SINGAPORE: Voice out, dial 999 or film what’s happening – these are some things women can do if they face harassment on public transport, with priority given to psychological and physical safety, said the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE).

The issue emerged after a recent post by a Facebook user, Ms Marie Constance Tan, was shared widely and generated heated debate online. In her post, which included videos and has since been made private, Ms Tan detailed how, for 15 minutes, a man on the train stared at her incessantly and moved seats twice to get closer to her. She also said he had his phone camera directed at her. Ms Tan made a police report after.

“Very often harassment is wrongly perceived only as non-consensual physical touching, like in cases of molestation,” said Ms Anisha Joseph, manager of the Sexual Assault Care Centre at AWARE. “This could be an example of visual harassment that falls under the Protection from Harassment Act.”

In 2016, the centre received 338 cases, of which 17 per cent were non-physical forms of visual, verbal and online sexual harassment.

Added Ms Joseph: “It’s never easy to deal with harassment. It is also difficult when such harassment takes place in public or under the scrutiny of others.”

She advised women in such situations to choose any or all of the following options based on their comfort level: Speak to a bystander, alert the transport staff, call the police, video-record the incident, document the perpetrator’s details, move away from the perpetrator and/or confront them.

“Remember, if you were unable to react in the situation, it’s ok,” said Ms Joseph. “Freezing is normal, as are ‘fight or flight’ reactions.

“After making a police report, the victim can also pursue the matter by making a magistrate complaint seeking further police investigation into the case to apprehend the perpetrator.”

When asked how people in her vicinity were reacting, Ms Tan told Channel NewsAsia: “Everyone was on their phones, busy doing their own thing.”

Ms Joseph suggested that intervening did not always mean “calling out the harasser in a direct and aggressive way”.

“Bystanders can stop the assault in simple ways – for example, approaching the victim, and asking them if they are ok,” she explained. “They can then offer to accompany the victim to inform staff.

“Some bystanders have also shared that they used creative ways to intervene in such situations, like asking for the time or directions from perpetrator, standing between the view of the perpetrator and the victim, or pretending to talk over the phone describing a similar situation as if it were hypothetical and had happened to a friend.”

“HAVING A DISABILITY DOES NOT ABSOLVE SOMEONE”

Ms Tan’s Facebook post drew comments and private messages left by other women alleging similar experiences with the same man in the video.

Other remarks by Facebook users claiming to be the man’s schoolmates said he had an intellectual disability. Ms Tan insisted his actions were “still not right”, but she decided to remove two of three videos after someone claiming to be a relative of the man reached out with an explanation.

Channel NewsAsia spoke to a polytechnic course mate of the man who said he sometimes did not appear to behave in a “normal” way when they were in school from 2007 to 2010.

The woman, who did not want to be identified, said he was “more like a lonely person who wanted to interact and make friends”.

When this was shared with Ms Tan, she countered: “How would I know that as a stranger on the train? If you notice someone staring and moving closer to you, even after making eye contact, of course you feel threatened.”

Added the anonymous acquaintance: “Other people don’t understand his behaviour, and to identify him on social media is like bullying him – it’s not like he can fight back. I think society needs to be more forgiving to people like him.”

But the executive director of the Disabled People’s Association (DPA), Dr Marissa Lee Medjeral-Mills, disagreed.

“Having an intellectual, developmental or psychosocial (chronic mental impairment) disability does not necessarily absolve someone of responsibility for bad or harassing behaviour,” she said.

“To assume this would be to treat people with disabilities differently, based solely on them having a disability, and this is discrimination.”

Dr Medjeral-Mills elaborated: “No women should feel endangered or uncomfortable – regardless of what she is wearing, or whether the man in question may have less understanding of social norms and what is appropriate behaviour.

“Having a disability does not affect how right or wrong this behaviour was, but it can affect how we should deal with it,” she noted.

“In addition, DPA hopes that if he is counselled about his harassing behaviour and warned that this is not appropriate, it should be in a manner that he can comprehend. This could be done in conjunction with disability organisations that are trained to communicate in a manner that is more accessible.”

“THERE’S NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY TO RESPOND”

Ms Tan said her original intention was to put up a public Facebook post “as a warning” and “to raise awareness”.

