properties would be artificially kept low, even while they are still in hot demand.
Ways to lower the market value of new flats
Therefore, since controlling prices by adjusting the supply of flats, or by setting prices are both not feasible, the only other way is to lower the value of the flats.
There are at least four possible ways to lower the market value of new flats while keeping to "economic fundamentals".
1. Build smaller new flats
One way to lower the value of flats is to build smaller flats, which have lower market value, and can be priced accordingly. Building more of the smaller 3-room and 4-room flats would allow for more flats to be constructed in any given development, and therefore keep the prices of the units at an affordable level for more homebuyers.
In fact, this is actually already happening in prime areas.
There have been three BTO projects in Kallang/Whampoa in the last two years (Feb. 2019, May 2019, and Feb. 2021), with each of them offering 3-room flats and a limited number of highly-oversubscribed 4-room flats, with no 5-room flat option.
This was also the case for other recent projects in highly-popular areas, such as Toa Payoh in Feb. 2020, Geylang in Aug. 2020, and Bishan in Nov. 2020.
Could 4-room flats possibly be phased out for future developments in prime areas?
2. Shorten leases of new flats
Another way to lower the value of flats in prime areas is to shorten the leases for new flats.
While most new HDB properties start off with 99-year leases, shorter leases are not unheard of — with the recent Feb. 2021 BTO launch offering a number of 2-room Flexi flats at McNair Heights on short leases of between 15 and 45 years.
However, these are offered only to those aged 55 and above, meaning that new flats with shorter leases targeted at young Singaporeans would be quite a game-changer.
Shortening the lease of a given HDB unit would reduce its initial selling price, since buyers are getting the same product, but for a shorter time.
Also, as the leases run down over time, there would be less incentive for potential buyers to bid up the prices of these properties. Those seeking to purchase the properties for speculative purposes would likely be deterred as well, since they would have a shorter window of time to re-sell the property to a subsequent buyer.
3. Set longer Minimum Occupation Periods (MOPs)
Currently, anyone who purchases a HDB flat (except a 1-room flat) is required to live in it for a minimum time period (usually five years) before it can be sold, or before another property can be purchased.
A longer MOP, implemented specifically for buyers of new prime-area flats, would serve as a disincentive to homeowners, making it less attractive for them to sell their flats, said an expert interviewed by The Straits Times.
However, it would also have the effect of limiting the number of times a property can be bought and sold before it is returned to the government.
For example, a flat with 91 years remaining on its lease could be sold up to 18 times with a five-year MOP for each new owner, but would only see a maximum of 13 transactions if the MOP was lengthened to 7 years.
This could also create an unintended effect of pushing prices upwards, since the supply of flats available to be sold at any given time would be reduced, meaning that competition for such flats is stiffened.
4. Restrict owners further
Another way to lower the value for both new and existing flats is to tighten the rules on what homeowners are allowed to do with their homes, for example, in terms of renting out or subletting the properties. The rules, restrictive as they are, could be tightened more.
This would deter a group of buyers who are not seeking to be "genuine" homeowners — those looking to make a buck via rental income, and not for a home to live in.
With less buyers in the market, prices are more likely to remain stable.
Other unanswered questions
There are some unanswered questions that remain with regard to possible price control policies.
What is a prime area?
While Minister Desmond Lee spoke of regulation for flats in prime areas, there is currently no available list of the exact locations which are considered prime areas.
Areas such as Tanjong Pagar, Bras Basah, Kallang, Geylang and so on are unlikely to be excluded from the list of prime areas, due to their proximity to the CBD.
However, would areas like Bishan — located much farther from the CBD — be counted on the list as well, given its superlative accessibility, as well as a recent slew of S$1 million HDB transactions?
And what of Jurong, long touted as a second CBD?
The government's definition of a "prime area" will be of keen interest to potential homeowners, given that it will be subject to new regulations.
Top image via Singapore Tourism Board website
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barbara d' cotta never thought that she would one day become a special education teacher.But back in 1978, the then-19-year-old fresh A-Level graduate knew she needed to support her family financially. It was not an easy step, but she decided to put her university on hold to find work.Little did the teen know, though, that mature decision she made would end up changing her life — and those of thousands of deaf students in Singapore over more than four decades.She was taken in as a trainee at a special education school and quickly learned not just how to teach, but also to teach in sign language by observing other teachers.One of D’Cotta’s biggest challenges of teaching deaf children is getting their parents to understand their deaf kids’ potential, and helping them learn outside of school.As soon as she realised this, D’Cotta started providing her students’ parents with resources so that they can teach their children at home too.D’Cotta also holds sign language classes for parents in the evening at the school to teach them how to communicate in sign language.It’s a lot of work, of course, but she views it as her personal responsibility to bring out the best in her deaf students.#specialneeds #parenting #school
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https://mothership.sg/2019/12/barbara-dcotta-interview/
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mothership-sg
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Barbara D’Cotta never thought that she would one day become a special education teacher.
But back in 1978, the then-19-year-old fresh A-Level graduate knew she needed to support her family financially. It was not an easy step, but she decided to put her university on hold to find work as with many like her from the Merdeka Generation.
“I told myself I’ll work, and I’ll probably get to do what I wanted to do later on,” she tells Mothership.
Little did the teen know, though, that mature decision she made would end up changing her life — and those of thousands of deaf students in Singapore over more than four decades.
Teaching deaf students at the Singapore School for the Deaf
To begin with, it led her to the Singapore School for the Deaf.
“I was actually waiting for my A-level results. My friend and I saw this advertisement -- we were interested in teaching already -- so we applied, knowing we had no experience, no qualifications.”
Special education schools then (even now), says D’Cotta, were in dire need of teachers, and were ready to consider anyone who was interested in the role.
She was taken in as a trainee and quickly learned not just how to teach, but also to teach in sign language by observing other teachers.
Two weeks later, this fresh trainee was given her own class of deaf students -- with varying degrees of deafness -- to handle:
“Fortunately the classes were small, so I had like six (students) but still that six seemed like 30 because they all had different needs.”
One of the celebrated characteristics of the Merdeka Generation was their determination and perseverance, and I saw that in how D’Cotta tackled sign language.
Having just picked up the language, D’Cotta had to put in a lot of effort before her classes to practise signing the various lesson concepts. Whenever she encountered a word she didn’t know how to sign, she would pop over to the class next door and seek help from a more experienced teacher.
At times, even the students would help her with the signing.
“I would write on the board and they’ll show me how to sign,” laughs D’Cotta, adding that she took up part-time sign language courses at night to improve her signing.
Another part of D’Cotta’s work as a teacher of deaf students was helping them use their voice. Because deaf students can’t hear themselves, many have speech impediments. So D’Cotta would spend five minutes of each lesson reading with them to practise their oral skills and helping them with speech therapy.
When she received her A-Level results and had the option to switch over to a mainstream school, D’Cotta says she felt compelled to stay simply because she felt she was well-suited to the job.
Over the years, D’Cotta has also taught deaf students at various mainstream schools, including the now-defunct Mount Vernon Secondary School and Mayflower Primary, where she currently teaches.
Still, teaching deaf students is far from straightforward, and as we would learn in our conversation, it would imaginably be tempting for any special needs educator to switch back to mainstream teaching.
D’Cotta certainly had many opportunities to do so, but she tells us that she persevered in special education because she felt that her ability to teach deaf students is a gift.
“I feel that it’s a gift that I’ve been given. It’s a gift that I’m able to teach, I was able to pick up sign language fast enough... It’s that feeling of doing something worthwhile that I have a gift for.”
Challenges of teaching deaf students
For D’Cotta, one of the biggest challenges of teaching deaf children is getting their parents to understand their deaf kids’ potential, and helping them learn outside of school.
Quite early on, she learned that in fact, her students’ parents needed almost as much support in working with her to improve and accelerate her students’ learning.
She recalls, for instance, one time she asked a seven-year-old student what she ate the day before. The girl signed, “something small”.
“Later I found out from the mum that they had McDonald’s. What ‘small’ thing did she eat? Nuggets? Nope. It was a hamburger!” she says with exasperation. “Even If you want to gesture, gesture properly right?” she adds, laughing while holding out an imaginary hamburger.
And why was she so vague? Because she was forgetting her sign language vocabulary, having no chance to sign or learn to do so with anyone at home.
As soon as D’Cotta realised this, she started providing her students’ parents with resources so that they can teach their children at home too. Parents of deaf students at Mayflower Primary, for example, can go online to learn the sign language for important lesson concepts in their kids' syllabus.
D’Cotta also holds sign language classes for parents in the evening at the school to teach them how to communicate in sign language with their children at home.
It’s a lot of work, of course, but she views it as her personal responsibility to bring out the best in her deaf students.
Believing in a student when other teachers didn’t
In all her years of teaching, D’Cotta of course has a wealth of stories of students she remembers, a couple of whom she paid particular attention and effort into journeying with.
One of these was a boy she remembers meeting at the Singapore School for the Deaf, who grew up in a boys’ home.
“He was a very loud boy who wasn’t doing very well in his work but when I taught him, I realised that he had the intelligence. It’s just that no one really sat down with him and gave him that backing.”
When she learned about the existence of a football team formed by deaf players, she thought it would be a great opportunity for the boy, who happened to be a football fan.
Sadly, he told D’Cotta that he could not join the team because the group’s practice ended after his curfew time.
“So I went back to the home and told them, ‘He needs mentorship. He needs deaf adult men.’ And so they reviewed and they allowed him.”
As if all this wasn’t enough, D’Cotta of course put in her utmost to help the boy with his schoolwork — in particular, passing his Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) so that he could eventually get out of the home.
But many of his teachers didn’t believe that he could, she says. They suggested that he try a vocational school instead.
“A vocational school is not a bad thing but do you know how hard it is to get a job, especially if you’re deaf?” responds D’Cotta incredulously.
She persevered with her charge and gave him extra lessons, and he finally passed his PSLE at the age of 16. She remembers that when he received his PSLE results, he jumped and cried.
He went on to a secondary school and finally made it to ITE East today where he is pursuing his aspiration of being an air conditioner repairman.
Going back to school
In 2012, some 44 years on from putting her university education on hold, D’Cotta was finally able to complete her degree course at Flinders University in Australia.
Plus, at that time, D’Cotta felt that her son was big enough and she felt at ease being away from him in a different country. Even so, she only chose to do so with the blessings of her family.
The course was extremely beneficial to her because, having taken time off from her work to raise her family, it brought her up to speed with the latest developments in special education. She came back better equipped to jump back into her work.
Later in 2018, again with the support of her family, she was able to start her Masters in Special Education at the National Institute of Education in order to start training teachers of the deaf, a passion of hers.
“All that years of teaching sometimes doesn’t qualify you to do what you want to do,” she says with a smile. “My interest is passing on my knowledge, the experiences I’ve been through.”
In fact, right now she’s mentoring eight: three of them at the Singapore Association for the Deaf and five at Beatty Secondary School.
The Masters course was a huge undertaking, one she only started after getting her family’s blessings.
“I needed to make time for home, school work and coursework. So I had to be very very disciplined. I had to ensure that I finish all my school work in school and at home I do whatever is needed for the family and then I set at least two hours of reading time after 10pm.”
She says her family, for instance, understands that she can’t go out to watch movies with them because she has to study at home.
And as for D’Cotta, she tells herself that this time away from her family will soon pass.
“Because every semester at NIE is only about 13 weeks and I tell myself the other weeks are for my family,” she adds with a laugh.
Perhaps one of the benefits of going back to NIE for her Master’s is that she is able to go to school with her daughter, a third-year undergraduate at NTU.
D’Cotta tells me that just the day before our conversation, she and her daughter were planning their timetables together.
“I told her that I want to finish and graduate next year because she graduates the year after. I told her, ‘I don’t want to graduate the following year, I don’t want to take the limelight away from you’,” she says with another lighthearted chuckle.
Looking back, the 60-year-old has come a long way since her choice to take up a job as one of Singapore’s pioneering special education teachers, and touching the lives of so many deaf students.
“I’ve stuck on with this job since I was 19 and I’ve never considered moving out even though I’ve had opportunities,” she says. From that young teacher of 19, D’Cotta has become a beacon of light for her deaf students, even taking up learning in her old(er) age for her cause.
Just like how D’Cotta pushes her deaf students to rise above their disabilities, we see the same persevering spirit in her as she furthers her knowledge in the field of special education by going back to school. This spirit of lifelong learning is indeed a hallmark of the Merdeka Generation.
Barbara’s story has become the inspiration for one of four short films produced by Gov.sg to highlight the resilience and tenacity of our Merdeka Generation.
You can catch “A Teacher’s Education” as well as other stories inspired by our Merdeka Generation here:
&list=PLH2CR4s1lqyicsejxO3P6OTysZw57gTzL&index=4&t=0s
This sponsored article gave our writer the opportunity to learn more about special education in Singapore. Top image by Janice Teo.
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Ricky Yeo is the founder and president of Action For Singapore Dogs (ASD), one of the first few dog shelters in Singapore. Having been a full-time software developer for over 20 years, he left his job in 2012 so he could devote more time to the shelter.In December 2000, Yeo started ASD and wanted to do things differently from other animal shelters in Singapore.Firstly, he wanted to help the strays as at that time, there were no other organisations apart from SPCA that was helping this group of dogs.Secondly and most importantly, he also wanted to promote the no-kill policy, a policy which has since been followed by several other shelters in Singapore.In ASD’s earlier days, Yeo had to do almost everything himself as the organisation didn’t have the means then to hire anyone.Now, he is more than grateful for his group of volunteers and a core team of fewer than 10 individuals that help to keep the shelter running.According to Yeo, it costs a whopping S$66,000 per month to run the shelters that house close to 200 dogs. As fundraising wasn’t enough to cover the costs, some of it was paid for from his own pocket.To make ends meet, he currently works as a dog trainer, running between two to three sessions per day.#pets #careerjourney #fundraising
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https://mothership.sg/2019/12/action-for-singapore-dogs-ricky-yeo-2/
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mothership-sg
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Somewhere off Kranji is The Animal Lodge (TAL), a facility that houses animal welfare groups, independent shelters and animal farms.
