Dear SBS Transit , I'm very disappointed & offended by your transport inspector. I boarded SBS bus service 14 (Bus no. 7346H) at around 2.30pm. I'm still a student hence I'm still using the student card I have on hand. Upon boarding there's insufficient fund on my card so I paid 85cents for my trip to school.

On the way to school a transport inspector boarded the bus. His a Malay transport inspector, his name is Shahruddin Mohd . He came up the the top deck which I was sitting. I was on the phone with my girlfriend at that point. He started to approach the secondary students beside me aggressively by shouting for their bus cards or tickets. When he got to me instead of asking for my ticket politely he smack my arm hardly twice. At that point I was very furious already. Like excuse me who are you to smack me so hardly, do I even know you.

Okay I brush it off & handed him my ticket. He asked for my card so I handed him my bus card too. Upon inspection he shouted your card expired already why you still use. At that point I was very lost as I didn't know it had expired & I've been using it all along & topping it up daily. Guess what that barbarian told me, he asked me to pay a penalty fine of $50 on the spot.

I was furious I screamed at him saying wtf, why I honestly didn't know that my card has expired. He was forcing me to make payment on the spot or demanding for my particulars so he could fine me. My friend was still on the line she heard everything. As i did make quite a scene as I was very shocked & offended, the other passengers were looking on. That barbarian has the cheek to go tell them I'm not condemning her as you can see she's being unreasonable.

Excuse me who's being unreasonable & obviously you are condemning me. I'm thankful for the adults present on the bus for helping me. Telling that barbarian that he could have just asked me to pay the adult fare instead of forcing me to pay $50 on the spot. But that barbarian was too stubborn and told them it's not their problem & continue to demand for my particulars and wants me to pay the $50 fine .

So I shouted at him straight that he has no rights to demand for my particulars, he doesn't have the authority to ask for it. So I asked him does he want me to call the police. At that point he took my card & went down to make noise to the driver. Thinking that he will have to return my bus card sooner or later so I just went back to talking to my worried friend.

After a while the bus stopped moving feeling something is amiss. I took a look to notice that barbarian has asked everyone to exit the bus & locked me up in the bus. I was very furious, I was late for school already due to his nonsense. I went down & demanded to leave so I can faster rush to school as today we are having lessons on our upcoming examinations which is really important. Bloody barbarian die die wants me to pay $50 or I can't leave.

I swear i was at the brink of going crazy & killing him. I kept cursing cuz I really need to be in school to attend lessons. So the police came & attended to this issue, bloody barbarian lied to the police saying I was violent & wanted to attack him infront of my face. Wtf he was the one threatening me & being violent which cause me to protect myself against him. Thanks to this barbarian I was late for school for 2 hours and missing 2 hours of important lecture.

So SBS is this they way you train your inspectors, asking them to threaten students, demanding them to pay $50 on the spot for not being aware that your card has expired. The way he approach bus passengers can be aggressive & he can lay hands on the passengers. I demand a apology & compensation from your officer SHAHRUDDIN MOHD. No way am I going to pay a fine after your barbaric inspector smack me twice & threaten me to pay $50 on the spot to the extend of locking me up in the bus & causing me to miss 2 hours of my examination lecture.

Tried calling your hotline but you didn't pick up. So fine this goes on social media to let others see how horrid your inspectors are to passengers. I'll kindly appreciate that you get back to me ASAP regarding this issue. My family is furious that I missed 2 hours of my class & your officer for laying his hands on me & threatening me.

I strongly suggest a punishment or suspension for your transport inspector SHAHRUDDIN MOHD for him to know its wrong to lay hands on passengers or threatening them to the extend of locking the passenger up in the bus & still has the cheek to lie. For future bus passengers do take note of this person.

Carrie Chen

During the parliament session yesterday, PAP MP Darryl David recommended that foreigners who want to become Singapore citizens must have a basic level of English proficiency and must serve a mandatory community service.

He made these recommendations because he found that many new citizens could not express themselves or communicate with others because they cannot speak English.

“At a community event welcoming new citizens last year, I observed that there were quite a few new citizens who had trouble communicating because of their inability to speak basic English. Grassroots leaders have also provided feedback: Some of the new citizens tend to not get involved in community events and activities because they feel that they aren’t able to communicate with their fellow residents of different ethnicities.”

The MP said that by imposing such requirements, new citizens can better understand our local culture, integrate better with Singaporeans, and contribute to our society.

What do you think? Is this high time that basic English proficiency be a mandatory requirement for citizenship since even Singaporeans who want to go to tertiary educations like polytechnics and universities need to pass English, what more citizens?

