Dear ASS Editors,

We the residents of blk 26 marsiling drive are affected by the inconsiderate neighbors who always threw paper with shit or medicinal patch. The culprit Believe to be staying on level 7 and above.

It's frustrating that going to mp doesn't resolve the situation. Are we shifting back to 3rd country living environment with first world politicians?

Upset Marsiling Residents
A.S.S. Contributor

<Facebook complaint by Lee Wen Ya>

I was out with my 8mo, my friend and her almost 2mo baby at H&M Waterway Point. My friend went on to try out some clothes while i stood aside looking after our babies, belongings and strollers.

After a while, my baby being impatient, started to fuss in her stroller and so i tried to calm/distract her.

This tanned-skin woman with tied-up curly hair stood near us and watched what's going on. At first i thought she's looking at some clothes behind me, but soon she striked conversation by asking how old is my baby, is a baby girl or boy, what's my baby's name (she tries to get my girl's attention).

These are commonly asked questions and so i wasn't suspicious till she asked me who's the other baby, how old is that baby, am i alone n where's my friend, am i staying near WWP (if not inconvenient), does my husband drives, how many people with me today etc. I ignored her and pushed 2 strollers (at the same time) away from her. Note, she was still near me waiting for my reply. I wanted to move to a spot with clear CCTV surveillance.

To my horror, she followed me and asked if i need her help and i firmly said IT'S OK, NO NEED and stood super close to our babies. She then walked away.
I shared with my friend about the ordeal and we quickly Tula (babywear) our babies and continued shopping. We then bumped into her at Cotton On. My friend and i saw that she could stand at a side randomly stares at family with child. Later, we managed to follow behind her and tried to snap photos in hope to warn others.

She could just be a crazy woman, a potential child abductor or simply a lonely person trying to befriend. But i wont know and wouldn't want to risk.

Do stay more vigilant everyone! Watch your child(ren) closely when out and don't reveal too much information to strangers!

<Facebook post by Ariffin Sha>

This is exactly why the need for a discussion on Islamic Reform is so, so pressing. Here you have Mr Zulfikar Shariff, a Muslim who is well versed in Islamic Theology and pretty eloquent. Some may even say, from his posts and personal experiences, that he is someone who can be very convincing.

In these 3 posts below, you will be able to read how he calls upon 'moderate' Muslims, presumably those who live among us in Singapore and the region, and cites hadiths, verses and events in Islamic history in an effort to convince them that 'Jihad' and 'Offensive Wars' are not only necessary but an essential and fundamental part of Islam.

He has the temerity to go as far as to ask Muslims to take up arms for causes which a significant proportion of Muslims in Singapore are sympathetic towards like the plight of the Palestinians and the Rohingya.

The problem arises when Muslims reading the posts start pondering about the legitimacy of these verses, hadiths and stories. And when they are actually found in the Quran and/or other reputable texts, they face a dilemma. They know that these acts do not sit well with them inherently, but they are conflicted as to what to do to reconcile their beliefs and what the religion advocates.

This is how the seeds of Islamic Terror are sowed among seemingly peaceful and moderate Muslims. And unfortunately, 2 have already been radicalized as a result of Mr Shariff's postings. Amongst those who may not take up arms per se, a number of them may stay silent too if and when such atrocities occur, especially against groups of people like the LGBT Community (as seen in Orlando) or the Israelis.

When faced with verses, hadiths and anecdotes like these, it is all the more important that questioning their relevance shouldn't be equated to apostasy or islamaphobia.

If the Christian Church can choose to disregard verses which justify slavery, Islam can and must do the same for anachronistic and barbaric verses and practices. It is of utmost importance that we have this conversation.

I would expect to see a considerable number of comments from Muslims who perceive the very act of questioning the faith as blasphemy. I would be the first to admit that this conversation isn't one that is easy. After all, we were always taught that the Quran is the final word of god and to question it or be selective in which verses we choose to heed would be illogical. Nevertheless, so many different sects of Islam still exist. And for us to begin and adopt a more liberal and tolerant strand of Islam, would do no one any harm. In fact, I submit that it would do the world a great good.

