At the launch of his official campaign, Dr Chee shared that Bukit Batok residents are looking not just for somebody they can go to during the MPS. Instead they wish for somebody to sit down with them, to be their friend, listen to their problems and raise it up in Parliament.

In order to achieve this, Dr Chee firmly believes it can only be done by a full-time MP like he intends to be. He said "It is just not humanly possible for you to go to work from 9 to 5 and then stay back for more meetings … and then come back 7, 8 o’clock and tell everybody, I’m going to serve you with all my heart."

Dr Chee pledged to continue reaching out to Bukit Batok residents and emphasized that should he be elected, every morning when he wakes up, his first destination is Bukit Batok unlike PAP's Murali Pillai whose first destination is his swanky lawyer's office.

please share...

for all ladies taking MRT daily from Orchard station towards Kranji station around 5:30pm.

I was on my way home and close eyes resting since I got a seat.

Suddenly I felt someone's arm touching my boob..i thought it was my mistake and i shifted my position, but he still move his arm towards my boobs!!!

I stood up immediately and stared at him!! I was about to alight.. Only have chance to take his photo!

All ladies please beware!!

So this past Monday, 2 days ago, I went for a job interview at a well-known halal bakery for the position of a cake decorator. As some of you may know, I’ve been baking for the past couple of years, doing wedding cakes and deserts. I thought that this interview was a really great opportunity for me to continue pursuing what I love.

The interview with HR went well. We had a great chat, talked about the baking industry, and discussed the role that was being offered so on and so forth. After looking at my portfolio she was keen to move things forward, and so was I. She shuffled up and down the office, making phone calls to coordinate a last minute meeting with the head of the baking department, who was 5 floors above the HR office.

So the head of the department arrived with one of his colleagues. I introduced myself to the both of them and we sat down to talk.

He looked through my portfolio, flipping through the pages very haphazardly. After a few moments, he proceeded to asked me, "Can you coat a cake?", to which I answered "Yes I can.".

Silence... Then he then said we could go up to the bakery so that I could do a demonstration. We stood to got up to proceed upstairs, but then he turned to me, gesturing his hands at me from head to toe and said, "From what I see, and the way you look, and not trying to be racist ah, but you Malay, I think you cannot la"

I was stunned and I just froze. I felt my ears getting a little hot, but I didn't want to lose my cool. I was taken aback and didn't quite know how to respond anyway. I just kept quiet because I was shocked. He continued, "You know ah, Malays ah they over promise, promise I can do this I can do that, in the end, cannot make it, after 2 days disappear."

The point I’m trying to make is that nobody wants to be generalised or defined by racial stereotypes. Racial profiling is unfair and unjust. We are more than our skin. We are actions. We are people. We are human beings with original thought and different experiences that have shaped us to become unique individuals with so much potential to offer society and the world. And yet I find myself, for the first time, discriminated against and not given a real chance for something I'm confident at, for something that I know sets me apart. Nobody should ever be told that they can’t do something based on the colour of their skin, but the sad reality is that this is real, and this is really happening.

Needless to say , I probably will never buy flour, cakes, pastes or anything from these people ever again. But I do wish them the best of luck maintaining their halal certification, and I do wonder how they will maintain their minimum Muslim employment quota.

Read the full article here:

Dear Editors,

How come SMC Election candidate's posters can include other people face ? Is it because PAP Murali is a minority? Is it legal to use children for Election campaign ?

Has PAP Murali violated any Election rules and regulations amounting to disqualification?

Ang Bob
A.S.S. Contributor

<Credits: ganymedean>

Saw this guy on fb trying to argue with people who support Chee and SDP. He thinks it is perfectly okay for all PAP MPs to be part-timers because they are driven by passion unlike the opposition. He is young yet he joined PAP IB

And he said it's because PAP gave his family a house when they were homeless. He really thinks Birdie and the PMO helped his family personally. Poor people are so easily bought over! They don't realize that the government that gives them welfare handouts is the cause of their problems.

The PAP's capitalist policies were the ones that exacerbated the income inequality and increased the cost of living. Sad to see that some people who suffer from the problems insist on seeing PAP as angels. The daft seem to include those who are already suffering in the system yet think they have been saved by PAP.

