Tag: Singapore

Odd-Job Labourer Jailed For Sex With 12 Year Old Girl

An odd-job labourer was yesterday jailed 12 months for having sex with a 12-year-old girl.

Xavier Lee Wei Jie, 24, got to know the girl through mutual friends on March 17. The girl, a Secondary 1 student, was meeting her friends at West Mall in Bukit Batok.

She cannot be named because of a gag order to protect her identity.

Later that night, Lee invited the girl to his flat, also in Bukit Batok, and she agreed.

They arrived between 2am and 3am, and spent some time talking in Lee’s bedroom where they started to get intimate.

Lee suggested that they have sex, but the girl was reluctant. He managed to persuade her to change her mind and they had sex in his room.

The girl later told her family about the incident and her mother made a police report on March 29.

When asked by the judge if he had anything to say, Lee said: “I’m sorry”.

Source: www.tnp.sg

July 10, 2015
Chezka: A Life Changing Experience

Chezka, 26, was formerly a sex worker and is now an administrator for a new seafood outlet founded by a renowned actress. Her job scope includes socializing and interacting with the patrons of the outlet. She also comes up with ideas on how to increase the business’s exposure via social media. She is also the one who serves their signature dish. She has been working for them since they opened.

This is my interview with her.

Does being a transgender person affect your work and role as the administrator?

My workplace is not particular about what gender you are or who you are. In fact, I have been accepted because of my personality and my talent. And I never experienced customers that dislike me. My workplace is situated in a family oriented place, I have seen kids, adolescents and adults. They treat me normally.

You were a sex worker before this?

Yes, I’m a former sex worker, only for a year plus. I went there (my sex work place) myself, I started alone. Yes, I work there because of the fast cash. 6 days a week, I can earn a thousand? I stop doing sex work because I don’t feel like I belong there. And also because I’m in a relationship, it can affect it. But after much consideration and a courageous boyfriend to stop me from doing sex work, I eventually start having a day job. Maybe one day I will go back to doing sex work, we will see how.

Can you compare and describe your current job and sex work?

Everyone wants to be their own boss. Nobody wants to be controlled.. No one like to be questioned “Hey what time you come work? End what time?”

But doing something that is high income will actually lead one to spending more. That is when your budget goes haywire and all that. And so this day job allows me to focus on my budget and finances, and I can differentiate my needs and wants. Having a day job, I know how much my income will be. Even when I’m on MC or absent, I will still get paid. These are the benefits compared to sex work. As for sex work, your income is based on ‘luck’. If it happens to rain on that day, you won’t earn much.

You may or may not want to share this. What’s your income like back then and now?

Definitely the previous one is better. More or less it’s a drastic change. But only if you got luck, you will earn more doing sex work. So back then it’s not fixed, comparing to now I know how much my income will be. I can still survive with how much I’m paid. I might consider going back to sex work, if I’m tired of this job. Probably do sex work for a break before starting a new day job.

Do you keep in touch with your clients?

I do save their number. They do text me and ask if I still offer service but I didn’t reply them. Replying to them will distract me for my day job. Distraction cause harm.

You did say your boyfriend is encouraging, in what other areas did he encourage you?

Basically he wants me to respect him. He actually dislike me doing sex work, its like I’m not respecting him and our relationship. He don’t want to be questioned by his friends, if ever his friends know I do sex work.

You don’t mind showing your face in the article… but many sex workers would rather not. Can you share a bit on why you don’t mind sharing?

I am an open-minded individual and there is nothing to be embarrassed about when you are in the sex industry. Well, not many have the courage to be as honest as I am especially when you are telling the world “Hey, I am a sex worker!” I am who i am. After all, I am paid and I earn a living out from it. People may criticize me after reading this but one thing I would like to tell is, please have the audacity to tell straight to my face.

Before we end this interview, any advice for your sex worker friends?

Work smart! And play smart. In my interpretation, you work cause you want to earn money for a living. Don’t just work and be a brat. Meaning you work and get big amounts of money, then next day buy an expensive bag and brag to everyone. Grow up don’t just grow old.