So when I was there, it wasn't uncommon for me to walk past an alley with a cacophony of strays, perhaps wanting in attention or hoping I was there to bring them to their forever homes.
The Singapore Specials
But one sight I remembered fondly was when three little puppies ran towards 51-year-old Ricky Yeo, begging cuddles (or food).
"You see, these are the Singapore Specials," Yeo said.
The term "Singapore Specials", I was told, was coined to prevent people from calling these locally bred dogs less desirable terms like "strays" or "mongrels".
As he smiled and continued entertaining the little doggos, I couldn't help but notice the fine lines forming on his face.
A result of running a shelter for these Singapore Specials for close to 20 years, I suppose.
Discovered the plight of strays
Yeo is the founder and president of Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD), one of the first few dog shelters in Singapore.
Close to 100 per cent of the dogs rescued by ASD are the Singapore Specials.
But why this breed, that is often overlooked than say, a corgi or a dachshund?
He said that he began to understand the plight of the strays when he started volunteering at Noah's Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary (NANAS), for three years in the late 90s.
Unfortunately, NANAS ceased operations in Singapore.
He explained:
"Raymund Wee (founder of NANAS) was forced to relocate to Johor, which left a void (in animal welfare) in Singapore"
No-kill policy
That's when he decided to fill the void.
In December 2000, he started ASD and wanted to do things differently from other animal shelters in Singapore.
Firstly, he wanted to help the strays as at that time, there were no other organisations apart from SPCA that was helping this group of dogs.
Secondly and most importantly, he also wanted to promote the no-kill policy, a policy which has since been followed by several other shelters in Singapore.
But running a dog shelter wasn't as easy as he thought it would be.
In ASD's earlier days, Yeo had to do almost everything himself as the organisation didn't have the means then to hire anyone.
"I had to do everything and that includes taking in the dogs, looking after them, vet care, administrative work, dog training, fundraising and even website maintenance."
Now, he is more than grateful for his group of volunteers and a core team of fewer than 10 individuals that help to keep the shelter running.
How much it costs to support 200 dogs
Take a seat before you find out how much it costs to run two shelters that house close to 200 dogs.
Yeo told me that it costs a whopping S$66,000 per month to run the shelter.
But how do they manage to find that much money every month?
In their earlier days, they would do everything to get people to know about ASD.
From baking cupcakes to selling collars, they have done it all.
But one thing that has done well since 2002 is their annual calendar sale, featuring pictures of the dogs that have been re-homed or fostered by ASD.
Fundraising, however, wasn't enough to cover the costs. Some of it was also paid for from his own pocket.
From software developer to dog trainer
Having been a full-time software developer for over 20 years, he left his job in 2012 so he could devote more time to the shelter.
To make ends meet, he currently works as a dog trainer, running between two to three sessions per day.
"It's like stepping off a cliff for the first few years. But at least what I'm doing now is aligned with running ASD since everything I do is about dogs," he joked when I asked if he felt any drastic changes to his income.
No good days
At this point, some people may think that it's a noble and novel job for a dog lover to be surrounded by dogs all day.
The reality, however, is quite the contrary.
He would always tell people that doing what he does has no glamour, money nor glory.
Yeo even joked that his line of work has no good days, only bad and worse ones.
The toughest part of his career is when a dog under ASD's care passes on.
"When we give them the best medical attention and they don't survive... That hits us hard. Sometimes we have to make the difficult decision to put a dog to sleep after all medical treatment have been exhausted. We don't take life lightly, dogs are sentient beings too."
But most times, it is not the dogs that are a cause for concern for Yeo and his team.
"We used to have a hotline to facilitate adoptions and do quick screenings for adopters but 90 per cent of all calls came from people who wanted to 'surrender' their dogs instead."
Some rescue efforts that he has publicised on social media has also received criticism, with the public perceiving that he is doing what he does for the glory and money.
In other cases, people would have things to say about the rescuers' decisions.
"When we write on Facebook that a dog is undergoing a certain treatment, some people would comment 'Why don't you do that treatment instead?' or 'Oh my God, you're spending S$5,000 on a stray dog? Why not spend it on a human instead?' We get this all the time."
Although the comments have affected his mental health, he doesn't let it falter his beliefs.
"To face this every day, it took a toll on me. But when you understand that they are sentient beings and they need help, it helps you to stay true to the cause."
To the 3,000, it mattered
Ultimately, what keeps Yeo and ASD running are the dogs themselves.
Even though he did mention that there's "no money" to what he does, he also stressed that money can never buy these life experiences.
Since its inception, the organisation has helped a total of 3,000 dogs to either find a good home or at least get them sterilised.
"In the whole scheme of things, it may not present a big number. But to the 3,000, it mattered a lot."
One incident that he remembers to this day was the rescue case of an abandoned dog.
According to him, the team discovered the dog in a manhole after a member of the public alerted them to barks coming from below.
When they finally managed to pry open the manhole cover, they saw a very skinny Boxer pup.
He said: "He was totally emaciated, probably just drinking the drain water to survive. So we nursed her back to health and eventually found a good home for her. To see them find a good home where the family loves them... That is just priceless."
Reducing dog population in Singapore
ASD currently has a shelter in TAL, which is a government-built facility.
Compared to their Lim Chu Kang shelter that can house close to 100 dogs, the shelter can only accommodate for 60 of their dogs.
However, Yeo doesn't see the small space as an obstacle.
"The space may be small, but at least the maintenance of the shelter is easier and its cooler for the dogs too."
The lack of space isn't a bad thing for him as, after all, the goal is to reduce the dog population in Singapore.
ASD is a partner of the Trap-Neuter-Release-and-Manage (TNRM) program, which was launched in December 2014 to manage the dog population in Singapore.
"The longterm plan is to reduce the dog population in Singapore. We also don't want to keep these dogs cooped up in the shelter forever. As TNRM kicks in, hopefully we will see less dogs."
"For as long as my weary body and mind can continue"
As Yeo is inching towards his 50s, I couldn't help but to ask how long is he going to continue doing what he does.
After a short laugh, he said: "For as long as my weary body and mind can continue."
He is still hoping to find someone to take over the mantle but he also believes that a lot of people do not want to do what he does, and for the right reasons.
"I've not found the right person yet. It is not a job that anyone can do, even if you have the heart for it. We are a pragmatic society. Will we ever do something for nothing over a long period of time?"
But while he waits for the right person to come around, Yeo and the other animal welfare groups in Singapore will do all they can to help the Singapore Specials.
Because if not for them, then who?
Top image by Fasiha Nazren
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Leng Ng Tai was asked to move to Bukom — an offshore island located 5.5km southwest of mainland Singapore — from his home in West Coast so that he could carry out his job efficiently as the refinery’s production supervisor.The island houses Royal Dutch oil and gas company Shell's largest wholly-owned refinery.Convincing his family of four, which includes his wife and their teenage daughter and son, to move with him wasn’t difficult because living on the island was, in a good way, “a different kind of living”.In Bukom, they lived in a 3,000 square feet house (which is approximately the size of three 4-room HDB flats) with a central air-conditioning system and six toilets.On top of that, the house had an amazing view overlooking the sea which they say boasted “the best sunset and sunrise”.But if there’s something that they truly miss in Bukom, it has to be the camaraderie they have built with the 28 other families who lived in the same building.Leng, who celebrated his 50th work anniversary in 2019, said:“Most colleagues became friends. Up until now, we still maintain the bond within the colleagues and among the children.”They were so close that almost all of the families didn’t have to lock the doors to their houses.#property #oilandgas #relocation
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https://mothership.sg/2020/01/pulau-bukom-family/
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Dec. 25 is a special day for many people around the world.
For a lot of people, it's a day to get together to celebrate Christmas.
But for Leng Ng Tai and his family, Dec. 25, 1989 marks the day he moved from mainland Singapore to Pulau Bukom.
Offshore island
For the uninitiated, Bukom is an offshore island located 5.5km southwest of mainland Singapore.
It houses Royal Dutch oil and gas company Shell's largest wholly-owned refinery.
It's a surprisingly short 15-minute ferry ride away from Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal.
When I finally got to meet Leng and his son, Benny, on the island, I told them how surprised I was at how fast one can travel from mainland Singapore to Pulau Bukom.
"You know, in the early days it took us 30 minutes," Leng said after a short burst of laughter, perhaps at this city girl's suaku-ness (mountain turtle, or to mean ignorant).
Different kind of living
Leng and his family of four, which includes his wife and their teenage daughter and son, moved to Bukom in 1989.
He was asked to move to the island from his home in West Coast so that he could carry out his job efficiently as the refinery's production supervisor.
Convincing his family to move with him wasn't difficult because living on the island was, in a good way, "a different kind of living".
He explained: "More present-day Singaporeans are used to living in a condominium, but in those days we had an exclusive club."
In Bukom, they lived in a 3,000 square feet house (which is approximately the size of three 4-room HDB flats) with a central air-conditioning system and six toilets.
On top of that, the house had an amazing view overlooking the sea which they say boasted "the best sunset and sunrise".
The island also had the essential amenities like a barbershop, a tailor, and a couple of restaurants.
As if that wasn't enough, they also had access to the Bukom clubhouse, which had a bowling alley, swimming pool, tennis courts, barbecue pits and even a sauna.
Benny chimed: "None of the condominiums in Singapore has a bowling alley, we had one."
An eye-opening childhood
The amenities, of course, was a huge hit among Benny's friends.
"For school holidays during my time, going to chalet was a thing. But for my friends, it was: 'Forget about chalet, let's just go to Benny's house. He has everything.'"
Whenever he has friends over, they would spend their day at the clubhouse, go fishing, and followed by a barbecue feast from 6pm all the way to 2am.
Benny said that spending his growing years there also made for a very unique childhood, and it truly shows.
While walking around the perimeter of Bukom, he could identify the other islands including Pulau Jong and Pulau Ular.
Even though it has been 23 years since he last fished on the island, he could still show me the best fishing spot on the island: By the Chinese restaurant behind the clubhouse, after leftovers were thrown into the sea as bait.
Sleeping at the ferry terminal
But there were some minor challenges living in Bukom, though.
In the days before Netflix or cable television, a common form of entertainment would be watching a movie at the cinema.
For young Benny, this meant that he couldn't catch any midnight movies as the last ferry departs Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal at 12:20am.
And on unfortunate days when he did miss the last ferry, he would have to spend the night at the ferry terminal and wait for the next available ferry at 6am.
Did his father ever get angry when he missed the last ferry?
He cheekily said: "No, because he doesn't know. By the time the first boat arrives, he's already going to work."
Never had to sing national anthem in school
Going to school was another chore, especially since his school — Yishun Junior College — was located at the other end of Singapore.
Benny mentioned that he never had the chance to sing the national anthem because he would always be around 15-20 minutes late for school.
"My teachers used to ask me why I was always late so I showed them the address on my identification card: Block A, 4A, Pulau Bukom. After that I showed them my boat schedule. The earliest boat departs at 6:05am, there's nothing else I could do."
Fortunately for him, he transferred to the much nearer Singapore Polytechnic after he figured out that he wanted to pursue a similar career path as his father's.
Today, both father and son work together at the refinery in Bukom.
Catch of the day
On the other hand, the lack of a supermarket or provision shop on the island was a little troublesome for Leng.
Every Saturday, Leng and his wife would have to make a grocery run to either the market in Clementi or West Coast.
This weekly chore, however, made for a good habit even long after the couple has left the island.
"To this day, I still continue this practice. I'm still the labourer carrying the groceries for her."
The only thing he didn't have to buy was seafood, as the people in Bukom could get it fresh and for cheap from the fishermen who hailed from another nearby island, Pulau Seking.
Benny recounts, "We will barter for it while they were in their boats and sometimes we can even get fresh fruits like rambutan."
Delivering bak chang to neighbours
With the Chinese New Year coming, Leng also remembered how they used to celebrate it back in Bukom.
His wife would cook a reunion dinner feast not just for his family, but for the other families as well.
"Those days, my wife would cook and we will share. And I don't mean just share with one family, it could be up to 10 families. Chinese New Year, for instance, I would invite many colleagues, each time will be between 40-50 people."
Meanwhile, during the Dragon Boat Festival, Leng's wife would make a big batch of bak chang (rice dumplings), which Benny and his sister were tasked to deliver door-to-door to their neighbours.
House felt too small
Leng and his family didn't consider living and moving to the island much of a challenge.
Funnily enough, the greater challenge for them was when they had to move out of the island exactly eight years later on Dec. 25, 1997.
While other families required only one lorry to move their belongings back to mainland Singapore, the family required another lorry just to transport Leng's balcony of bonsai plants.
They especially felt the pinch when they had to get used to living in their old house in West Coast.
Their two-floor terrace seemed minute when compared to the massive apartment they lived in in Bukom.
So drastic changes had to be carried out:
"The house felt too small, so we spent about S$150,000 on renovations and added a third floor to our house."
No locked doors on the island
But if there's something that they truly miss in Bukom, it has to be the camaraderie they have built with the 28 other families who lived in the same building.
Leng, who celebrated his 50th work anniversary in 2019, said:
"Most colleagues became friends. Up until now, we still maintain the bond within the colleagues and among the children."
They were so close that almost all of the families didn't have to lock the doors to their houses.
