Teens kiss and behave intimately in centre of public walkway in broad daylight

STOMPer Lee-lee was shocked when she spotted this young couple behaving very intimately in public. There were people walking around, but they didn't seem to care, added the STOMPer.

In an email to STOMP today (Mar 27), the STOMPer says:

"I was visiting my friend and happened to see this out of the window and so I took some pictures.

"At one point, I think the guy had his hands in her pants. Teens nowadays are so 'open'. They just make out in the day with people walking about.

"I wonder if it's due to their upbringing."


Jane Cheong :

Teenage nowadays do not know what is called self-respect. This young couple behaving very intimately in public shows that they do not know what is self-respect. What would people think of you? Doing this kind of thing in public place? Did u ever think of that? Why must you do it somewhere so open? If you really don't want people to invade your privacy do it somewhere private and not somewhere which is so open! If they are doing in a room and the curtains are close do u think we can invade their privacy?
Teenage do this intimately behavior in public also depend on whom they mix with and where they spend most of their time apart from academic studies. They should also learn more about moral values. No harm being friends but don’t do too over. On the other hand, Singaporeans of the elder generation are too conservative. This kind of thing is so common now.
It's common for teens to date. I'm not encouraging teens to make out in public, what I'm saying is that 'TEENS', should be aware and able to know the consequences of their actions. But, if the people taking pictures from the window -like a stalker, this should be an article about the people taking photo of this couple and posted the title why people takes photos of young couples. Privacy of couple fails. Do you really think that all teens are so ignorant of acting 'THAT' indecent in public.




Wei Hong:
Having kiss is just a form of showing their love in some way, in other country like United States, they even lie naked in the beach, so are their upbringing has problem too? Not really so, as each of us have our own personal life, and some have different perspective of view. You cannot take it does not mean other cannot do it, what I wanted to say is actually try to accept other people and live with it. You cannot always expect others to change for you in this world.


I personally do not think that it is our problem but rather it is none of our business. The viewer THOUGHT that the guy's hand was in the girl's pant, but it is not true. This only show that the viewer had their own wild imagination and a pessimistic thought. I recommend the viewer to try and purify it's mind and congrats the couple.




Melissa Tang:
After reading this article, I am quite shocked that teenagers now are so daring to even make out in public! However, it may not be true that the guy's hand was in the girls pants as the picture was not very clear and it was only the viewer's assumption. Hence, we cannot accuse them of making out in public as the girl may be only holding the guy's hand and kissing the guy at the same time. Holding hands and kissing in the public is fine, but given their age, I feel it is a bit too young for them to develop till that stage.


At their age, they should be studying hard and also play hard-but playing with friends. They should not be engaged in love bubbles as love is very complicated. They are too young to get into a relationship. They can have crushes but not get into a relationship. I feel this way because when I was in Secondary School, I have a friend who nearly dropped out of school just because of relationship problems. She used to be top in the class, but however, ever since she got into a relationship, her results deteriorated quickly,and worst still her parents were worried about her after she broke up with her boyfriend as she locked herself in the room ever since. Seeing this example is enough for me to say that starting relationship at an early age is not encouraged. I feel that one should at least complete studies till maybe university then start on a relationship, as when you are in university, you are a more matured person who knows how to think for oneself and have responsibility. Also, in many cases of marriage, couples meet each other when studying in college. 


In conclusion, an advice to all teenagers is that do not start a relationship too early. Focus more on your studies first. I quote what my Secondary School English teacher said:"Study hard and score well, all the bees will fly to you", something along that line. 


Suganthi:
After reading this article, i feel this issue definitely needs some attention as teenagers are behaving in their own wish at their own convenience. Even though this two teenagers are couples they should not be doing this act in public because there might be elderly or even young ones walking in the same pathway.


Schools should take necessary action on this students, in overseas this acts are normal but not in Singapore as we still have people who are conservative and we have to respect them. By behaving intimately in public, they are just creating a bad impression for themselves especially for the girl.  


I personally feel this couple are too young to engage in a relationship and behaving in such a way. Things might get worst and affect their studies and future. Therefore i would like to conclude that love should not be expressed openly it should be between two. That is the real respect for love and human. Teenagers should concentrate in studies and improve their lives. Actions should be taken on students who behave in such a manner in public.

Man stole for sick girlfriend and married her while in prison

Man stole for sick girlfriend and married her while in prison Click on thumbnail to view For more photos, click here. HENAN, China, - A man, 42, stole money to pay for his girlfriend's medical expenses so that she could have a chance at fighting cancer, but instead he landed himself behind bars. The 37-year-old woman, Meizi, is in her final stages of cancer. In order to fulfil her dying wish of walking down the aisle in a wedding gown, the man married the love of his life in Henan Province Jiaonan Prison early this month.

Photos of the wedding ceremony had been circulating online and it showed the bride with a beaming smile on her face. However, it seemed that she had difficulty walking as her husband had to carry her.
The joyous occasion was short-lived as it did not go on for more than 10 minutes as Meizi could not carry on.

Read also:

» Chinese man marries dead bride murdered days before wedding

According to an Internet source, this modern day fairy-tale wedding has warmed the hearts those of present as guests were moved to tears. Likewise, the story has made its rounds on the Internet because of it's bitter-sweet ending.

