Blog

Confessions Of A Gay Officer In The SAF

I’m an officer with the saf. And I am gay. I was being investigated by the MSD for allegations of “bringing disrepute to the saf” by visiting a gay club earlier last year, and further, being penalized by confessing I am gay.

I was deemed a security threat, had my security clearance downgraded, transferred to a non-ops unit and my promotion stalled among all the ridiculous “measures” to “manage” me. The most humiliating thing was to sign a form which basically says i can’t be gay & to refrain from engaging in any homosexual activities.

But, there was a stark clause which says I can’t have a gay partner. I politely told them to exclude that clause because I ve been in a relationship with my partner for 6 years. I was not going to allow an “sop” to dictate who I want to be with. MSD agreed.

I just want to encourage servicemen esp nsfs who are gay and are afraid of coming out – you are not alone; never let anyone put u down for who u are. Have the courage to stand up for yourself. Now, go be fabulous.

[Admin note: the veracity of the claims here cannot be verified]

Source: Gay SG Confessions

January 19, 2015
Is The Police Tailing Malay-Muslim Activists?

Some of you may have known from my previous posting that i was followed by people whom I believe to be the police. Whether it’s the ISD or the CID, it doesn’t matter. What matters more is the reason why I was being followed.

A few friends were kind enough to msg me personally and ask if there’s anything serious. They were concern of my well being. Some had thought that I was just imagining things. No I wasn’t. I am very clear on this.

Prior to yesterday’s incident, I had always been followed by a black Toyota Mark X, bearing the number plate SJXXXXXH. I only realized that I was being shadowed sometime after my GAZA event at Hong Lim Park. I don’t know how many times exactly I was being followed but I can say for sure I was shadowed at least 4 times by this same vehicle on different days.

On why I was certain that it wasn’t just my imagination:

I made a few manoeuvres which doesn’t make sense if one is driving normally. I made 2 consecutive U-turns. I slowed down to a crawling pace. I accelerated at will. I parked by the side of the road. I wasted a couple of dollars to enter and exit from a shopping centre car park. All the time, the vehicle followed my route.

The last time I saw the black Toyota Mark X was on 31 Dec 2014 when I attended SDP’s event at Thomson. Yesterday’s incident involved 3 different vehicles. 2 cars and one bike. It was surprising that they would actually deploy such manpower over an individual like me.

Initially, I was very much fearful. But the fears quickly turned to being annoyed. What have I done to deserve being followed like a criminal? Was it my political background? Or was it for being outspoken on Palestinian issues. Either way, there’s nothing criminal for doing both. In fact, by them doing this, it strengthened my resolve to continue and do what is right within the laws of the land.

I have made a police report about the incident yesterday. As a citizen, I have every right to know why am I under such scrutiny. What suspicions have they got to encroach on the rights of an individual and compromise my privacy.

I wish to understand this from their points of view and meet with these officers to get a clearer picture. They are not going to silence me by these cheap tactics. I will soon write in to MHA and request for an audience with the appropriate officers. If need be, I shall camp outside their office as this involve my safety.

Source: Osman Sulaiman

January 19, 2015
Remove Nadi Magazine Featuring Non-Muslims Like Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa and Gandhi From MUIS’ Archive

Hard copies of the MUIS publication Nadi magazine were prominently-placed in mosques in Singapore.

We take exception to this particular issue.

The cover depicts three non-Muslim personalities – Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and Mother Theresa

It is undeniable that there are character traits that are present in for example Mandela that are admirable – his moral courage for one – and that Muslims should emulate. However, ultimate success in Islam carries a different paradigm. Success is attained when one has the right Aqeedah upon death. We therefore cannot consider these personalities as ultimately successful.

More than that.

Mother Theresa cares for the sick in Calcutta. However, on their deathbed, she tries to make them convert to her religion.

This is something grave in Islam. It is a cause of great fitnah. Especially if the sick she was caring for was a Muslim.

We request this particular issue of Nadi be removed from the MUIS archives.

Source: Singapore Muslims for an Independent MUIS

January 19, 2015
Suara Singapura Did Not Adequately Reflect View Of Panellist

I spent almost half a day for the Suara Singapura recording and on stage for more than 2 hours. I was invited to speak my mind. Therefore I genuinely spoke up from my heart representing voices and concerns of common Singaporeans I work with EVERYDAY. My fellow panel speakers witnessed that I almost teared when I shared one of my real life encounters.

I spoke so much but it was all wasted as it was heavily and biasedly edited. I literally appeared like a mute who kept adjusting my seat, nodding while holding the mic but couldn’t speak a word.

One of the issues that I actually brought up was on healthcare in Singapore, based on my experience assisting someone in appealing for Medifund. Singaporeans have to sustain their premiums which gets exceptionally high as they grow older. The government has yet to address this issue. When their Medisave account dries up, its impossible for them to pay the premium, therefore causing the insurance to lapse.

I also brought up issues on the growing numbers of young Singaporean living on bad credits. I did my research prior to the recording of the show so that I was well informed on current figures and statistics. But I was again being singled out to appear on screen just holding the mic and kept adjusting my seat.

I had to watch it via catchup TV as I was busy serving the community when it’s was shown ‘live’ on Suria. Guess what I encoutered again today? Another case of a cancer patient who have to sell her house to bear her medical expenses. So blame these people for not buying insurance and to not atleast maintain their MediShield premiums? What was not shown on TV was, I suggested that the government should work much closer with insurance companies and pay more attention on this persistent issue.

What you see on TV does NOT represent even an inch of what I do on a daily basis. I’m utterly disappointed of how I was positioned in the show. But it’s alright. I have a bigger cause which is to continue serving my clients and the community and you’ll definitely will get more than 10 seconds of my attention.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/hishamzain1111

January 19, 2015
Selfie Of Miss Lebanon With Miss Israel Stirs Lebanon

BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Israeli beauty queen’s selfie has caused a stir in Lebanon, with some Lebanese saying their country’s contestant at the Miss Universe pageant should be stripped of her title for consorting with the enemy.

Miss Israel Doron Matalon posted a photo of herself and Miss Lebanon Saly Greige smiling together at pageant preparations in Miami, where the winner will be picked on January 25.

The two countries are technically at war, although the border has been largely quiet since their 2006 conflict. The Lebanese risk prison if they call or travel to Israel and all Israeli products are banned in Lebanon.

Some Lebanese have demanded on social media that Greige lose her title for contacts with a citizen of the enemy state.

Greige defended herself on the photo-sharing service Instagram on Saturday, saying Matalon had pestered her for a picture together and finally photobombed her.

“Since the first day of my arrival to participate to Miss Universe, I was very cautious to avoid being in any photo or communication with Miss Israel, who tried several times to take a photo with me,” Greige said.

“I was having a photo with Miss Japan, Miss Slovenia, suddenly Miss Israel jumped in and took a selfie, and uploaded it on her social media.”

(Reporting by Oliver Holmes)

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com

January 19, 2015