Tag: Singapore

Grabhitch Nightmare: Stuck With Obnoxious Driver, Male Muslim Passenger Also Gets Bitten By Driver’s Chihuahua

Hello everyone, I have a personal story to share with you. It’s an extremely important one if you are a frequent user of apps such as Grab or Uber.

On 25 Dec, after my work had ended during my shift during X’mas eve, in the wee early morning of about 2am, I decided to take on Grabhitch (cos you know 50% off). Within minutes, my booking was accepted, and I received a call directly from the driver. But during the call, these were messages that he had conveyed to me:

1) Firstly, he does not know where Harbourfront Centre taxi stand is, and insisted that I walk to him. He was all the way at the other side of Vivocity (near to St James Powerhouse). Mind you, I have been on my feet for the past 9.5 hours.

2) Secondly, during the tele-conversation, he also mentioned that he is not driving the stated Mercedes-Benz car (plate number: SJV6527Z) in my booking screen. Instead, he was driving a silver Cheverolet.

Eventually, the driver and I decided to make a compromise, and picked me up at the bus stop in front of Vivocity, which is somewhat far from where I was. But I didn’t want to waste time further as I was so exhausted. As I walked to the car, I saw a dog, which initially I thought was a soft toy. As I got closer, I realised the driver had a REAL LIVING DOG (It was a small chihuahua as I got to know later) with him inside the car! While I was shocked, I didn’t want to kick up a fuss out of it. I really wanted to just get home.

I mean I know it’s Grabhitch but it is just plain unprofessional to do that. I know there are many animal lovers out there who wouldn’t mind this. But I thought it’s just very basic courtesy to at least inform your passenger especially with a muslim-sounding name if he might be okay with it?

So many lines crossed here; safety issues, health related issues, religious and cultural issues etc. Yes, I’m very much Muslim. However, at that point of time, I thought to myself that it’s just a dog, and the driver should probably have the dog well tamed to be comfortable with strangers. But I later realised that the driver is the one that needed taming.

Throughout the entire trip, the driver didn’t stop being obnoxious. He lectured me about the ‘hitch culture’, and remained adamant about how he thought his way of “educating” me about the hitch culture was appropriate. He claimed that as passengers taking the Grabhitch option, it isn’t right to sit at the back and treat the owners of the car as our “cheapest drivers to get to our destination”.

He further said that he was “doing a service to the community by allowing people to sit in his car at a very small fee and helping people reach their destinations”. He added on saying that many people don’t want to perform Grabhitch because of people like me. Like seriously?!!

When I asked him if his dog is generally okay with strangers, he defensively lashed back at me and said,”My dog never disturb you, why you so concern about the dog?!!

As I was trying to unbuckle the seat belt, the sound I made probably riddled the dog. The DOG THEN JUMPED AND BIT ME!

I immediately told the driver I’m leaving, opened the door and slammed it shut. He didn’t even apologised or offered to take a look at my arm. I walked away quickly as I wanted to get away from the possible danger – like getting mauled by a ferocious dog.

This all happened in the wee hours of Sunday morning after a tiring day at work. Like I said, all I wanted was to go home and get some sleep. And such luck had to strike me. Nevertheless, I have taken necessary steps to this whole issue and have approached the proper authorities.

I have gone to the doctor at NUH who was very caring and concern while I was consulted by her. She even ensured that I ascertain if the dog is approved by the authorities by allowing me to call the Grab customer service hotline in the room, and patiently waited before making a decision to give me a rabies shot or not. It was not administered as we found that the dog was certified healthy, according to the driver who admitted that there was his dog in his car but denied that it has bitten me. Come on la, the mark is on my arm already. Whatever it is, his pet has already caused harm and injury to me.

I have also gone to the police who have referred my case to Agri-food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA). Officers on both sides had handled the matter professionally and quickly. I even received a phone call from AVA the very afternoon, which was after Sunday and on Christmas.

Ultimately, this is a story of how my $6 Grabhitch ride became into $123.40 matter as I had incurred $117.40 worth of medical bill, that included a tetanus shot and antibiotics. This story is very much real, and has happened to me. It is no joke. So please be safe.

Source: Rushdan Eilyaas

December 27, 2016
Syed Danial: A Message To Conservatives – Smile More Please

There is method in the madness.

The ‘jubah sado’ (traditional Arabian attire for the muscularly-built) posting serves as an effective (methinks) preamble to the point I wish to make.

Friends, in this ‘post-truth’ era, I think there’s a certain assumption that if one has conservative views, then he is not in touch with modernity. He is somewhat backward. Worse still, he is somehow linked to ‘extremism’.

