SINGAPORE – The man in the centre of a bullying saga has once again been accused of unreasonable behaviour, this time, by his neighbour.
The 46-year-old tuition centre director and his 39-year-old wife were captured on camera swearing at and shoving an elderly man over a seat at a hawker centre. They were subsequently arrested by police over the incident after several reports were made.
According to a Lianhe Wanbao report, a man who claims to be the neighbour of the couple staying at a Balestier apartment block alleged that he had got into an altercation with the 46-year-old more than a year ago.
The neighbour, who declined to be named, said he was returning home with two large bags after grocery shopping.
When he exited the lift on the sixth floor, he said the man “appeared not to see me and deliberately knocked into me” while rushing to get into the lift.
The resident demonstrates how his neighbour knocked into him.Photo: Lianhe Wanbao
Furious, the neighbour wanted to confront the man, but the bully caught hold of his wrist and while putting his face close to his, taunted: “Hit me, I’m standing here for you to hit”.
The resident demonstrates how the man caught hold of his wrist.Photo: Lianhe Wanbao
The neighbour said he made a police report, but realised that the man had also done the same, alleging that the neighbour had hit him.
The resident added that the tuition centre director, who also owns two other businesses – a higher learning institute and renovation company, has also been caught on CCTV using his leg to force open the main gate to the private estate.
CCTV footage showing the man forcing open the gate. Photo: Lianhe Wanbao
The neighbour alleged that the man had come home late one night to find that the security guard had stepped away. Realising that he could not get in to the compound, he got out of the car in frustration and used his right leg to pry the gate open.
The man, who drives a Porsche and is also chairman of the residents’ committee, is also known to revv his engine loudly in the wee hours of the night, disturbing neighbours, the resident alleged.
Enjoy 1-for-1 high tea buffet session with your friend at the Marriott Cafe, Indulge in fresh Prawns, Classic Singapore Rojak, Hokkien Mee, Char Kway Teow, Baked Pizzas and Scones, Devine Chocolate Cake, Raspberry Breton Tarts, Kueh Lapis and more.
He is known as Hong Kong entertainment’s bad boy after a high profile 2008 sex photos scandal and brushes with the media, but this time round, the Internet is on his side.
Singer-actor Edison Chen was recently caught on video intimidating a female reporter at Hong Kong airport, and many people are saying she deserved it.
In the four-minute video from news site am730, Edison is seeminglyharassing the young woman, taking photos and videos of the photographers and even questioning her on whether she “had a brain”.
Although it was not captured in the video, the actor was said to have howled at reporters when asked about rumours of his girlfriend Chinese model Qin Shupei’s pregnancy.
According to a report from Apple Daily in January, Shu, 26, was said to have been seven months pregnant then.
Mingpao reported that the 36-year-old actor, who is currently focused on running his fashion brand CLOT, hurled vulgarities at reporters before leaving the airport with his manager.
By looking at the video, it did seem like the reporters had poked the bear.
Here are some excerpts from the am730 video that was posted on Facebook:
Reporter: Are you here for work or holiday?
Edison: I’m always holidaying.
Reporter: So will you be staying here for long?
Edison (starts to get annoyed): I don’t wish to speak to you, I don’t want to scold you, move aside, okay?
Reporter: Can I ask one more question?
Edison (approaches reporter and wags finger at her): You’re asking again? I promise you… I promise you! I’ve given you a chance.
A few minutes later, Edison, who obviously was still angry, takes out his phone and tries to take photos of the reporter.
Edison: Take pictures, come. Take pictures. I can’t take pictures of you, is that right?
(Reporter shields her face)
Edison: You want to shield your face, then don’t come out and work. Right, people? I’m human, she’s human. You’re a reporter? Did you even go to university?
The exchange continues all the way until he steps out of the airport and into the carpark.
Reporters continued to film him until he finally lost it and yelled at them: “Was I not polite when I exited just now? You only show the bad side. Did I not tell you to stop asking questions?”
Before the video ends, an exasperated Edison even invited reporters to follow him into his car to go on a ride together.
Netizens, who left comments on the post, empathised with the actor and even questioned whether it was necessary for reporters to be hounding him that way.
Perhaps it’s time to give the poor fella some space, yes?
Edison Chen spotted kissing, leaving hotel with Chinese model
Glaring limelight, a standing ovation with the audience on their feet and the exhilarating rush at the chorus of unified applause at the end of a successful show – a comedian’s stellar rapport is not an overnight success.
Laughter is the best medicine but making the climb from channelling your inner Chandler Bing to aspiring to the mighty comedian-extraordinaire George Carlin is no easy undertaking.
