We're not sure if you are aware of the top 10 recent events that got the whole (well almost) of Singapore agitated. Actually if you stop to think about it, WHAT'S WRONG WITH SINGAPORE THIS YEAR?!
Perhaps some deep-seated repressed tendencies coming to the fore or are people hitting back against what they feel is an oppressive culture?
The many negative headlines (which we are more than happy to share) and the constant discussion of disturbing news can really get to our mental well-being. We will ki siao (go crazy) if we are constantly swarmed with such sensational 'news' that have really done nothing to add to our lives at all.
For the heck of it, let's unwind, chill, relac - relax, take a step back, laugh or just look at the Top Ten Recent Events That Got The Singapore Agitated and maybe tell our inner drama queens to take a chill pill.
Ex-MOE scholar Jonathan Wong Has Sex With Minor
Why is this such a big hoo-ha?
Lets have a look at the words: MOE, scholar, then-23-year-old male, 15-year-old girl, church.
Put all these words in one sentence, you are in for a huge hit on the press man. Oh I forgot to add that he has been diagnosed as a paedophile.
Our first reaction would most probably be rage. Who wouldn't enraged? The trauma and pain he inflicted on the innocent 15-year-old girl. To top it off, his parents had to sell their HDB flat to repay his scholarship debt because he was arrested for possession of hardcore child porn.
Apart from the rage, and many comments about the wrongs he has done, has anyone wondered what happens after his 5-year jail term? Thing is, what are we expecting from the 5-year jail term, besides the bad guy getting the deserving punishment? Will it prevent other similar cases? Can paedophilia be eradicated in the 5 years of jail term? Does it make sense to lock him up for life?
So how, people?
Image Source: Yorkpress.com.uk
City Harvest Church Pastor Kong Hee Skims The Fat
Religion has always been a sensitive topic in multi-racial/ethnic Singapore.
So in view of the City Harvest Church Pastor Kong Hee's case, what exactly are we reacting to? Christianity? Prosperity Churches? Pastors? The issue of embezzlement? Sun Ho?
Well at first, I was enraged by the case as well. How can a pastor use Church funds to support his wife's music career and high life in the L.A.?
But what got to me is, have we considered how much of the 'news' we've read online is true? And why are Singaporeans suddenly so concerned? It's not their money that may be misused... If anyone should react so drastically, shouldn't it be the church members? Or Christians? What exactly is the cause for concern on your part, dear average Singaporean?
Actually, I'm very tickled that this can't even beat the news of two dead bodies found at MBS on two separate occasions. Or the Singaporean tourist who was held hostage in Egypt.
Image Source: straitstimes.com
The Unreasonable Auntie Who Tried To Shame Ah Lian On MRT
So Auntie is unhappy that Ah Lian sat on the reserved seating. Okay... but didn't this lady give up the seat to you? A typical Singaporean response would be, "What more you want?"
At least my understanding of a reserved seating is, if you see:
- A pregnant lady
- Elderly - really have to touch your heart and decide whether the person is "old" enough for you to give up your seat to.
- Injured dude
- A person carrying a baby or kid
Give up the seat because it's reserved for them.
Isn't it a bit cuckoo if you don't see anyone who needs the seat more than you, and you are genuinely tired after a long day at work, but you cannot sit on the reserved seat?
Or worse, people who think you are entitled to the reserved seat (good for you) but please at least be thankful and appreciative because the person who gave up your seat may be feeling unwell, extremely tired, or had a rotten day.
Gracious Singapore, indeed.
Okay if you haven't watch the video, you can catch it here.
Image Source: article.wn.com
Guy Who Pushed Old Woman On Public Bus
I hope this event garners a better reaction from society than Pastor Kong, please.
But coming back to what happened, maybe Mr Alex Ong's anger that was simmering within him, from lack of good career prospects and uh, the Ferrari and taxi accident, caused him to lose control and take it out on an elderly woman... who simply pressed the bell late.
This may sound stupid, but if the elderly woman is the angst-filled one who scolded the Ah Lian, at least it makes more sense because she provoked him. But all else, venting his anger on an innocent party, is really unacceptable.
I wonder if it occurred to him when he shouted at her, threatened to slap her, and before he shoved her off the bus, that she too could be a mother. What if someone does that to his mum?
Who doesn't have their share of problems and woes? If you need to vent it, at least do it constructively. Maybe do crazy research on how to create a kickass resume, master interview skills, focus on getting that good job.
Check out the video here.
Image Source: sgforums.com
Ex-SCDF & Ex-CNB Chiefs' Sex Scandals
Okay, sex scandals again. Sex sells doesn't it? Someone told me, it's the only thing that doesn't need promotion. It sells itself.
Please look beyond the sex bit. What pisses off people is that people use their influence to their advantage.
Corruption, in any form, in Singapore is big news because we're supposed to be a country with such integrity. Well, it's tough to know how much corruption takes place but reported corruption is definitely always big news. Plus the recent debate on the ministers' high salaries apparently meant to deter corruption only made the country more sensitive over the topic.
Just wondering... why were we asking the ministers who receive such fat paychecks to reduce their salaries if we make such a hullabulloo every few months? How feasible and effective is the dichotomy of not wanting high salaries for government officials and expecting no corruption really? Be honest to yourself.