I doubt 'all-loving gods' would punish someone for being too peaceful, too tolerant and too reasonable

Also, on a related issue. I have argued against the use of indefinite detention without trial provided under the ISA before. Zulfikar was arrested under the Internal Security Act. As of now, it is not known if the Ministry of Home Affairs plans to eventually bring formal charges against him, as they have done recently with the radicalized Bangladeshi workers. However, such a law is open to abuse.

Ideally, a separate law to deal with terrorist threats should be introduced. Something like the UK's Terrorism Act. One which incorporates a limited period of preventive detention (4 weeks?) with the renewal subject to the approval of an ombudsman, after-which the accused must be brought to trial. I think it provide sufficient time to gather evidence for a trial in open court.

New Hotel Scam!

This is one of the smartest scams I have heard about. You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. Typically when checking in, you give the front desk your credit card (for any charges to your room) and they don't retain the card.

You go to your room and settle in. All is good. The hotel receives a call and the caller asks for (as an example) room 620 - which happens to be your room.
The phone rings in your room. You answer and the person on the other end says the following:

'This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge card information.

Please re-read me your credit card numbers and verify the last 3 digits numbers at the reverse side of your charge card.'

Not thinking anything wrong, since the call seems to come from the front desk you oblige. But actually, it is a scam by someone calling from outside the hotel. They have asked for a random room number, then ask you for your credit card and address information.

They sound so professional, that you think you are talking to the front desk.

If you ever encounter this scenario on your travels, tell the caller that you will be down to the front desk to clear up any problems.

Then, go to the front desk or call directly and ask if there was a problem. If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone tried to scam you of your credit card information, acting like a front desk employee.

This was sent by someone who has been duped........ and is still cleaning up the mess.
P.S.

Please, consider spreading the word by forwarding this msg. Who knows, you might just help someone avoid a nasty experience. All traveling often should be aware of this one!

Dear Editors,

As an acquaintance of Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff in La Trobe University, I was not surprised to learn of his arrest when I awoke this morning (tough laws in sgp). From the few times we interacted, Zulfikar came across as a man who was eloquent but conflicted and blind to the goodness before him, sometimes I also found his views hypocritical.

Although Zul tried to portray himself as a man learned in Islamic traditions, fighting for syariah law, he was unable to grasp how Islam should be adapted to the modern context or the country he lived in. Yes, he was great at lifting entire quotes from the Koran but his theories often did not reconcile with the realities of the world we live in.

I found it especially amusing that he doesn't realise the irony of his calls for the setting up of an Islamic Khilafah. He advocates for the rejection of constitutional democracy but yet enjoys a peaceful, fulfilling life in democratic countries like Australia and Singapore.

Zul's hypocrisy is even more pronounced when you realise that as a full time student here in Australia, he doesn't earn a full salary and gets only a modest stipend. Due to this lack of income, his family members are on welfare provided generously by us, the Australian people.

Instead of being thankful for the opportunities provided by Australia, he rebels against democracy, advocates for syariah law and wilfully spends his free time promoting radical ISIS ideology online?

If Zulfikar is so displeased with our Western systems of governance, he is free to pack up and go to a country who's system appeals to his Islamic sensibilities. When Zulfikar left Singapore and came to study here in Australia, why didn't he choose Malaysia or Indonesia? They are afterall two of the most populous Muslim nations in South East Asia and would be a much better fit for his aspirations.

Having allowed the news to sink in, thinking back now, Zulfikar Shariff is without any doubt a two-faced hypocrite who wished to enjoy all the benefits of our free democracy but yet abused our hospitality to soothe his own warped religious ideology.

Finally, to Zul, I wish you the best of luck and hope you come out of this episode a much wiser and grateful person. Maybe next time, we can reconnect under better circumstances.

Best,
Timothy Howard
A.S.S. Contributor

Dear All Singapore Stuff,

Here is an orientation activity that took place at one of the local tertiary institutes a while ago. This activity involves raffia strings threaded around a dead fish.

The objective of the game is to pass the fish on the string from one point to another, and to do this the boys and girls will have to pass the string and fish through their clothes.

As you can see in the photo, the girl is putting the string under her top and bra and the others are helping her move the fish into her clothes and out.

Can you help me understand what such an activity is supposed to achieve? How is this a bond building activity?

Mark
A.S.S. Contributor

<Facebook post by Osman Sulaiman>

May Allah ease their worries in times of difficulties.