Jane Cheong:

After I read this article, I felt that love is very powerful. Divorce rates in Singapore are rising.  According to the 2009 State of the Family Singapore Report, The total number of divorces in our city-state rose from 4,888 in 1997 to 7,226 in 2007. This is the research that I found in Internet. But when you see this article, you will know how strong the love that this couple have.

Saying that love is blind is saying that you can love somebody without thinking about their faults. This article is an evidence of the above sentence. The act of the man that save his girlfriend but sacrifice his own life is really impressive. But that man also not rational, it is many way to save her girlfriend but not stole money.

Meizi is a 37-years-old woman, late stages of cancer. He, 42-years-old, in order to get money for her treatments, stole and was sent to jail, his sentence 4 years. This is a very touch article where everyone will hope that if one people can sacrifice for us like this, you will get married with her/him. At last, I hope that all people can love rationally. Don’t do any wrong thing like the article. 


Wei Hong:

Well, it sure is a heart-warming story. Nowadays, how many people actually will go to this extent just to fulfill the wish of someone he/she love? I could say not many people do. His action was brave but stupid, innocent yet threatening to others. As he may be desperate as his love one time was not long, but what about the other party money that was being steal? What if it was also for emergency use?

Sometimes humans can do very stupid things when they are desperate, in terms of violence, threat, robbery and many more stuff, but just that how they control themselves from getting to that point. For me, maybe I have not reach the point as despair as them, which is why I could not think of what they were doing, is acceptable.

So to conclude, even though the reason for him to commit a crime is touching, but one have to face the consequences he had done. In this case, I think that he was well-prepared to be sentence to jail, that is why I think that he was very kind and brave, yet stupid and foolish.


Randy Orton Ang:

This story reminds singaporeans partically men not to cheat on their wives.  In this article the man had greed for money and therefore had to circum to such acts of desperateness.  Is this real love?  Of course not, as he only wanted her only for the riches and not love.  The last time i checked, people got married because of love and devotion towards each other and not for materiality<br><br>

He could have needed the money for maybe, bad debts or owning money to loan sharks.  Whereas, he needed the money very badly because of an emergency for his girlfriend's state of cancer.  This is an act of love and care towards one party but an act of injustice to the other<br><br>

In brief, this is actually a heart-warming sceranio in one part of the story but an act of betrayal on the flip side.  I suggest that he does not do this again and if he really wants the money, he should work for it instead of stealing it.  Let this be a lesson to all Singaporeans.

Melissa Tang

After reading this article, I am really touched by the actions of this china man mentioned in this article. His stealing of money just to pay for his girlfriend's medical expenses shows how much he loves her. However, I feel it is a bit too desperate as it has landed him in prison. I feel that no matter how in need of money you are, you should never resort to stealing as it will cause you to be locked behind bars and your life may be ruined just like that.

Therefore, I feel that this china man should either go find a job soon or he can post an article about his girlfriend, saying that she is in last stage of cancer and she is in need of money. In this way, I am sure many kind souls in this world will come forward to lend a helping hand.

In conclusion, I feel that one should not be blinded by love as it can cause you to be desperate and end up doing stupid things. One should always act smart and in a right way, so that people will respect you.


Suganthi


This article really touched my heart as, even though what he did is wrong according to law, but the motive was not seen wrong. True love can make human achieve anything they want in any extent. He went to the extent to steal just to pay for the girlfriend's expenses without thinking about his future. 


In this society, many man are cheating on their wives but among them this man stands out as he shows so much of love of the lady whom haven even become his wife officially. His true love joined him with his girlfriend but ended him in the bars, which i feel was a bit to harsh decision on his side. 


He should have asked for help through some organisations or even spoke to the hospital to arrange for assistance in his girlfriend's medical expenses. This would have saved him from criminal record and live a more happier life. Whatever is done has been done, i think he should not do the same mistake again and find a job to lead his life. To others this may be a heartwarming story but always take this a lesson and think for consequences before acting.

Overseas K-pop fan faints while queuing for concert tickets

By Kwok Kar Peng

SHE bought the air tickets, took leave from work, then woke up at 3am last Friday to catch a flight from Bogor, Indonesia, to Singapore.


Miss Dilla Dee did all that so she could buy tickets to popular Korean boy band Super Junior's concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Jan 29.

Fans were already queueing up at The Heeren shopping mall 28 hours before tickets officially went on sale at 10 am on Saturday.

However, Miss Dee, 25, an accounting administrator, fainted before she could get her hands on the prized stubs.

The Indonesian arrived here at 7am on Friday and stayed at the home of her friend, Candy Giovanni, a 17-year-old student.

The next day, the two of them went to The Heeren shopping mall at around 9am to begin their long wait.

By then, there were already 500 people in the queue.

Miss Dee and Candy joined in.

But at around 1.15pm, The New Paper heard loud and frantic calls for help from the queue.

Miss Dee had fainted.

This reporter and the medics on standby rushed to the woman, who was lying on the ground unconscious.

Candy told The New Paper: "Dilla hasn't eaten anything since our dinner at 8pm last night.

"She's supposed to take a 4pm flight back to Bogor today, but I don't think I want her to fly now."

Miss Dee eventually postponed her flight and left Singapore only yesterday.

The medics managed to wake her and put her on an oxygen tube after she regained consciousness.

She was then put on a stretcher and taken about 10m away to a less crowded spot at the shopping mall to rest.