“I felt I should just share, especially if young girls encounter him, I want them to know to at least move away and get to a safe place,” she said.

But the comments section on the post also turned up what Ms Tan called “an onslaught of harassment” vilifying her actions and even her appearance.

She hit back with a Facebook photo album – initially public, now private – which contained screenshots of some of these comments along with the users who made them.

“These are parents, teachers, using their personal accounts … you want to put your kid’s face, your wife’s face, you face the consequences,” said Ms Tan. “You can’t just go around thinking ‘I can say all this to someone and get away with it’.

“Now the issue is less with the guy: If he truly has mental issues, I really feel sorry for him and I wish he had gotten help a lot earlier. It’s not my intention to crucify him. I would rather action be taken against these people.”

Quizzed on the efficacy of social media posts in dealing with harassment, AWARE’s Ms Joseph said: “Everyone reacts differently … and there’s no right or wrong way to respond or behave. Having a public discussion about such experiences may be one way of addressing harassment.

“We’ve seen from #metoo how such conversations contribute to a larger culture where women feel more bolstered to seek further help and support,” she said, referring to the social media hashtag which went viral in October last year and has remained as an outlet for reporting sexual misconduct the world over.

Dr Gulizar Haciyakupoglu, an expert in gender equality advocacy in cyberspace, cautioned that posting videos may not provide full context as “the viewer is observing the issue from the angle of the recorder”.

“On the other hand, it may serve as a deterrent by reminding the perpetrator that others are watching, and it may help document the case,” said the research fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

She continued: “Abuse happens once a personal space is violated and numerous women around the globe are suffering from this.

“Speaking out on harassment on a global platform via movements such as #metoo is necessary to assure people who have suffered from harassment that they are not alone and that they can speak out.”

AWARE’s Sexual Assault Care Centre offers emotional support and legal information through its helpline at 6779 0282 (open Monday to Friday, 10am to midnight) as well as a legal clinic and befriending and counselling services.

SINGAPORE: British trio Clean Bandit will not perform their one-night-only concert in Singapore on Monday (Jan 22) at 8pm at Suntec City Convention & Exhibition Centre as previously scheduled.

Luke Patterson, the drummer of the Grammy-winning electronic music band, has contracted the highly contagious varicella-zoster virus, also known as chickenpox.

Concert organiser Aureus Productions made the decision to postpone the concert in light of Patterson not being able to perform at the concert, nor participate in any concert-related engagements such as a meet-and-greet session.

Machine Management’s managing director Iain Watts, who manages Clean Bandit, said: “We are very sad to announce we need to cancel our performance in Singapore … At this stage, we are not sure who else in the party has been infected with the virus and, hence, we could not risk performing. We are so sorry this has happened, but sadly this is out of our control.”

He added that the band is making plans to come back to Singapore “as soon as possible”.

Details of the new concert date and venue, as well as refunds for ticket holders, are currently being worked out.

The public can visit www.aureusproductions.com for updates and can also write to enquiries@aureusproductions.com for more information on the postponement.

“As chickenpox is a highly contagious disease with serious health implications, our priority is to safeguard the wellness of all concert-goers and the staff who are involved in this concert,” said Aureus Group CEO Lawrence Holmefjord-Sarabi. 

“We are disappointed that we have to reschedule the concert at this juncture, as we are expecting a great show by the trio and their crew, but we have to do what is right.”

The Singapore stop was meant to kickstart the trio’s global I Miss You Tour 2018 which sees them playing across Asia, Australia, North America and Europe.

Local pop quartet The Sam Willows was scheduled to be their official opening act for Singapore.

Clean Bandit, which started out as a string quartet in 2008, became a breakthrough success in 2014 when their hit (and later Grammy Award-winning) single Rather Be became the biggest-selling single by a UK act in the same year.

Since then, the band has made a name for itself with infectious radio hits like Rockabye and Symphony, and has sold more than 13 million singles and 1.6 million albums worldwide.

The band last performed in Singapore in 2015, at The Coliseum at Hard Rock Hotel.

SINGAPORE: Two men have hit the jackpot after winning the top prizes in Changi Airport’s latest Be a Changi Millionaire retail campaign, Changi Airport Group announced in a media release on Sunday (Jan 21).