The niche market for comedy in Dhaka strives with its two primary wings: Bangladesh Comedy Club and Naveed’s Comedy Club, both of which list accredited and aspiring comedians who live to deliver gag after gag to the eager audiences of Dhaka.
However, if brilliant comedian Mosharraf Yaafi is to be quoted, “Mere joke-telling and stand-up comedy are two completely different things.”
With his reputation of being a semi-finalist on the Indian reality comedy show ‘Mirakkel’ preceding him, Mosharraf Yaafi believes preparing a script with sharp punch-lines, relentlessly testing material to gather opinion and coming up with humourous and relatable content time and again is the true definition of stand-up comedy.
“Comedy is a difficult job. It is all about the element of surprise,” Yaafi observes.
Delivering a joke with the element of surprise is not the only difficulty, however.
Rightfully deemed stressful and challenging, actually becoming a comedian in Bangladesh means beating unrealistic odds.
That might explain why many comedians opt to take shelter in the pursuit of stable, corporate jobs.
The only exception to this being the veteran comedian with a repertoire of live shows and the prestigious awardee of Best Male Comedian at the 2007 Original Las Vegas Comedy Festivals – Naveed Mahbub.
He elaborates, “If you want to be a comedian and have the true passion and zeal, the hard part is already over.”
Naveed Mahbub is an avid believer of frequenting comedy clubs, observing top professionals on stage and constantly writing original material if you want to make it in the comedy scene.
Additionally, enrol for workshops and seminars conducted by trained comedians and take inspiration from the best of the best in the business.
Russell Peters, proudly hailing from Canada and of Indian descent, George Carlin, the true brilliance or our very own Naveed Mahbub branding Bangladesh in foreign lands, among others are shining examples.
However, your work to be a comedian is still cut out for you.
The skill-set that will ultimately catapult you to the big leagues is a long and tall list.
Practice makes perfect and in comedy, it is essential to keep saying yes to going on stage and performing with the same zeal time after time.
While being aware of recent events for relevant jokes and quick wits to connect fact with humour are important, timing is the real underdog here.
The perfect pause before the final punch-line can create all the impact and make the audience laugh their hearts out, rolling in their aisles.
More importantly, a keen eye to look past the ordinary, daily incidents to discover hidden, comic masterpieces is not the quality everyone is blessed with.
This is what Mosharraf Yaafi strives on.
Deep analysis and picking humour from the most inopportune of moments are unique abilities.
Also helpful are knowing your audience to its bone and studying your material before your performance.
Indeed making it as a big-time comedian has its perks. Engaging with your audience in the spotlight and being the reason of a precious laughter is truly incomparable.
Converting passion into profession is a real sense of accomplishment and the rush of a live performance surpasses all.
Naveed Mahbub further adds, “Using the platform to preach social messages with a dose of humour means you have an audience willing to listen.”
The opinion is seconded by fellow comedian Mosharraf Yaafi who states, “Positive and powerful thoughts can be provoked with comedy.”
Indeed everything is more approachable with comedy and prominent or underlying social problems can be addressed with equal humour.
This effective strategy works wonders in raising awareness and prompts willing minds to come together for imminent solutions.
However, along with the good comes the bad. Impatient audience in the face of a long joke that needs a tiring back-story, satirical puns that end up being offensive and an absolute dedication to comedy taking a toll on family life are all the downsides of the fun and comedic lifestyle.
At the end of the day though, it is important to take the sunshine with the rain.
Going up on stage to do what you love everyday ultimately makes you love what you do. And you do not come by something that rare very often.
Why do we even need humour in our lives?
Mosharraf Yaafi explains it best. “Very few people can make others laugh. Without humour the looming gloom of life would consume and take us.”
Naveed Mahbub agrees it is a true relief from the 101 stress-pressers in the bustling and fast-paced city of Dhaka.
Giving someone an unparalleled gift of laughter is undoubtedly better than presenting a box neatly wrapped in a bow.
And that is precisely why comedy should never make a dramatic exit, or any kind of exit, for that matter, from any of our lives.
For anyone who’s thinking of a career switch, perhaps it could be a wise idea to try out accountancy.
According to the 2017 Kelly Services and Capita Salary Guide, accounting is among this year’s highest paying industries.
Based on the report released on Thursday (May 4), the profession is also set to see rapid growth, with an expected 15 per cent increase of accountancy professionals to 21,000 by 2020.
This is also due to the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community last year. The increase in demand for jobs in the accounting sector are mostly in entry to middle level roles.
Senior accountants and finance controllers in the accounting industry can expect to command salaries ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 and $8,000 to $16,000 respectively, said Kelly Services.
Besides accounting, the other top paying industries include banking & finance, healthcare & life sciences, IT, and the legal sector.