My heart is so full with gratitude now i think i might just explode. The absolute worst thing that could happen to any poly student facing the impending doom of 4 presentations and 5 projects due in the coming weeks, happened to me.

I lost my laptop. I freaked out. The only logical thing to do then was to try to get help but the customer hotline was already closed and besides filing an online lost & found report- there was practically nothing i could do.

My boyfriend (you the MVP for sending me down without hesitation), immediately drove down from Bukit Timah and offered to send me to Eunos Interchange, in hopes that i would be able to find it there. The odds were slim. I mean, besides a wad full of $100 bills, i don't think anything could be more tantalising than a lonely, vulnerable, unprotected laptop commuting alone on the treacherous journey aboard public transport, right?

It was just yelling to be stolen.

At the interchange, we immediately enquired with a group of bus drivers but nobody said they heard about a missing laptop. I don't think my heart could have sank any lower.

One bus driver who happened to drive a 61 told me that i probably arrived too late, and it was probably already gone, but offered to call his colleague to keep a lookout for me anyway. After giving him my particulars, it was about 1030PM and i just sat at the bus stop dejectedly, hoping that the stars would align and a miracle would somehow happen.

And it did!

A 61 turned into the interchange and when i approached the bus uncle, i was literally flabbergasted (big word, but honestly very apt) to find out that my laptop was with him! I was hesitant and i was mindful to not keep my hopes up because i while i couldn't really remember what ethnicity the bus driver was, my (equally clueless) friend told me that "he was Chinese, i think".

My hero wasn't Chinese, nor was he a knight in shining armour riding a horse (he drove a bus) but instead, was a nice, unassuming man by the name of Mr Ramasamy K.

Lo and behold, I sit here now typing on the very laptop that the said noble man had saved.

According to the bus uncle, he was monitoring the unattended laptop for awhile. When a middle aged man allegedly tried to take my laptop after noticing it, he knew something was up. The man was seated at the back of the bus and came to the front once to survey the surroundings, and the second time, to take my laptop before attempting to alight.

Mr Ramasamy recalled that the man was not holding anything when he boarded the bus and so he asked the man if the laptop was his. The man was unable to answer as to what brand the laptop was and even came up with a lame excuse on the pretext that he was taking the laptop to the police station. Mr Ramasamy did not let him alight, and even threatened to call the police if he did not hand the laptop to him.

I think grateful is an understatement as to what i am feeling right now. Throughout the whole nerve-wrecking ordeal, all the SMRT staff were very helpful. Most of all, Mr Ramasamy was just about the sweetest and most genuine stranger i've met in a long while. He didn't lament about the fact that i was causing him trouble and taking up his time or that i was careless, but told me to be careful the next time.

This simple act of kindness embodied the spirit of service, and made me appreciate bus drivers even more. Generally, most bus 61 drivers i've met are very friendly, and i have occasionally met some who even take time to greet each and ever passenger when they board. None of these gestures are part of their job, and none of these will get them a pay raise - but the fact that these unsung heroes do these things from their hearts just to make someone's day suck a little less, is really comforting.

Now, I trust when SMRT says "We Care", because today, i met someone who really does.

While i will make sure to smile and be thankful (and not lament about waiting for busses) the next time i board a bus, i hope everyone else will do the same too.

Chelsey C.

Dear Editors,

I am unhappy over a comment which my daughter's form teacher made...but don't know how to go about it without getting daughter into trouble.

My hubby brought my girl to ENT at NUH on Monday for a hearing test. The specialist found her right ear to have some problem and the results will confirm next week. I emailed the form teacher to request for early pick up from school and updated her on daughter's condition. In the email, I told her what the ENT specialist mentioned after the preliminary test, the reply was to update her if the right ear is confirmed to have a problem and apply for 'access arrangement for Listening Comprehension' with the medical report. She said she didn't notice daughter having this problem in class.

But yesterday, the form teacher told my daughter not to pretend that she can't hear and there is nothing wrong. Since the test was done by a medical specialist, the teacher would know that the child is not faking it. why did she tell daughter 'not to pretend' she has a hearing problem? seems like a double standard kind of thing...on one hand she thanked me for informing her, but yet accused daughter of faking it.I am very pissed with this. can anyone advise what I can do?

Janet

I encountered an errant mercedes driver today and instead of apologising for what he did, he tried to intimidate me on the roads.

I was driving on Pasir Ris Drive 2, this road is a 3 lane road, 1 for turning left, middle lane is for both turning left and going straight, and the lane on the right was for turning right.

