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Sungei Rd flea market to be erased, NEA confirms

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10 years ago

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Photo: Remember S'pore

Photo: Remember S’pore

A week after the authorities announced that one of Singapore’s oldest housing estates would make way for redevelopment, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has confirmed that the iconic flea market at Sungei Road will also be erased forever.
It is the latest casualty in Singapore’s redevelopment plans, this time the Thieves Market will be making way for the new Sungei Road MRT station, which is expected to be completed by 2017.
Last week, the government revealed that Dakota Crescent, a small HDB precinct made of up 50-year old flats, will be demolished as part of its estate renewal plans. (See here: “Please do not tear down Dakota Crescent flats”.)
Some experts and conservation activists have called for the estate to be preserved as they say it is part of Singapore public housing history.
The Thieves Market came to be in the 1930s, when stolen, smuggled or illegal goods were sold. Over time, it became famous for second-hand goods or bric-a-brac, and even rare or antique offerings, sold cheaply. Now, the market has about 300 peddlers offering a range of goods, from old coins to video tapes, from clothing to well, just about anything really.
The market runs along the banks of the Rochor River (Sungei Rochor), hence its Malay name “sungei” meaning “river”. The area was home to the more affluent Europeans and Asians in Singapore’s earlier days.
In 2011, the authorities downsized the market from its seven hectares to about half its size, as part of its now obvious goal of erasing the historical market for development.
At the time, the NEA said “the area is not meant to be a permanent one for business activity.”
The news then also reported that the NEA would refer some of these peddlers or vendors to the Central Community Development Council so they can get help finding jobs or upgrading their skills.
On Thursday, some of the vendors revealed that this was indeed true, and that the NEA had also offered them hawker stalls when they are no longer able to hawk their goods at Sungei Road.
But the offer was dismissed by some of them.
“We’re not selling food,” said Mr Koh Ah Koon, the president of the Association for the recycling of Second Hand Goods. “[A] hawker stall space makes little sense. We shouldn’t be split up either. It’s the variety of goods that helps make the market unique.”
Mr Koh said the traders had suggested four alternative sites which the authorities could consider moving the market to.
However, this was apparently rejected by the NEA, even though the hawkers offered to take on the responsibility of maintaining cleanliness and security of the alternative areas.
No reasons were given by the NEA for rejecting the vendors’ suggestion.
Most of the traders at the market are in their 60s, 70s and 80s.
Finding alternative sources of income, such as taking on a new job, would be a challenge to most of them.
“Who will employ us?” asked Mr Loon Kwai Sng, 74. “We’re used to making a living on our own.”
Mr Koh said shutting down the market will deprive the many elder folk there of an avenue for income.
The NEA, however, said it “will work with vendors and match them with financial assistance schemes.”
However, to some of the hawkers, depending on handouts is not what they hope to do.
“We want the chance to fend for ourselves and be independent,” the Straits Times reported 62-year old Ng Gin Kun as having said.
The demolition of yet another iconic piece of Singapore’s history will again raise questions of whether the country is paying enough consideration to conserving its heritage, which has become an issue in recent years, as the Singapore Government surges on with its plans for a projected 6.9 million population by 2030.
Perhaps it would be good for the authorities to keep in mind what former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew said in 1995, in a speech at the World Travel and Tourism Council Dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel:
“We made our share of mistakes in Singapore. For example in our rush to rebuild Singapore, we knocked down many old and quaint Singapore buildings. Then we realize we were destroying a valuable part of our cultural heritage that we were demolishing what tourists found attractive and unique in Singapore. We halted the demolition.”
While historically significant buildings should be saved or conserved, it is also important that areas such as the Thieves Market at Sungei Road be preserved as well.
There does not seem to be any justification not to move the market to another area, or to allow alternative sites for it.
The authorities should not keep silent when asked or when suggestions are offered.
Singaporeans deserve more than stoic silence from the authorities when it comes to the destruction of their heritage.
“Singapore’s cultural heritage is not limited to old buildings alone,” one article said. “With its colourful history and local flavor, the Thieves’ Market could very well be a genuine attraction for tourists looking for something other than the air-conditioned malls along Orchard Road. Some people have argued that the market looks unsightly but it’s nothing that a good sprucing up can’t fix. Given a choice between closing their stalls permanently and tidying up their acts, most vendors would, in all probability, choose the latter.
“So what is to be the fate of Thieves Market and more to the point, do Singaporeans want to wait till 2017 to find out?”
Unfortunately, the fate of the 80-year old Thieves Market, as with so many other places of heritage in Singapore, now seems sealed, even before 2017.
What do you think of the destruction of the flea market? Click here to vote: “NEA should consider alternative sites for Sungei Rd flea market“.

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Indonesia

Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter after harassment allegations

The Miss Universe Organization severs ties with Indonesia franchise due to harassment claims. Malaysia edition canceled.

Women allege body checks before pageant. Investigation launched. Safety prioritized.

Indonesia winner to compete in November finale. Height requirement controversy.

Published

1 year ago

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14 August 2023

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WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — The Miss Universe Organization has cut ties with its Indonesia franchise, it announced days after allegations of sexual harassment, and will cancel an upcoming Malaysia edition.

In the complaint, more than a half dozen women said all 30 finalists for Miss Universe Indonesia were unexpectedly asked to strip for a supposed body check for scars and cellulite two days before the pageant’s crowning ceremony in Jakarta.