Detained under ISA. No court appearance. No judge to determine whether he is guilty of whatever charges the gov thrown on them.

As with all other ISD detainees, we will never know if they are indeed guilty.

I know Zulfikar, Shamim and Saiddin personally. I dont think they are radicalised. Saddened by this event.

(In June this year, RP member Osman Sulaiman urged Singaporean Muslims to boycott a break fast event organised by the Israel embassy saying that "It's like accepting an invitation from someone who killed your family members just to show we are an inclusive society.")

http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/reform-party-member-slams-spore...

I want to share my experience.

My daughter a teacher in MOE entered after A levels. She took a Diploma in NIE n became a junior teacher. She was asked to serve 2 yrs bond.

She asked her Principle to give her opportunity to take a degree in NIE. She was recommended n given a place after 2 yrs.

She was put on unpaid leave to pursue her degree. Now she completed. MOE told my daughter shw has to serve 3 years bond and she must pay for her degree. She asked why pay n get bonded. They say it is in fine print in her original agreement n she was NOT TOLD. So she must now pay $30,000 n be bonded. I wrote to Ng Chee Meng - so called Education Minister as a Parent n he refused to answer to my official email. Then i called PSC and asked why a Minister is refusing to reply to a proper complaint by a citizen n parent. I told them I will report to DPM and PM if he refuse. He replied without answering to my questions why my daughter must serve bond n pay where else PRC kids are getting free rides.

And those pigs in MOE can tell my daughter why am I protesting as she will land in trouble. When I spoke to their HR Mgr she told me , " Dont compare your daughter with those PRC scholars because they are ELITES ".

Fellow Singaporeans - is this fair to.my daughter n me ? Is this a govt which cares for us ? Now they can loose millions like this. Where is justice to our children ? Education ministry is prosituting us to help foreigners Lee Hsien Loong heart only goes to foreigners interest. The system he runs wont bother our welfare. All we see is a system build by elites to serve their own interest. Stop being blind fools. Open your eyes wide n safe guard your interest. In matter of time , we locals will be fxxxed. Thanks to 69% of idiots who vote without thinking. They voted to make us second class. I stand by what I have written because I have all in writing.

Shawn Shawket
A.S.S. Contributor

My friend and I were taking the train at Segar Station and we supposed to alight at Jelapang to pick up our kids from kindergarten. The train didn't stop at all. We keep pressing the emergency button and it not working. A guy pick up the emergency phone and tried calling but also no response.

The speed of the train is really fast and passed 3 stations without stopping. That's really scare everyone to the max especially the train moving fast. One of a lady called by using her mobile phone and then the train start to slow down.

The train stop before the platform near Phoenix Station.

Everyone were so scared especially we saw another train ahead near to Phoenix Station. We can't imagine what will happen if we can't get the train stop.

Now.. there are many Why in my mind!!!!!!

1. Why the emergency button is not working ????

2. Why no one notice the train moving non stop till 4th stations????

3. Why the emergency phone also not working at that moment?????

4. Why the train moving non stop with much faster speed as usual????

5. How frequent smrt check the emergency button and phone to ensure it functionality????

This incident happen on the late evening of 29/07/2016, I received a call from a lady stranger at approximately 7.05pm.She told me she had gotten my contact number from my son's handbook.

My son, who is merely a 7 year old boy was sitting alone at the void deck of his foster parents place at such late evening. He could not get into the house for the foster parent because they were not at home. My 7 year old boy was left out alone, he had no idea where they were and he couldn't contact anyone. He was hungry, scared, helpless, lost and defenseless. I was being promised by the organization(MSF) and the foster parents that my boy will be loved, safe and protected. Empty promises were made because I learnt from my boy that this same incident happened at least on 3 occassions.

Feeling extremely devastated and disappointed, I immediately called my child
protection officer, Ms Nur Hazwani Bte Mohamad Azib but she failed to answer
to my repeated calls despite of such urgent matter.After a long waiting
period, she returned my call, she told me to relax and claimed that she will
get back to me regarding this issue.

