The authors of a study that highlighted the dismal quality of food that Bangladeshi construction workers in Singapore were being fed have called for greater government regulation of such caterers.
The workers were provided catered food that was “foul-smelling”, “rock solid” and lacking in nutrition as it had been prepared hours in advance. The issue flummoxed many when TODAY reported on the preliminary findings of the study in March. The news report was widely circulated for more than a week and has since prompted two to three food-business owners to volunteer help to rectify the situation.
In their White Paper summarising findings from a two-year study released today (June 11), researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and non-governmental organisation HealthServe said regulating caterers would be an “important step towards ensuring food safety and security”. “We learnt about the large number of unlicensed operators that operate without accountability. These unlicensed caterers often work thorough middlemen and are unable to control the quality of food,” they wrote.
At a press conference today, Professor Mohan J Dutta, director of NUS’ Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation, which co-authored the White Paper, added: “Caterers who are not licensed (have) a variety of practices, such as food being left outside the dorm. And often, we hear stories of rats pulling away at the food.”
Currently, the National Environment Agency requires all caterers to be licensed. Packed food would have to come with time stamps, indicating when it was prepared and by when it has to be consumed.
Apart from greater oversight of these businesses, HealthServe director Goh Wei Leong said providing cooking facilities in all dormitories could be a solution. Foreign workers may also save costs by pooling money for ingredients.
The researchers’ findings also showed that foreign workers often liaise with a middleman for meals to be delivered to their dormitories. About a quarter of the average S$120 to S$130 they pay each month for the meals goes to the middleman, leaving the caterers scrimping on quality ingredients, said Prof Dutta, who suggested that employers work directly with caterers. “That’s so that the food is directly catered to a worksite. That could prevent the gap between the cooking and the delivery. Employers will have more ability to control the quality because they’ll be negotiating with the vendor,” added Prof Dutta.
Today, CARE and HealthServe launched a campaign to raise awareness of the food woes of foreign workers through bus and MRT ads and a TV commercial. A documentary will also be released online later this month. Materials for the campaign came from the interviews, focus-group discussions and surveys with Bangladeshi construction workers conducted between September 2012 and December last year.
A survey pertaining to the quality and hygiene of food, which involved 500 Bangladeshi migrant workers, showed 86.2 per cent had fallen ill after eating catered food. Common illnesses include vomiting. More than nine in 10 felt their food was unhygienic. Nearly all respondents (97.4 per cent) were dissatisfied with the quality of their food, with some describing it as “bread (that) is so tough, it … feels like eating a tyre”.
With five more days to go till the end of the SEA Games, there have been many memorable moments to savour and debate over.
While there surely will be plenty more sporting and non-sporting milestones to come, The Straits Times takes a look at the top 11 so far.
1. Stunning Schooling
Joseph Schooling raising two fingers to his lips in celebration after winning the men’s 50m freestyle in a new national record of 22.47 seconds on June 8, 2015. — ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Nine golds in nine events. Six individual Games records. And the breaking of a 50m freestyle mark that had stood for 32 years. If there ever was any shred of doubt in swimmer Joseph Schooling’s ability to deliver, there can be none now.
Singapore’s swimming wonderboy has even caught the attention of English Premier League champions Chelsea, who featured an interview with him on their website.
The former national captain, who has been under fire from fans for his team’s poor performances, choked back tears as he announced the news during the post-match press conference. “I thank you all for your support. I want to go back to my family now. They have been waiting for me for a long time,” he said.
3. Shanti’s blaze of glory
Sprinter Shanti Pereira, holding the Singapore flag, makes her victory lap after winning the women’s 200m race on June 10, 2015. — PHOTO: SINGAPORE SEA GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEE/ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS
Not since 1973 has a Singapore female sprinter tasted victory in the 200m race. But an undaunted Shanti Pereira emulated the great Glory Barnabas by doing just that, lowering the national record twice in the process on Wednesday (June 10)
“I’m so crazily happy, I can’t describe how I feel right now,” said the 18-year-old, whose time of 23.60 seconds beat pre-race favourite and 100m winner Kayla Richardson of the Philippines.
4. Decathlete Lance Tan proposes to girlfriend
Sometimes, winning takes a backseat to more important things in life. Singaporean decathlete Lance Tan, 28, might have finished last in most of his events in the men’s decathlon, but he ended his SEA Games on a sweet note after proposing to his long-time girlfriend. She said yes, to loud cheers from the crowd at the National Stadium.