<Post by AVA>

We refer to the viral Facebook post circulating an AVA reply advising a consumer to discard the prawns that she bought after assessing that the white spots on the prawns are due to a viral disease.

We apologise for providing the wrong information prematurely, before investigations are complete. The initial assessment was based on photographic evidence provided by the consumer.

However, subsequent investigations based on samples collected have determined that the white spots are actually part of the reproductive organ, and are not due to a viral disease.

We would like to assure the public that there is no cause for alarm.

On Mr Murali's priority:

"So I'll make Mr Murali this proposition: He comes in to the Town Council during the day and when he finishes the work as an MP in Bukit Batok, then you go to your office in Shenton Way and finish up whatever you have to do there.

In that way you can still have your job as a lawyer AND as an MP. All you're doing is just to give Bukit Batok your priority, That's all. I hope that Mr Murali can tell Bukit Batok residents whether he will do this."

WP member and 2015 GE candidate for Jalan Besar GRC Frieda Chan has weighed in on the Bukit Batok by-elections. In her Facebook post, she says that PAP candidate Murali's arguments on whether MPs should serve full-time is 'weak' and that by saying that it is not necessary for MPs to serve full-time, he is giving a 'slap' to all PAP MPs who have chosen to give up their careers to serve as full-time MPs. She also criticised his argument as being focused on himself rather than on the residents and voters of Bukit Batok.

Assessing both Chee and Murali's selling points on whether to be full-time MP or not, if elected... In short, I think Murali's argument is weak and not well thought through.
1) Quoting Murali:
"if anyone has a notion that a single person working full-time, as an elected representative, would be able to address the needs of our Bukit Batok residents, I'm afraid he may have to reassess the situation. That does not accord with my own experience, having spent 16 years here..."
Murali has just 'slapped' the PAP MPs who have served or are currently serving full-time as elected MPs.
Just to name a few whom Murali has just 'slapped':
- Tin Pei Ling
- Ang Mong Seng
- Baey Yam Keng
- Foo Mee Har
For the PAP MPs serving full-time now, Murali is asking you to reassess your situation. So, check out his advice.
2) The argument is full of 'I', 'me' and 'my own experience'. It might go better with the voters if he is more others-centred.

What do you think? Is WP also endorsing SDP's Chee Soon Juan to win in this by-elections?

<Reader Contribution>

Dear ASS,

During the last GE in September 2015, i was at my parents place on a saturday when the door bell rang. Standing there was 2 RC/PAP staff with the lightning logo on their tee shirt. She "instructed" me to stay at home bcos the mp is coming by to give me some stuff.

So naturally, i asked her give out what. She murmured something which i couldnt really understand. i went "huh?" Then she impatiently said, "walkabout la, you dont know what is walkabout ah?" I smiled and asked her "she's giving out walkabouts? what do you mean she's giving out walkabouts?"

The other person beside her immediately said something like "this one don't waste time". then she said to me "never mind, if later mp come, let her know if you got any problems". I replied "sure thing. but you haven't exactly tell me what is this mp giving out later. Ok, i'll wait for the mp and ask her what exactly is she giving out to residents. Thanks."

For the past 200 saturdays and sundays, i don't see any mps walking the streets and paying house visits. but when GE is only a week away, they
magically appear. So i left the front door opened, and went back to doing my own stuff. was so looking forward to meet the mp as i was excited to say hi to her and find out more about the mystery stuff that she was giving out that day.

Here comes the best part. After more than 3 hours of waiting, nobody came by. I decided to then close the front door when I realized somebody left something on my gate. It had a beautiful photo of the smiley MP in the front and read something like "we were here earlier today but nobody was at home..", written in 4 different languages. I couldn't be bothered to read the rest of the content.

Koolaid
A.S.S Reader

<Reader Contribution>

Dear All Singapore Stuff,

I stay in Bukit Batok and I want to complain about this stupid barrier that can be seen in certain parts of the estate. It is an eyesore and it is rather difficult to navigate.

There is a staircase ahead in that pathway, do they seriously think someone will cycle all the way to the staircase? Do they take cyclists for fools?

This is unnecessary inconvenience to elderly residents and those using wheelchair. Furthermore it is impractical and is a waste of money by the town council we are paying.

Mr Tay
Bukit Batok Resident

I propose a challenge.