They would also take up dance classes at the clubhouse together, although Leng emphasised that the lessons didn't necessarily make them good dancers.
Reminiscing the good old days, Benny said: "Sometimes the children would just walk into our house without ringing the doorbells and it didn't feel out of place."
Even though it has been more than 20 years since they last lived in Bukom, both father and son would love to go back to that lifestyle if given the chance.
Leng said: "The views and the clubhouse were great, but one thing I really cherished was the bond and kampung spirit that cannot be recreated elsewhere."
Top image courtesy of Leng Ng Tai and Andrew Koay.
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On Jan. 28, SilkAir, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA_, said it would cease operations, as it begins an ongoing merger with SIA to become one airline.This is scheduled for completion in the 2021/22 financial year.Over the past few decades, SilkAir has essentially operated as SIA's regional arm, serving short-haul flights to countries in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.However, as SilkAir was not a Star Alliance carrier, it did not confer some benefits one could normally get from "elite tiers".Following the merger, all Star Alliance members will finally be able to receive the same benefits and quality of service as in SIA, including seat-back in-flight entertainment, which does away with the burden of bringing one's own devices and struggling with internal WiFi.The merger also serves to help SIA streamline operations, providing a consistent experience for all its customers.#airlinesandairplanes #airlines #aviation
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/silkair-merge-sia/
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"Operated by SilkAir" will no longer be a line that pops up when flying to regional destinations.
On Jan. 28, SilkAir, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, said it would cease operations, as it begins an ongoing merger with Singapore Airlines (SIA) to become one airline.
Plans for this merger has been in the works since 2018.
It is scheduled for completion in the 2021/22 financial year.
Goodbye
In an email to KrisFlyer members, "SilkAir is now Singapore Airlines", the carrier detailed the transition.
The email read:
For more than 30 years, SilkAir has been the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, flying to cover 40 destinations in Asia Pacific, often chosen for its service reliability and its promise to make every journey a joy to fly. From 28 January 2021, SilkAir will start its integration into Singapore Airlines – part of a planned merger announced in 2018. You can now enjoy a world class experience, no matter how short your journey.
The carrier also elaborated on the "transformation" it would make during the merger, including "freshly painted livery" and "newly upholstered seats".
A Facebook post showed a SilkAir air stewardess changing from the aqua-blue SilkAir uniform to the distinctive SIA kebaya.
SilkAir vs SIA
Over the past few decades, SilkAir has essentially operated as SIA's regional arm, serving short-haul flights to countries in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
However, as SilkAir was not a Star Alliance carrier, it did not confer some benefits one could normally get from "elite tiers".
This included lounge access, and other priority treatment elite tier members were privy to.
Members that were able to access priority treatment on SilkAir flights were Krisflyer Gold/ PPS/ Solitaire members.
Following the merger, all Star Alliance members will finally be able to receive the same benefits and quality of service as in SIA, including seat-back in-flight entertainment, which does away with the burden of bringing one's own devices and struggling with internal WiFi.
The merger also serves to help SIA streamline operations, providing a consistent experience for all its customers.
It is also intended to reduce confusion among customers, as the carriers will operate under the same SIA name.
Top image via SilkAir Facebook
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When Shinna Lim stepped into Singapore Management University’s Business school for the first time five years ago, she thought she had everything figured out.But Lim later realised that she wasn’t “particularly excited about (her) potential future in banking and finance”.Instead, Lim found Engineering is “revolutionary”.“Engineering has and continues to change the world. The intricacies that go into making an aircraft engine for example, blows my mind,” she said.As one would expect when it comes to girls going into engineering, Lim got more than her fair share of “It’s a very tough course, are you sure?” and “You’re a girl, you won’t be as competent as the guys”, but on the encouragement of her brother, she forged ahead unfazed.Lim ended up failing two modules and barely scraping a pass in two others in her first semester examinations.With her 0.63 grade point average (GPA), National University of Singapore put her on probation for the next two semesters, urging her to see an academic mentor.This drove her to what she describes as a 180-degree switch in her attitude and approach to studying — asking lots of questions in class and going to her professors for consultation.Lim has since graduated from NUS with second-lower honours.#university #education #engineering
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https://mothership.sg/2015/07/how-one-singapore-girl-switched-from-smu-business-to-nus-engineering-and-survived/
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She also went from a first-sem GPA of 0.63 to graduating with second-lower honours.
When 23-year-old Shinna Lim stepped into Singapore Management University's Business school for the first time five years ago, she thought she had everything figured out. After all, according to her, her personality fit that of the average business student — she was outgoing, confident and a "people person". "I never second guessed it, and my parents were also very supportive because they heard stories about how much money business students can potentially earn in the banks and finance," she admitted, in a candid interview with Mothership.sg, while adding that her two best friends were enrolling there with her. "It seemed like a safe and right choice for me (at the time), but I never really dug deep into what I wanted out of my university education." And she felt fine throughout her first semester, breezing through presentations and between 20 and 40 per cent class participation tutorials, but a conversation with a friend she had struck, and then haunted her. "I wasn't passionate about what I was studying, nor was I particularly excited about my potential future in banking and finance," she wrote in a lengthy Facebook post that garnered more than 1,300 likes and close to 300 shares. Read her full sharing here: I'> started University 5 years ago in SMU Business School, and today I finally graduated, in Mechanical Engineering.I... Posted by Shinna Lim on Wednesday, 8 July 2015
So, we don't know about you, but we had two huge questions on our minds when we read her sharing.
1. Why, of all things in the world to study, Engineering?!
2. Just how did she do what looks to most of the rest of us to be impossible??
To question one, Lim said Engineering is "revolutionary".
"Engineering has and continues to change the world. The intricacies that go into making an aircraft engine for example, blows my mind," she said.
Yes, as one would expect when it comes to girls going into engineering, Lim got more than her fair share of "It's a very tough course, are you sure?" and "You're a girl, you won't be as competent as the guys", but on the encouragement of her brother, forged ahead unfazed.
Certainly also, her father was not altogether pleased about her grand plan to switch universities.
"He felt that I wasted a semester's worth of school fees, but my mother reassured me that we cannot put a price on education," she said. "But they trusted me in what I was doing. I think my dad sees it now."
The answer to number two is no secret, really, and what you'd grudgingly expect: sheer hard work.
"I didn't know anyone who did worse than me. I was at rock bottom," said Lim, who said she experienced major culture shock when she first started classes at NUS's Mechanical Engineering course. "In lectures, only the professor would be talking and no one asked questions."
As everyone else had already formed their study groups by the time she arrived in second semester, Lim said she took the initiative to make friends, making it a daily routine to pluck up the courage and approach a stranger in class.
"In engineering school, people were mostly introverted and no one would speak to me for no reason. I really had to have a very thick skin."
And thick her skin had to be, indeed — catching up for her was also about trying to be noticed and remembered by lecturers and tutors, so they would know her weaknesses and advise her on areas she needed to focus on.
Thankfully, she said, people eventually opened up to her and even became very helpful through her time there.
Just how hard did she have to work?
Lim would find out the hard way, taking the last-minute-cram approach to her first semester examinations — she ended up failing two modules and barely scraping a pass in two others.
With her 0.63 grade point average, NUS put her on probation for the next two semesters, urging her to see an academic mentor. This drove her to what she describes as a 180-degree switch in her attitude and approach to studying — asking lots of questions in class and going to her professors for consultation.
"I think consulting professors helped me the most because it gives you a peep into their brains and sometimes a rough idea of what was going to come out for exams," she said. "Having a study group is also important because we can learn from each other’s questions and we absorb concepts much more effectively."
If you didn't have the time to read her entire post, Lim is now happily graduated and set to pursue double Masters degrees in Mechatronics and Technology Management (yup, we of course know what both those things are) at the Technical University of Hamburg in Germany.
Her advice to folks contemplating taking the plunge to switch university courses halfway:
1. Be mentally prepared for the tough road ahead.
2. Don't be afraid to ask questions or embarrassing yourself in class, because no one's going to remember what you said an hour later.
3. Put yourself out there and make friends. Dare to be vulnerable.
4. Have conviction and do your best; it'll be worth it in the end.
Top photo courtesy of Shinna Lim.
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Matthew Lim is by all definitions a Singaporean high-flyer — he graduated with first-class honours in Business, majoring in finance and marketing, from the National University of Singapore, and snagged a highly-coveted investment banker position at Credit Suisse, where he started fresh out of school.He is also from a family of high-flyers, though he is shy to admit that — his brother went to Harvard University and is a government scholar, and his sister is a practising lawyer.After about two years in, though, Lim decided to quit his illustrious financial career and start his own company — but not for the reasons you would otherwise expect.At Credit Suisse, Lim says he could pull 16-hour days during peak periods, starting at 10am and finishing between 2 and 3am. He learned a lot in the process, but he wanted “more challenge”.And so start a company he did — Lim went on to create an international tech-startup called Vidy, and with his Canadian co-founder now manages a team of roughly 30, based out of Shanghai and San Francisco.It is now slated to list on Gate.io, a bitcoin exchange based in the U.S. that is one of the 20 largest in existence at the moment.#youngentrepreneurs #tech2020 #startup
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https://mothership.sg/2019/06/matthew-lim-vidy-interview/
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Matthew Lim is by all definitions a Singaporean high-flyer.
The 30-year-old graduated with first-class honours in Business, majoring in finance and marketing, from the National University of Singapore, and snagged a highly-coveted investment banker position at Credit Suisse, where he started fresh out of school.
He is also from a family of high-flyers, though he is shy to admit that — his brother went to Harvard and is a government scholar, and his sister is a practising lawyer.
After about two years in, though, Lim decided to quit his illustrious financial career and start his own company — but not for the reasons you would otherwise expect.
At Credit Suisse, Lim says he could pull 16-hour days during peak periods, starting at 10am and finishing between 2 and 3am, but learned a lot in the process.
"Credit Suisse gave me a lot of good training, in terms of just processor systems, how things are done, how to work more efficiently than other people and that helped me a lot along the way — especially when we’re trying to be lean. I basically had to do everything myself. I could do PowerPoints myself, I could do spreadsheets myself, I could do a lot of things myself."
And he didn't complain about the hours, tough as he admits they were. Why he left was, he says, really because he wanted "more challenge":
"I mean the job is super challenging, don’t get me wrong. But it’s just that I knew I was a bit more entrepreneurial by nature. I’ve always been, so I never really wanted to kind of like, stick to the status quo."
And so start a company he did — Lim went on to create an international tech-startup called Vidy, and with his Canadian co-founder now manages a team of roughly 30, based out of Shanghai and San Francisco.
It is now slated to list on gate.io, a bitcoin exchange based in the U.S. that is one of the 20 largest in existence at the moment.
Met Canadian co-founder through Harvard-going brother
The genesis of companies often is a story of two friends meeting, and Lim's was no different. He tells us that he was still at Credit Suisse when his brother was studying at Harvard, he told Lim about "a really bright guy (who) has some ideas" who he met in school.
"So I decided to have a chat with him and I found him to be really really smart; really intelligent. It’s just very different in terms of the mindset and the thought of what he wanted to do. So that’s when we decided to say 'hey let’s work on something together' tech-related."
The big idea: advertising you can decide to open and watch... or not
This kicked off a lengthy process of brainstorming and reiterating business ideas and models between Lim and Colangelo, until roughly two and a half years ago, when the duo settled on something they hope will revolutionise internet video advertising.
The idea: developing technology to transcribe the spoken (or sung) words (or lyrics, for instance) in a video, and match the clip (or extract of it) to the text that appears in an article you might be reading online.
The text is highlighted, and when a user clicks or holds onto it, a circle with the video extract pops up and starts playing. The viewer can opt to watch the whole thing or click away from it — in the former scenario, a user can earn money (in the form of Vidy's cryptocurrency) from watching these ads or video extracts, while in the latter, that's all that needs to be done; no harm or fuss done.
"So we thought about it like say 'hey, what if I can hide the advertisement behind the text and allow the user to choose whether he is interested?'. So that was the whole idea, which is first of all giving the user a choice... Because users today are being exploited all over the place on the net and with the GDPR regulations (that kicked in last year), the opt-in mentality, it was a timely opportunity to kind of make that change."
Lim and Colangelo's business idea also arose in response to the multiple problems riddling the digital advertising industry today, as it currently stands:
In essence, it's advertising that the user gets to choose to view (or not), gets money (in the form of Vidy's cryptocurrency at this point) for viewing, and is transparent and targeted (indexed according to keywords and topics, embedded when it is mentioned in articles on websites) — things Lim and Colangelo believes constitute the best of everything all parties involved would want.
Potentially very neat.
Heading an international startup: an LDR involving lots of mutual trust
Having started the company in the U.S. with Colangelo, Lim says their first office was opened in San Francisco in 2016, where they hired experienced and talented engineers and developers focused on working on Vidy's technology. But Lim subsequently opened the company's first outpost in Shanghai two years ago, where his team works on marketing, publisher partnerships and business development.
Why Shanghai and not Singapore?
Lim explains that Singapore's market is too small, for one, and also more expensive than Shanghai, where it isn't cheap but still more affordable than here.
"I mean, China’s a huge market and eventually we want to be there, so it’s good to build the team there so that culturally you understand how it works in China. Because for Singaporeans who have never worked in China or who have never been to China or been exposed to China, it’s so different. It’s a whole new universe."
He said it took him awhile to get used to how things were done in Shanghai, and there is so much to learn, even in everyday interactions.