Those in the legal industry are the highest paid amongst all. For instance, a general counsel and legal counsel working in the industry can expect to be paid anything from $15,000 to $20,000 and $10,000 to $16,000 respectively.
There’s good news for banking and finance professionals, as they may see a three per cent growth in salary despite the tepid economic climate. Senior/associates in financial controls can expect salaries ranging between $4,400 and $6,000, while vice presidents working in the risk sector can expect salaries from $10,000 to $17,000.
The annual guide, which compiles salary figures across 12 major sectors in Singapore’s job market landscape, also showed that Singapore’s workers are seeking ways “to be as resilient as possible” despite the uncertain labour market.
More than 8 in 10 workers (83 per cent) surveyed by Kelly Services indicated a desire to grow their skill set.
Said Managing Director and Country Head for Kelly Services Singapore Mr Foo See Yang: “Singapore has a highly skilled workforce where its workers are well aware of their market power. If they are dissatisfied with an organisation, they will actively look to find something better. This is especially so for high performers and those with high demand skills such as data analytics or risk management.”
In fact, the concern of outdated skills is evident throughout all segments of the workforce based on statistics gathered in the report.
Among professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs), the overall statistic stands at approximately 1 in 2 (58 per cent), with the highest being across workers in Information Technology (IT) (64 per cent).
The concern is also higher among Gen Y workers (74 per cent) as compared to Gen X workers (63 per cent) where almost 4 in 10 workers (37 per cent) cited being more concerned about layoffs.
In 1977, a young filmmaker named George Lucas produced a little film set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
Forty years later, we celebrate the epic franchise that is Star Wars.
This isn’t really the 40th anniversary of watching Star Wars in the cinema – mainly because most Malaysians had to wait a whole 14 months for the movie to get here!
(Except my late Dad, who was lucky enough to catch it in 1977 on a business trip abroad. And brought me a ton of Star Wars souvenir magazines and the soundtrack cassettes.)
What was the world’s biggest box-office hit at the time, released in May 1977, only arrived here in July 1978, in standard Panavision and “normal” sound.
By comparison, Singapore was advertising its screenings in 70mm and six-track Dolby Stereo.
Darn it, even the knock-off Battlestar Galactica was in Sensurround (which involved mounting speakers the size of baby elephants at “strategic” points of the cinema, the bass set so low it felt like the fillings were vibrating loose from your teeth), for crying out loud. Not that you could be heard over anything in Sensurround.
Still, the lack of frills aside, and despite the fact that I had read everything about Star Wars I could get my hands on by then, and worn out the cassettes of the soundtrack, and so should have known what to expect … whoa.
Nothing quite prepared me for the awesome sight of that Star Destroyer flying in from overhead, a myriad of details on its surface, as John Williams’ incomparable music swelled.
And when Darth Vader cracked poor Captain Antilles’ neck and tossed him casually aside … this truly was a bad guy for the ages.
The two hours passed in a heady blur.
Even after all the science fiction and comics I had read, all the TV shows and other movies I watched, seeing alien worlds and creatures, massive starships and space dogfights brought to life in such (for the times) convincing and immersive detail was a fanboy’s delight.
The sacrifices and valour of the heroes, the sheer evil of the villains (you blew up Alderaan, damn you Hammer Films’ Van Helsing!), the roguishness of a certain Corellian scoundrel (who will always have shot first in my book), the occasional corny dialogue that made my teeth hurt (who needs Sensurround, after all?) – you bet I was back in the cinema for a second viewing as soon as my allowance permitted.
Oddly enough, it wasn’t easy sharing my exuberance about Star Wars at school.
Guess many Fifth Formers were too busy being cool to admit to liking such “child-like” pursuits.
I certainly am glad to have found more fans in my adult years than I did in my teenage ones – and even though the visual spectacle that George Lucas created on a relatively modest budget has been surpassed by other efforts, and the prequels were a little soul-crushing, the magic lives on.
Has any cinematic endeavour since then ever quite recaptured the gosh-wow fanboy delight?
It was 2012’s box-office flop John Carter, which ironically was one of Star Wars’ inspirations; and then 2014’s surprise smash Guardians Of The Galaxy, which clearly took many cues from Star Wars.
Hun Sen posted photographs of himself at a hospital in Singapore. Source: Facebook
CAMBODIAN Prime Minister Hun Sen, one of the world’s longest serving rulers after more than three decades in power, is in hospital in Singapore, he said on his Facebook page on Thursday.
Hun Sen, 64, said he had fallen ill because he was very tired and needed urgent medical treatment.