Go to town. Ion, 313, Orchard Central, Wisma, Takashimaya - any mall in town. I want you to count how many Malay/Indian men and women featured on the posters. Ok now out of town. Wherever you go in Singapore now open your eyes to it and really count. On the bus. On the train. On the commercials before the movie starts. On the newspapers. On the magazines. On the tv commercials.

Are you cool with that?

Because it seems to me the 'Singaporean Look' is a skinny Chinese girl with long hair and a big smile! ☺️ Yay and her boyfrend smiling right behind chasing after her is a slim fit Chinese boy with straight hair and a big smile! Tee-hee! Are you cool with that? Seems to me we are. Coz if this was the US we'd bring this up and talk about it. Really, talk about it and fix it. But Josh this is Asia! And this is the Asian look! Ah, see that's the problem right there.

As a young kid growing up in Singapore, I'd never see someone of my skin color rocking ads and headlines unless it's Singapore Idol Season. I couldn't entertain my first ambition of being an actor coz every role (although said open to all races) would go to the man with the Singaporean Look. I do music, I do radio. I'm behind a microphone. If I had a dollar for every person that has come up to me saying "OMG I didn't know you're Indian!" I'd be able to afford a down payment for an HDB flat. In the industry, I've had peers get turned down gigs because they were too "ethic looking". I don't watch Channel 8 or Vasantham but... off the top of my head I can name you 10 Chinese local celebrities (includes Rui En). Is it just me?

Maybe there isn't enough talented Indian and Malay celebrities. Or maybe we're not given a chance to see them. Who's stopping them? Who's saying no to these people? Who's decided what the Singapore Look is?
I'm not celebrating Racial Harmony in Singapore till I get my answers and see some change. It's 2016. Do not get complacent. I represent the next generation that isn't gonna just keep quiet and nod my head and say it's all okay.

Racial Harmony isn't just about us getting along. It's equal opportunities. Equal chances to shine. I wanna see diversity.

I can smell the smoke. Something isn't right. Now I wanna see people move. Share that spotlight.

Joshua Simon

<Reader Contribution>

Dear All Singapore Stuff,

During my 15yrs stay in Bukit Batok, my block was very very dirty. No block cleaner at all. The drunkards here and there were sleeping at the void deck. So much adult urine was produced by groups of overnight drunkards living under our block and was not cleaned away. Smelly Wei!

Our running water pipe became the breeding place for huge centipedes. And centipedes were seen running around into our store room. Several residents sold their house and moved out of Bukit Batok. In year 2009, dengue attacked neighbourhood areas too Dirty mosquitoes bred everywhere.

After I moved out of Bt. Batok, in 2010, my block and neighbourhood areas worsened. Drug mules lured young students to buy their drugs and several turned drug addicts. A few saloons turned red light at night. Luckily I was no longer staying in Bukit Batok when finally dirty Bukit Batok was infested by hundreds of rats in 2014. We need an opposition party to take over Bukit Batok town council and improve the standard of cleanliness in the estate.

BB residents, please vote wisely.

Mayasari
A.S.S Reader

Learning A Third Language

I have some capability in English and Chinese language.
However, in election rally Malay and Tamil language are also used.
I decided to pick up a third language so as not to lose out.
My wife is quite proficient in Malay.
Her learning strategy is to start simple.
One word at a time.
My first lesson is as follows:

Murali lari from Bukit Batok to Aljunied in 2015.
Murali lari from Aljunied to Bukit Batok in 2016.
Murali lari lari here
Murali lari lari there
Murali lari lari everywhere

Keyword learned in lesson one : Lari
English equivalent : Run

Principles of learning used: Familiarity, repetitive, funny and interesting topic.

So, I decided to write this to address all those out there who asked me this, ” why didn’t you stop your husband from participating in the election? He is a laughing stock!”

Honestly, I am upset with him because he did not get any assentors and we obviously do not have the deposit money of 13.5k after spending on renovation. I know because he did not meet the requirements, he will not even get the chance to campaign. So why bother?? And this is the 2nd time he attempted!

Deep in me, I secretly applauded him because he decided to go ahead even knowing the odds. Because it is about time people step up and voice their unhappiness, concerns and struggles in Singapore. If we are a true democratic society, everyone should be given equal opportunities. An election should be like a job interview, you present yourself and let the interviewer decide to employ you or not. Do we have to place a deposit and get 10 supporters behind us when we go for job interviews? An interview as it is, does not guarantee a job but we present our best during the interview and hope for the best. Although many times, in an interview we get nervous and say the wrong things, but at least we try!