But when her friend in the queue eventually made it to the ticket counter, Miss Dee insisted the medics wheel her over so that she could buy the tickets.

She said she wanted to get the tickets herself and also to choose which section she wanted.

Each person in the queue was limited to 4 tickets.

Miss Dee admitted that she's crazy about Super Junior, the 10-member pop group famous for its infectious dance hits Sorry, Sorry, Bonamana and It's You.

Only 5,000 tickets are on sale for the group's performance on the largest-ever stage at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The group was here in June for a showcase performance.

All 2,000 tickets were snapped up within hours.

Ticket-holders also queued 37 hours at the showcase venue so they could get the best spot at the free-standing event.

On Saturday, 3,500 tickets reserved for Sistic phone, online and counter sales were sold out in about 1 1/2 hours.

The remaining 1,500 tickets, which were reserved specially for the Sistic counters at The Heeren, were sold out by 2.30pm.

We understand that all the fans who queued up there managed to get tickets.

Saturday's sales were only for SingTel mobile subscribers on a Samsung phone, and for OCBC cardmembers.

The three companies are sponsors of the concert.

Because of that, Miss Dee specially bought a $99 Samsung mobile phone and a $10 prepaid SingTel card after she arrived in Singapore.

She added that she had to come to Singapore herself because Candy does not have a Samsung phone and isn't a SingTel subscriber.

She doesn't have any other friends in Singapore.

Still dizzy

When we caught up with Miss Dee on Saturday night at Candy's house, she said that she still felt dizzy.

She added: "I didn't see a doctor because I don't like hospitals and also because I didn't bring a lot of money to Singapore."

On her fainting spell that afternoon, she said: "I freaked out (when I woke up) because I was scared that I didn't get to buy the tickets. I came all the way from Indonesia (just for this).

"I couldn't eat anything in the morning because I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get the tickets. When I finally bought them, I was so excited I couldn't breathe and had to be put on the oxygen tube again."

She spent $211 for her air ticket here.

The New Paper also spoke to four female students who almost didn't get the coveted tickets.

Two of them, who are 17, said they queued at the Sistic counter at Lot One Shoppers' Mall from 8am.

Another two 19-year-olds had queued at Junction 8 Shopping Centre, also from 8am.

But they were told at around 11.30am that the tickets had sold out.

All of them promptly headed to The Heeren, where they eventually got their tickets.

Said one girl, who declined to be named: "Only six people queueing at Junction 8 managed to buy tickets."

The quartet should count themselves lucky.

At concert promoter Running Into The Sun's (RITS) Facebook page, many disappointed fans ranted about their failure to get the tickets.

To add salt to their wounds, black market tickets were already on sale at eBay from 11am on Saturday.

There were at least four sellers by Saturday night.

Tickets priced originally at $208 were being sold for as much as $600 each.

Fans online also requested that the concert be held for an additional night.

An RITS spokesman said the company is considering the request and is checking Super Junior's schedule for availability.
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wei hong

I personally think that all of these fans are being too overzealous for those celebrities that they even give up their own health for a concert ticket. I think that this is a rather stupid thing to do, there is lots of way to support a celebrity if you want. Why bother to sacrifice your sleep and make yourself hunger just to watch a concert? Is it really worth it? What if you fall ill and become unable to support them anymore? Isn't it worst in this case?

I did not think that people will be able to starve from the hunger and queue for the tickets just to get a better point of view of the celebrities they are so fancy of. Maybe because they are not mature enough to think for themselves? How will their parents feel if they saw the sight of their own children faint in front of them? How hurting will it be for them? Consequences is bear by individuals but the pain is share among the closest one to you.


So to conclude, I think that they should be more responsible in terms of either for themselves or for the sake of their family members, as personal safety is the best gift to your closest one.

Melissa Tang

After reading this article,  I strongly feel that people should not be too supportive of celebrities, singers,etc that they end up hurting their own health. I feel that no matter what we do, we should first think of our own health and safety. I feel that Miss Dee, the woman who fainted while queuing for Super Junior tickets as mentioned in the article should plan her schedule properly. Knowing that there is sales of Super Junior tickets plus there will be loads of people and waiting time will be super long, she should have brought some bread with her so that she can eat them when she is hungry and would not end up fainting.

In addition, I feel that people should not be so supportive. They can support and like those celebrities, singers, etc, but not in a crazy or outrageous manner. These will cause parents of their children to be worried. Even if they cannot get a ticket to their celebrities concert they should get over it and not cry or moan over it. I believe those overseas celebrities will come again next time. Or maybe you can visit them in their own country when they are performing there , when have the time. Most importantly, yes, we can support those celebrities but not so much so that you hurt your own health.

In conclusion, two most important things in our life is our own health and safety. If a person is healthy and safe, he or she can do whatever he wants. Whereas if a person is unhealthy, like in this case Miss Dee fainted while queuing for tickets, she ended up in the hospital. In worst cases, some people get trampled by super huge crowds that they end up losing their life or broken one of their limbs. I feel that these are all not worth it. Hence, I am not a huge fan of any celebrity, I just watch their shows and that is it. I would not go so crazy over them.

Jane Cheong:
In nowadays, the internet, iTunes, YouTube and all the possible means of music database that can be easily be accessed in the internet. Everything has been very accessible for everyone that we can even enjoy the music videos of another country with just a click away.