He might have missed out on a medal, but he got the girl.
5. Team Singapore’s rapid gold rush
Singapore netballers posing with their gold medal after a historic win over Malaysian in the final on June 7, 2015. — ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG
Even Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong admitted he was surprised at how quick Singapore beat its previous record haul of 50 golds, set in 1993.
It surpassed the milestone on Day 4 (June 9) of the competition, when swimmer Quah Zheng Wen won the men’s 400m individual medley. It was Singapore’s historic 51st gold of these Games. It was also the nation’s 800th gold overall.
ST has predicted that Team Singapore could have 80 golds by the end of the Games. It is a tall, perhaps overly ambitious ask. But one the Class of 2015 may actually deliver.
6. National Anthem pride
Singapore’s female quartet of Quah Ting Wen, Amanda Lim, Rachel Tseng and Christie Chue thanking the crowd after their 4x200m freestyle relay win on June 8, 2015. — ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
The track for the National Anthem Majulah Singapura stopped midway through the victory ceremony for the Singapore women’s 4x200m freestyle relay quartet of Quah, Christie Chue, Amanda Lim and Rachel Tseng on June 8 due to a faulty PA system. But the patriotic crowd were in fine voice and carried on singing. A truly proud moment for Singapore at the Games.
Watch the video below from just before the 5min mark.
7. Sportsmanship still exists
Ashley Liew crossing the finishing line in the men’s marathon on June 7, 2015. — ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Singaporean runner Ashley Liew’s actions during the men’s marathon on June 7 has been lauded by several ministers, including Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Grace Fu and Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, who congratulated Liew on Facebook for “making us proud, as Singaporeans”.
Singaporean marathoner Ashley Liew displayed true sportsmanship during the SEA GAMES 2015 He was trailing in the…
At one point during the race, the 28-year-old found himself with a 50m lead after the 12 other runners took the wrong route. But instead of capitalising on his advantage, he slowed down to give his competitors time to catch up. Liew eventually finished eighth in the race, which was won by compatriot Soh Rui Yong.
8. Gender bender
Female Indonesian volleyball player Aprilia Santini Manganang in action against Vietnam on June 11, 2015. — PHOTO: SINGAPORE SEA GAMES ORGANISING COMMITTEE/ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS
Controversy arrived in the form of a protest over the gender of female Indonesian volleyball player Aprilia Santini Manganang. The Philippines had demanded that the Games organisers carry out a gender test, citing Manganang’s appearance and powerful physique as too masculine. The appeal was rejected.
“Thank you,” she said in Bahasa Indonesia. “(The controversy) gave me more spirit to play and win during the match.”
9. Outpouring of emotion for Sabah earthquake victims
Singapore (right) and Cambodian footballers standing in unison as they observe a minute of silence as a mark of respect for the victims of the Sabah earthquake at the Jalan Besar Stadium on June 8, 2015. — ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG
A shadow was cast over the Games when the opening ceremony on June 5 coincided with a 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Sabah, which claimed the lives of 10 people from Singapore.
The Singapore Government declared June 8 a Day of Remembrance to pay tribute to the victims, with all SEA Games venues observing a minute of silence as a mark of respect. Many Team Singapore athletes, including the Under-23 football squad, the national paddlers and men’s hockey team, paid emotional visits to the tribute corner set up at Tanjong Katong Primary School.
10. Football’s father-son pair light Games cauldron
Football legend Fandi Ahmad (right) and his eldest son Irfan carrying the torch at the SEA Games opening ceremony on June 5, 2015. — ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Singapore’s favourite footballing son Fandi Ahmad and his eldest son Irfan were handed the honour of being the final torchbearers in a stunning finale to the SEA Games opening ceremony, ending in the duo lighting the cauldron.
At 17, Irfan is also the youngest member of the Young Lions and looks poised to follow in his famous father’s footsteps.
11. Foreign athletes who have lit up the Games
Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Anh Vien smiling after she wins the women’s 400m freestyle on June 10, 2015. — ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Not content to see Joseph Schooling basking alone in the swimming limelight, Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Anh Vien emerged as the Games’ undisputed female swim star. The 18-year-old racked up eight golds – one behind Schooling – and five meet records.
Her compatriots in the artistic gymnastic events were not to be denied either, winning nine of the 14 gold medals on offer, with Dinh Phuong Tanh winning gold in the parallel and horizontal bars, individual all-around, and men’s team events.