Source: http://theprojectx.org

July 10, 2015
Lui Tuck Yew Takes On 2nd Portfolio As Second Minister For Defence

Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew takes on a second portfolio today, replacing Mr Chan Chun Sing as the Second Minister for Defence.

His new appointment was announced yesterday as part of the latest round of Cabinet changes.

Commenting on it yesterday in a Facebook post, the former chief of Singapore’s Navy said he looked forward to renewing his interactions with the Defence Ministry.

“Will do my best to contribute to both transport and defence portfolios. But you can be sure that I will still continue to pay particular attention to matters related to public transport,” he added.

Mr Lui’s links with the military go back to the 1980s, when he joined the Navy as a Singapore Armed Forces scholarship holder.

He rose to become Chief of Navy in 1999 and served in the position until he left in 2003 to join the Maritime and Port Authority and later the Housing Board as chief executive.

Mr Alex Yam, deputy chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, said that with Mr Lui’s experience, he would be “well-attuned to the requirements of service and is also known to many of the men serving in the Singapore Armed Forces as well as the other services”.

Mr Lui entered politics in 2006 and has since held posts in the Education and Foreign Affairs ministries as well as the former Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts. He became Transport Minister in May 2011.

Mr Chan will be the new secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress and a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

July 10, 2015
SingFirst: Marine Parade, Tampines Here We Come

Stepping up our door to door visits

It was definitely a fruitful night for SingFirst on their walkabouts in both Tampines and Marine Parade GRC’s yesterday. We were warmly received in all the six wards that we went to, especially in Chai Chee where 4 members of the public spontaneously joined in our door to door visits.

The majority of the residents who were at home gamely took our pamphlets. Some even asked if election is around the corner and when is the exact date. There were also residents who invited us into their home for a chit chat. A lot of introduction about SingFirst was also communicated in different languages and dialects.

With these visits, more voters are now aware of and familiar with the name and logo of our party, what we stand for and what we intend to do for Singaporeans when we get into Parliament. We will step up our walkabouts in the weeks and months ahead.

Here are the photos of our walkabout.

Source: www.tremeritus.com

July 9, 2015
Did Otters Eat Koi Worth $80,000?

Otters that are being spotted more often in local bodies of water in recent times may have won over many hearts here with their antics.

However, they may have treated themselves to some very expensive meals – courtesy of a resort and a home in Sentosa. They are suspected of having feasted on ornamental koi, reportedly costing more than $80,000, in April this year.

Mr Ben Bousnina, vice-president of resorts at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, did not reveal the exact cost of the koi. He said they went missing at the Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa about the time otters were seen on the island.

The resort has relocated the koi from its pond temporarily.

“As the safety of our guests as well as colleagues is our highest priority, we are working closely with Sentosa Development Corporation to ensure that the otters will not be attracted to the resort,” he said.

A report in My Paper last week said that the resort lost about $20,000 worth of koi.

It also reported that a Sentosa Cove resident lost about $64,000 worth of the ornamental fish overnight in April .

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) told The Straits Times it has received feedback on only four occasions from people about otters preying on ornamental fish since the start of last year.

Meanwhile, wildlife rescue group Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) said it was normal for otters to prey on ornamental fish.

“They can’t differentiate wild fish from koi and will go for the easier option,” said Acres wildlife manager Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan.

His advice for people with fish ponds in areas with otters about is to either fence the ponds or cover them with wire mesh. They should also not leave leftover food around or feed the otters.

Wild otters are a fairly common sight at the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Pasir Ris Park and the Punggol Waterway, but it was only late last year that they were spotted in Sentosa Cove.

Mr Koh Piak Huat, divisional director of operations at Sentosa Leisure Management, said that while otters are not aggressive, residents are advised to keep their distance.

The semi-aquatic mammals – which can survive in both fresh and sea water – may be expected in some coastal areas.

Hence the island’s management is engaging experts to understand the mammals’ behaviour.

“We welcome them as part of the island’s wildlife,” he said, adding that the management will work to ensure the safety of both the otters and guests.

An AVA spokesman said the public should not approach, disturb or feed any wild animals they see. Trapping them is also illegal. The public can contact AVA at 1800-476-1600 to give feedback on wildlife.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

July 9, 2015