If you want updates about your favorite band even if they are not popular in the Singapore, nor America and Europe, you can easily go to forums, websites, blogs and various websites to know about their news. This is why now Korean KPOP is so famous in Singapore or other countries.

In my opinion, everything has their advantages and disadvantages; one of the disadvantages is the amount of celebrity hype created by the media causes many children to make irrational demands for designer clothing, accessories and other perks of the celebrity life that they are exposed to. Celebrities influence fans to be destructively thin, put harmful substances in their bodies, and many parents are concerned with the overall content these celebrities are putting on television, in movies, and over the Internet.

In this article I learn that we have to be rational and responsibilities to our parents and not too crazy to celebrities. Besides, celebrities need to change the way they act and how they are viewed. They have to realize that they need to be more concerned with themselves and with their portrayal in the media.


Suganthi:
After reading this article, i feel people are being to obsessed with their favourite celebrities and end up ruining their lives.  This is to shocking to see Ms Dee whom is the fan of K-pop to faint while queuing up to get the tickets. This is not the right way to be a fan to celebrities. Even they are humans and need the rest so does Ms Dee. Straining herself just to get the tickets made things worst and now she is unable to attend the concert she was waiting for. 


Health is more important than anything else. By not eating and queuing up for the Korean pop band tickets, they can only enjoy the show for a few hours not life long. Fans should note this point seriously. Giving their lives for celebrities wont do them any good. 


Ms Dee should take this as a lesson learnt and should not strain herself to get the tickets. This celebrities will always come back again to stage a concert or by all means she can travel to watch their concert. A friendly advice is to keep some light snacks with her if next time in the situation. Learn to enjoy your favourite band in a safe manner.

Python stuck in drain

By Chai Hung Yin JURONG East residents who spotted a python near their block on Sunday morning tried to take matters into their own hand. They made a lot of noise to shoo the reptile away and some even tried to catch the python themselves. But all they did was scare the 2m-long python into squeezing into and hiding in a pipe nearby. The python was finally rescued by the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) after four hours. Mr Tan Gim Chay, 58, an engineer, said he was on his way to the market at about 9am when he heard from his friends that a big python had been seen about two blocks from his flat. He quickly went home and grabbed his camera. But by the time he rushed to the scene, he saw the people from Acres were already there. "When I reached there, I saw that the entrance to the pipe where the python had slithered into was covered up with a gunnysack," he said. The pipe had covered the pipe with a gunnysack. Initially, the snake was spotted near the drain, he said. But the commotion then made the python take refuge in a pipe, not knowing how else to escape. Mr Hafizzan Shah, 25, an animal care officer who was part of the two-member rescue team from Acres, said they were alerted around 9.30am of a python being spotted at the void deck near the lift lobby at Block 319, Jurong East Street 31. No escape He said: "We did a site survey and noted that there was no other escape route for the snake." They then had to drill open one side of the cement over the pipe and cover it with a towel. He said: "We cannot rescue a snake by pulling its tail because it will hurt its spine. So we had to cut the pipe above the ground on the other end to reduce the stress on the snake." They had earlier covered the entrance into the pipe with a gunnysack. Mr Hafizzan said: "This creates a dark space for the snake to slide into and it was the only way out for the python." When they finally managed to get hold of the reptile, they had to coax the python to slide out by itself. Mr Hafizzan said: "The initial plan was to drill the whole pipe out, but it would cause too much stress on the python. So we did a waiting game instead." After drilling, it took about an hour to coax the snake to come out from hiding. Mr Hafizzan, who was seen holding on to the tail portion of the reptile, said: "I was helping to manoeuvre the snake to head towards the right direction, which was the entrance with the gunnysack." He said that normally, a python would turn back to attack whoever catches hold of its tail. "But this python was in a difficult situation. We had to apply a bit of pressure on it to make it go the right way." As the drama heightened, some 30 curious onlookers, including children and elderly, had gathered. Mr Tan said: "There was a lot of excitement. Many people where whipping out their phones to take pictures." Finally, the python managed to slither out from hiding. Mr Hafizzan holding the snake. While his colleague, Ms Charlene Tan, 30, grabbed hold of its head with a white towel, Mr Hafizzan injected a microchip into its tail. He said: "It is to keep track of pythons that have been rescued as well as to keep track of its population." The drama was finally over at 1.30pm. But Mr Hafizzan advised people to let the experts do the work, or call the Acres 24-hour hotline: 9783-7782. He said: "The members of the public tried to catch the python themselves, that's why the python was in a difficult situation." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- wei hong The python was first seen by the Jurong East residents at a sunday morning. The reason that the python was there was unknown, but then it was very dangerous to try and approach the python and catch it. What if they were bitten by the python? Furthermore it was 2m long!!! I will see this as an act of trying to be a heroine, thinking that they are very brave and are able to catch it. These peoples will only be afraid when misfortune has happen and start to regret about it. Moreover, what will they do even if they catch it? kill it? Personally i do not believe that they will hand the python they catch to the Acres, as it was too troublesome. For me, i would definitely not touch a snake unless they attack me. So to conclude, it is still the best to let the experts to handle it as we cannot do anything much either.   Jane Cheong Jurong East resident who spotted a python near their block on Sunday morning tried to take matters into their own hand. Why these animal run out from jungle? They cannot survive in jungle? I don’t know whether python is extinct animal or not. So I do some online research and found that python have different type of species. Some of these species is very rare and list as endangered animals.             This information let me think about global-warming, pollution, natural disaster and also environment change, but humans change larger regions more quickly than natural occurrences. This means that humans bear the responsibility for many animal species becoming endangered or extinct. Then one question is coming. How to prevent animal extinction? What can you do to protect the animals from extinct?             You can design a website devoted entirely to the potential extinction of an animal species. This site should provide an online presence for your cause and offer a central organizing point for concerned citizens around the world. Beside, you can send donations to funds and foundations devoted to the protection of animals from mass extinction. It is important to conduct research on how donations are used to find a wildlife fund with a good track record. In addition, mobilize your friends, family and fellow conservationists to write letters to government officials on a regular basis. You should give everyone a contact list of state and federal officials who have the power to protect endangered animals.             This is some of the way that you can help these animals. Through this article I know that we have to cherish our earth, so that animal can survive in this beautiful earth. Hope that all of you can concern about this topic. Melissa Tang :)) After reading this article, I feel that if it was me there at the moment, I would immediately call the Pest Control Team to catch the python. I would not try to take the matter into my own hands by trying to shoo it away or by catching it myself like what the residents did as mentioned in this article as python is poisonous. Moreover, we may make things worse like as mentioned in this article that the 2m long python ended up stuck in a pipe nearby. By trying to catch the python, we may endanger our lives as it may bite us and its fangs are poisonous. In addition, I do not think anyone has the right skill to catch the python as it is rare to see a python in the neighbourhood. By trying to shoo it away is also not right as it has caused the python to be stuck in a pipe nearby while trying to escape. Pythons are in extinction soon so we should not kill any more pythons. This action has endangered the python's live but luckily the Acres came and saved the python's life. In conclusion, I feel that if met with such cases again, the residents should just stay calm and keep themselves away from the animal. Then they should call the Pest Control to deal with the animal. In this way, both the residents and animal would not get hurt. SuGAnthi... After reading this article, I was kind of taken back as it was not a small reptile but it was a 2m long python. I have only see pythons in televisions and even in the Zoo not at any HDB blocks. Even though the python has attracted everyone’s attention, the Jurong East residents should not have take things into their own hands by trying to shoo it or get rid of it. They should have alerted the Pest control department regarding this matter. Everyone knows pythons are poisonous and we are not able to handle it in a skillful way. The residents actually thought by shooing it away it might solve the problem but it made things worst by making the species stuck in the pipe for very long. It had no way to escape until the rescue team had to find ways to remove the python without hurting it. Even though they are poisonous species, nobody wants to hurt or even harm them. They should be brought to their own habitat. In conclusion, this incident may have aroused everyone’s attention and excitement as it was a python found in the neighbourhood. In my opinion,  if such incidents happened again its best the residents called the pest control immediately and the acres rescue team should educate the people on ways to handle such situation as they maybe young children or even elderly people around. Always be alert and do the right thing. Don’t take things into own hands!