Indonesian businessman Oddie Rehatta, 45, became an instant millionaire while 26-year-old Chinese baseball coach Zhang Xuchao won a Volvo S90 T5 luxury sedan (the first time the campaign has had such a prize).

Mr Oddie, who is from Purwakarta, Indonesia, had entered the draw after buying various items from DFS on behalf of his friends during a business trip to Singapore last year.

When asked what he would do with his S$1 million windfall, he said: “I will be putting some money into investments, my business and also make some donations. Importantly, I will take my family to Mecca.”

Mr Zhang got his shot at the car prize after buying perfumes and cosmetics for his girlfriend from The Shilla Duty Free when he visited Singapore last August.

“I will use the money from encashing the car prize to buy another Volvo when I go back to China,” the 26-year-old from Beijing, China, said. “Just like Oddie, this was totally unexpected for me too.”
 

Changi Airport Group said its annual campaign was instrumental in driving concession sales at the airport.

Concession sales grew 7.6 per cent in 2017 as compared to the previous year to close at S$2.5 billion, setting what the group said was a new record.

Travellers from China, Singapore, Indonesia, India and the United Kingdom led the way as the biggest group of spenders at Changi Airport, with Chinese and Singaporean shoppers accounting for more than half of total sales, Changi Airport Group added.

The latest draw attracted more than 1.5 million entries from 221 nationalities, with the top three groups of participants from Singapore, China and Indonesia. 

The ninth run of Be a Changi Millionaire will kick off in May 2018.

SINGAPORE: Two men have hit the jackpot after winning the top prizes in Changi Airport’s latest Be a Changi Millionaire retail campaign, Changi Airport Group announced in a media release on Sunday (Jan 21).

Indonesian businessman Oddie Rehatta, 45, became an instant millionaire while 26-year-old Chinese baseball coach Zhang Xuchao won a Volvo S90 T5 luxury sedan (the first time the campaign has had such a prize).

Mr Oddie, who is from Purwakarta, Indonesia, had entered the draw after buying various items from DFS on behalf of his friends during a business trip to Singapore last year.

When asked what he would do with his S$1 million windfall, he said: “I will be putting some money into investments, my business and also make some donations. Importantly, I will take my family to Mecca.”

Mr Zhang got his shot at the car prize after buying perfumes and cosmetics for his girlfriend from The Shilla Duty Free when he visited Singapore last August.

“I will use the money from encashing the car prize to buy another Volvo when I go back to China,” the 26-year-old from Beijing, China, said. “Just like Oddie, this was totally unexpected for me too.”
 

Changi Airport Group said its annual campaign was instrumental in driving concession sales at the airport.

Concession sales grew 7.6 per cent in 2017 as compared to the previous year to close at S$2.5 billion, setting what the group said was a new record.

Travellers from China, Singapore, Indonesia, India and the United Kingdom led the way as the biggest group of spenders at Changi Airport, with Chinese and Singaporean shoppers accounting for more than half of total sales, Changi Airport Group added.

The latest draw attracted more than 1.5 million entries from 221 nationalities, with the top three groups of participants from Singapore, China and Indonesia. 

The ninth run of Be a Changi Millionaire will kick off in May 2018.

SINGAPORE: The opening of a new business and education hub in Punggol from 2023 will create 28,000 jobs in fields such as cybersecurity and data analytics, creating job opportunities “close to home”. 

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said this at the launch of an exhibition for members of the public to view the Punggol Digital District’s masterplan on Sunday (Jan 21). He said the District will support government efforts to build a Smart Nation, where technologies can be deployed to prepare workers for the digital economy.

The Punggol Digital District, which will incorporate a business park, the Singapore Institute of Technology’s new campus as well as community facilities, will foster innovation and collaboration, said planners who shared more details on the District. 

The 50-hectare development was first announced  as part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Draft Master Plan in 2013, while more details were shared by Minister of National Development, Lawrence Wong, last year.

JTC’s Assistant CEO, David Tan said the district’s planning boasts the first time all agencies involved came together at the start to develop an integrated plan.

“All the facilities and infrastructure were planned from the start, and that also optimizes the use of land, energy, water and other resources,” Mr Tan said.

“This means we can also make living and working there more sustainable.”