Their lawyer said Tuesday that five of the women had their pictures taken.

“In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics, or expectations,” the US-based Miss Universe Organization posted Saturday night on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

It said that it had “decided to terminate the relationship with its current franchise in Indonesia, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its National Director, Poppy Capella.”

It thanked the contestants for their bravery in coming forward and added that “providing a safe place for women” was the organization’s priority.

Jakarta police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said Tuesday that an investigation into the women’s complaint has been launched.

The Indonesia franchise also holds the license for Miss Universe Malaysia, where there will no longer be a competition this year, according to the New York-based parent organizer.

In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram, Indonesia franchise director Capella denied involvement in any body checks.

“I, as the National Director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia license, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking,” she wrote.

She added that she is against “any form of violence or sexual harassment.”

The Jakarta competition was held from 29 July to 3 August to choose Indonesia’s representative to the 2023 Miss Universe contest, and was won by Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld.

Miss Universe said it would make arrangements for her to compete in the finale, scheduled for November in El Salvador.

This year’s Indonesia pageant also came under fire for announcing a “significant change in this (year’s) competition guidelines” with the elimination of its minimum height requirement after it had crowned a winner.

In its statement, the Miss Universe Organization said it wanted to “make it extremely clear that there are no measurements such as height, weight, or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide.”

— AFP

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Malaysia

A Perodua service centre in Kuantan, Malaysia went viral for its strict dress code, Perodua responds

A dress code for vehicle servicing? A Malaysian car brand’s service centre dress code signage has puzzled netizens, raising queries about the need for attire rules during a routine service.

The manufacturer responded with an official statement after a flurry of comments, seeking to clarify and apologize.

Published

1 year ago

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10 August 2023

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MALAYSIA: A dress code signage positioned at a service centre belonging to a prominent Malaysian car brand has sparked bewilderment among Malaysian netizens, who question the necessity of adhering to attire guidelines for a simple vehicle servicing.

The signage explicitly delineates clothing items that are deemed unsuitable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, abbreviated pants, and distressed jeans.

The car manufacturer swiftly found itself flooded with comments from both inquisitive and irked Malaysian netizens. This surge in online activity prompted the company to issue an official statement aimed at clarifying the situation and extending an apology.

In a post that gained significant traction on the social media platform, politician Quek Tai Seong of Pahang State, Malaysia, shared an image to Facebook on Monday (7 Aug).

The image showcased a dress code sign prominently displayed at a Perodua Service Centre in Kuantan. Within the post, Quek posed the question: “Is this dress code applicable nationwide, or is it specific to this branch?”

The signage reads, “All customers dealing with Perodua Service Kuantan 1, Semambu, are requested to dress modestly and appropriately.”

Adding visual clarity to these guidelines, the sign features illustrative graphics that explicitly outline clothing items deemed unacceptable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, short pants, and ripped jeans.

Delineating the specifics of the dress code, the signage stipulates that male visitors are expected to don shirts accompanied by neckties, opt for long pants, and wear closed shoes.

Conversely, female visitors are advised to don long-sleeved shirts, full-length skirts, and closed-toe footwear.

Perodua’s dress code sparks online uproar

Following the rapid spread of the post, Perodua’s official Facebook page found itself inundated with comments from both intrigued and frustrated Malaysian netizens, all seeking clarifications about the newly surfaced dress code policy.

Amidst the flurry of comments, numerous incensed netizens posed pointed questions such as, “What is the rationale behind the introduction of such regulations by the management? We demand an explanation.”

Another netizen expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing against the necessity of the rule and urging Perodua to take inspiration from the practices of other 4S (Sales, Service, Spare Parts, and Survey) automotive dealerships.

A concerned Facebook user chimed in, advocating for a more lenient stance, asserting that attempting to dictate customers’ clothing choices might not be in the company’s best interest.

Someone also commented in an angry tone, “Oi what is this? Going there for car service, not interview or working, right.”

As the discourse unfolded, it became evident that while some inquiries carried genuine weight, others chose to inject humor into the situation, playfully remarking, “If I wanted to buy a Myvi, I should buy or rent a formal attire first.”

“I sell economy rice at a hawker centre, I have never worn a long sleeve shirt and a tie… I guess I will not buy a Perodua car then.”

“I guess they will not serve those who wear short pants.”

Perodua addresses dress code controversy

As reported by Chinese media outlet Sin Chew Daily News, the manager of Kuantan’s Perodua Service Centre had acknowledged that the images on the dress code signage were misleading.

In response, the manager divulged that discussions had transpired with the head office, leading to the prompt removal of the signage to prevent any further misconceptions.

The manager clarifies, “We do encourage visitors to adhere to the dress etiquette, but we won’t go to the extent of restricting their choice of attire.”

He also revealed that currently, no complaints have been directly received from the public.

However, feedback from certain customers was relayed through Perodua’s agents.

Perodua also released an official statement by chief operating officer JK Rozman Jaffar on Wednesday (9 Aug) regarding the dress code on their official Facebook page.

The statement stated the dress code etiquette is not aligned with their official guidelines and they are currently conducting an official investigation on the matter followed by corrective measures to avoid the same incident from happening.

Perodua also extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused.

 

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