These are Poly students on smoke break

EVERY day, more than 100 students from Republic Polytechnic (RP) blatantly flout smoking rules by lighting up at the void deck of a Woodlands block.

Students are not allowed to light up on campus and the school has also established a "no smoking" zone around its premises.

Block 806, Woodlands Street 81, a seven-minute walk from RP, lies within the smoke-free zone.

The students appear there during their lunch break, which is from 11.30am to 2pm.

After The New Paper reported last week that some Choa Chu Kang residents were unhappy that students from ITE College West caused a nuisance in their neighbourhood, we received complaints about students from RP and the Lasalle College of the Arts smoking and littering.

Housewife Jane Koh, 51, who lives in the opposite block, said that from her second-storey flat, she usually sees "40 to 50" students gathering at the void deck of Block 806 every day.

"They smoke, make noise and throw their cigarette butts all over the place," the resident of three years added.

Two other residents who have lived there for more than 20 years said the problem started in 2006 when RP moved to its permanent location in Woodlands.

Construction supervisor Simon Lim is upset that the students pollute the air in the coffee shop at the block.

The coffee shop places six or so additional tables and chairs outside.

Mr Lim, 50,and his friends have lunch there sometimes.

"We are non-smokers.When the wind blows, the smoke gets in our face," he said.

When the TNP team was at Block 806 on Tuesday, we saw about 100 students arrive around 11.30am. An hour later many of them had left, but another 150 or so students streamed in.

They spread themselves across the void deck in groups of three to four. Most stood as they puffed away, while others sat on the stone benches or on the ground.

Two students sat on chairs that belonged to the coffee shop.

When we approached a group of four students and asked why they were smoking there, a 19-year-old first-year student, who gave his name only as Rus, said: "This is the only place that is not directly opposite the school."

Some students said they choose to smoke at Block 806 as they can buy cigarettes at the minimart there and the coffee shop.

The minimart owner, Madam Jennifer Loh, who is in her 40s, said she gets brisk business from students buying drinks and cigarettes. Every day, she sells 20 to 30 packs of cigarettes to RPstudents.

She said she checks the students' identity cards to make sure that they are not underage.

It's against the law to sell tobacco products to those below 18. The New Paper understands that first-year polytechnic students are aged 17 to 20.

By 2pm, the students had dispersed and headed back to school.

But they left behind a mess - more than 200 cigarette butts and at least 10 empty drink cans and plastic cups littered the ground. The ashtray on top of the dustbin at the void deck was filled to the brim with cigarette butts.