I waited for almost 2hours. To my utter disappointment, Ms Hazwani did not
call back. I had to repeatedly call her before she decided to answer phone.
The explanation she gave me was very irresponsible and she admitted that this
is not the 1st time when such incident happened to my boy. I find her not
being efficient and she was trying to brush things off lightly. I insisted
speaking to her in-charge to get this matter resolved. Ms Hazwani refused,
she told me she will pass my number to the management but the management
might not be calling me and she hung up on me. I didn't even have the chance
to tell Ms Hazwani that a helpful stranger found my son and had contacted me.
Ms Hazwani, as usual, couldn't be reached again after the last phone call.

I was told by my son that this incident happened for at least 3 times and the
foster parents were always late in picking up my boy after his school. I
could not imagine what will happen to my boy if the kind stranger did not
came to his rescue. Ms Hazwani and the foster parents are being very
irresponsible and dishonest by hiding the truth from me. I had been kept in
the dark for so long.

My boy had been left in open risk, endangering his safety and leaving him in
hunger for so many times. I am very heart broken and I blamed myself for not
being there for my boy when he was so frightened and lost. I witnessed the so
called good standards of foster parents that MSF claimed. I witnessed how
irresponsible an officer could be. I witnessed how the empty promises of
keeping my boy loved, safe and protected is made.

I committed a mistake. I deeply regretted for my actions. I let my boy down.
When my boy was forcefully taken away from me by MSF,the promises and
assurances given to us were empty and illusions. The high standards and
strict regulations of selecting foster parents were really an eye opener for
me.

Should I wait for a grievous mistake to be committed by the foster parents or
harm to come to my boy before I can voice out my concerns and
disappointments? I have been very cooperative and followed closely to the
orders given by MSF. But the outcome is so disheartening. Under the care of
MSF, officer and foster parents, I can't see a glimpse of my boy is being
loved, safe and protected.

There was one occasion when Ms Hazwani brought along her boyfriend with her
during our meet up session. Many occasions, I felt that Ms Hazwani is failing
her duties and she is not keen in resolving matters. This is very not
appropriate and not professional. Such conduct and behavior should not be
accepted or tolerated.

I have been trying all sources to get in touch with MSF and to get an
explanation regarding this incident. I want the ugly truth to be exposed. The
organization is not always right and not all their members are responsible,
honest and dutiful.

I will get assistance via legal channels to seek readdress for my son.

Pls help to share around and make sure All Singaporeans especially to be
aware and caution on the irresponsible doings by MSF.I am here to also
seeking for justice to be made as till today,30/07/2017,nobody kept us
informed on this incident.

P
A.S.S. Contributor

Dear ASS,

suggestive 'O Week Games' prevalent in Universities in the West, sexualizes
the kinesthetic (body movements, touch) and kinesics (non-verbal cues)
between mere acquaintances of opposite gender.

Hormone raging undergrads inevitability will feel turned-on by these
activities, and was perhaps the subtle objective of these 'Student Leaders'?
Philandering swingers/'players' in clubs call this art of touching and
getting women 'high', 'KINO'. They will observe their reactions, and adjust
the level of 'KINO' to apply. (Formulae: No kino=strangers, Kino=friends)

Female students may also get the wrong signal, and invite male students for
'late-night studying in their dorms', which may sensually escalate to 'dry
humping'. However 'dry humping' and prior 'sexual encounters', does not
equate consent to all future sexual penetrations. This is where it becomes
tricky for horny Uni students.

Yale B-baller Sexual Misconduct
On 18 OCt 2014, Jack Montague (Yale Basketball player) allegedly raped his gf
("Jane Roe") despite not consenting to sexual intercourse and had
communicated this verbally. Montague claimed that they had consensual "sexual
encounters" several times before the sexual assault. Montague was promptly
expelled from Yale for sexual misconduct, and claimed that his expulsion had
ruined his "promising future".
"Last year, a study by the Association of American Universities found that
nearly 1 in 4 undergraduate women at a large group of leading universities
said they had been sexually assaulted — and pegged Yale’s rates as higher
than the average found at the 27 colleges."
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jack-montague-yale-basketball-captai...
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/10/sports/ncaabasketball/jack-montague-ya...

Stanford Campus Sexual Assault
On 18 Jan 2015, Brock Turner, 19, (Stanford swimmer) raped an unconscious
female behind a dumpster. Turner claimed she agreed to "fingering" and "dry
humping". Post examination revealed that the victim experienced "significant
trauma" (physical injury or bruising) including "penetrating trauma." In
Turner's defense, he cited "peer pressure" environment, and blamed campus
"drinking and promiscuity". On 2 June 2016, Turner was sentenced to 6 months
jail, and must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, all for
"20 minutes of action” (coined by Brock's father).
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/09/us/brock-turner-blamed-drinking-and-pr...

