SINGAPORE: He is known as the “Selfie King” but how will Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC Baey Yam Keng fare as a “romantic blogger”? Audiences can find out when Mr Baey stars in a play called Like Me. I Like, come December.
Theatre company The ETCeteras announced in a media release on Tuesday (Sep 30) that he will take the lead role in the play which will highlight “the real life obsession of social media”. It will be written and directed by Mr Baey’s wife Ms Lim Hai Yen, and he will serve as its producer.
The Mandarin play is set in an advertising firm and the story is built around the popularity of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and WhatsApp, and how various relationships and rivalries flourish as a result.
“All these are witnessed by the firm’s pet hamster who lives, breathes and plays among its human masters’ complicated and comical relationships happening both online and offline,” ETCeteras said.
The play will also star showbiz veteran Foong Wai See, and Y.E.S. 93.3FM DJ Chung Kun Hua. Cultural medallion award winner Dick Lee will be the production’s image stylist.
Like Me. I Like will run from Dec 4 to 7. All proceeds from the play will go towards the Tampines North CCC Community Development and Welfare Fund, and the Hwa Chong Junior College Alumni Students Bursary Fund.
There was a sharp exchange yesterday between Minister of State (National Development) Maliki Osman and Workers’ Party Member of Parliament Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap, which even saw Parliament Speaker Halimah Yacob stepping in to remind MPs of the importance of providing details when they cite incidents involving government agencies and public servants.
During the debate on the Family Justice Bill, Mr Faisal had alleged that when he was a counsellor, he came across a couple who were having housing issues and advised to file for a divorce by the Housing and Development Board — so that the wife would be eligible to buy a house under the Singles Scheme and she could subsequently remarry her husband. Mr Faisal, however, could not provide the details. Here are excerpts of the exchange:
Dr Maliki (left): It is very important for Members of the House to understand that if we highlight cases in this House, we have to be prepared to disclose all information … Because I don’t think allegations of such a nature can be allowed to go past without verification. I hope Mr Faisal will be able to get back to the (client) and ask … for permission for us to clarify this situation. If not, I hope the case that was highlighted here should not be considered seriously in this Chamber.
Mr Faisal (right): I don’t have (the) contacts since I am no longer a counsellor. But again, I used that as one example of many cases I have encountered of such difficulties … I don’t have the details of my client.
Mdm Halimah: It is quite different to say that HDB rejected the appeal (compared) to saying that it is because of the advice of the HDB officer that the couple should divorce … So since you cited the person and you said you got her approval to raise the issue, the question asked by the Minister of State is whether you can provide particulars so he can verify and prevent (the situation) from repeating if (it) is indeed … as you have said.
Dr Maliki: These are very serious statements that are being made against our civil servants … If such allegations are made, we must give them a chance to clarify …
Mr Faisal: I have no intention of disregarding the good work that has been done by civil servants in our public services. I just wanted to feedback the experiences that I had encountered …
Dr Maliki: It is very important for us to uphold the integrity of this Chamber and … that of our Civil Service. The Member highlighted a case and made very serious allegations that a HDB officer actually asked the couple to divorce … For such allegations to be made in this Chamber, it is very serious.
Mdm Halimah: Although Members are covered by parliamentary privilege, it is important when incidents are cited, particularly involving government agencies and public servants, the particulars can be provided … to verify … the facts. That will really help to improve the debate in the House, it adds credibility to the whole process … as well.
(After Law and Foreign Minister K Shanmugam had wrapped up the debate)
Mr Faisal: It is not my intention to give a negative impression of any of the public services or government offices. I will be more careful in future and I apologise.
https://www.facebook.com/abubakar.mohdnorAbu Bakar Mohd Nor
SLTC (NS) Abu Bakar (Centre) shares his thoughts on his promotion, “ I am very grateful with the recognition given to me, it’s not only about me, as this promotion is to recognise the efforts of people who had supported me. My wife, my family, my employers and those who have served alongside me. Such efforts made this promotion more meaningful.”
2LT Khabir Ashraf Bin Mohamed Sultan was enlisted in 2012 to the Obese Basic Military Training (BMT). He excelled in BMT and was posted to Officer Cadet School (OCS). He is now a Platoon Commander (PC) at BMTC handling the obese batch, he feels privileged to be able to motivate recruits with his experience.
“Although the training was very tough, the encouragement that my commanders gave and the support from my fellow platoon mates gave me the energy to excel in my BMT. Today, I use my experiences to help me become a role model to my recruits and to motivate them to do better.”
And so, my clarifying post had ended up being shared on two pages:
Fabrications About the PAP (FAP), and Rilek1corner (R1C).
Whilst the FAP drew positive comments, reinforced with even further proof and testimonials from people that actually served in the force, R1C was laced with negative insinuations and remarks from people who, mostly never served the force, had no empirical data, actual stats and only hear say stories to back up their claims.
Despite all that, it is the voices of the believers that will continue to give us reason to continue breaking boundaries and striving hard to excel in whatever we are tasked to complete, no matter what appointment we sit in.
Come 1st July, we celebrate SAF Day. It is not just a day to remind our servicemen on the purpose of our existence. Neither is it only a day where we rekindle the passion and fire that made us take up this responsibility.
SAF Day is also a day where were reaffirm to the people that we are there, because they are there. We protect those we love, or family, our friends and also our community. It is important that our community believes in this organisation and they MUST know that everyone that serves, is given equal opportunities to excel, move up and become an icon for the rest of his community to emulate.
Heck I am a Diploma Holder, taking precious time every other night attending classes just to get a Degree. When I look left and right, everyone else holds that Qualification, and I used to believe and still believe, that if I want to be given the same opportunities, it is then my responsibility to make sure I am on par with the rest.
Opportunities don’t come, just because the organisation thinks there is a political impetus to. Opportunities come because, we in our own capacity and hard work, creates it. I may not be a high-flyer but I believe that I am still able to fly the flag high for the Malay/Muslim community. But we cannot do this if we continue disbelieving that change is already taking place.
If any parents or school children is reading this, please remember.
Tell your kids or yourselves, that if they/you have aspirations to join the service and be part of this organisation, step forward and do your very best. Believe that you will be someone and trust that you will be given what you deserve.
There is without doubt many Malay/Muslims holding even higher and more important appointments, much more important that mine. Those who know these people, you can bare testament, how good they really are. Shut out all those who don’t believe.. because if I had listened to all these people 14 years ago, I would have never reached this milestone in my life.
Believe in yourself, continue learning and upgrading and serve the country and community because, if you don’t, no one else will.
Happy SAF day my brothers/sisters in arms and to the generations that takes over, remember that we are the ones that craft our own futures.
Here at Rilek1Corner, we appreciate people sharing their life experiences. It is through these heart-to-heart topics that we learn something about the other person and what is important to him or her.
For this instance, we get to understand the challenges and issues faced by Malay and Muslim brothers who are serving the nation be it in the MINDEF or HOME TEAM.
While we agree to disagree, let’s not character assassinate someone. That’s the beauty of perspectives; it may not be the same but it shed light on the thinking processes of someone who may share something common with us, for example race or religion.
