Perhaps what Acting Manpower Minister, Tan Chuan-Jin, wrote in his Facebook about how he embraces and celebrates Singapore’s diversity best sum up what we mere mortals should emulate:
“As I write this, prayers from Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka, our oldest Mosque in Singapore, are being broadcasted. This is part of our life. It is part of our landscape…together with the burning of offerings, void deck funerals and weddings, increased parking during Friday prayers or Sunday morning worship.
“Yes, there are many of such activities that can seem to ‘intrude’ into our personal space. Individuals write in to complain.
“But we all give and take. Most live and let live. Many are proud of this colourful tapestry that we have here. This is part of what it means to be Singaporean.
“The reaction of some individuals do not reflect the values that the rest of us hold on to.
“I for one embrace and celebrate our diversity.”
F1 reveals ethical dissonance
Source: 4 Oct 2012, The Straits Times
THANK you, Ms Anna Quek, for so eloquently expressing the concerns about the Government’s decision to extend the hosting of the Formula One (F1) race for another five years (“S’pore GP: Full disclosure, please”; last Saturday).
Singapore risks evolving into a country of contradictions.
We welcome casinos and try to teach values in our schools.
We host a clearly environmentally hostile race, while we make increasingly loud noises about sustainability.
We also claim great pride in our reputation for integrity.
Yet, integrity is about doing the right thing, even if it costs one personally.
It means having to make financial sacrifices in order to preserve and build a long-term reputation.
I am increasingly concerned that we are unwilling to make the necessary sacrifices because we cannot see beyond dollars and cents.
If we do not watch it, we may one day be called ethical pragmatists, which is an oxymoron.
Mak Yuen Teen
It is puzzling why the town council does not take responsibility or action to ensure that users of the multi-purpose halls adhere to the rules, especially when they receive feedback during the event.
Police resources can be allocated to more important or emergency matters. In our case, the situation continued till close to 11pm, and we had no choice but to call the police. The event stopped after two officers came.
Working adults usually look forward to a peaceful night and the weekends for a good rest.
For families with children, the worst fear is to face such a situation during the examination period.
There will always be inconsiderate people. If town councils cannot ensure proper usage of multi-purpose halls when they rent out the place and are unable to resolve problems on the event day, the halls should be converted into enclosed, air-conditioned halls.
This would make the event more comfortable, and the noise level would be minimised.
“The man in the video, known as Mr Tan, has been diagnosed with lung cancer and his only companions are his two Schnauzers but each HDB flat can only keep one toy breed dog, so he has been trying to stay under the radar.
“However, his foreign neighbours kept making groundless complaints about his dogs being a nuisance. Now he is forced to send one of his dogs away.
“Although it is against the law to have two dogs but I feel that in circumstances like this, concessions have to be given.
“I sincerely hope Mr Tan will be given a chance to live out his days with his two dogs.”
STOMPers Sharon and Ester also commented on the dying man’s plight.
Sharon said:
“I came across this article and felt that this is not fair for the dying man.
“HDB would rather want a person who may have the possibility of death to give away his dog than leave the dog in a home filled with love.
“What has Singapore and our society become? Tearing families apart and only listening to one side of the story?
“Please be flexible. You are only listening to one side of the story and not even helping our fellow Singaporeans.
“You should learn to look at each case individually and not just follow your rules and regulations!”
Ester said:
“How compassionate are we? A dying old man with lung cancer only wants to spend his last days with his two beloved dogs.
“But this is not allowed? He may only have another six more months to live.
“Can’t the law be more lenient towards a dying old man? How much stress is this society giving to this poor old man?”
In a separate post, she also allegedly wrote, “Void deck weddings should be banned. If you can’t afford a proper wedding then you shouldn’t be getting married. Full stop.”
She has since been fired from her job by NTUC and also made multiple apologies after her profanity-laced post went viral online, triggering an angry backlash from both Malay and non-Malay communities alike.”
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