Are our local Ox-bridge Universities cultivating more egoistic 'Montagues'
and 'Turners', who feel it is their alpha-male right to non-consensual sex
(rape)?

Annabella Chong-Suckerbeg
A.S.S. Contributor

Dear A.S.S,

I want to share my memory of a NUS business FOC.

This was a game at a NUS faculty orientation camp a few years ago

It was a pool game.

Means we are required to get into the swimming pool

The day before we heard that hor, we can go into the pool with our shirts on

so we just wear sports bra only underneath

some wear normal bra

then suddenly the ogl said cannot wear our shirts, must take off

but nobody wear swimsuit one

so we wanted to go back to change

but then, like that not enough gals to play game

so they say those with sports bra or normal bra, dun care, just take off
shirt and play in the pool

it was freaking hot!

then we had to like sit on a guy, legs over his head kinda if u know wad i
mean

ogl said it's captain's ball where gals shouldn't get wet.

Each gal is supposed to catch the ball while sitting on a guy's shoulders and
pass it around

Later on, we played one game where we had to lick whipped cream off a guy's
nipples

They said all these is part of a ritual

Christina
A.S.S Contributor

<Facebook post by Razak Ali>

For those who don't know. Zulfikar has always wanted to join PAP.

Apparently he used to help out at Tampines GRC under the EX MP Yatiman. His views were radical during that time that Mr Yatiman decide not to submit his membership.

Vehicle : – Rental Car, Nissan Sylphy (white color)
Rental Company: - Lion City Rentals LCR
Workshop : – World Auto Pte Ltd (appointed workshop by LCR)

• 3-car chain accident along AYE, my vehicle being the last vehicle of the chain … means I am liable for all claims. Followed the procedure, report to World Auto Pte Ltd, make accident report & leave the vehicle there.

• Meanwhile I sent pictures of the damages to outside garage for an estimate, $800/- was the quote from outside garage & require 2 days to repair.

• World Auto have carry out their damage access & informed me the next day, their quotation was $2,200/-, repair period a week. I do not agree with their quote & wish to shift the car to an outside garage. World Auto said no “in their so-call professional way”. I stop any further discussion with this workshop, give up. I approach LCR, hoping to get their permission.

• Once I reach LCR office & relate the whole incident, they shown me a section of my Rental Contract. Yes .. it is in black & white, I have signed & now LL

• Next … LCR confirm they do not allow their vehicle to be fixed by other workshop, full stop. Must be through this costly World Auto workshop.

• LCR negotiated on my behalf with World Auto workshop for a lower $1,800/- deal. The repair period is still a week, nothing can be faster. (final & no more bargain)

• During the entire repair period, I still have to pay my daily rental ($70 x 7 = $490) in cash, since Uber can no longer offset it from my weekly earnings. In the end, i gave LCR official notice to return vehicle instead.

• I also need to pay up Third Party Access Claims $2,140/-

I am sharing my experience with all Uber drivers who have rented their vehicle with LCR.

In the end, the seamless coordination between LCR & World Auto is flawless & I’m left with $4,556/- out of pocket.

<Facebook post by Jojo Tan>

This is the Fatty(Aw Jia Ming Gilbert). He give up this family, let us down and sought to abandon us, despite my ples. He still expect me to pay him back the amount that he contributed the shares in this house. Now, he want to take away my 2 boys half way from school and dump them back to the maid at the messy house so his mission for his mum will b ended? If you are following your mum(Rena Tan Kim Lian) instructions and want to fight ..than pls think of the child welfare and you dun ruin their childhood. Throughout the marriage,he was financially irresponsible and had never provided for the family. Start from May 2016 children Maintainace he only willing to give 3 for $400 claimed himself as a boss at Happy Kitchen mighty chef location at 41 Airline road siaec hangar 5 s(819831) & 313 Sembawang airbase s(757754). It's really ridiculous.. and yet want to take the whole weekdays & weekend from Friday to sun(Who can take care of them when everyone are working). The whole family really forcing me to the end. I need my Justice and is very unfair to me.