There were two other bins outside the void deck but only a handful of students used them.

A town council cleaner, who declined to be named, said he spends about an hour every day cleaning up after the students.

An RP spokesman said the school had indicated the "no smoking" boundary on a map and e-mailed it to all its students.

According to a copy of the e-mail obtained by TNP, smoking is banned in "the polytechnic, in Admiralty Park, on all roads, sidewalks, bus stops and the overhead bridges around the polytechnic, and in the area bounded by Woodlands Avenue 2, Woodlands Avenue 9 and Woodlands Street 81".

The RPspokesman said: "Our roving discipline officers conduct spot checks from time to time."

He added that the school had written to the National Environment Agency (NEA) on several occasions last year, requesting them to send in enforcement officers.

"They have acknowledged our concerns and have worked closely with RP to conduct regular enforcement in the estate," he said.

Checks with the NEA showed that 51 tickets were issued for littering offenders at Woodlands Street 81 between January and Oct 26 this year. The latest patrol conducted at Blocks 801 to 808 was on Sept 25.

When the TNP team was at Block 806 yesterday, three male discipline officers from RP were seen approaching the students.

The students quickly walked away. After approaching four students sitting on the grass verge and speaking to them for a while, the officers left.

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wei hong

Although smoking has always been a problem to the environment, but there is nothing much we can do about it. Since government allow cigarette to be sold here, that means they are allow to do so isn't it? I personally do not mind if they smoke or not, but i wish that they will consider about the passer-by who does not smoke. For me, i do not smoke, but quite a few of my friends do smoke. And out of the few of them, some actually manage to quit smoking although they had smoke for a long time. What they say to me is that if you have the determination to do it, you can do it. There is no such thing as addicted.

The RP students have to find places to smoke because they cannot smoke in the campus. But it is untolerable for them to throw the cigarette butt everywhere. Think of it if you are the one who are going to clean up the mess after that, will you be happy about it? Definitely not!

And while smoking, they make so much noise that causes the neighbourhood to aggravate. In terms of pollution, they already make up of two, air and noise. It is no wonder RP will take disciplinary action with their students, as they have no self-control.

So to conclude, i think RP should actually set up a smoking area outside of the campus cater to those who are smoking so that they will not cause a nuisance at other place and they can monitor their students better as well.

Melissa Tang :))

After reading this article, I feel sad that more and more students nowadays start smoking at young ages. If the continue to smoke for around 10 to 20 years, their lungs would be damaged by then when they are only at their middle ages.


Furthermore, more and more youngsters have no self-discpline nowadays too. Example can be seen from this article that students not only smoke in Woodlands Street Block 806 at the void deck there, they also litter the area with plastic cans, cigarette buds, etc after they have finished smoking. I strongly feel that all the schools and polytechnics should educate their students more on negative effects of smoking and have more anti-smoking campaigns.  However, in this case, majority of the students are from Republic Polytechnic. It's good that Republic Polytechnic is finally taking disciplinary actions.


In conclusion, I feel that disciplinary actions alone is not enough. Yes, the students can smoke in the void deck but they should clean up after they leave the place and also not create so much noise that causes disturbance to the neighbours. The government should increase fines for every student found littering in public areas.

SUGANTHI

The issue really seems to be a concern among youngsters. Smoking is a harmful addiction and also a slow killer but nowadays it seems to be a cool habit for youngsters. Why do they want to ruin the themselves by picking up this harmful habit? The answers will be my friends smoke I also smoke, feeling stress at school and many more...


After reading this article, I am able to voice out the concern stated above.I myself have seen students smoking under the void decks in mid of school or after school hours, it is really saddening. This article talks about RP students found smoking at the block opposite school and also causing nuisance to residents. These students also litter the areas after smoking. I feel that students don't have the fear of being caught for disciplinary actions. These students just want a place to smoke as the school is a smoke free boundary. They never care about how their actions affect people.


Something must be done to prevent this. In conclusion I feel that the current disciplinary actions are not strict enough.RP and even other schools should review their disciplinary actions like asking the NEA officers to conduct frequent spot checks in the suspected areas or blocks, the residents should also play a part by calling up the school if they see students smoking under their block area. Also together with that the minimarts should increase the price of cigarettes for students so that they will hesitate to even buy cigarettes. Lastly, the government should increase the legal age for smoking to 21 and above. I hope these could be implemented as it will really solve the problem.

Jane Cheong

           Every day, more than 100 Republic Polytechnic students smoking in Woodland block. Every people know the harmful effects of smoking. Smoking causes fat deposits to narrow and block blood vessels which lead to heart attack. Smoking also causes around one in five deaths from heart disease. Besides, Tobacco smoke also contributes to a number of cancers.

            Why teenagers smoke? My secondary teacher tells me that at such a young age, teenagers don’t really think about the health risks of smoking and they certainly do not realise how addictive smoking can be. As a teenager they probably think that they can try smoking a few times and then take it or leave it. This is a very dangerous believe.

           Many children start smoking because their friends have tried it or smoke themselves. Those children may have started as they have grown up in an environment where their parents, grandparents and older siblings smoke, and so they smoke in order to look and act like them. Other children start smoking as an act of rebellion or defiance against their parents or people of authority.