"It’s just a very different environment, and I think it’s not as straightforward as Singapore; and that’s why I think for long term it was better to start in Shanghai, rather than Singapore because from Shanghai (if) you want to come to Singapore it’s easy. From Singapore, you want to go to Shanghai it’s impossible, you take two years, right? And that’s why we decided to start there. And eventually from Shanghai to go to Taiwan to go to Japan, Korea, it’s quite near. So there’s a strategic reason for that, yeah. But more importantly we wanted to get to know China better... ultimately the big market is China."
It was definitely the nature of Lim's relationship with Colangelo that resulted in the international nature of Vidy as a startup — a unique situation compared to most others, which are usually based in one location in their initial stages.
In fact, Lim says they talked about the business idea they had in mind to start together over six months before they would meet in person for the first time. But they hit it off swimmingly, and Lim feels they've got the right mix of complementary and matching interests and visions for the company.
"Sometimes you know we call it fate that we get along well, we trust each other, we have the same mentality, the same mindset, so there wasn’t a problem working remotely for a bit until we got together. Obviously even now, he comes to Asia quite often, I go to San Francisco quite often, even as we are remote, you know. I trust that he knows what he’s doing with the team there with the development. He trusts me to do the business development, you know the markets in Asia and stuff. And we always trust each other to make decisions. Sometimes he’ll just leave it to me to make the decision whether we should get this investment or not or whether we should approach this person or not, he trusts me. So we give each other that due respect, and I think that’s what made it possible; otherwise it would be really tough, a battle you know, especially if you don’t trust each other and stuff like that. I think that was what made it very easy for us to manage."
"The only time something fails is when you give up"
Interestingly, Lim doesn't seem to have a "what if all this fails" backup plan.
"I think Patrick and myself we never ever thought about what if this fails. Realistically we should, but we don’t think about it because I think the only time it fails is when you give up, right? Then it fails. Because if you don’t give up, and you continue to work on it and you continue… you always find a way, right?"
But he and Colangelo are conscious of the need to be flexible and adaptable to change — so crucial, particularly in a rapidly changing digital environment and space — and are attentive to feedback and advice.
He also admits that while he thought Credit Suisse was a tough job, the startup life has been way more challenging — especially dealing with teams across different timezones.
"There is no night, no day. Because think about it, so we operate in Asia, but then also there’s the U.S. team. So sometimes at night I need to speak to the team in the States, to update them on what happened here and also get updates from them on products. So it’s kind of round the clock, I mean it’s quite bad, you know it’s really stressful and it’s tiring but I think that’s the fun of it... it’s just non-stop; it’s really non-stop, because there are so many aspects."
As the face of the company, Lim also does entertainment appointments with investors, advisers and potential investors and advisers, apart from managing his team, doing higher-level strategising and on the whole, fighting everyday fires.
"At Credit Suisse I still had a boss. You still have a superior, so if I’m done with this, I hand it in, and I don’t have to care about it. Here, I have to care because I answer for it. So I think it’s more of the mental stress as well, not just the physical work. It’s just very tiring mentally."
I was also interested to hear what his undoubtedly Singaporean parents thought of all this — namely, Lim's daring jump from investment banking into something completely new, unknown and without any guarantees or promise of success or salary that is anywhere close to what he was earning at Credit Suisse.
His reflection on this is quite instructive, though, all his ongoing hardship that he shares with a shy smile only because I ask about it notwithstanding:
"I mean, they’ve always given me the independence to do what I want... I told them that look, I made a plan for it, obviously I’ve saved enough money you know, from the years in Credit Suisse and so on. And honestly I learned a lot during this journey... If I had stayed in Singapore and continued my job, I’d probably just be very Singaporean, you know just be like Singapore Singapore. I would not know China as it is today if I never had gone outside, so I think it’s great, I don’t regret it at all. But I do see the upside in the project, I do see the potential for this to be really huge if we do it right. But obviously you know, there’s a lot of things to be done, a lot of hard work to be put into. But it’s worth it, I think."
Top photo courtesy of Matthew Lim
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Amanda Chong is a Cambridge and Harvard-trained lawyer with has a strong interest in gender justice. She has served on the United Nations Expert Group on the international legal definition of trafficking in persons.‘Journeying into feeling’ is an essay contributed by Chong about her experience helping migrant mothers in Jalan Kukoh.“Given the rapid trajectory of the Singapore story, many of us are separated from poverty by a single generation. Yet, while the majority have joined the middle class, there are some who still live like my father did as a boy.To the poor, society can appear to be suffering from collective amnesia about their struggles.Just opposite Robertson Quay, a district frequented by the well-heeled for brunch and yoga, is one of Singapore’s poorest neighbourhoods—Jalan Kukoh.We often disparage choices that the poor make without understanding the context in which they were made. It is easy to dismiss their choices as irresponsible or ignorant.[Therefore,] storytelling is also a tool of empowerment: it fixes people as the protagonists in their own lives and allows them to communicate the values and expectations which informed their decisions.”#storytelling #society #migrants
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https://mothership.sg/2020/12/amanda-chong-jalan-kukoh/
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Mothership and The Birthday Collective are in collaboration to share a selection of essays from the 2017 edition of The Birthday Book.
The Birthday Book (which you can buy here) is a collection of essays about Singapore by 52 authors from various walks of life. These essays reflect on the narratives of their lives, that define them as well as Singapore's collective future.
"Journeying into feeling" is an essay contributed by Amanda Chong, a Cambridge and Harvard-trained lawyer. She has a strong interest in gender justice and has served on the United Nations Expert Group on the international legal definition of trafficking in persons.
Chong' essay, which was written in 2017, is reproduced in full here:
By Amanda Chong
My first encounter with storytelling was through my father, who would tell me two different kinds of stories on sleepy car rides.
The first kind featured a hobbit traversing treacherous territory with a ring in his pocket. The second kind were stories from his childhood in a one-room flat in Geylang Serai.
I heard of how he slept shoulder-to-shoulder with five siblings under a table. Sometimes, he rummaged through bins in the market for bruised fruit to quell his stomach’s rumblings. At nights, driven by a deeper hunger, he studied by the buzzing light of the common corridor.
Both kinds of stories seemed equally fantastical to me, as a child ensconced in a life where I knew no unmet need.
But, as stories tend to do, they opened my eyes to lives outside the borders of my own experience.
Entrenched privilege & the slowing engines of social mobility
Given the rapid trajectory of the Singapore story, many of us are separated from poverty by a single generation. Yet, while the majority have joined the middle class, there are some who still live like my father did as a boy.
As privilege has become entrenched, the engines of social mobility have slowed, and it is harder today for families to escape the poverty cycle. These families often go unseen, and their isolation deepens the inequalities they face as well as weakens their trust in institutions.
To the poor, society can appear to be suffering from collective amnesia about their struggles.
A woman living in a low-income neighbourhood once told me: “In Singapore, I am alone. I have to be strong… No one is here to protect me. If you show people your weakness, they will condemn you.”
Jalan Kukoh: The "invisible" community
Just opposite Robertson Quay, a district frequented by the well-heeled for brunch and yoga, is one of Singapore’s poorest neighbourhoods—Jalan Kukoh.
The neighbourhood is cut off from the wider Chinatown community by a highway, rendered invisible to the city around it.
It was in Jalan Kukoh that my friends and I started the ReadAble literacy programme for children in 2014. Many of our students have migrant mothers who do not speak English and Singaporean fathers who are either deceased or incarcerated.
Some migrant mothers are unable to work as they do not have the requisite immigration status; they have no choice but to rely on charitable handouts.
Others work low-wage jobs as cleaners or hawker assistants and struggle with the burden of childcare.
The power of inviting someone to tell their story
It was through interacting with these migrant mothers that I discovered the power of storytelling—for the person who tells it and for those who listen. Inviting someone to tell their story immediately diminishes isolation.
It is a way of saying: “We are equals. Your truth is significant to me.”
Several women expressed that nobody had wanted to hear their stories before.
A Cambodian woman who had been trafficked into prostitution in Vietnam, before marrying a Singaporean man, said, “I want people to hear my story. Sometimes I type fragments into my handphone, but I fear no one will ever read it. I have never experienced the warmth of a home or a parent’s love. I have never experienced love at all.”
The word “empathy” has its origins in the Greek word “empatheia”—“em”, into; “pathos”, feeling.
It implies journeying into the unknown landscape of someone else’s emotions.
It demands that we jettison our own lenses of viewing the world and allow another to guide us through the cartographies of their lived experience.
Empathy is ultimately an act fuelled by the imagination, and storytelling is its vital precursor.
Having a better understanding of the choices that the poor make
We often disparage choices that the poor make without understanding the context in which they were made. It is easy to dismiss their choices as irresponsible or ignorant.
Why does the woman who suffers domestic violence stay with her husband? Why does the mother persistently ignore text messages from volunteers who are offering free tuition to her children? Why does the ten-year old girl refuse to speak in class when she is perfectly articulate in the playground?
By listening to their stories, I learned that the woman chooses to stay with her abusive partner because he sponsors her long-term visit pass. To leave him would be to risk separation from her Singaporean children and, worse still, leaving them in his negligent care.
The mother does not respond to texts from volunteers because, after buying the week’s groceries, she does not have enough money to top up the credit on her handphone.
The girl refuses to speak in class because she is myopic, and has always seen the whiteboard as a vague blur. She remains silent to hide her deep shame that, at Primary 4, she still does not know how to read.
How storytelling can be empowering
Storytelling is also a tool of empowerment: it fixes people as the protagonists in their own lives and allows them to communicate the values and expectations which informed their decisions.
It is tempting to consider marginalised people as objects to be acted upon or problems to be solved. For example, we may believe that the actions of the poor are structurally compelled, and determined solely by their socio-economic circumstances.
Listening to their stories forces us to consider them as individuals with complex motivations who are actively strategising within constraints and exercising their agency.
The insufficient recognition of agency can fix people in dependent positions, and these patterns of value may be institutionalised in laws and policies.
For example, stereotyping migrant wives as vulnerable victims of socio-economic circumstance reinforces the idea that they are burdens to society, and may feed into the State’s rationale for denying them permanent residence and citizenship.
However, recognising agency compels us to think of social change in terms of building the capacity of marginalised people, as opposed to prescribing decisions and values to them. We trust their ability to use these endowments to make choices which advance their own circumstances.
Listening to the stories of those in the margins can inspire us to turn empathy into action
I was particularly moved by Su, an Indonesian woman who married an elderly Singaporean man.
Her husband died, leaving her with a young daughter. Su is committed to her daughter’s education, although she is not educated herself.
She insists on giving her daughter spelling tests, even as her daughter has to first teach Su how to read out the words. She worries that she is not a good mother given her limited resources. Su tells me, “I have to teach my daughter, you do not have a daddy. There are things that cannot be yours. You are different.”
Listening to the stories of migrant mothers inspired my co-workers and I to include them in our literacy programme. We build their capacity in functional English, so they are empowered to navigate life in Singapore.
We teach them how to read letters from schools and government agencies, fill out forms, and even give spelling tests to their children.
Perhaps the greatest virtue of storytelling is that journeying into feeling with another can inspire one to walk alongside them. In a society where isolation is deepening rifts, storytelling can open up border-crossings and draw experiences from society’s margins back into the centre.
It begins with a deliberate act of listening. It is then up to us to turn empathy into action.
Related:
Top photos via Amanda Chong/FB, Google Streetview.
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“If you’re working out there, it’s always better to be a multi-tooled Swiss army knife, than to be a single blade,” says Bernard Yeo, a 39-year-old trainee our writer met when joined a SkillsFuture SG for aspiring therapy assistants.The SkillsFuture course our writer attended had around 15 trainees, most of which appeared to be between the ages of 40 to 60.This made him realise that it’s never too late to start learning new things. Through this programme, jobseekers can acquire relevant skills to gain better employment opportunities, and even receive a training allowance during the duration of the course.Course fees can also be offset using SkillsFuture Credit.#upskill #training #career
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https://mothership.sg/2020/12/skillsfuture-reskilling-therapy-assistants/
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“Hey, how would you like to take some time off work to learn something new?”
This was offered to me by my editor in the middle of a particularly busy week, which made it even more appealing.
Since I’m a really big fan of not going to the office lifelong learning, I decided to take up her generous offer.
This was how I ended up standing outside a classroom within the HMI Institute at 9am on a Wednesday.
My goal for the day? Join a class for aspiring therapy assistants, and try not to do anything too stupid.
I felt like I was in school again
When I first entered the classroom, the first thing that struck me were the trainees: there were only around 15 trainees, most of which appeared to be between the ages of 40 to 60.
The scene was similar to what one would expect in a university or polytechnic setting, and makes me feel like I was in school again.
There were a few pockets of trainees in each corner of the classroom, chatting to each other while enjoying a quick breakfast.
I spied a few of them poring over their notes and consulting each other on things they did not understand.
I found out later that the course I was attending has a blended learning structure, meaning that trainees attend a mix of online Zoom classes for course content, and physical lessons to consolidate their knowledge and to apply the skills they have learnt in a practical setting.
Everyone was clamouring to speak up
The instructor, Phyllis, entered the classroom soon after I arrived, and the trainees settled down quickly.
She did a quick revision with the class, quizzing them on the content they’ve learnt yesterday.
Trainees in the therapy assistant course at HMI Institute learn a variety of different things.
For example, they will learn how to read vital signs, how to deal with a patient’s needs (both physically and mentally), how to respond to any medical emergencies, among many others.
This is quite an intensive course too.
I was shocked to learn that lessons begin at 9am, and typically only ended in the evening -- this is longer than most of the school days I had in university (and back then, I recall feeling perpetually tired).
As I observed my fellow classmates, I was surprised to see that their hands shot up into the air every time she asked a question.
Some were so eager to respond that they would shout the answer out loud in class, and it was heartening to see the proud looks on their faces when they got it correct.