Gilbert aw has been an alcholic and womanizer during our marriage,hardly home to care for the child..He is just being spiteful..He chose to live his carefree life,without being tied down to his obligations as a father and husband. This is the man i have been living with and had to cope with..Now he still making false statement on lie and oath against me. He is failed to discharge his duties as a father, his mother RenaTan & Sister linxin aw who is behind the entire story.

2013-Open relationship & behaving intimately with unknown woman
11-19 April 2015-Went Yunnan for 10days
May 2015-Hit & run / drink & drive accident (After quarrel with gf)
15July 2015-Leading gf to fatal accident
17July 2015-I found out from police statement and his family has been behind supporting him
Aug 2015-He didnt come back and his parent blamed my fault and telling my child im not a good mother
Sep 2015-His mum set up dirty trick and make my life difficulties.
Oct 2015- All the children insurance/account, his mum arranged & forcing me to change to his son name instead of my name
3 Nov 2015-Went to china,did not even say how long he was going for
Dec 2015-His father Eric aw told me that his son left home because of my fault
Jan 2016-There came a breaking point and we cant continue unrepentant ways anymore

In less than 2 weeks time we are celebating the nation's 51st birthday.

However, recently just happen to notice that some our national flag is being "hidden" by some sarong like cloths.

These pictures are taken at Bukit Batok St. 24 blk 290F.

I asked some neighbors why they do this, they say that the flag block the way, so just remove it loh!

Is this how we should treat our national flag?

Anonymous
A.S.S. Contributor

Dear ASS Editors,

I saw this at sentosa siloso beach.. His PRC mother saw me taking photo and cant be bothered by the sight of Singaporeans looking at her son urinating in public.. I miss our old Singapore.

This incident happened yesterday around 6pm.. A few onlookers gave a stare and some youths tried to tell the mum off but apparently, the boy parents continue taking photos while their son taking a piss...

Khai
A.S.S. Contributor

Dear All Singapore Stuff,

Hi all, I would like to write in to appeal to the public for more understanding towards our boys in green. With the recent public submissions on army boys from being shamed for not giving up seats in trains, shitting in underwear while giving up seats and also one helped to carry a child to enable her to watch the NDP.

Before I share my opinions on those issues mentioned, I will like to give a
brief overview on our army trainings and life which will paint a better
picture on why such incidents happens quite frequently having just ORDed
months ago, it's just that when nobody says anything, of course no one knows.

When we were enlisted for our BMT, we were briefings and as combat fit
soldiers, our training and e or rations are usually extremely demanding. It's
good in the way that it makes us tough to fight in a war. However, sometimes
timing was so tight that we have to do our strenuous activities while holding
our bladder and bowels for Long hours, putting us at risk of peeing and
shitting in our undergarment.

We were given instructions like no inner shirts as we are only allow to wear
1 shirt ( uniform, singlet or T-shirt) at all times, also we are only allowed
to wear 2 bottoms, our underwear with pants, and its emphasised that only
underwear is allowed, no briefs, boxers or thongs. Reason being they only
allowed underwear is because they don't want us to trap heat, brief and
boxers covers a larger portion of our thigh and that can cause heat injury.
And it's also very awful to wear boxers or briefs with our PT and admin
shorts as the sides will be exposed or overlapped.

The reason being was very simple, although we were given a short toilet break
in between, but toilets are usually very pack as everyone is using it,
sometimes we are forced to hole our bowels and bladder to do exercises that
require a lot of pushing strength aka "Kek" in Hokkien, which will definitely
push our pee and shit out, causing us to soil and wet our pants, common
occurrence are during IPPT, field camps, SOC, standby area and long talks.
Sometimes when our commanders were not happy with our performance, we go to
ur breaks delayed while many is were already in desperate to use the toilet,
we have to do push ups for them and hold at a even more uncomfortable
position with the pain in our ass. The moment we pushing and holding at the
position, we unknowingly soiled and/or peed in our pants. Nobody will be
laughing and mocking us because it wasn't obvious and it's open area and also
we were all sweating and stinking.

Another reason is because we were made to drink a lot of water each time
every 10 minutes as they were very worried about us being dehydrated, so we
are drinking more than we usually do and this results in a full bladder. So
we often have to hold our bladder and bowels that we are used to as our
endurance level were boosted, however it has its limits and this pain of
holding while in desperate usually is way too unbearable for a human, let
alone being us soldiers where it will hinder our performance.