            In this article, I learn that smoking is a very serious problem in the society. Of course, smoking just has harmful effect. I felt that teenagers are not supposed to smoke and must have some healthy activities such as, jogging. I hope that people that have seen this article or comment can stop smoking or be alert not to smoke. Hope everyone can have fresh air all the time.

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Without even mentioning about this article, in general, is it right for tenngaers to smoke?  The excuse of ' I am above 18 and im allowed to smoke' is an excuse for most tennagers to do so and they would think that smoking is an "in" thing and they continue without fearing for harming their own bodies.<br><br>


Teenage smoking is one problem, but causing a dispute amongst the public and littering after smoking is another story all together.  By reading the article, the cause of this started when RP moved to a new location.  Even residents who had lived there for over 20 years had only seen such a massive circumstance when RP moved to their location.<br><br>


Research has shown that the main cause of lung cancer is by smoking, specifically, by second-hand smoke.  Non-smokers who are 'forced' to breathe in the smoke because of the on-coming air/breeze find it a threat to their own bodies.<br><br>


In my opinion, the government should ban smoking in singapore as it acts only as an excuse for people to relief stress and 'be cool'.  As this is a highly contraversal topic, i would not go on further.  In a nut shell, if u want to smoke and ruin your body, go ahead, ulitimately it's your life but don't do it at the expense of others.<br><br>


Randy Orton Ang

Loan sharks go for bolder tactics

LOAN-SHARK runners are getting bolder, veering away from merely splashing paint on doors and walls to, now, torching cars.
The latest incident in Choa Chu Kang where a car was set on fire in a multi-storey carpark on Oct 13 has raised concerns that their vindictive acts have moved beyond harassment into possibly inflicting injury.

It is believed to be the first time loan-shark runners have committed such an act.
MPs told my paper that enforcement against loan-shark activities and the practice of installing closed-circuit TV cameras outside residential units are driving loan-shark syndicates to think of fresh tactics.
Mr Baey Yam Keng, an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, said:
"The common practice of paint-splashing is not enough for them now, as many commonly targeted areas have had surveillance cameras set up, so they have to change their tactics."
Madam Halimah Yacob, an MP for Jurong GRC, said the recent case is a sign that loan-shark runners are becoming more aggressive in trying to get their message acrosS
She said: "They're just testing the limits to see how much more they can do, in order to frighten and threaten those who borrow money from them."
Mr Alvin Yeo, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs and Law, said that loan-shark syndicates may be "bullying" their runners into taking on dangerous tasks.
He said: "The runners could be people who are in debt."
He added that the loan sharks may be forcing their runners to take on such tasks, which pay more than merely splashing paint.
The Moneylenders Act, which has been amended thrice, in 2005, 2008 and in February this year, has led to enhanced penalties for those convicted of loan sharking-related harassment activities.
Anyone found guilty of such harassment activities may be imprisoned for up to five years and fined up to $50,000.
If damage is done to property, those convicted may receive between three and six strokes of the cane.
There were 8,654 unlicensed money-lending and harassment cases in the first half of this year, a drop from 9,424 cases in the same period last year.
However, 789 people were arrested for such cases in that period this year - that is almost double the 419 arrested in the period last year.
While it may be too soon to say if torching cars is the start of a new trend, Mr Yeo said: "We should try to be one step ahead, but sometimes it is impossible to know exactly what they're going to do."
In the recent case, two Singaporean men, aged 30 and 35, were arrested over the past week for setting fire to a car at a multi-storey carpark in Choa Chu Kang North 5. Two other cars nearby were also damaged.
Preliminary investigations revealed that both suspects were working for an unlicensed money-lending syndicate. They are believed to have been involved in several other loan shark-related harassment cases island-wide.
Criminal Investigation Department director Ng Boon Gay said: "Such callous acts that blatantly disregard our laws and endanger the safety of the public cannot be condoned. The police will take swift action to hunt down these criminal elements and deal with them to the fullest extent of our law."
Retired police investigator Lionel De Souza told my paper that loan-shark runners are "puppets, and the puppeteers are the top guys whom, perhaps, the police have not identified".
He said that there is a hierarchy in these syndicates and that those calling the shots could well be the bosses of clean and legal businesses.
"As a result, the top man who is responsible is extremely hard to track down," said Mr De Souza.

Ultimately, it boils down to the way people here manage their money.

Mr Baey said: "People have to be more prudent in their spending so that they don't end up having to borrow from loan sharks. In a way, we have to curb the demand for their services."

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Suganthi....
After reading this article above, a thought which cross my mind was what causes loan sharks to exists in Singapore.Why people borrow money from this people knowing it's illegal and the consequences for not able to pay the money back will be unbearable...this story really shows that the loan sharks are getting bolder in their acts as they are sure that more and more people are borrowing money and have fear on them...Previously loan sharks throw paints, threaten the people to return but now one step above by setting the cars on fire..This is indecent criminal act.

In my opinion, loan sharks should be punished severely by law. They must suffer and know what is the disturbance they cause by vandalizing public property. Not only that, some people who borrow money from loan sharks end up committing suicide when they are unable to pay the money...A Lot of problems are caused and the loan sharks harassment cases have increased...

The government should really increase the punishment and educate people to save money or try to get financial assistance from government if they are in the need rather than borrowing from loan sharks... This people will caused nightmares and you will never be peaceful...

Jane Cheong....
This article is happen in Chao Chu Kang on 13 Oct 2010. A car was set on fire in a multi-storey car park. Recently, loan-shark runners are getting bolder, veering away from merely splashing paint on doors and walls.