I was on lane 2, and indicated my signals clearly ahead of time, that i'll be turning left. Errant mercedes driver was on lane 1 (furthest left)- his lane is strictly for turning.

As the lights turned green, i proceeded to turn unto Pasir Ris Drive 1, this is a two lane road, the errant mercedes driver decides to speed up and swerve into my lane (please note he swerved into my lane-the outer lane), i had to jam break just in time, i am 38 weeks pregnant.

Is it not common road discipline to turn into the lane assigned to you, not swerve into someone else's lane and almost causing an accident?

Instead of apologising, the driver tried to intimidate me at the lights ahead, all the way even after turning unto Loyang Ave and subsequently TPE, driver kept stepping on his brakes trying to scare me.

Not sure what triggered his behaviour, but he must somehow think that i made some sort of illegal left turn at Pasir Ris Drive 1, without knowing that it is a LEGIT 2 lane turning road.

So therefore Mr Mercedes, if you ever see this, shame on you, such a pity i didn't manage to capture your face on my camera. As drivers, we respect the roads we are on, your life depends on it, some day you might not be as lucky as you are today.

Mrs Preggy
A.S.S. Contributor

I had a bad experience yesterday at circle line serangoon station. I was being assaulted by a lady passenger long hair in blue dress while alighting at the serangoon station.

It all started she wants her way. I had space to walk in front of her near to the exit door. As I was alighting the same station as her and just because i didnt giver her cut my way she started to push me from behind. Somehow i felt another force push I turned back she gave me a stare. I returned her back the push after the another push from her which force me to move forward, she then scratched me from behind.

Looks can be deceiving, never will I expect this lady to behave like a hooligan which she further smacked my phone to the floor when I tried to take her pic.

Ugly commuters are increasingly due to uncouth FT invade our country causing everywhere to be jam-packed. She is not local by the way.

I was near the control station trying to question why she scratched me and we broke out in an argument. Both station manager and Cisco security were trying to break us up and asked us to leave the station if we want to continue. I showed them I was attacked by that lady where I sustained scratches and redness on my arm. Both failed to listen to my complaint but order me to leave the station and resolved myself. If I wanted to stay at the station then I had to provide my particulars to them. I told them I will need to confirm this with the police which I then dial 999. Police officer on the phone told me if I am not comfortable to reveal to SMRT staff, then wait for the police to arrive. Instruction given by the police to wait inside and not outside of the mrt.

So fyi don't anyhow give your particulars to any security or SMRT STAFF. They don't hv the authority to do so.

All this while Cisco security also not a local, was shouting at me and threatened me to give my IC to them if not he let the lady off, which they finally did.

The lady upon hearing that I was about to call the police dare not looked back and rushed off. Was she afraid to meet the police? Even so, why wasn't Cisco and station manager unable to restrain my assailant? Who are commuters to seek help to when they are in need?

Nowadays Singapore no longer peace and harmony. No more courtesy. Feeling alienated as a Singaporean.

Alienated Singaporean
A.S.S. Contributor

I would like to share with you this case where i had bought a Whole Life Insurance Policy sold by Great Eastern in July 2015, i met the Great Eastern Agent at at a road show and he introduced me this policy that sounded quite useful to me as i did not have a Whole Life Plan at the point of time.

The whole process of signing up was rather seamless, and i was charged for the premiums for the entire year through the Great Eastern Cashflo Card - Payment was on a monthly basis.

About six months later which is in Jan 16, i received a letter from Great Eastern indicating there was an "ERROR" in the PayAssure Rider which i had signup with Great Eastern and it states that there will be a removal of a death benefit from the PayAssure Rider which is totally unheard of and unbelievable. There is just a simple apology stated in the letter indicating for the inconvenience caused. This error should never had been in the policy in the first place.

I've tried to contact the agent involved and not only is he not helpful, he even challenged me to write in or call in to Great Eastern to Complain, my faith and trust in Great Eastern is totally shattered, will Great Eastern after another six months send me another letter indicating there is another "ERROR" again?

Even if it's an Error, Great Eastern Should honor it as it is a legal binding document and endorsed by both parties.

I could not believe that they could just send a letter to apologize and close off the case simply just like that. I was really shortchanged.

Attached are the documents sent by Great Eastern indicating the ERROR and removal of the death benefit.

I hope the relevant Authorities would look into this matter to resolve this issue.

Yang
A.S.S. Contributor

Our reader shares his experience applying for a job with Asia Recruit, which charges a fee for job seekers trying to find employment with them.

Hi!