In good faith, let's pray and hope integrity and honour continues to triumph over the greed for money in Singapore.
Image Source: straitstimes.com
Sticker Lady Is Finally Caught
My stand? She's creating street art culture in Singapore.
Guess what crossed the line? Most probably the grandfather road piece, "limpeh" with the sketch of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, or stickers of "Slow the fuck down", and "Anyhow press police catch" that incensed the authority. I guess most of the folks in stat boards aren't used to this kinda humour and street art stuff. Plus, they are doing their jobs.
So it's yet another conflict... reclaiming public spaces? Or straight up vandalism. When and where do we draw the line? But I'll say she's gotta show some respect to the people and authorities by watching her words.
Image Source: straitstimes.com
Ferrari and Taxi Crash Accident
This sparked an island-wide uproar but for the wrong reasons.
Mr Ferrari dude was portrayed on the papers as rich and with good looks. Everything else swept under the crashed Ferrari or what? Plus this is not all about nationality lah. Yes, Singaporeans are very concerned about the high influx of Chinese nationals and other nationals. But this is life and death - three in fact - we are talking about because of irresponsible drink driving behavior, or if anyone insists he's not drunk, then disregard for traffic laws.
Sometimes it makes us wonder, what are the reporters doing? Aren't they supposed to report the event to shed light and truth on the situation? Why the hell are we talking about looks and wealth here? Think we stupid or what, drive Ferrari poor meh?
Pardon the angst, but this accident, tells us, just because you have a sports car doesn't mean you can race on the roads of Singapore. I repeat, this is Singapore. Other than F1 where we have designated roads closed for race tracks, meant for the real Ferrari F1 racing, please don't be stupid lah. Nobody will stop you from buying a Ferrari and flaunting your wealth, you have every right to buy how ever many sports cars you want, but there are some things that cannot be bought, recovered, or restored - like lives.
Image Source: hanzoautobuzz.com
Howard Shaw, Ex-Pei Chun Principal And Dunno How Many Men Who Paid For Sex With Underage Girls
Again, sex sells. But this time, unlike ex-MOE scholar Jonathan Wong who preyed on a young 15-year-old girl, these men paid for it.
Before you scream, "Pay for sex, so what! Still considered preying on young girls what!"
This is quite a tricky situation if you would just calm down and think about it. As with most hot-blooded straight men, pretty young girls are a huge temptation. Between a 17-year-old girl, and a 18-year-old girl is... the legal difference.
So the men who got themselves into trouble because they believed the girls who told them they are 18, but lied, are still punished even though technically, the liars should be punished too. Wait, I am making sense!
Like it or not, these things happen... And obviously this story made it to the headlines because of their statuses - Mr Howard Shaw, and Ex-Pei Chun Principal... and then the many others to blow our minds with the shocking amounts of money men pay to solicit sex with younger girls.
Image Source: carbonwho.com
SMRT - Where Things Go Off Track
Even till today, with the screeching from the train's movement on the tracks, and the jerky train ride, you feel like the train will just stop in the middle of the tunnel.
We are so used to a smooth operating train ride, with the new additions of NEL and Circle lines, we expect SMRT & LTA to always be on top of things... and they're not.
There are comments telling us how Singaporeans shouldn't take things for granted, we are so pampered, after all the tracks have been around for a really long time, so on and so forth - yes, true that, but they have been raising our transportation fares, and we would reckon that should go to maintenance and ensuring the trains and tracks function well yes?
Plus the pampered bit, please lah, are we supposed to expect the trains will always break down before it happened? Well at least now we are prepared for train breakdowns anytime, that includes blackouts (recently at Cityhall MRT station).
Image Source: straitstimes.com
Chinese Scholar Who Called Singaporeans "Dog" or Something
So Mr Smarty-pants Chinese MOE scholar Sun Xu decided to display his intelligence by calling Singaporeans "dogs" on his microblog.
Was he hoping to provoke Singaporeans, or what was he thinking?
I mean in his context of calling Singaporeans dogs... He's in Singapore, NUS, definitely learning from a few Singaporean professors... His scholarship is from Singapore's Ministry of Education, and when he graduates he has to serve his bond by working for Singapore, Singaporeans, and educating the younger generations of Singaporeans.
Wait, is he demeaning himself actually? Have we all mistaken him?
Whatever it is, dude paid for his unclear intentions with $3,000 and he is required to perform three months of community service by NUS, and his undergraduate scholarship benefits have been terminated for the final semester - he is also required to pay back about $8,200 for the first tranche of this semester's scholarship benefits, which had been disbursed to him.
Ouch, I wonder if he still thinks it was worth it. Maybe? After all he probably still thinks we are dogs.
Image Source: channelnewsasia.com
So these are the ten recent events that really poked you and me, making us react - ranging for some "what?!" to "@#$(*!" and crazy sharing and ranting on social media channels, blogs to everyone else you know.
But take a chill pill, more of these events are bound to happen anyway, it's a matter of time another gets you all worked up. Till then, relax, stay calm, and enjoy good discussions with your pals if these still bug you.
And by the way, to "cover my ass", a quick disclaimer here, this article have no intention in anyway to offend, defame, insult, or provoke anyone. Chill okay? If you find this offensive in anyway, just drop us an email at editor@toptensingapore.com.