And while I was quietly trying to hide my lack of knowledge, which sometimes got a bit technical, this was not the strategy employed by everyone else.
It appeared that nobody was shy to either ask or answer questions, which was very different from what I was accustomed to seeing in university.
After all, when I was still studying, it wasn’t uncommon for the teacher to ask a question, just for the whole class to remain silent.
While we may have been too embarrassed to speak up in class, perhaps due to the fear of getting the answer wrong, I saw no such apprehension in this class.
Healthcare support workers are equally important
We soon got into the practical portion of the class, which involved learning how to use a machine to measure one’s blood pressure and heart rate.
While I’ve been hooked onto one of these machines multiple times in my life, I realised I’ve no idea how to operate one now that the tables are turned.
As I fumbled helplessly with one of the machines, one of the trainees, 39-year-old Bernard Yeo, kindly helped me.
Yeo was previously working in the construction and engineering industry for the last 15 years, making this therapy assistant course completely different from the work he’s used to doing.
In November 2019, Yeo’s company ceased operations, prompting him to take a short break while looking for new opportunities.
During his search, Yeo’s wife reignited his childhood interest in healthcare, and recommended him to join the course in HMI Institute.
Yeo also noted that the healthcare and community care sector is likely to require more manpower in the near future, especially due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also told me that therapy assistants may not receive as much recognition as the frontline medical workers, but are equally vital to the healthcare system.
“A lot of people just think that Covid-19 is all about the frontline people: the nurses and the doctors. But there’s also people at the back that take care of recovering patients. A lot of them have respiratory issues, a lot of them still need to go through therapy. And they need people like us,” said Yeo.
Therapy is more than just exercise
At this point, perhaps sensing my incompetence (I was still fiddling with the machine), Yeo switched places with me, and swiftly demonstrated how to operate it properly.
During this time, he shared with me his inspiration for wanting to become a therapist.
He told me that when he was serving his National Service (NS), he injured his lower spine during a training exercise in Brunei.
He said that he had to undergo therapy, which made him see the positive effects of rehabilitation, and the importance of a good therapist.
During his time in the construction industry, Yeo also saw the negative effects of not adhering to therapy after receiving an injury.
He said that many of his workers do not take therapy seriously after being injured, and many do the required exercises half-heartedly.
Yeo emphasised the importance of being a therapist who can communicate well with patients, ensuring that they follow up with their therapy regularly.
“It needs to come across to them as something more than just exercise, or a one-time session”, said Yeo.
The transition from work to study was not difficult
As I spoke to Yeo, I was amazed at how he managed to fit right into his role as a therapy assistant trainee, despite having not studied for so many years.
He said that the transition from managing a team of workers to studying was not a difficult task, since it was all about mindset.
In fact, he said he was really excited on his first day, likening it to attending the first day of school.
Yeo also said that since the course is very practical in nature, the trainees are able to understand concepts more easily, despite their more advanced age.
And what of his classmates?
According to Yeo, they all attended the course with “a sense of purpose”, which explains the enthusiasm I witnessed in the class.
After a brief coffee break, the class returned with even more rigour, which is really surprising considering how we have been at this for almost two hours already.
“They don’t know, they will ask each other. So this is how we learn here. Even if it’s wrong, I think they will also correct each other in a positive way. Not like kids in a primary school,” said Yeo as he practices taking the temperature for one of his coursemates.
While I was already quite tired (systolic? diastolic? what do these numbers even mean?), the rest of the class seemed to be raring to go.
Having a positive attitude is key to any difficult situation
I left the session with a new-found respect for anyone willing to get out of their comfort zone, and try something completely new.
I learnt from Yeo that having a positive attitude is the most important step in tackling any difficult situation.
Although he downplayed the difficulties he faced at times (Yeo was consistently the liveliest person in the class), I could tell that making such a decision certainly wasn’t easy for him.
Still, his optimism really shone throughout the class, as I observed him asking the instructor yet another question (“eh, does alcohol affect your body temperature?”).
This therapy assistant course is conducted by HMI Institute, and is part of the SGUnited Skills Programme.
Through this programme, jobseekers can acquire relevant skills to gain better employment opportunities, and even receive a training allowance during the duration of the course.
Course fees can also be offset using SkillsFuture Credit.
According to Yeo, the best aspect of the programme is how it allows him to branch out into different fields of work.
“If you’re working out there, it’s always better to be a multi-tooled Swiss army knife, than to be a single blade”.
Top image via HMI Institute.
This sponsored article made the writer realise that it’s never too late to start learning new things.
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Video conferencing app Zoom Video Communications said on Dec. 15, 2020 that the company will be setting up a research and development centre in Singapore, as part of its plan to expand its presence in the country.The company will also be hiring hundreds of engineering staff for the new operation, according to Reuters.According to Zoom’s media release, the launch of a R&D center in Singapore represents Zoom’s strategy of developing its leading communications technology in multiple locations globally.There are currently 12 open roles based in Singapore, according to Zoom’s career portal.#technology #videoconferencingsolutions #hiring
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https://mothership.sg/2020/12/zoom-setting-up-rd-centre-in-spore-will-hire-hundreds-of-engineering-staff/
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Video conferencing app Zoom Video Communications said on Dec. 15, 2020 that the company will be setting up a research and development centre in Singapore, as part of its plan to expand its presence in the country.
Zoom to hire hundreds of engineering staff for new operations in S'pore
The company will also be hiring hundreds of engineering staff for the new operation, according to Reuters.
Zoom will also be doubling its capacity at its data centre in Singapore launched earlier in August this year.
"Singapore is pro-business, ranks as one of the friendliest countries to set up a company, and continues to be a favorite for regional headquarters as it boasts exceptional talent, strong infrastructure, and is a perfect gateway for engaging the wider APAC region," said Velchamy Sankarlingam, President of Product and Engineering for Zoom.
He added that the company plans to leverage on Singapore's "highly-educated engineering talent pool" to immediately hire more employees, mentioning that the new R&D centre and existing data centre will be critical to Zoom's expansion internationally.
"Zoom has changed the realm of what we thought was possible. We can work from anywhere rather than a fixed location. We can brainstorm, learn or even have dinner and drinks together remotely," said Chng Kai Fong, the Managing Director of the Economic Development Board (EDB).
According to Zoom's media release, the launch of a R&D center in Singapore represents Zoom’s strategy of developing its leading communications technology in multiple locations globally.
Zoom's rapid growth in 2020
There are currently 12 open roles based in Singapore, according to Zoom's career portal.
2020 has been a massive year for Zoom, after seeing its revenue soar over four times compared to 2019.
According to CNBC, as of September 2020, the company's market cap sat at more than US$129 billion, up from $25 billion a year ago.
Its user base saw a tremendous increase after businesses and organisations turned to telecommuting and virtual meetings as the Covid-19 pandemic rapidly spread across the world.
Top image via Unsplash
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“Society has conditioned us to celebrate a life lived when an adult passes on, but we hush a baby’s death, like it’s something to hide.” Joan Leong, a volunteer photographer who photographs babies who die at birth, believes that photographs serve as a timeless reminder of the child.‘Seeing Life and Photographing Death’ is an essay by Leong, a media professional who is a volunteer photographer with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.“I, too, had a sister who passed on a few days after birth.We did have a photograph taken with the baby, quite possibly by someone from the hospital, using a disposable film camera.We hardly looked at the picture, nor have we talked about the baby since.Through my years of working with bereaved parents, I realised I was providing different forms of grief support. We are helping the babies be seen, however brief their existence may have been.The black and white images serve as a timeless, tangible reminder that their child was here, and is remembered, loved and missed every day.In this work I do, I have come to recognise how important and powerful a single image can be, in giving the gift of eternal memories of a loved one whose time was heartbreakingly short-lived.”#photography #photographer #family
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https://mothership.sg/2020/12/singapore-photographer-babies-death-commentary/
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COMMENTARY: "Society has conditioned us to celebrate a life lived when an adult passes on, but we hush a baby's death, like it's something to hide." Joan Leong, a volunteer photographer who photographs babies who die at birth, believes that photographs serve as a timeless reminder of the child.
Mothership and The Birthday Collective are in collaboration to share a selection of essays from the 2020 edition of The Birthday Book.
The Birthday Book (which you can buy here) is a collection of essays about Singapore by 55 authors from various walks of life. These essays reflect on the narratives of their lives, that define them as well as Singapore's collective future.
"Seeing Life and Photographing Death" is an essay contributed by Leong, a media professional who is a volunteer photographer with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.
By Joan Leong
Sometimes I get an unknown number calling my phone.
The voice at the end of the line is stoic.
“Hi, I’m very sorry to disturb you. But my baby has just died, and I was wondering if it would be alright that you come and help photograph him.”
We often have few photos to remember babies who die at birth
I have been a volunteer photographer with the organisation, Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, for more than a decade.
We are a group of professional photographers, located worldwide, who help parents photograph their babies who die at birth.
Many would deem the work that we do macabre, but I knew I wanted to volunteer for the organisation the minute I found out about it.
The organisation was formed in 2005 as a non-profit organisation, and inspired by one of the co-founders, Cheryl Haggard, having professional photographs taken of her baby son when he passed on.
The organisation exists to give bereaved families the gift of professional heirloom portraits of their babies to remember them by.
As a photographer, I subscribe to the practice of capturing the moment, saving memories to savour again.
When adults pass on, we often have a lifetime of photos of and with them; but with babies, we may only have those few hours of pictures, if at all.
A baby's death shouldn't be something that is hidden
I, too, had a sister who passed on a few days after birth.
This was in the eighties. Photography was not the trend du jour, as it is now with our easy access to iPhone or Samsung phone cameras.
We did have a photograph taken with the baby, quite possibly by someone from the hospital, using a disposable film camera.
The photo was a quick snap of our grim faces, with my dad carrying baby Jasmine.
We hardly looked at the picture, nor have we talked about the baby since.
Society has conditioned us to celebrate a life lived when an adult passes on. But we hush a baby’s death like it is something to hide—for some, the experience still carries with it the themes of stigma, shame, and guilt.
Yet a life—any life—deserves to be celebrated and treasured.
Around the world, more parents are choosing to have professional photos taken of their stillborn or dying babies, facilitating the grieving process by allowing themselves the time and space to honour their babies.
In those painful moments of death, we celebrate life.
Through my years of working with bereaved parents, I realised I was providing different forms of grief support. We are helping the babies be seen, however brief their existence may have been.
Photos serve as a timeless reminder of the child
By providing these heirloom photographs for the parents, we are helping them preserve their child’s memory.
The black and white images serve as a timeless, tangible reminder that their child was here, and is remembered, loved and missed every day.
Parents appreciate that I am there as a photographer—without emotional baggage, simply listening and guiding them through this confusing time.
One common thread from parents is that they do not have the capacity to look after the emotions of their family and friends.
While most of us think we are supporting grieving parents by sharing our feelings (thereby showing that we are as sad as they are for their loss), our good intentions may actually add more stress on the parents as they feel they have to tend to our feelings instead of processing their own.
A single image can be a powerful one
If the parents allow me to, I try to stay in touch with them. I want to celebrate with them the other milestones that they experience after one of their most difficult times.
Some share their joy in conceiving again, which will either find me traipsing down to the hospital to photograph the newborn or organising a family photoshoot at a later date.
The photograph has always been viewed as a tool that captures a moment in time. Memories, keepsakes, pictures of our travels, birthdays, graduations, special events.
In this day and age, billions of people around the world are producing photographs every second—sometimes, not realising the importance of memories they are capturing.
In this work I do, I have come to recognise how important and powerful a single image can be, in giving the gift of eternal memories of a loved one whose time was heartbreakingly short-lived.
If you happen to be in the education space and think this essay may be suitable as a resource (e.g. for English Language, General Paper or Social Studies lessons), The Birthday Collective has an initiative, “The Birthday Workbook”, that includes discussion questions and learning activities based on The Birthday Book essays. You can view the Workbook issue for this essay here, and sign up for The Birthday Workbook newsletter at bit.ly/TBBeduresource
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Top image via Joan Leong.
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A Malaysian woman who achieved her dream of becoming a flight attendant said she remains thankful despite being laid off due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has impacted the aviation industry.Former Singapore Airlines (SIA) girl Melisa Yon said she managed to pass the interview at SIA back in 2018 at the age of 19, attaining her dream of becoming an air stewardess.She had wanted to be a flight attendant since she was 16, and had started applying for such jobs after she graduated high school.When she learnt that she got into SIA, she was ecstatic.Her work gradually lessened due to the impact of Covid-19 — she only had two trips in a month in February this year.To save on living expenses, she returned to Malaysia on April 1, and was finally able to see her family and spend time with them.In July and August, Yon and her colleagues started hearing rumours of a retrenchment exercise that was supposedly coming up.The rumours turned out to be true. Yon said: “They have also decided to lay off the newer employees first (those who have worked for less than two years), and I’m one of the newer staff.”Nevertheless, Yon does not regret her flying experience at all as she has already fulfilled her dream.“I’ve tried, and that’s enough for me,” she said.#flightattendant #covid
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https://mothership.sg/2020/12/malaysian-air-stewardess-sia-covid-19/
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A Malaysian woman who achieved her dream of becoming a flight attendant said she remains thankful despite being laid off due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has impacted the aviation industry.
Achieved her dream at 19
In a lengthy Facebook post published on Thursday (Dec. 17), the former Singapore Airlines (SIA) girl Melisa Yon said she managed to pass the interview at Singapore Airlines back in 2018 at the age of 19, attaining her dream of becoming an air stewardess.
She had wanted to be a flight attendant since she was 16, and had started applying for such jobs after she graduated high school.
But before she was accepted by SIA, she failed all the interviews she went for, including the one at Air Asia.