I actually applied to them because I saw their post in Gumtree that positions hiring in different field are urgent. Then they sent me a text to go to their office at People's Park Complex #4-17 which you mentioned. The name of the company the mentioned in the text is Asia Recruit. I am actually aware of this kind of modus but I still go. I just want to check and experience. Lol.

Then when they already mentioned about the fee and what to expect after paying. I showed the fake excitement in me and told them that I will come back in 30 mins I will just get money. Just for them to let me go without asking any question or whatsoever. Then I left their office laughing as I've experienced it myself (I am aware of the modus). Lol.

So I am writing you this for you to tell the other victims that their office is still there. Same building. Maybe different people? Idk. But same exact location. If they want to get there money back, pretend that they are interested then after the staff told them that their money is refundable, then that's the time they can get there money back.

Pleas note: Their office doesnt have Company name stated in their door.

For Your Information
A.S.S. Contributor

Dear Editor,

I refer to The Hon NCMP Tan's maiden speech yesterday and Indranee Rajah's
subsequent response:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/specialreports/parliament/news/minla...

I applaud the WP's present willingness to actively engage the government on
tough issues as well as comments by Fatimah Lateef to WP's Faisal on the lack
of suggestions he has proposed in our lopsided parliament. I think Fatimah
Lateef (as a 3 term MP) is still blurred on the line of the roles the
government and Opposition MPs play and perhaps its better for voters to
retire her at the next poll so she can concentrate on serving her patients at
SGH in addition to fixing serious lapses in MOH.

Back to the focus of NCMP Tan's speech of the day, I will highlight why
Indranee's reply was flawed and at most, in severe state of denial on our
unbalanced Legal and Judicial system here.

On the front of Legal Aid, the Bureau has since 'tightened security' and
entry is only by appointment via an MP's recommendation or phone call. One is
no longer able to directly proceed and apply even if the appellant is
illiterate, they will be turned away by hostile guards. So much so for my own
MP assuring me "there is no such thing" and "we can still walk in and be able
to apply for Aid".

On access to Justice, let us closely scrutinize 2 key issues that is,
amendments to the Third Party Risk and Compensation Act Cap 189 and POHA
which was 'singled out' by Indranee. When the Bill was rubber stamped in
2013, MP Sylvia Lim seriously questioned:
http://www.wp.sg/motor-vehicles-third-party-risks-and-compensation-amend...
the repelling for protection of accident victims by our so called "Public
Trustee" which may now see rouge lawyers and vehicle owners trying to bypass
fair reimbursements for their victims. Large conglomerates like Comfort
DelGro which are insured by Canada's Fairfax Financial Holdings and
represented by troublesome lawyers from ULA (flagged by the High Court), are
very pleased with the shedding of social responsibility. Someone I know who
broke his leg during a traffic accident 4 years ago has had his case
adjourned numerous times due to the financial might of the insurance agency.
Such delaying tactics are often used to pressure victims into receiving
significantly lower amounts of their sufferings or they will 'suffer' even
more if they choose to take on the insurance companies for what they should
rightly be accorded!

POHA is another big joke altogether. One will have to make a Magistrate's
Complaint at $20 and the tedious process of obtaining and producing evidence
to the Magistrate and POHA registrar is enough for one to give up and either
allow the transgressions to continue or take matters into your own hands as
suggested by PAP MP Seah Kian Peng! Police who are in possession of the
evidences will often not cooperate in releasing them to Court.

Lastly, we do not have an ombudsman like that in many First World Countries
to concurrently review the conduct and decisions of judicial officers. The
most citizens can do is ask their MP to make representations to MINLAW which
usually relies on template responses to redirect them away. MPs are also
unable to write directly to the Chief Justice for a reasonable review too.

As we move on from GE 2015, let us ponder on what kind of society we want to
shape until 2021 with these imbalances instead of talking about 'SG 100'.
There's a saying that goes of "not counting your chickens before the egg
hatches".

From: A disenchanted Marine Parade resident

Another dead cat has been found in Yishun yesterday at 4:30pm. The cat was found lying on a grass patch at Yishun St 11, Blk 162. It is the 3rd cat found dead this month.

This comes after 2 men have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the abuse and killing of cats in the Yishun area. Witnesses or anyone with information about this recent cat killing should report it to the police immediately.

Since MP Shanmugam and Louis Ng are both animal lovers and advocates of animal well-being, why are they not doing anything more to stop the spade of cat killings in their ward? Do you think they are just all talk and no action only?

Dear admin,

On 27/01/2016, 12.45pm, SHA8680J and Lorry GBA1148Y refused to given way to each other at Jalan Baiduri.