Usually while we were given time to change to another attire while in our
bunks, we usually look at each other even when we were only wearing underwear
and when we look around after all this strenuous training, we hardly see
anyone wearing a clean underwear, especially those wearing light colours
ones, we can either see drops of urine or the front is wet. This is either we
have pissed or sweat till even our underwear weren't spared, I have got a
bunk mate who can't hold his bladder and bowel for long ended with a
completely wet underwear and even with a lump at the bottom of it and when he
wears a white one, the stains can be seen easily. For some of us like me, we
usually wear dark coloured or black underwears, and also we choose those with
elastic band ones, not the cloth ones as its tighter, so that in the event
should we wet or soil our pants, it's not obvious. The cloth ones would have
fall off a little if we accidentally shit our pants. And also for comfort
reasons, most of us choose expensive underwears like Renoma, Calvin Klein,
Levi's, Hush Puppies etc. Even microfibre ones.

During our IPPT, despite having toilet breaks before that, we will be asked
to fall in, count strength, drink up and listen to briefing whic last around
20 minutes, like I said we have to drink huge amount of water. After the
briefing our IPPT commences straight, so basically if we have the urge to pee
or shit, we just have to hold until IPPT is over. Some by the time when we
are doing sit ups, as an assistant, your buddy's underwear will be exposed
from the bottom and you can see it, those wearing light colour ones you will
see their underwear is either wet or stained with brown colour or sometimes
it's a bit loose that you could either see the underwear lowered down or even
their faeces or even their shorts also got it. We have to endure if our buddy
soils his pants, pee doesn't smell because it's white.

On our bookout day, we will usually clean up our bunks to prepare for checks
before we fall in to fall out, usually before we fall in we will go to the
toilet for a final time as we have to fall in to listen to some instructions
and this will also take up around 30 minutes at times. As we will be changing
to out home clothes while in our units (not bmt) so that we can go out
straight from camp or home without being noticed by the public as they can be
gossipers or nosey often. We were then marched out to the gate where it will
sometimes be a long walk and of course we have to water parade before
marching out. And you know bus services serving camps one are usually
crowded, erratic and long intervals. So usually we have to stand in the
crowded bus or at the bus stop waiting. The long wait again will cause the
urge to relieve ourselves again, and what's worst, traffic jam, so by the
time we reach the MRT station, we will be rushing to the toilets first. There
was once we waited 45 minutes before we could get up the bus as the buses
were crowded. This 45 minutes actually accumulates to around 75 minutes since
we fall out so our toilet desperation is calling us. As we arrived at the bus
interchange, we hurried to the toilet as my friend needed to shit in
desperation, he was already pinching his backside as he shit is already
inches away from touching his underwear. There was a long queue at the toilet
and my Friend attempted to ask the first person in queue if he would allow
him to use the toilet first, all that member of the public could reply was to
tell him that he is urgent everyone else there is also urgent so why can't he
queue. I was so fed up and asked my friend to run to the nearest toilet at
Lot 1 MacDonald. It was peak hours so the human traffic was actually quite
congested, he ran and with his assault bag and his Jean fell a little,
causing him to expose the back a little showing a little of his underwear,
all the people there could do was to watch, gossip and some even took
pictures. My Friend hurried and by the time he was about 20metres away from
MacDonalds, he stopped and was panting. I asked if he is alright he just
stood still, bend down a little with his hands touching he knees before he
recovers and people were looking and take photos. They took picture of him in
that position doing a "fashion show" as his blue underwear could be seen as
it exploded a little from his pants. He then walked slowly to the bench to
sit and drank some water. He told me that he no need the toilet anymore as he
had already soiled his underwear very badly and it almost soiled his pants
too, while he was running an amount of faeces actually dropped onto his
underwear he stopped just to clear it all out. He then went to toilet to
change to another underwear that was worn days ago.

To talk about sitting in trains, just imagine, if you out doing Long hours of
strenuous training, your hands and legs are tired, would you want a seat in
train as well? Think about it, if you're shag, and someone else gives up seat
to others and keep on shaming you, how would you feel? You all white collar
workers nowadays are just too pampered, sitting comfortably on a chair till
end of work, would you even understand the work that these army boys and
foreign workers have done? If you do, please be more understanding, if you
don't, try working 12 hours in a construction site, then you will know how is
it like after all these rigorous work and you require a seat in the train but
others just mock and shame you for that.