This is of course not true. I can’t believe I’m typing this. It’s worth makin it explicit. One can have views steeped in conservatism and still be in touch and quite adept with modernity – be it in embracing technology, being in the forefront of entrepreneurship, academia etc.

Bringing me to my main point.

We live in an era of so much fasaad. Right has become wrong and vice versa.

Like it or not, that’s the environment we operate in. I feel in such an environment it really doesn’t help that a person whose views are conservative and steeped in the more than fourteen centuries of Islamic scholarship…. Also look severe and unsmiling. In a nutshell unapproachable.

Again it may not be true. The person could be very friendly and kind.

Fair or not, its the image of the conservative chap.

In the interest of furthering the Dawah (invitation) why can’t we appear less ‘severe’? I bring up the ‘jubah sado’ to illustrate this point. Bear in mind we live in an age where it’s ok to be half naked in a foam party or dancing on bar tops. But wearing the jubah or thoube is considered ‘Arabism’ and somehow backward.

Let’s celebrate our conservative values. If we are comfortable with it wear the jubah. Heck u don’t have to look so ‘severe’. I think it’s fine to jazz it up a little. There’s the jubah sado. Or the hooded Moroccan thoube. You get the idea.

And very importantly let’s Smile more. I think we can all agree that’s the Sunnah (way) of Prophet Muhammad. And prophet Jesus, too, for that matter.

So even in our dressing InshaAllah let dawah be our niyah. Wear cool stuffs. Smile more. And engage in meaningful conversations, putting across our principled stances with mauithatun Hasanah – beautiful preaching.

Yeah and by the way, I see nothing wrong with the jubah pahlawan. ??Even the pink ones. Real men wear pink. They Juz don’t subscribe to the ideology of Pinkdot.

Wallahualam.

Source: Syed Danial

December 27, 2016
Power-Assisted Bicycle Impounded In LTA Enforcement Operation

As part of our regular enforcement, LTA conducts periodic enforcement operations against the riding of non-compliant Power Assisted Bicycles (PABs) and unregistered vehicles on roads.

During one of our operations last week, our enforcement officers stopped a rider who had been riding his device, with a motor capable of propelling it up to 80km/h, along Woodlands Street 83 and Woodlands Ave 4.

The non-compliant device has since been impounded, and the rider is currently assisting LTA with investigations.

We would like to remind everyone that only LTA-approved PABs affixed with an LTA seal, and in compliance with the following rules http://bit.ly/2hXQleE, are allowed for use on the roads. LTA will continue to conduct regular enforcement against errant PAB riders and unregistered vehicle drivers, to ensure the safety of all users.

Let us all stay safe this holiday season and ride into a better 2017 ahead!

Source: Land Transport Authority – We Keep Your World Moving

December 26, 2016
Hattan Tidak Mahu Undang Fitnah, Tiada Akaun Media Sosial

PETALING JAYA: Penyanyi Hattan tidak berminat untuk membuka akaun Facebook atau Instagram kerana merasakan ia penuh dengan perkara negatif berbanding positif.

Hattan atau Mohd Shukri Shahabuddin, 52 tahun, berkata beliau juga tidak kisah sekiranya dikatakan tidak mengikut perubahan zaman kerana itu adalah pendiriannya.

“Saya memang tiada Facebook atau Instagram walaupun ramai beranggapan seorang artis perlu ada akaun media sosial.

“Jika ada kata saya kolot dan tidak mengikut perkembangan semasa, itu adalah hak mereka kerana keputusan itu adalah pendirian saya,” katanya kepada mStar Online.

Menerusi pemerhatiannya, Hattan berkata media sosial pada hari ini dilihat bukan untuk menyatukan masyarakat secara maya sebaliknya menjadi medan pergaduhan dan tempat menyebarkan fitnah.

“Apa yang saya lihat, media sosial sudah menjadi tempat untuk menyebarkan fitnah sehingga kadang-kala mampu membuat orang panik dan bimbang.

“Lihat sahaja berapa ramai artis yang menjadi viral dan dikatakan sudah meninggal dunia oleh fitnah pihak tidak bertanggungjawab?

“Jika hendak viralkan sesuatu perkara pun biarlah benda yang betul dan mendatangkan manfaat dan bukannya main muat naik status atau kongsi apa yang orang lain tulis,” ujarnya lagi kepada mStar Online.

Laporan mStar Online menambah Hattan turut menasihatkan golongan artis agar tidak terlalu taksub dengan media sosial sehingga memudaratkan diri.

Menurutnya, golongan artis sepatutnya menjaga nilai eksklusif diri mereka dan menggunakan teknologi dengan bijak.

“Saya kadang-kadang tidak faham, nak pergi ke tandas pun hendak beritahu semua orang dan muat naik gambar.