My point is, with the red tapes that the gov has set up, it only allows people with the money, who know 10 people from the community and willing to show their faces to move forward. And it doesn’t stop there, you need money to campaign and set up the stage, and if end of the day you do not get minimal votes, deposit is forfeited. This reminds me of my english primary school teacher who punished those in class who failed to do spelling corrections by calling out our names, made us queue up and hit our palms with a cane one by one. I had shoulder length hair then and she would pull my hair sometimes.

In the election, instead of getting a taste of the cane, candidates get a taste of losing their hard earned money for failing to deliver results. Is this fair? Elections is not just about who won and who lost, but what perspectives we gained from fellow countrymen in the process, that could help in the betterment of Singapore. But right now, resources are wasted and not shared because it is a petty competition on who gets the crown. Even beauty contests, contestants share the same stage and resources are shared. PAP doesn’t allow sharing of the stage, you have to fork out the money to do up a stage, what a waste of resources!! This is not healthy competition, what are they afraid of?

Don’t get me wrong, I am not promoting Shirwin Eu because he is my husband. I am just really puzzled as these rules do not make any sense or value add to the nation.

Well, there are many out there shouting, “don’t have the money, don’t contest lah!”

Since when our character and integrity is defined by our wealth in this country? Singapore has become so cold and money consumed that, only with money, we can speak and only with money, we can help.

Anyway, the dust has settled, he is disqualified and life goes on.

At this junction, I am a laughing stock to myself because I do not know how we could afford the COE at the end of the year for our 10 year old Nissan March. I am laughing because I had trouble explaining to my USA friend that we paid for the car in full but doesn’t own it, just renting for 10 years. We have to pay for a debt we did not owe in the first place or we will lose the car. As you all know, Shirwin is a uber driver, we need it for work.

I know we are not the only ones affected, this is a continuous problem for those in the service/transport industry that requires a vehicle to make a living, every 10 years this is a headache. Imagine slogging for 10 years and finally see some savings and then it all goes to COE again. And this cycle repeats itself to the day we die, whether you decided to renew COE or buy a new car.

Singaporeans are always forever in debt for housing and car whether we like it or not. Yah, we should just take the public transport but I really am not keen on getting stuck at the MRT with my family on a precious weekend because the MRT broke down again. My family deserves to enjoy stress-free quality time in our good old 10 year old Nissan, which unfortunately we may not get to keep.

To the Smrt driver,SHF 77C may god bless u..

i and my cousin Taz Lib having supper at geylang ard 11plus,aftrr supper we hail a cab..so eventually we didn't have enough cash,my cousin decide to pay by ez link.the driver say that he accept ezlink.the distance to our hm is not too far.

when we reach our destination.the machine have some problem.the fare is about $5.he try few times,still the machine cant read the ezlink.my cousin insist he to stay awhile my cousin want to went up to take some cash,since the machine cant read the card.

to our suprise the driver told us it just near by no need to pay for the fare.we was so suprice when he say its ok,its only $5 bucks.no worriess.

we call the SMRT to give him compliment..nowadays we can't find a good friendly driver like him.we really appreciate a lot..

to the driver of SHF 77C.we want to say thank you very much may god bless u.thank you once again..
‪

Ab Adele Hb
A.S.S. Contributor

Following a media interview with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong this morning, netizens have been up in arms over some of the comments that PM Lee has made about Chee Soon Juan, SDP chief and election candidate for the Bukit Batok by-election. Our reader has sent us his thoughts on PM Lee's comments.

"Mr Lee, I am ashamed of some of the comments you make this morning about Dr Chee Soon Juan, the SDP candidate. Being the prime minister for all Singaporeans, you have chose to continue attacking Chee like some of your party members and showing that you too are very hypocritical.

Let everyone look at some of the comments.

1] Make fun of Dr Chee's unemployed status.

PM LEE: "Chee Soon Juan, actually I know him for a long time also. He has not been working full-time. And now he says I want to work full-time for you."

2] Insult the character of Dr Chee when he tried to be above board in politics.