In diving, Malaysia’s utter domination at the regional level continued as they made a clean sweep of all eight diving golds – 21-year-old Ooi Tze Liang led the way with four. Filipino track stars Eric Cray and Kayla Richardson took the 100m sprint titles.
In table tennis, Thailand’s inspired female paddlers were the reason why Singapore failed to win all seven table tennis golds. Feng Tianwei was shocked by Suthasini Sawettabut– the eventual women’s singles champion – in the group stages.
Hosts Singapore crashed out of the football competition at the 28th SEA Games after losing to Indonesia in Group A on Thursday (Jun 11).
After a goalless first half, the breakthrough came in the 47th minute when Evan Dimas Darmono scored with a stunning shot from inside the penalty box.
Sahil Suhaimi almost equalised for Singapore a minute later when his header was palmed away by the Indonesian keeper after a curling cross from the left.
Both teams kept up the tempo with chances at both ends. Indonesia almost doubled their lead in the 63rd minute when Ahmad Nufiandani’s shot forced Singapore goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari into a reflex save.
To make matters worse for the hosts, Ho Wai Loon was sent off in the 64th minute for a second yellow card.
Singapore coach Aide Iskandar resigned after the team’s failure but paid tribute to his charges. “I’m very proud of my boys, they gave their best and we pushed to get a goal or an equaliser even though we were one man down, that’s something that is really rare to see for a Singaporean side.”
He added: “I appreciate all the support, even though some sections of fans were abusing us, some fans thanked the players during the game and even after the game. We showed a lot of unity and solidarity.”
When asked why key players like Faris Ramli and Irfan Fandi Ahmad were left on the bench at the start of the game, he said that they were “not fully fit” and had to be dropped from the starting line-up.
Aide’s Indonesian counterpart said although Singapore are a good side, their weaknesses were apparent. “We knew their weakness was distributing the ball,” said Santoso. “Singapore’s central defenders were a little bit slow, so I asked my players to make runs behind them.”
He added: “A couple of players picked up injuries, but I hope they will be fine by tomorrow.”
Indonesia will now play Thailand in the second semi-final on Saturday at 8.30pm. Vietnam and Myanmar kick-off at 2pm the same day. Both matches are at the National Stadium.
Like the previous three SEA Games matches, Aide Iskandar arrived at the post-match press conference late. But the writing was on the wall last night when the Young Lions coach arrived teary-eyed and sniffling after Singapore lost 1-0 to Indonesia and were booted out of the Games football competition.
In what was expected, the 40-year-old announced he was not only resigning as coach of Singapore’s under-23 squad, but quitting the Football Association of Singapore. He delivered a short speech thanking the FAS for their trust when they hired him in 2013 to take charge of the side preparing for the SEA Games in Singapore.
But it has been a painful campaign for Aide, wrought by a lucklustre 1-0 win over the Philippines on June 1, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Myanmar three days later, and struggling to keep their hopes alive with a 3-1 win over Cambodia on Monday (June 9).
A week before the start of the competition, he controversially dropped forward Iqbal Hussain, who had been a key figure in the under-23 side.
Summarising his two-year tenure, Aide said he tried to build a team for the Games but faced a lot of challenges along the way, including the loss of key players in striker Shahfiq Ghani and defender Ammirul Adli.
Thanking everyone who had supported him and the Young Lions, including Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, the FAS, Sports Singapore and the fans despite not posting “the best of results”.
Added Aide: “I am very proud of my boys, they gave their best and pushed to get the goal and equaliser even though we were a man down. This is something rare to see from a Singapore side.
“For your information, I just resigned and I have informed the players and told them the journey still has to go on for them as they are still young and they can only get better. I’ve also told them that failures can only make them stronger.
He ended the press conference saying that he had to go back to his family who “has been waiting for me for a very long time. I think it is best that I have to go back to them”.
Aide refused to take questions and left abruptly, leaving more questions about the state of football in Singapore.
This is not the first time he has quit a national post. In 2007, he resigned suddenly as captain of the national team before the start of Singapore’s crucial World Cup qualifying tie against Tajikistan. He was unhappy for being dropped from then coach Raddy Avramovic’s starting line-up in a previous match against Palestine.
Last night’s drama came after Singapore’s game was marred by the same issues that have been plaguing them: Mindless passes, silly tackles and shots that went everywhere but at goal.