After sharing all these experience, my point is that, why the public have to
discriminate or mark others based on their uniform? Like in public, why we
have to mark foreigners or army boys etc. Why is there a need to condemn
people based on their positions or backgrounds? By doing so, we are only
causing unnecessary hate and fear among ourselves. Graciousness is anybody's
job and its from the heart, it's not a special job which only specific people
can do.

Hope everyone can understand these group of people, especially army boys, we
are tired and shag to the max after all the rigorous training, and of course
we would also want to enjoy our rides to our destination just like everyone
else, a hassle free ride to relax. Why do you need to criticise and shame an
army boy for sitting in the train and another for soiling his underwear while
giving up seat? You are free to condemn and/or praise anyone, but we can't do
that due to all the distinctions created by the public! Of course we do
appreciate all the positive comments and praises despite some self
embarrassment at times. It will just motivate us to do better and also tell
others that if one can do it, you can too. Some sacrifice and embarrassment
are worth taking. Put ourselves in their shoes, if one day you are being
shamed by not giving up your seat, how would you feel? And also if you're
being criticised by doing a kind act like giving up your seat while in
desperation and as a result, you soiled your underwear for this gracious act.
How would you feel? It's like whether you perform an act of graciousness or
not, you will still be condemned, how would you feel? For people who like to
gossip about others in whatever they do, do some soul-searching and
reflection, if that happens to you, how would you feel? We are all humans!

Dear Editors,

This number 9857 8166 has been sending threatening sms to me asking me to send money to a bank account or he will do harm to my house and family members. I made a police report since 2 months ago but nothing has been done to the culprit. What is the Singapore Police doing?

Below is the threatening sms sent to the contributor's phone:

"Mother F*cker my boss call me to sms you. F*cking go and bank in to this acc $3000 119-744-350 posb bank in call me back 98578166 or 96931406, 91287346 NOW

I need more money!!! You got transfer to this acc 119-744-350 posb $3000 more. By 6.30 pm I nv see the money in my acc you just see wat the f*cker I do to your f*cking house!!!

You better go and transfer the money if not you just see wat i do to your family this time ok!!! We just see now!!!"

Blackmail Victim
A.S.S. Contributor

<Facebook post by Jose Raymond>

On Sunday (31 July), Minister Grace Fu reiterated that the decision not to telecast the Olympics live from Rio was a 'commercial one'. The public, the sports fans and the sports fraternity does not in any way dispute that it is a commercial decision by the broadcasters not to telecast the Games live. It is up to the broadcasters, and in this case, MediaCorp to decide if it makes business sense.

However, while the broadcasters may have commercial reasons for not supporting the live broadcast due to cost, it is also important for the Government to explain why it does not think that the live broadcast of the Olympics will benefit Singapore sports, in developing a sports culture, and in inspiring people to embrace sports as a way of life. The Government, through Sport Singapore and other national agencies like Singapore Tourism Board already support many other commercial events financially, especially if they are in line with achieving national objectives in some way. Just two such examples are the Formula 1 and the WTA Finals in Singapore.

Since the decision was announced that Singapore will not have a live broadcast, a few of us sports officials have received messages from Sport Singapore officials asking us to be neutral about the lack of a live telecast. One Sport Singapore official also told me that "this was ur PM's decision" and asked me not to "play play". As an elected member of the Singapore Swimming Association, representing the swimming fraternity, it is almost impossible for me to be neutral on this matter. Especially when Joseph Schooling's finals for the 100m fly and 100m freestyle are at 9am and 10am respectively. Different time zone yes, but not at a time when Singaporeans are asleep. In fact, this would have been perfect for students in school, people at work and the community to gather and let the world pass by and watch history being made. Together.

With so much having been invested in sports development, sports infrastructure, in having our athletes prepare for the Olympics, and in trying to inspire a sporting culture in Singapore, perhaps the public should be told why the Government isn't willing to invest in live broadcast for the Olympics, especially when this would have been a time for a nation to unite, for bonds to be built within communities, and for a sports culture to be further enhanced.