When she learnt that she got into SIA, she was ecstatic.
She said in her post: "I can't believe that I actually passed the interviews... I kept wondering how did I manage to get it, and kept doubting myself, but then I finally said 'since I've already succeeded, I must give it my all'.”
Yon then recounted her training days, when she had to "rebatch" by joining a new class after she failed three tests six weeks into the 16-week training.
She also hit back at the naysayers who discouraged her from pursuing her dream, saying: "To those that told me those who want to become flight attendants are 'all hopeless at studying' and 'think they are very pretty (when they are not)', now I've truly achieved my goal and defied their expectations!"
After she completed her training, Yon finally started on her work assignments.
Went to many countries for work
On her flying assignments, she said she visited many countries that she had always wanted to go since she was a child, such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and France.
But her work gradually lessened due to the impact of Covid-19 -- she only had two trips in a month in February this year.
To save on living expenses, she returned to Malaysia on April 1, and was finally able to see her family and spend time with them.
Pandemic affected many
But as the pandemic dragged on, her work continued to be affected. Since she had no income in Malaysia, she wanted to return to Singapore, but that could not be done.
Yon continued to say that in July and August, she and her colleagues started hearing rumours of a retrenchment exercise that was supposedly coming up.
The rumours turned out to be true. Yon said: "They have also decided to lay off the newer employees first (those who have worked for less than two years), and I'm one of the newer staff."
Recounting her feelings when she received her termination letter, she said: "I cried when I saw the email informing me that I've been let go... the company retrenched 4,300 of its staff, and I'm simply one of them, should I take comfort in that?"
She added that as she was unable to attend the conference held for retrenched staff in Singapore, her company called to inform her of all the terms that she needed to know.
"The company laid me off in just 10 minutes," she said.
Nevertheless, Yon said she does not regret her flying experience at all as she has already fulfilled her dream.
"I've tried, and that's enough for me," she said.
Yon now manages an indoor hydroponic farm in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Totally unrelated but follow and listen to our podcast here
Top image adapted via Melisa Yon's Facebook
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In Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s address on Monday (Dec. 14), he thanked Singaporeans for complying with the various Covid-19 measures, and announced that Singapore will be entering Phase 3 in two weeks’ time, on Dec. 28, 2020.The government will ease capacity limits in public places, such as malls and attractions, as well as places of worship.More significantly, groups of up to eight people will now be able to congregate during Phase 3, up from the current maximum of five.This means that eight people can dine out together, or visit someone’s home, according to PM Lee.#singapore #covid19 #phase3
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https://mothership.sg/2020/12/pm-lee-phase-3-groups-of-eight/
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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed the nation on Monday (Dec. 14), providing Singaporeans an update on the current Covid-19 situation.
In his speech, PM Lee thanked Singaporeans for complying with the various Covid-19 measures, and announced that Singapore will be entering Phase 3 in two weeks' time, on Dec. 28, 2020.
Government will ease capacity limits in public places
The government will ease capacity limits in public places, such as malls and attractions, as well as places of worship.
More significantly, groups of up to eight people will now be able to congregate during Phase 3, up from the current maximum of five.
This means that eight people can dine out together, or visit someone's home, according to PM Lee.
PM Lee said that further details on Phase 3 will be explained by the Ministerial Task Force in a follow up press conference.
Phase 3 is possible due to the unity of Singaporeans
During his speech, PM Lee said that it took a "tremendous effort" and "some good luck" for Singapore to bring the Covid-19 situation under control.
He noted that in March and April, Singapore's Covid-19 cases peaked at over 1,000 cases a day, while Singapore has been reporting zero cases of local transmission on most days in recent times.
PM Lee also said that he was glad that Singaporeans have complied with the "spirit, and not just the letter of the rules", by getting used to the inconvenient restrictions and finding ways to carry on with life.
He lauded Singaporeans for staying united, and keeping up their guard during the crisis.
"With everyone's full support, our enhanced safeguards worked, and we could gradually ease our restrictions," said PM Lee.
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Top image via Lee Hsien Loong/FB.
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Ong Swee Ker has been a ComfortDelGro cabby for 12 years. Just recently, the 67-year-old was awarded the National Kindness Award - Transport Gold by Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung.This is his fifth time receiving the award.Ong takes care to keep his taxi stocked with necessities such as snacks, bottled mineral water, umbrellas, and tissue paper.For those who are feeling unwell, he even has lozenges, sour plums and medicated oil as part of his stash.Ong’s taxi is even equipped with charging ports and WiFi for those whose devices are running low on juice.And when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Ong added masks to his inventory as well.#kindness #taxiservice #transport
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/taxi-driver-provision-shop/
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Some taxi drivers help you turn up the air-conditioning or switch the radio station to one of your choice.
One cabby in Singapore however, goes above and beyond to ensure a pleasant and comfortable ride for his passengers.
Fully stocked taxi
ComfortDelGro cabby Ong Swee Ker has essentially transformed his vehicle into a provision shop on wheels.
The 67-year-old takes care to keep his taxi stocked with necessities such as snacks, bottled mineral water, umbrellas, and tissue paper.
For those who are feeling unwell, Ong even has lozenges, sour plums and medicated oil as part of his stash.
And all these items are free for the taking.
Ong's taxi is even equipped with charging ports and WiFi for those whose devices are running low on juice.
When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, he added masks to his inventory as well.
Here is his entire stock displayed.
Won a kindness award
Ong's heartfelt efforts have clearly touched his passengers.
In a post by ComfortDelGro on Facebook, two passengers who boarded from Mount Pleasant Vet Centre, and who had just suffered the loss of their pet dog, found the biscuits and water Ong provided in his vehicle a welcome relief.
The cabby also offered another passenger a mask from a box on his dashboard when she forgot one.
The passenger was so grateful that she wrote to the company to commend Ong.
To reward him for his kind deeds, Ong, who has been a cabby for 12 years, was awarded the National Kindness Award - Transport Gold by Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung.
This is his fifth time winning the award.
You can view ComfortDelGro's full post here.
Top photo from ComfortDelGro / FB
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Vadim Zoubovski and Alena Zubovska, who are from Russia, have been in Singapore for the past 16 years. They run a restaurant, Dumplings.ru, at Tanjong Pagar selling Russian and Ukrainian cuisine.We find out what it’s like living in Singapore from their perspective, and why they decided to sell Russian food in a place where the cuisine is relatively unknown.Vadim, who was born in Ukraine but currently holds a Russian passport, tells Mothership that he moved to Singapore in 2004 with his family because of a job posting.Today, he and his wife, Alena, are now Permanent Residents (PRs). They also have two children, a 13-year-old daughter and 19-year-old son, who grew up here.Alena first started making food and special orders for friends who missed eating Russian food, he says.They eventually started a food business, a takeaway kiosk near Tanjong Pagar MRT in 2019, so more people, not just friends and friends-of-friends, could try their food.Fast forward to January 2020, and they have opened a restaurant in Maxwell Chambers.Going into the F&B business always entails risk, though. Especially when it comes to selling a cuisine that is relatively unknown to locals.“Nowadays people cannot travel. So they travel to try new food. That is what they do now!”#restaurants
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https://mothership.sg/2020/10/couple-russian-dumplings-sg/
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PERSPECTIVE: Vadim Zoubovski and Alena Zubovska, who are from Russia, have been in Singapore for the past 16 years. They run a restaurant, Dumplings.ru, at Tanjong Pagar selling Russian and Ukrainian cuisine.
We find out what it's like living in Singapore from their perspective, and why they decided to sell Russian food in a place where the cuisine is relatively unknown.
I was mindlessly watching Instagram stories when I came across an ad to order Russian dumplings.
Wait a minute, Russian dumplings in Singapore???
Given that the Russian community in Singapore is fairly small (apparently 4,500 as of 2018, according to this South China Morning Post article), and Russian food is rather uncommon in Singapore, I was curious to find out more about the people running the restaurant.
I shoot a (politely-worded and not at all crazed) email to the restaurant telling them that I went to Russia a few years back, and that I was really excited to know that I would finally be able to taste Russian dumplings without travelling 8,000km.
Another email and several WhatsApp messages later, I find myself sitting in Dumplings.ru, a Russian restaurant in Maxwell Chambers owned by a husband and wife team.
On the inside, the restaurant has a homey vintage aesthetic, complete with wooden furniture, warm lighting and vintage posters with Cyrillic script plastered on the walls.
The restaurant, which claims to offer a "Russian dining experience", also has Russian music constantly playing in the background.
(I have to confess that spending two hours in this restaurant sparked my interest in searching for Russian music on Spotify. I have since discovered an actual playlist called "Russian post-punk and sovietwave".)
Rows and rows of Russian Standard vodka (they infuse their own vodkas here, including chilli vodka) are lined up at the bar, along with other alcohol.
The chiller also holds a dizzying array of drinks imported from Russia, including juices with unique flavours, such as pear and banana juice or birch juice, both of which are highly uncommon in Singapore.
Vadim Zoubovski serves us Kvass (a traditional fermented beverage made from rye bread) and kompot (what he describes as "Russian fruit punch" made with blackcurrant and other fruits like cherries or strawberry) as we sit down to chat.
So this is Vadim.
Vadim, who was born in Ukraine but currently holds a Russian passport, tells us that he moved to Singapore in 2004 with his family because of a job posting.
And somehow, they stayed for 16 years.
Today, he and his wife, Alena Zubovska, are now Permanent Residents (PRs). They also have two children, a 13-year-old daughter and 19-year-old son, who grew up here.
Food for people who miss Russian cuisine
Alena first started making food and special orders for friends who missed eating Russian food, he says.
They eventually started a food business, a takeaway kiosk near Tanjong Pagar MRT in 2019, so more people, not just friends and friends-of-friends, could try their food.
Fast forward to January 2020, and they have opened a restaurant in Maxwell Chambers.
Going into the F&B business always entails risk, though. Especially when it comes to selling a cuisine that is relatively unknown to locals.
"It's [a] tricky situation, you wouldn't know whether it would go well. When you [cook] at home, you have minimum risk. Once you expose yourself... It's a lot of investments. Secondly, where its one thing when people try your food for free, and say oh it's nice. Whether they will buy it, is a different story."
"People cannot travel so they travel to try new food"
Curiosity gets the better of me and I ask: How have Singaporeans responded to Russian cuisine? What are the popular items?
Dumplings, of course, are hot favourites. The mixed dumpling platter, borsch, and salted red herring salad have also been popular, he tells me.
"Nowadays people cannot travel. So they travel to try new food. That is what they do now!"
But as with most things in life, you can't please everybody.
For instance, their restaurant serves cold soup, a popular dish in Russia during the summer, but this has gotten mixed reviews. "What we noticed is 50-50. Either people like it and they eat it, or they do one spoon and they don't like at all."
As Vadim introduces their menu to us, he also explains that there is a page for the "main dishes", which includes a selection of stews and rice dishes.
"For us, dumplings is [a] main! You eat 20 dumplings, you full. But apparently, you guys consider it as a starter. Then after dumplings, you ask 'Oh, what is [the] main dish?'"
As someone who can have dumplings (and only dumplings) for lunch, I cannot relate. But I kind of understand what he means, seeing as how some prefer it as an accompanying dish.
Despite saying that no, they really don't have to, Vadim and Alena both insist we try some of their food, and bring out borsch and dumplings for us to try.
Twenty minutes later, my colleague and I have polished off 12 dumplings and two bowls of soup between us.
Russian dumplings, compared to jiaozi or gyozas, are chewier and more doughy (which I don't mind because I love carbs). They are also usually eaten with a generous dollop of sour cream, although vinegar is also an option.
Given that the restaurant serves up "authentic Russian food" and drinks commonly found in Russia but not in Singapore, I notice something that looks seemingly out of place: A bottle of Tabasco sauce.
"That's not from Russia!" I point out. And Vadim agrees.
"Some people here like it really spicy, so we have it here (in our restaurant)."
Eating out in Singapore
As we chat, I also discover some interesting observations that Vadim and Alena have on Singapore life.
Like how, in Singapore, takeaway is easily available and people don't think twice about dining out because affordable options are ubiquitous.
In Russia, however, they're really big on home-cooked food, Vadim tells me. There is even a whole culture surrounding making dumplings together with your family during special occasions.
"[Growing up], we used to eat homemade food. Even though our parents were working all the time they still find that the time to cook... [Now] we still try to keep the standard like, okay, you must have hot soup once a day at least, and there must always be homemade food in the fridge."
After 16 years, things have changed slightly for them, Vadim confesses, and they have come around the idea of eating out more often.
Vadim, who says he enjoys a good roti prata, tells us that his family enjoys eating Chinese food -- particularly shrimp fried rice -- at Din Tai Fung. Which also serves dumplings, I point out.
"Possibly our competitors!" he jokes, before saying that it's "different" from Russian dumplings.
But the one thing he can't seem to wrap his head around, though? Bubble tea.
"Our kids, they go for bubble tea, which I don’t like personally. But they go and buy once the shops opened after Covid (Circuit Breaker)."
"Can't control them, right?" He says. "When they have their own cash, they have more (choices) also."
High heels and fashion
Alena, however, brings up another completely unexpected observation: How women in Singapore don't tend to dress up nor wear high heels very often, apart from special occasions.
I self-consciously glance at my boat shoes (which are clearly not heels), and immediately notice that Alena's wedges are at least four inches high.
She turns to me and starts apologising profusely, before explaining:
"In Russia, the girls always wear high heels. Always, always! Here, it’s like more casual style -- slippers, shorts, t-shirts. When [I] first came, I was wearing high heels, make-up, always nicely dressed, like a model on the street. Here, you may go some fancy restaurant or disco and then you may meet such a girl. But in Russia, it's normal."