As such, the residents (including me) were stuck along the road for nearly 20mins. This is the time where we are sending/picking our kids from school and they are causing massive delay and great inconvenience.

Both refused to move their vehicles and chose to seat in the vehicles despite repeated requests from the resident.

The attitude of this taxi driver was very bad and refused to reverse to give way even when there was ample space behind.

Justin Ng

Dear A.S.S,

Yesterday I received a SMS reminder from KK hospital about an appointment that I did not have. It turns out that they had mistakenly a reminder for someone else's appointment to my handphone number.

I am wondering if it is ethical and morally right for a hospital to send the SMS reminder to the wrong person because now I know the identity of the person who is seeking treatment from which doctor for which disease. Where is the doctor-patient confidentiality?

I hope MOH or KK hospital can investigate into or clarify this matter as I do not think that it is right that Singaporean's medical history or information is so easily leaked out to strangers.

Alex L.

Do HDB residents want to pay higher S & CC? It’s about time we scrutinise TC expenditures.

Some of the expenditures can be reduced, such as MP greeting banners. I have queried Pasir Ris Punggol TC but it has refused to disclose the probably embarrassing amount spent.

I am not requesting for confidential information but my TC says it needs to better understand my concerns and is unable to respond via email. I have since written to the PMO on this issue of transparency which has yet to respond. (link to my query, TC’s reply and email to PM Lee)

Should we be paying for MPs to greet us?

Since my TC prefers to conceal the actual banner expenditure, I have estimated the cost to be at about $200,000 every year. This is based on 100 banners printed during each festival and National Day:

New Years Day
Chinese New Year
Good Friday
Labour Day
Vesak day
National Day
Hari Raya Puasa
Deepavali
Hari Raya Haji
Christmas Day

If each costs $200, residents would be paying some $20,000 for the banners on each occasion. Multiply that by 10 and our expenditure has increased by $200,000.

MPs are given an allowance and if they are sincere in greeting residents, the banners should be paid from their pockets. I mean, isn’t it ridiculous to make your friends pay for the greeting card sent to you?

Hmm… are my MPs smiling because they have taken us for a ride by forcing us to pay for their greeting banners? How many millions of dollars have been wasted? Why fear transparency if it is not wrong to do so?

likedatosocanmeh
A.S.S. Contributor

On 28/1/16 this driver SGH4213B, reverse very fast without checking blind spot or anyone behind his vehicle at between bugis plus and bugis village one way road along double yellow line and nearly hit my uncle without apologize. Luckily my uncle jump away from the double yellow line avoid his vehicle. He looked at him for awhile and he still show us his arrogant face and seems like we are at fault for not avoiding his car reversing on a one way traffic.

I was quite angry so taken a photo of his car and went in a shop to continue my shopping. He came in to the shop shouted asking me why I took photo of his car without his permission, I told him he nearly hit my uncle and yet he still very angry scolded me and took photo of me.

His behavior is really like a kid crying without a candy and insist I'm in the wrong taking his car photo without his permission. Please help me to inform all people to avoid this vehicle and ah beng.

Chris Lee
A.S.S. Contributor

<Reader Contribution>

Hi admin,

I'm writing in to tell you my story about my going to be ex-husband and his lover and hopefully this will help all wives and husbands of these so called groups of 'healthy sports'.

You would never imagine that my husband actually had an affair with his running team mate cum colleague while engaging in physical activities I.e from marathons to triathlons. My husband spent at least 3 weekday evenings on his so called running, swimming squad and spin classes. On weekend early wee mornings (sat and sun), he will say that he will be out cycling with his so-called cycling friends cycling around Singapore or jogging with this so called 'like minded people jogging group' for his iron man or triathlons.

Readers, all these are covered up for his rendezvous with his lover, you will never suspect as he would come back showered and clean (they always keep a sports bag in their car) but actual fact, they checked into budget hotels. You can't fault them for unable to reach them via phone cuz they will explained I'm swimming in open sea, I'm in the gym, inside the forest no reception, cycling Lea how to pick up phone. All they need to do is just soak all the sports apparels in water (ensured that it's wet so that you won't suspect ). They spend so much time together as 'Triathletes' that you wouldn't even have a single suspicion. They often participate overseas races from Bintan to Malaysia and have affairs there. Yet, this group of people always labelled themselves as 'discipline, sporty high level working professionals' with morals so loose. My hubby even told me he was too tired to have sex because of extreme sports. I eventually found out and realized that his lover is also married. They are just a group of so called "professionals" like minded F@&k buddies.

Welcome to the new age of healthy and sporty adultery!!!

Georgia
A.S.S Reader