FIRST ENTERPRISE DISTRICT WILL PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY FOR LAND USE

The area, currently a vacant plot of land north of Punggol and west of Coney Island, will also be the first in Singapore developed as an ‘enterprise’ district. JTC, the district’s master developer said this will allow planners flexibility in land use mix. 

“So for example, SIT’s land is zoned for education, whereas JTC’s business park is zoned as a business park. (But) because of this so-called Enterprise district, we can actually mix the uses together,” Mr Tan said.

“So some of the education space can be within JTC’s facilities, and some of JTC’s business park can be part of SIT’s land. So for example, SIT’s research labs and learning facilities can be located within JTC’s buildings, and similarly, JTC’s labs, startup spaces can be located there.” 

He said the exchange of spaces will allow companies to collaborate with the university, and foster open innovation and the sharing of ideas.

Speaking at the launch of the masterplan, DPM Teo said that the relocation of the national Cyber Security Agency to the Punggol Digital District is being studied.

“This will help seed a new cluster of cybersecurity and technology firms in Punggol. Our residents can look forward to many exciting jobs close to home, and gain new skills in these growth areas,” Mr Teo said.

JTC BUSINESS PARK TO HOUSE KEY SECTORS OF DIGITAL INDUSTRY

Mr Tan said construction of the business park buildings will begin this year, and once ready from 2023 onwards, they will be home to companies in sectors that Singapore has identified as growth areas, including cybersecurity and Internet of Things. 

Assistant Chief Executive of the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA), Angeline Poh said the companies that set up shop in the business park could be those that are not just technology-driven, but those that have technology elements at the heart of its service. 

The park will not just house multinational companies (MNCs) from these growth sectors, but also small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups, allowing for opportunities for collaboration among them. 

SIT’S PRESENCE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIA

DPM Teo said the digital district will provide more learning opportunities with the new centralised campus for the Singapore Institute of Technology. SIT will support skills upgrading and continuing education with its suite of applied courses.

“There will be many opportunities for students and teaching staff from SIT and industry practitioners in the Digital District to interact and exchange ideas, and use the Digital District and Punggol as a test-bed for new technologies,” he said.

“For instance, incorporating video analytics and facial recognition to enhance security, and developing smart energy management systems for buildings and homes to conserve energy. With closer collaboration between academia and industry, we can develop many new products and services for the Digital Economy.”

 SIT President, Prof Tan Thiam Soon said the university can be a living lab for companies.

As an example, Prof Tan said SIT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with grid operator SP Group in October last year, to build a micro-grid at the Punggol campus.

It will operate independently from the national grid, but excess energy can also be pushed into the main grid to support the district “in times of need”, Prof Tan said. In turn, it also allows SP Group to test the micro-grid in a “real operating environment”. 

“(In the same way), I think the whole idea is we open up, and it doesn’t even need to be all local companies,” Prof Tan said.

“I think some of the companies from overseas, if they need a place to test, we will be saying come and test. Use our students, use our professors, we will be the place for you to test this new technology.”

CUTTING-EDGE INFRASTRUCTURE, NEW AMENITIES WITHIN THE DISTRICT

Planning agencies said a key feature of the district will be the incorporation of artificial intelligence and Internet-of-Things in the facilities within the district. For example, they said all the systems within the district will be centrally and remotely monitored, analysed and controlled at its integrated facilities management location.

It will also have an automated waste collection centre, a district cooling system that supplies chilled water to the various buildings for their air-conditioning, as well as a large underground car-park.

Another interesting feature being explored is a centralised logistics hub. Mr Tan said this will be the first stop for all goods delivered to the district.

“From here, they will be taken to the various tenants’ properties either by automated guided vehicles or drones,” he said.

The District will also have amenities such as a hawker centre, childcare centres and a community club. It will also be connected to residential estates in the area.

“The Digital District will also fit in well with the natural environment that our residents love. Our residents can enjoy the green surroundings, and a new park, Campus Heart. A new pedestrian street along the Campus Boulevard will link various parts of the Digital District to the waterfront area,” DPM Teo said

The existing Punggol Road will be retained and transformed into a 1.6km heritage trail that will connect Punggol District with Punggol Waterway and an upcoming residential district at Punggol Point.

(Additional reporting by Rachel Phua.)