I wish I could have Alena's confidence, but to prevent falling flat on my face, I make a mental note to stick to flat-soled shoes.
Running a restaurant on top of his full-time job
I learn that Vadim's office is located at AXA Tower, so he used to pop in during lunchtime and after work hours. His wife, who was previously a homemaker, currently does this full-time.
How do they run a restaurant if he has to be at work most of the time, I ask?
Most of their food (dumplings, salads, desserts and stews) are prepared in advance, Vadim explains, so there is minimal cooking involved.
The kitchen staff would then either help to assemble the pre-made dishes (like soups, stews or salads) or to cook and serve some of the other dishes (crepes or dumplings).
Now, due to the work-from-home situation, Vadim says he can work remotely from the restaurant, which is fortunate since this allows him to help out more.
"You mustn't be getting much sleep," I say, "since you have to run a restaurant on top of your job."
"Sleeping time is very limited," he tells me, adding that they only reach home at around midnight or later when they are done with the food preparations. They also haven't had a single day off this year.
Despite everything, he tells me that doing this is "fun" because it's something he enjoys, and besides, he gets to interact with people while doing so.
And does he intend to keep staying on in Singapore, possibly even making dumplings?
"Another 16 years? Yeah! We don't have plans to move anywhere because our kids are growing up here. Our daughter was born here... Most of our life we live in Singapore. For our kids is like first home, for us is second home."
Right before we leave, Vadim casually mentions that my name, 'Tanya', is pretty common in Russia.
"Not just Tanya, but also Natasha. Or Ivan (pronounced as ee-varn)," he tells me, "One of the guys who works for us, his name is Ivan."
I jokingly tell Vadim that perhaps he has a penchant for hiring locals with Russian names, and maybe I'd be working for him in the future? (To my editor who's reading this: I'm really joking...)
He laughs good-naturedly and tells me that he hopes to see me again. "Come back when we launch our fried dumplings." And after a brief pause, he adds: "Good with beer."
I shoot him a knowing look, and nod.
Top photo by Tanya Ong and Matthias Ang.
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Razer Inc. in Singapore is looking for some 1,000 positions locally, announced Min-Liang Tan, chief executive officer of the gaming hardware and fintech firm, on LinkedIn.#gamingindustry #fintech #hiring
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https://mothership.sg/2021/02/razer-hiring-singapore/
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Razer in Singapore is hiring.
Tan Min-Liang, chief executive officer of Razer, posted on LinkedIn on Monday morning, Feb. 1, about the announcement to fill some 1,000 positions locally.
However, the gaming hardware and fintech firm did not comment on the timeline of hiring, or the types of full-time or contract positions that will be available.
New HQ opening soon
Razer's new Southeast Asia headquarters will officially open in one-north technology business park in the second quarter of 2021.
The new one-north headquarters was originally expected to be ready to be moved into by mid-2020.
Razer's current office is in Chai Chee industrial estate.
Tan also posted on LinkedIn and social media about the installation of the company's iconic triple-headed snake logo on the front of the building on Sunday, Jan. 31.
The headquarters' exterior will showcase Razer's Chroma lighting technology.
Background
Razer is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
Its new S$100 million building is seven storeys, with 19,300 sqm of office space, research and development laboratories, and design studios.
The project is developed by Boustead Projects' joint venture firm, while Echo Base, a start-up that incorporates next-generation technologies in real estate developments and which is backed by Tan, is reportedly also involved.
All photos via Tan Min-Liang
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Though it was almost 15 years ago, Alvin Ng still has vivid memories of his first encounter with a guide dog.“You know for the sighted, (they have a phrase) ‘Love at first sight’? For me it was love at first touch,” Ng said.Ng lost his sight at the age of 31 in abrupt and unexpected circumstances.He’d been sitting for his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) after completing a term of service as a regular with the military.Seemingly enjoying his physical prime, Ng didn’t have much cause for concern when all of a sudden he was struck with a month-long fever.Two weeks after he’d handed in his thesis for his MBA, Ng collapsed.It turned out that Ng was suffering from a rare auto-immune disease, though it was a complication during his coma that led to his loss of eyesight.Having first encountered and learned about guide dogs in 2006 (which were virtually unheard of in Singapore at the time), it was six years before Ng finally got the opportunity to get one for himself.He sat in a room waiting for a guide-dog handling instructor to bring Seretta in. When she finally arrived, the first thing she did was to scratch Ng’s hand.“As they say, the rest is history,” said a chuckling Ng.Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped#handicap #animal #blindness
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https://mothership.sg/2020/12/alvin-ng-guide-dog-interview/
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Though it was almost 15 years ago, Alvin Ng still has vivid memories of his first encounter with a guide dog.
"You know for the sighted, (they have a phrase) ‘Love at first sight’? For me it was love at first touch," he said to me.
By this point, Ng — then 40 — had been blind for around eight years, and adapting to the circumstances had not been easy.
A chance meeting saw Ng chatting with one of the first guide dog handlers in Singapore outside the library at the Singapore Association Of The Visually Handicapped.
He remembered clearly how calm the dog was, laying obediently at its handler’s feet.
It was a far cry from the dogs he’d encountered in the past — a particularly traumatic experience of being chased by one as a young boy had since scarred Ng and made him afraid of canines.
Yet, curiosity piqued by the contrastingly docile animal, Ng began to brush his fingers along its short-haired coat.
"I had this expansion feeling," he said.
"This consciousness expansion feeling. It’s like ‘wow’. So after that, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. So the next day, I got the guy’s number and called him: ‘Can you get me a guide dog?’"
"The last scene I can remember"
Ng lost his sight at the age of 31 in abrupt and unexpected circumstances.
He’d been sitting for his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) after completing a term of service as a regular with the military.
"I considered myself quite fit," said Ng, describing how in his younger days he’d consistently clock in sub-nine minute timings for his 2.4km runs.
Seemingly enjoying his physical prime, Ng didn’t have much cause for concern when all of a sudden he was struck with a month-long fever.
"I was hospitalised but nothing could be found," he said, explaining that with the fever came painful sensations in his joints.
His brother-in-law, a physician, treated Ng and eventually they managed to control the symptoms of the mysterious illness.
"That time I was still young so I thought nothing of it. I thought it would be cured. I still went to work… I was young, I never thought that something bad was going to happen."
But soon Ng’s condition would take a turn for the worst. Two weeks after he’d handed in his thesis for his MBA, Ng collapsed.
"Sunday morning, 14 December, suddenly my eyes became blur," Ng remembered.
He informed his brother-in-law, who he was staying with at the time, and they decided that Ng should go to the hospital for a check.
"The last scene I can remember — the last scene I saw — was that they drew the curtain for me to change. That was the last thing I could remember, I was putting my watch, my handphone, my wallet into the drawer," said Ng.
"That's about all."
10 in a million
It turned out that Ng was suffering from a rare auto-immune disease, though it was a complication during his coma that led to his loss of eyesight.
"Unfortunately, the (auto-immune disease) was so severe that I lapsed into coma and seven days (in) I actually was attacked by this complication called TTP. The full name is thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura."
The blood disorder — found in about 10 in a million individuals — causes blood clots to form in small blood vessels throughout the body. These clots block the delivery of oxygen to the body’s organs.
When Ng first regained consciousness 26 days after his collapse, he was still able to see colors and shapes — "I was quite ok."
But because the blood vessels supplying oxygenated blood to his eyes were blocked, Ng’s body compensated by growing new vessels around the blockages.
However, the new vessels were abnormal and weak, causing them to burst and fill Ng’s eyes with blood.
With the blood not draining fast enough, Ng’s eye specialist feared that the increased fluid would damage his retina and render him totally blind.
Deciding that damage control was the best course of action, she used a laser to burn off the blood vessels in his retina and salvage what she could of Ng’s eyesight.
"Walking is like horrifying"
Today, Ng has the ability to perceive light, but nothing else.
During our interview, I was seated about 1.5m in front of him, but Ng was none the wiser.
“I only can hear your voice. I also don’t know how far you are from me.”
As you might imagine, getting used to life without sight was not easy.
“For me everything I had to learn to do the blind way — my way. I didn’t have a very good rehab program… all was like my own trial and error.”
Simple tasks such as making a cup of instant coffee became a daunting exercise of grit for Ng, one that involved much fumbling and frequent scaldings.
“How do you know if the cup is full or not? You put your finger in!” said Ng, laughing.
“Walking is like horrifying. You walk into furniture, you walk into walls. What I hated the most was doors (that were) not open completely or closed completely. When you walk there and bang into the corner of the door — you can try it — it's very very painful.”
Despite his relative sense of humour about the situation now, Ng told me that those first few years were indeed very hard and downright depressing.
After losing sight he mostly stayed at home; Ng’s wife told him: “If you go out, I don’t have the peace of mind to work.”
Though he’d been gifted a software that could read the content on his computer’s screen aloud, Ng avoided using it. The memory of the freedom he once had and the reminder of what he had lost was too much for him to deal with.
During his coma, several medical experts had told his brother-in-law that Ng was unlikely to wake up, and if he did he would be in a vegetative state.
“How I wished I’d be like that,” he told me of his feelings at that stage.
“So I don’t have to go through all this — all these years of nonsense.”
Ng told me that in those early days, he meditated a lot and did yoga as a means of coping.
Meeting Seretta for the first time
Having first encountered and learned about guide dogs in 2006 (which were virtually unheard of in Singapore at the time), it was six years before Ng finally got the opportunity to get one for himself.
In November 2012, Ng boarded a plane to Melbourne, Australia, and met Seretta, an 18-month old Labrador-Golden Retriever cross.
“It was kind of like, no expectation but at the same time looking forward to it,” said Ng, as if he was describing a first date.
He sat in a room waiting for a guide-dog handling instructor to bring Seretta in. When she finally arrived, the first thing she did was to scratch Ng’s hand.
“Then the instructor left the room, to let me spend time with Seretta. I was like: ‘Is this real?’”
“As they say, the rest is history,” said a chuckling Ng.
“The first time I walked with her was so surreal.”
The pair had 17 days of training together in Melbourne, where Ng learned how to handle Seretta properly under the guidance of an instructor. It was, as he described, a “honeymoon”.
After the training was over, Ng returned to Singapore, with Seretta in tow.
"The problem starts when you’re on your own with the dog."
“The dog now looks behind (and sees): ‘No more, the instructor is gone!” Ng told me laughing.
"Even simple instructions, she was not listening. It was quite frustrating."
Still a puppy then, Ng said that Seretta’s bubbly personality took some getting used to.
As a self-confessed “goal-oriented” individual, Ng worked hard at his handling skills, at the same time training Seretta to obey his instructions.
Yet despite the teething period walking with her was "freedom" for Ng.
"You finally can get rid of the cane. You walk like a 'normal' person, with increased speed... you also have the option to quicken your speed. It's like 'wow'. I've never looked back."
Building mental maps and trust
The work that Ng put in has evidently paid off.
At our interview, Seretta sat silently at Ng’s feet, peacefully drifting in and out of sleep throughout the time I spent with them.
The only noise she emitted came from the occasional snores she made.
She’s still bubbly, explained Ng, but as soon as Seretta dons her guide-dog harness she knows its time to work.
Their working relationship is as such: When Ng wants to go somewhere, he first has to do his homework — figuring out the directions and paths to his destination and what mode of transportation he’ll take to the location.
“I build a mental map of it,” he said.
Once on foot, Ng directs Seretta and she leads him:
“When I need to turn down a lane — left or right — I’ll say first: ‘find left’. Then coming closer to the turn, I’ll say ‘left’ and she’ll turn.”
How does he know when exactly to turn? Ng said it was difficult to describe; it is done by a mix of intuition, experience, feeling of the texture on the floor, and paying great attention to his able senses.
“With a guide dog it’s very easy,” he explained.
“I’ll say: ‘find right’ and it’s her duty to find. Then (when I say) ‘left’ when we’re coming to a left, (she’ll know to turn) left. So I’ll follow her. When crossing the road without any traffic lights, she’ll bring me to the curb. She’ll stop there and she’ll ask me what do I want to do. For me I’ll listen to the traffic… if it’s all clear, I’ll say ‘forward’. She’ll step down from the curb and we’ll cross to the other side.”
If ever Ng’s ears have failed him, Seretta is trained in what’s called “intelligent disobedience” — she’ll refuse to go through with his command.
For places that Ng and Seretta regularly visit — like the bus stop nearest to his house or Parkway Parade — Ng barely has to give her directions.
“I trust Seretta,” he said lovingly.
"This will greatly impact my social life"
While she may have given him newfound freedoms and restored a sense of possibility, not everyone has taken to Seretta the way Ng has.
Over the years, Ng has experienced resistance from security guards, restaurant staff, retail assistants, and the like for bringing a dog into their premises.
This is despite Singapore’s laws supporting the use of guide dogs in public spaces.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has also endorsed the use of guide dogs for those who need them, also adding that Muslims who come into contact with them need not necessarily cleanse themselves (though they may feel free to do so if they wish).
One particular rude incident last year saw a shop manager at a shoe store confront Ng with quite an aggressive tone.
“Out of nowhere from the back he came — I could hear how he spoke — ‘You have to mop my floor ah, later on.’”
The saving grace of that incident was the district manager, who happened to stop by the store that day. He apologised to Ng for how he’d been treated.
Ng walks away most of the time when faced with such opposition. One gets the sense that he might be tired from previous experiences of having to plead his and Seretta’s case.
"It’s quite frustrating when you actually have an appointment with your friends or family members at a place, and you go there and they tell you ‘No’. This will greatly impact my social life, and it’s not nice."
For Ng, refusal to allow him and Seretta entry is a form of discrimination against blind individuals who are just trying to live their lives as sighted people do.
