In response to Minister Tan Chuan Jin’s facebook post, “Have you ever Spoken to a Cardboard Uncle or Aunty?”
By Daniel Goh
I don’t necessary think that the Minister is being callously out of touch here – at least he’s actually walking the ground to see the situation for himself, which is more than I can say for many others.
The real crime here, if there is one, is taking face-value what the cardboard uncles and aunties tell them. As some other commentators have pointed out, it’s about dignity and pride – most of these cardboard collectors wouldn’t admit that they struggle with living expenses. Do you really think they would do this to get exercise when there are so many other ways to do so without getting painfully bent-backed?
In that sense they are no different from the elderly tissue uncles and aunties I see all the time at Chinatown Complex who will tell you they do it for the exercise (and that the additional pocket money is nice) while having their dignity shredded by those who wouldn’t even give them a glance. Yet you see them take constant breaks to rest their aching limbs and massage swollen joints. They’d also gratefully accept free drinks and food from my fellow hawkers – does that sound to you like they’re in it for the exercise?
So thank you Minister Sir for taking this up, even if others accuse you of doing so at an opportune time when the elections loom on the horizon. All I ask is that you look beyond those words and ascertain the truth. You may not be able to ease their burdens, but you and your fellow colleagues have the power to make sure that there are far less of these cardboard collectors in Singapore’s future.
This is my hope this SG50 for the next SG50.
This post was posted on Daniel Goh’s facebook account. Mr Goh is the founder and owner of The Good Beer Company