“Pada saya, kuasa media sosial itu memang penting untuk artis tetapi mereka juga perlu menjaga nilai eksklusif diri mereka.

“Saya faham ada ramai di antara mereka yang terikat sebagai duta produk yang memerlukan mereka sentiasa mengemas kini perkembangan tetapi jangan keterlaluan sehingga mampu merosakkan reputasi sendiri,” katanya.

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

December 26, 2016
A Christmas Note From Sultanah Johor, Raja Zarith Idris

During the days before Christmas last year, I wished my friends who were celebrating it “Merry Christmas” in much the same way they would wish me “Selamat Hari Raya” or “Happy Eid”.

I find it rather sad that such a simple greeting – one which I grew up with and which I have never regarded as something that would compromise or de-value my own faith – is now regarded as something so religiously incorrect for us Malaysian-Muslims.

When I was at boarding school in England, I had to go to church every Sunday because it was part of the rules. My father advised me to consider it as part of my “education” and he had no doubt that the experience would strengthen, rather than weaken, my own faith.

I was able to see the similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam. I learned more than the average Malaysian-Muslim would about Christianity. I learnt that just as we Muslims categorise ourselves according to the four different schools of thought of the four Imams (Imam Malik, Imam Al Shafi, Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Ahmad Abn Hambal) and are either Sunnis or Shias, so Christians too are divided into different sects or churches.

Going to church did not make me less of a Muslim when I was a young girl, and neither does saying “Merry Christmas” make me less of a Muslim now. My faith has not been shaken just because I wished some friends a time of joy with their families. Neither will I suddenly suffer from amnesia and forget what my religion is.

What I do not wish to forget, however, is that there are good, kind people who are not of the same faith as me.

As Harun Yahya, the Turkish writer (he was selected last year as one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan) noted: “Islam is a religion of peace, love and tolerance.”

Today, however, some circles have been presenting a false image of Islam, as if there were conflict between Islam and the adherents of the two other monotheistic religions. Yet, Islam’s view of Jews and Christians, who are named “the People of the Book” in the Quran, is very friendly and tolerant.

“This attitude towards the People of the Book developed during the years of the birth of Islam. At that time, Muslims were a minority, struggling to protect their faith and suffering oppression and torture from the pagans of the city of Mecca. Due to this persecution, some Muslims decided to flee Mecca and shelter in a safe country with a just ruler. The Prophet Muhammad told them to take refuge with King Negus, the Christian king of Ethiopia.

“The Muslims who followed this advice found a very fair administration that embraced them with love and respect when they went to Ethiopia. King Negus refused the demands of the pagan messengers who asked him to surrender the Muslims to them, and announced that Muslims could live freely in his country.

“Such attitudes of Christian people that are based on the concepts of compassion, mercy, modesty and justice, constitute a fact that God has pointed out in the Quran.”

I do not wish to be a self-centred Muslim who expects friends of other faiths to wish me Selamat Hari Raya or, for those who are not Malaysians and therefore do not know about Hari Raya, a Happy Eid and yet do not return their goodwill when it is Christmas, Chinese New Year, Deepavali or Vesak Day.

Every year, friends who are Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs or those without any faith come to our home to celebrate Hari Raya with us. They do so with sincerity and as a mark of respect for one of the most important days in the Muslim calendar. Why should we not reciprocate their kindness, show them the same mark of respect for their religion and wish them the same joy on their holy days of celebration?

An Islamic scholar and lecturer also reminded me that as Muslims we must remember the importance of both the five Pillars of Islam and in the six Pillars of Iman (Faith), which are:

Belief in Allah;

Belief in the angels;

Belief in the revealed Books (which include the Bible, the Torah and the Holy Quran);

Belief in the Prophets (May Peace be Upon Them);

Belief in the Resurrection and the events of Kiamah, the Day of Judgement; and

Belief in the predestination (Qada’ and Qadar) by Allah in all things.

The prophets include not just Muhammad (May Peace Be Upon Him) as the last prophet and as the Messenger of Islam, but also in the 24 earlier ones who are mentioned in both the Bible and the Quran. Four of them are Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Daud (David), and Isa (Jesus).

So, if Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Isa (Jesus), a prophet respected and revered in Islam, is it so wrong to wish a blessed day for those who celebrate it?

We are now in the second decade of the 21st century. Surely, we should, now more than ever, be far more enlightened at a time when information of any sort and of all kinds are so readily available to us.

What is most important is that we regard one another as fellow citizens and treat each other with respect, regardless of our race or religion.

The writer is a Royal Fellow, School of Language Studies and Linguistics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and holds a BA (Honours) degree in Chinese Studies, University of Oxford. The writer is also the Permaisuri of Johor.

Source: www.freemalaysiatoday.com

December 26, 2016