“You see, you look at my dog, it's very well maintained. It’s not like she's a very dirty dog, or she’s smelly. It’s not like when we go to a place she’ll bark away.”
More recently, he’s found pushback from private hire drivers, who Ng said, often cancel trips when they’re informed he has a guide dog with him.
While some companies do offer a pet-transportation option, Ng says that Seretta is not a pet, but something he needs to go about his daily life. Besides, he explained, drivers under that option run fewer in number than the normal private hire services.
Ng was also quick to add that he’s also had pleasant experiences with drivers keen to go the extra mile to help him out.
Ng's promise to Seretta
Seretta is now nine and a half, drawing closer to the age of 10 — which is the near-universally observed age of retirement for guide dogs, according to Ng.
Once that happens, Ng will have to find a new guide dog.
With the world currently in the midst of a pandemic, Ng admitted that doing so will be much harder. He is understandably anxious about the process.
What will happen to Seretta, though, once she hangs up her harness?
Many retired guide dogs are put up for adoption and find new homes with loving families. Most have three or four more years to enjoy before heading into a long and never-ending sleep.
"I will keep her," said Ng, firmly, when I posed the question to him.
"That’s my promise to her — I’ll keep her (as a pet). After serving me for so many good years, I can’t bear to say: ‘you’re done, go’. No, I can’t do that."
Stories of Us is a series about ordinary people in Singapore and the unique ways they’re living their lives. Be it breaking away from conventions, pursuing an atypical passion, or the struggles they are facing, these stories remind us both of our individual uniqueness and our collective humanity.
Top image by Andrew Koay
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Article
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Terence Chia’s journey through the education system took him longer than he had initially expected.He went from Normal (Academic) stream in secondary school to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College East, where he obtained a certificate in Sports Management before going on to complete not one but two diploma courses at PSB Academy.Diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the age of five, he ended up being bullied for it when a teacher inadvertently let slip that he was on medication to manage its symptoms.At the age of 18, Chia went against the advice of his doctors and stopped taking his ADHD medication.Chia turned instead to exercise to help modulate his behaviour, and found that he was able to wean himself off of the medication that he had been taking for years.This was a big part of why Chia is choosing to press on in his chosen field of sports and exercise, even though it involves a fair bit of math and science.While some of Chia’s schoolmates have already started full-time jobs, he sees himself as being ahead of them in life, at least as far as mindsets are concerned.“There [are] different routes,” Chia muses, some faster, and some slower. But “never look at a man’s education route as a measure of how good he is,” he says.
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https://mothership.sg/2020/12/terence-chia-interview-psb-academy/
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mothership-sg
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Terence Chia strides into the Mothership office with the steady gait of a practiced athlete, offering a firm handshake as we exchange greetings.
The 24-year-old, who does strength training, muay thai, judo, and rock climbing, is just getting started on a degree course, after taking a somewhat unconventional route, overcoming bullying, academic difficulties, and injury in the process.
Chia shares his past struggles with unflinching poise and a steely gaze, but speaks more animatedly when sharing about his plans for his future career in sports.
Long route through education system
Chia’s journey through the education system took him longer than he had initially expected.
He went from Normal (Academic) stream in secondary school to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College East, where he obtained a certificate in Sports Management before going on to complete not one but two diploma courses at PSB Academy.
Now, at age 24, Chia has progressed to Edinburgh Napier University's Bachelor of Science Sport and Exercise Science (Top-up), also at PSB Academy.
Diagnosed with ADHD before primary school
Diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the age of five, he ended up being bullied for it when a teacher inadvertently let slip that he was on medication to manage its symptoms.
Primary and secondary school proved challenging for Chia, to put it mildly.
Chia remembers that some of his schoolmates would pester him with questions like “if you don’t take your medicine, will you kill me ah?” and “If you don’t take your medicine, will you go crazy?”
He was also called a “mental child”, just one example of bullying that went on for more than 10 years, Chia says.
To make matters worse, the condition affected his studies, particularly in math and science, which would scare him, he adds.
Common symptoms of ADHD in children are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
“Why I hated math is because math is also correlations, right?” says Chia, explaining that he had difficulties in applying mathematical formulas to solve problems.
“I’m really unable to do that, even up till today,” he says.
And because much of the science curriculum in primary and secondary school required math, he naturally did poorly at those too, even while he did better in Social Studies and History (“the only B3 I got for O-Levels,” he says).
Chia opted not to accept an offer of additional time for his O-Level examinations, preferring that his condition not be reflected on his official educational record.
“Even if I don’t do well, or I do well, at least I know I followed the same route,” Chia says, recalling how he insisted on not having extra time.
The result? 27 points.
Rejecting the extra time came from a dogged determination to walk his own path, even if it disadvantaged him in terms of his O-Level grades.
But that is far from the end of the story.
Overcoming problems head-on
At the age of 18, Chia went against the advice of his doctors and stopped taking his ADHD medication.
While the medication did help with some of the symptoms of ADHD, it would leave him “very dazed”.
Besides wanting to break off his dependence on it, Chia was also afraid that his body was building up tolerance to the drug, which would necessitate higher and higher dosages.
Chia turned instead to exercise to help modulate his behaviour, and found that he was able to wean himself off of the medication that he had been taking for years.
This was a big part of why Chia is choosing to press on in his chosen field of sports and exercise, even though it involves a fair bit of math and science.
In an upcoming module on biomechanics, for example, Chia is expecting that he will be required to do a fair bit of math — which he still struggles with.
His game plan: “study earlier, read a bit more.”
As for science, he’s gotten over his earlier fear of the subject and is plunging into it head-on.
He’s helped by the fact that the science curriculum he is now going through is much more focused on application than theoretical knowledge.
Chia’s eyes light up as he animatedly recalls a moment of realisation when he managed to figure out the theory behind a muay thai move.
“Why do you need to rotate your hips so much just to get one kick out?” was a question Chia pondered, before realising through trial and error that the right technique helped to generate much more power.
“When I rotate right, woah!” Chia exclaims, shaking his head almost as if he is discovering it for the first time.
Many of Chia’s classes involve spending time at the Sports Science Laboratory, where students have the opportunity to put concepts taught in classrooms into practice. Instructors encourage all of the students to try out the techniques or movements for themselves.
For example, when Chia and his classmates were being taught to conduct an agility test, each of them were made to go through the test themselves, so that they would be able to understand athletes’ common errors in the test and administer it more effectively in future.
In contrast to how he studied for his O-Level examinations, which Chia says were “very much about remembering”, applying concepts in real life means that the knowledge “sticks with you for life”.
Chia says that he spends up to 40 to 50 per cent of his curriculum time in the Sports Science Laboratory, with the remaining time spent in tutorial sessions.
Tutorial sessions are “naturally, theoretically, really dry”, Chia says, but explains that they are also geared towards interactive learning and application. For example, one of his modules involved the class looking at videos of exercises and being asked to pinpoint errors, as well as potential consequences.
Chia has also taken his learning out of school. He is on track to graduate with his degree in 2022, and is already clocking in valuable work experience as a fitness instructor at an Active SG gym, and a freelance strength conditioning trainer at a muay thai gym.
Sports therapy
He has had his mind set on making a career for himself in sports, as a sports therapist.
And pursuing his Sports and Exercise Science qualifications at PSB Academy has certainly helped him along. His instructors serve as role models for him, in the way they teach, advise and correct him and his classmates.
He’s also benefited from having a diverse range of classmates, some of whom are national athletes and “add value to the learning” through sharing their experiences. On the other hand, classmates who joined the course without prior background in sports bring a different dimension to classes by asking more questions, prompting deeper discussions in class.
This, Chia explains, makes learning more enjoyable as it allows the class to dive deeper into the topics being taught.
Besides sports therapy, Chia is also interested in going into the area of physical therapy, and aims to set up an “inclusive gym” where the frail elderly, and those with physical disabilities can undergo physical therapy alongside regular gym users.
This idea, Chia says, came from spending time in the Sports Science Laboratory, which has much of the same equipment that would be used in a sports clinic.
Getting familiar with the equipment, together with “the right teaching” gave Chia confidence that he would be able to help patients through physical therapy.
Chia perks up as he lists the conditions that he intends to tackle, as if he was running through a list of bullet points in his head.
Torn knee ligaments, slipped discs, frozen shoulders, and toe injuries are common sports injuries which Chia says can be managed with physical therapy as part of the rehabilitation process.
“I believe that they… don’t just come overnight,” Chia says, emphasising that part of sports therapy involves taking time to correct improper technique, which many athletes ignore in their pursuit of “fast fitness” — a term which Chia uses to decry social media marketing that advertises quick and easy gains.
But it’s not just those with sports injuries that need such therapy. Those with neuromuscular conditions, such as recovering stroke patients, can see benefits too.
“Some of them, they’re plonked at the TV… but instead of that, why not just get them to walk? Get a bit of ‘10,000 steps a day’. Then they live a better life, they live longer.”
Chia’s passion for the field is evident, as he goes on enthusiastically about the potential he sees in this area.
But Chia didn’t always know that he was going to make a career out of sports and exercise, despite being involved in muay thai since he was 15.
In fact, after his time at ITE, he took up his first diploma course (for a Diploma in Business Administration) at PSB Academy as it was one of the few courses that would allow him to defer his enlistment in the army.
“I thought it was a cert[ificate] that I can just take, just take and get it done with,” Chia says, candidly admitting that this was “quite a stupid decision”, as he realised that his passion did not lie in business.
Ironically, it was “stupid” decisions and setbacks that helped him move forward; poor grades for the initial diploma, as well as a crippling sports injury actually brought him closer to discovering the area he would be able to find purpose — sports science.
Setbacks turning into opportunity
A Judo injury Chia picked up in his ITE days flared up again during his National Service (NS), while Chia was running down the stairs. With the benefit of hindsight, Chia suspects that this had something to do with his overtraining during muay thai, even when he could feel that his knee was a little unstable.
But his experience in going through physiotherapy as part of recovery was one of the pivotal factors that led him to see that exercise could well become his niche.
In the course of going through physiotherapy exercises, Chia found that he was able to pick up the movements very quickly, and had an intuitive understanding of the movements that his therapists asked him to do.
While observing other gym users doing weight training, he would ask himself questions such as:
“When I look at people lifting weights, it always occurred to me like, eh, why this person’s back looks so different? Why does this person’s leg look so small, although he’s lifting so heavy?”
It was at this point that he decided to take on a second diploma course (for a Diploma in Sport and Exercise Sciences) after NS.
Returning to PSB Academy for second diploma
Explaining why he chose to return to PSB Academy for his second diploma, Chia explained that the duration of the course was a major factor.
Having already taken a longer route through ITE and a Business diploma he didn’t really want, he did not want a program that would cost him another two or three years.
The diploma would also serve to accelerate his progress toward his degree, by allowing him to skip modules that had been covered at the diploma level, going directly to the second year of the degree course.
As he has plans to get married before 30, a shorter course was preferable.
He admits that this made for a more intense school experience, but manages himself by treating weekdays as “work days” where he will “push as hard as possible [and] do [his] best”, while Saturdays are more flexible, and Sundays are strictly for him to spend time with those closest to him.
And of course, exercise sessions, as well as time playing the guitar, help him de-stress, Chia says.
“Thank goodness I’m still surviving,” says Chia with a laugh, after listing out his various extra-curricular commitments, which include community service, teaching in Sunday School at his church, and of course, his work as a freelance trainer.
This isn’t at all to say that Chia dreads his time in school — it is quite the opposite.
“I happen to have two of the best lecturers,” Chia boasts, singling out Nick Tan and Mark Tan (who are unrelated) for special praise.
Nick is able to explain concepts starting from the fundamentals, says Chia. “He doesn’t BS you and just tell you, ‘go and do ABCD’, but rather, he explains how A leads to B, how B leads to C, and then on.”
Chia also sees the value in Mark’s straightforward, no-nonsense instructional style, recalling how he was once told, in the gym, “if you’re not going to do this, then you’re going to just break your back.”
In a class called “Principles of Weight Training” that Chia took as part of his diploma, Chia recounts how Mark taught the class in a way that facilitated the students’ learning more about the subject on their own, instead of spoon-feeding them content.
All of this only helped to reinforce his conviction to pursue his path in sports and exercise.
Ahead of his peers
While some of Chia’s schoolmates have already started full-time jobs, he sees himself as being ahead of them in life, at least as far as mindsets are concerned.
He knows of some who “hate their life” at work, despite being well-to-do. “Life is hard,” Chia says, but we have it within ourselves to “find reasons to love a job” and make the best of one’s situation.
“There [are] different routes,” Chia muses, some faster, and some slower. But “never look at a man’s education route as a measure of how good he is,” he says.
Having taken a longer path through challenges in life, it appears that Chia has built up a resolute confidence toward the road ahead of him, difficult as it might be.
Chia says of his mindset: “all the way, push on, just push on.”
PSB Academy is holding an Online Open House on Saturday, January 16, 2021, from 11am to 5pm.
Course rebates of up to S$12,000 are also on offer, for a limited time period of January 16 to 23. If you apply for a course during this period, you'll stand a chance to win a MacBook Pro.
There will also be Live Talks, giving you a sneak peek of PSB Academy’s courses.
Topics covered include:
Intro to Graphics Design
Medical Innovations and Challenges ahead in developing the Covid-19 Vaccine
Progression after N-Level
Design Thinking - More Than A Buzzword
There will also be an MBA preview and sharing from past graduates.
Live Consultations with Programme Consultants will also be held, for potential students to find out more about the available courses and apply for places.
Sign up for the Open House or get more information here.
This sponsored article by PSB Academy made the writer feel like going to lift some weights.
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