The comedy of errors reached a climax in the 84th minute when Suria Prakash and Adam Swandi were floored after clashing with one another in an attempt to control a loose ball on the edge of the Indonesian 12-yard box.
The game was all but over for them a minute after the break when Indonesian playmaker Evan Diman Darmono sent a scorcher into the roof of the Singapore goal.
The dagger was plunged deeper 20 minutes later when Ho Wai Loon was sent off by South Korean referee Kim Kee-gon for a second bookable offence. It was an inept performance by a Singapore side that never had the quality to go far in the Games.
FAS president Zainudin Nordin issued a statement that read: “I can understand why Aide has made this decision at this point of time. Hopefully, after a few days’ rest, we can have a discussion with him and persuade him to change his mind.
“Regardless of how we have fared at the SEA Games, Aide is a good coach and has a long and bright future ahead of him.”
Team Singapore’s swimmers continued their gold mining of the pool on the final of day of the event competition at the Southeast Asia (SEA) Games on Thursday (Jun 11).
Singapore added four more gold medals to the haul to finish with a national record of 23. That is more than double the 11 gold they got in the Myanmar SEA Games in 2013. Vietnam were next best with 10 gold – eight of those won by dynamo Nguyen Thi Ahn Vien. The 18-year-old added yet another gold to her name by claiming victory in the 200m breaststroke, and then saluted cheekily to the cameras for the last time as she left the pool after a remarkable 12 events.
Singapore’s Quah Zheng Wen was just as busy. He won his 11th medal of the SEA Games by taking the 50m backstroke in a new record time of 25.27 seconds, ahead of reigning champion Indonesia’s I Gede Siman Sudartawa (25.34s).
Singapore swimmer Quah Zheng Wen (Photo: Jack Board)
Earlier, Indonesia won its first gold of a disappointing swimming campaign courtesy of a powerful swim from Indra Gunawan (28,27s) in the 50m breaststroke.
But this was, once again, a night that belonged to Singapore. Amanda Lim set the tone in the night’s second race by winning the women’s 50m freestyle for the fourth consecutive time in 25.59s just one hundredth of a second in front of teammate Quah Ting Wen.
Singapore’s Quah Ting Wen and Amanda Lim with their medals from the 50m freestyle. (Photo: Jack Board)
Tao Li after winning the 100m butterfly (Photo: Jack Board)
Tao Li made it 22 after winning the women’s 100m butterfly in 59.79s, prompting a ceremonial bell ringing on the pool deck by swimming legend Ang Peng Siong, one for each gold won. Tao was visibly pumped up by the victory as she slapped the water with vigour and waved enthusiastically to the full house in the stands. She won five gold in total, winning every event she entered. Quah Ting Wen was right behind her with a time of 1:00.30.
“I did it, I proved to myself that I’m still there and in the butterfly no-one can touch me in Southeast Asia,” she said. “I did what I aimed for.
“There’s been no one (SEA Games) like this before, the home crowd cheering for us, that’s a big thing for the swimmers,” she added.
And to ensure a clean sweep of the relays it was left to four men accustomed to success this SEA Games – Quah, Joseph Schooling, Clement Lim and Lionel Khoo – to wrap things up in the 4x100m medley relay.
Singapore’s Quah Zheng Wen, Joseph Schooling, Clement Lim and Lionel Khoo win the gold in the 4x100m medley relay. (Photo: Jack Board)
They did it in style, breaking a Games record in the process with a time of 3:38.25, the 29th overall, and notably giving Schooling his ninth gold medal. That is nine gold out of nine events, for Singapore’s swim king.
“I’m very happy with myself but I’m more happy for the relay. I don’t think we’d won since ’91 and that’s the perfect way to finish the meet,” the 19-year-old said. “I think we’ve just got a lot of talent. The result speaks for itself, we’re better than the previous teams and I think that’s really positive for Singapore swimming teams moving forward.”
Joseph Schooling. (Photo: Goh Chiew Tong)
“I get to let the diet go,” joked Quah when asked what celebrations he had planned.
Indonesia and Thailand’s men were right behind Singapore’s 4x100m medley relay team, clocking 3:42.10 and 3:45.67 respectively for silver and bronze.
Singapore’s national coach Sergio Lopez said before the Games that he would be happy with 12 gold from the team. The smile on his face after six days that saw his team nearly double that goal was deservedly jubilant.