PM LEE: "And it is partly your record, It is partly your ability. But it is also your character... At the SDP rally all the speakers fired away at David Ong. And then came Chee Soon Juan at the end. And then Chee Soon Juan said, oh…you must not hit somebody who is down – that is very bad. It is completely hypocritical. You get your guys to say all the bad things. And you come along and you look back…and be nice and say you must not hit somebody. Having caused your lieutenants to hit him as hard as they can. But unfortunately it is recurring."

3] Bring up the long long ago past of Dr Chee.

PM LEE: "So, when I read the Wanbao interview with Dr Chee I was saddened but not surprised. Because he is not sorry for anything he did. He is not – he is proud of his record, he is proud of his craziness streak. And yet when he comes today, he presents himself as a changed man. And he said last night at the rally, “even good people make mistakes and you must give them a second chance.” But before you can turn around and make good, you must first recognise that something has gone wrong. And then you have to put it right. Which in this case, if nothing has gone wrong, there is nothing to put right. Then how can you have cleared?

This election should be a clean fight, with nothing in the way of the policies that will benefit the country. I hope you will stop playing politics like Dr Chee said about you and just let Bukit Batok residents decide what is best for them. Thank you.

D. Wong
A.S.S. Contributor

The Online Citizen (TOC) was alerted by one reader on 27 April about individuals putting the banner for the PAP candidate, Mr Murali Pillai in the Bukit Batok SMC by-election, on the banner rack of the Resident Committee (RC) Zone 6 at Blk 168 Bukit Batok West Ave 8.

On 28 April, questions were sent to the People's Association (PA) that governs the RC about whether is there any rules that allow the use of RC facilities for partisan purpose.

No replies have been received from PA so far.

However, when TOC visited the site again last night, that particular banner was removed from the rack.

A visit to the other RC centres also saw that no such banners were put up.

On 14 April, Deputy Chairman of the People's Association, Chan Chun Sing said, "The PA is a statutory board. It executes the directions for the Government of the day, as per any statutory board. The PA does not allow any political activity or canvassing on our premises or in our activities. And we certainly do not mobilise anyone for any political party,"

Mr Chan was responding to Ms Sylvia Lim's speech of how some of the PA's activities have deviated from its objectives. Mrs Lim pointed to the mobilisation of PA activists to campaign for the ruling People's Action Party's candidates during elections as an example.

Mr Chan added. ""If Ms Lim has any such evidence of wrongdoing, you can let me know, and I guarantee you I will follow up. I will be the last person to ever allow the PA to be politicised."

Mr Chan might have just made true of his words and ensured that PA is not visibly politicised in this by-election.

Article first published on The Online Citizen

<Photo Credits to S-League>

HOME UNITED 3
(Ken Ilso 16, Song Ui Young 28, Faris Ramli 78)

HOUGANG UNITED 2
(Stipe Plazibat 41 pen, Raihan Abdul Rahman 86)

Watch out for Home United in Round 2 of S.League action.

They were one of the title contenders pre-season, but endured a terrible start when they went winless in their first four games and dropped 10 points in the process, effectively killing their title hopes before they could even start to dream. But once they got into the groove, once they kickstarted their campaign with their first win, a 4-1 cakewalk over Garena Young Lions despite conceding the opener, they are now one of the form teams outside of the seemingly unstoppable league leaders Albirex Niigata.

Take away the recent 3-0 defeat by the White Swans, and the Dragons are breathing fire with four wins and one draw in the other five of their last six matches. Their goal tally has also improved from one a game during the winless streak to two a game now, even with the Albirex shutout. From the starting XI, only Zulfahmi Arifin, Aqhari Abdullah, Faris Ramli and Khairul Nizam did not play for Home United last season - most of the other clubs have a bigger overhaul - and that stability, continuity and understanding showed.

Azhar Sairudin paved the way for the 16th-minute opener with a piercing pass from midfield to Ken Ilso, whose brilliant first touch flicked the ball out wide to Nizam. In an unfamiliar role on the right flank, Nizam skipped past the sliding M Anumanthan and returned the ball accurately to Ilso's feet. The great Dane dummied Yusiskandar Yusop before slamming past Khairulhin Khalid for a splendid team goal, which was his fifth in six games.