What is loan-shark? A ‘loan shark’ is anyone who is lending money without having a licence from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). They charge extremely high rates of interest and also add other 'charges' to loans whenever they want. If payments are missed, they often use threats and violence to get more money.

Everyone know that borrow money from loan-shark is not a wise decision. If you faced financial difficulties, loan-shark is not the only ways to solve the problems. First, you can get advice over the phone or face to face. There are many organisations offer free and impartial advice on debt problems. If you need help managing your debt, find out where you can get support by telephone or in your local area.

In my opinion, you can borrow money from family and friends. But they too have money to loan is very low. Besides, you can also take one of your precious items to a pawn shop if you think you can pay it back at a later time. I feel that the loan-shark runner and the bosses are cruel and cold-hearted person. In this article, I learn that we have to cultivate spending habit and track our money flow so that we can have a stable financial affair.

Melissa Tang.... :))
I totally agree with what this whole article is talking about. After reading this article, I feel strongly about loan sharks as recently, my neighbour encountered loan sharks problems too. Just last week, my neighbour's door was splashed by red paint. However, they did not borrow money from loan shark, so it was not their fault. It was the previous owner of the house that owed the loan shark. Hence, they immediately called the police and they arrived at about 1am. The police took down their statements and advised them to install a doorbell that will ring whenever people walk pass by your doorstep or install a surveillance camera. To play safe, our neighbour did both. Unfortunately, you can say it was of no use. A few days ago, our neighbour's door was splashed by paint again. Hence, they went to playback the tape captured by the camera, however, they could not see anybody's face. They only saw a splash of paint coming from the stairway, then splashing towards their house. Therefore, the police said that maybe they knew there was camera, so they stood at the stairway to hide their faces. Thus, I really feel that it may be due to surveillance camera that loan sharks are getting bolder, and in addition, surveillance camera is of not much use too.

Hence, I feel that the government should really stop all this. I feel that all this is getting too much as recently a car was burned down by runners as stated in the article. Furthermore, my house was splashed by sand everywhere at the door too. I think the runners are also disturbing the debtor's neighbour so that more people will press him to faster pay up. Therefore, I strongly feel that the government should increase the punishment so that they will not dare to come up with any bolder tactics anymore. Who knows what will they do next? It is really scary to predict what they will do next. In addition, the government should educate people how to manage their money and finances well so that they would not get into debts. Furthermore, the government also should educate people that loan sharks are never the first option when you are in debt. It will be your option only when you can pay them back. Those people who are in debt should approach their family or friends, or further financial assistance from the government.

In conclusion, I feel that we ourselves should manage our money and finances well and most importantly save aside a set of money for emergency. In this way, we would never get into any debts in any situations and these loan sharks problems will not happen to us. If everyone can do that, loan shark problems will definitely decrease and they would subsequently stop all their bold tactics too. Hence, money management is really important.


Wei Hong...

Well, those who have loan their money from the loan shark should already be prepare such thing will happen isn’t it? Didn’t this kind of scenario have been heard before? If so, then why are they still borrowing from them? It may be because of the sudden problem arises between the household, but I think everything should be able to resolve within the household.

Loan shark have been bold since forever, if they lend their money and unable to take their money back, why do they still want to do this illegal stuff? Of course they would want to get back their money. I personally think that it is not a wrong thing to get what you owe back, but not through this sort of way. Harassing and destroying property of the person loaning is just causing trouble to the surrounding people as well. For example, if you burn the car, what about the car park beside it? Wouldn’t it get burn too?

And what does catching the loan shark runner help? The main thing is the boss, if the boss is not arrest, same sort of thing will definitely happen again. But it is definitely out of the control of the police, as they cannot be at all the place anytime you want them to be. In the end, it is basically just a mutual thing between the loaner and the loan shark. Loan shark may be trying to offer you a loan, but if you reject them I do not think they will be able to force you to loan, isn’t it?

So to conclude, it is all up to our own to decide what will happen to us, you choose your own path and you bear the consequences. It has always been like that in this society.


Randy Ang....

What is an honest living to you? Going about stealing things? Gambling? You might think that i'm going out of point, but whether u know it or not, this are one of the beginnings of borrowing money from loan sharks.



If u were to ask me, i would rather be a toilet cleaner than a person who roams around the streets borrowing money from loan sharks. The reason goes back to my first sentence, living an honest life.



Borrowing money from loan sharks and they coming after you for money are totally two different scenarios. Not returning loan sharks their money would result in a 'controversy'. As generations pass, loan sharks are getting even bolder for ways and means to get back their money. The recent incident was the splashing of paint on doors and the torching of cars in carparks.



Everyone of us would point our fingers to the government in this case and may be the police. Are the police really doing their jobs, or are these loan sharks really too violent and too much for the police to handle?



In my opinion, the police are in the wrong for not commiting to their job to protect the welfare of the country. A minute or even a second late is very crucial to the survival of the citizens or their assets and a second late could result in a drastic turn of events. On the contrary, it is also wrong for the loan sharks to damage other's property or even commit arsen.



It is a humans nature to be afraid and fear for his life rather than the life of other's first. But with this said, there is certainly no excuse for taking anything for granted, which leaves me with my favourite quote: Treasure everything in your life, before it is gone.

Randy Ang :D