Home United's second was a classic counterattack in the 28th minute. Straight from Hougang's corner, Faris and Song Ui Young combined with two one-twos before the Korean slotted beyond Khairulhin to score in back-to-back matches. That effectively killed the game, but the Cheetahs are not in the top three for no reason, and promptly made a fist of it in what must be one of the most thrilling games this season.

Hougang did not let their heads down after an apparent injustice when Muhd Taqi waved away claims that Jozef Kaplan's 40th-minute howitzer had crossed the line after crashing off the bar. To their credit, video replays showed Taqi and his team made the right decision. Within seconds, however, Hougang won a penalty when Nazrul was clumsily upended by Zulfahmi, and Stipe Plazibat stepped up to blast the spot-kick past Hyrulnizam Juma'at.

But another fast break allowed Home United to extend their lead in the 78th minute when substitute Syahiran Miswan split Hougang's defence with a lovely through pass for Faris to grab his first of the season after coming back from injury.

Raihan Rahman made it a nervy last few minutes when he nodded in Fumiya Kogure's 86th-minute corner to reduce arrears, and Hougang literally ran till they dropped from cramps, but Hyrulnizam came to his team's rescue when he palmed away Kaplan's last-minute shot from the bottom corner to protect the win. With the three points, Home rise to fourth with 15 points, one behind third-placed Hougang and eight behind leaders Albirex Niigata.

But one just can't help but wonder just why the Protectors could not play like this at the start of the season despite keeping the bulk of their team from last season. Home United coach Philippe Aw tried to explained when he said: "We signed players like Irfan and Ikhsan Fandi Ahmad, and Faris Ramli. They sound like big names and they are good players but they are still not the finished article.

"They still have a lot of room to develop and improve and that's what we want to do. "After the start we had, a realistic target for us now is the top three. We will try to continue to keep this run going and see where it takes us."

HOME UNITED: Hyrulnizam Juma'at, Juma'at Jantan, Abdil Qaiyyim, Zulfahmi Arifin, Sirina Camara, Khairul Nizam (Shamil Sharif 46), Song Ui Young, Aqhari Abdullah, Azhar Sairudin (Syahiran Miswan 72), Faris Ramli, Ken Ilso (Sufianto Salleh 85)

HOUGANG UNITED: Khairulhin Khalid, Nazrul Nazari, Yusiskandar Yusop, M Anumanthan, Faiz Salleh (Huzaifah Aziz 68), Iqbal Hussain (Nur Na'iim Ishak 82), Raihan Rahman, Nurhilmi Jasni (Fairoz Hasan 66), Stipe Plazibat, Fumiya Kogure, Jozef Kaplan

Dear ASS Editors,

I want to expose this moving company named "Akhbar Movers" and its owner "Akhbar Shah". I engaged Akhbar Movers without researching online and reading reviews and it was such a big mistake and the start of my house-moving horror.

They were late nearly three hours than the scheduled time, when I called to ask about the estimated time of arrival, the boss's reply was simply "On the way already". When the mover finally arrived hours later, they moved down most of the furniture and then stopped and told me the price we have agreed on needs to be doubled. When I called and questioned the boss, he started to shout at me and used abusive language to threaten. I feel threatened and bullied, so I told him I will call the police. The movers immediately fled after overheard me saying "call police", left all my furnitures and boxes of item downstairs in a drizzling weather.

Staring at my wooden furnitures and the mess right outside my front yard, I was shocked and furious. How can companies with such intolerably poorm business ethic exist in Singapore? I googled their company, the results were again, shocking. Their Facebook pages are filled with complaints and warnings "do not engage them", " you have been warned". I went on reading the reviews and found out there are a lot more victims. Compare with other's stories, my experience with them was considered the "pleasant" one.

Some customers were scammed the same way like I was, being told the price will increase drastically after some of the furniture are moved. It's like they have a typical way cheating their customers. The items were handled poorly and often damaged. The worst part is the boss's attitude towards his customer. Verbal bullying and threat are norms. Some customer were even racially harassed and being called a "bloody Indian b**ch". The boss openly defends their behaviours on the company's Facebook page and calling the customer "stupid idiots", "can stay big house condo but movers cant afford to pay so dont talk to much" and even threats like "I know where u stay"..

How can such business ethic exist in a cosmopolitan society like Singapore? Who are there to protect the rights of customer?

Traumatised Customer
A.S.S. Contributor