He said he had been in hospital since Wednesday, but planned to return to Cambodia on Sunday to resume work as normal.
Pictures showed him in bed with family members at his side. Hun Sen was briefly hospitalised in Singapore last year.
The former Khmer Rouge guerrilla has ruled his southeast Asian country with an iron hand since 1985, a period in which Cambodia has emerged from the aftermath of genocide to become one of the region’s fastest growing economies.
Opponents accuse Hun Sen and his allies of promoting corruption and human rights abuses and of using unfair measures to undermine rivals in the run-up to local elections next month and a general election next year.
The European Union called on the government on Thursday to respect the rights of five human rights workers detained for more than a year without trial in a political case. Last week, a court extended their detention for a further six months. – Reuters
Just 2 and a half months ago, Royce Tan, founder of The Fragment Room, expressed his uncertainty of whether or not his new venture would take off in Singapore.
“Where do you wish to see The Fragment Room in a year after its opening?”
“I can only visualise 2 possibilities – one of it is that I get constant bookings, or two, nobody wants to come by. It’s very hard to get traction in Singapore,” revealed Tan.
The pessimism that lingered in his response was jarring, given his excitement throughout the interview so far.
We put the interview and feature article on hold, agreeing that it would be more timely to publish it when the Room was officially launched.
2 and a half months later, I received an email from Tan. Attached was the press release for the opening of The Fragment Room, and the photos of his shop.
Back then, all he and myself had were the mock-ups created by his interior designer.
And as for the traction he was worried about getting?
Well, within a few days, the Room has already been featured on a good number of websites (like DiscoverSG and The Playbook), and from the comments, people are pretty damn excited about it.
But while the shop space has definitely changed since then, Tan’s motivations as an aspiring entrepreneur hasn’t, so here it is, 2 and a half months later – the story behind The Fragment Room.
The Fragment Room: When Anger Becomes Therapy
Photo:The Fragment Room
Why “The Fragment Room”?
What my concept is, is that it’s a ‘rage room’ where you break objects. And when you break them, they break into fragments – and that’s where the name came from.
Is this the first ‘rage room’ in Singapore?
This is actually the first in Southeast Asia! I heard that there’s something like this in Japan, but I heard that it’s more like, you have a whole room full of objects in an office setting, and you can break everything in the room.
An office setting?
Yeah, I think they’re too stressed at work. And in Singapore too, people are very stressed at work.
So do you have a room with an office setting?
No, I do not. I think the cost will be too high, and it’ll be a bit crazy to break all the office tables and chairs. It’ll definitely cost a bomb.
So instead of giving people that, I’m giving them simpler, smaller things. Like you can break cups, plates, normal tables…you can even break electrical appliances like TVs, radios…
Photo: The Fragment Room
Where are you getting the supplies for all of these?
So I’m getting them from karang guni, and for the tableware, I actually have a supplier. He’s a very nice guy – he’s selling them to me at a great price, even though he usually supplies his stuff to hotels like Hilton, Sheraton and all that.
But when I went to meet him, he told me, “Since you’re a young entrepreneur, and I was also once a young entrepreneur, I’m going to help you out.”
Why are you bringing this concept over to Singapore?
I was actually working a full-time job before this. I was a salesperson for this furniture company, so I sold office furniture, lightings and stuff. And throughout my time there, I realised that Singaporeans are very, very stressed out.
Like if you just talk to them a little, and they’ll just blurt everything out.
So were you stressed as well?
I was stressed because they were stressed!
Everyone was in such a stressed up environment. Like my clients were stressed, everyone had deadlines to meet, so everyone was stressed. Even my boss was stressed.
For example, whenever we get a job and we go to a construction site, a lot of things can go wrong, and a lot of people just cannot control their temper. So they start to flare up, they start to throw tantrums, and that’s when I was like, “Maybe this job isn’t cut out for me. Maybe I should do something else.”
And I saw on Facebook that this ‘rage room’ concept was a thing, like people could actually break things to relieve stress. And I was thinking if we had anything like this in Singapore – and the only thing I could think of as a way to relieve stress is to go and drink.
But that doesn’t really solve anything, you’re just suppressing it. So now, I’m giving you a space to release all of those suppressed emotions.
Photo: The Fragment Room
How many people will be in the room at a time?
For practical reasons, I’d say about 2 at a time. Because the rooms are about 150 sq ft, so they’re not very big…
So people won’t accidentally hurt each other too?
Actually they’ll be fully decked in protective gear, and coveralls!
Photo: The Fragment Room
Did you contact any of your entrepreneur friends for advice?
Actually, my entrepreneur friends aren’t really in the same industry, they’re most doing fashion and all that.
In Singapore, no one really does a business like this, and they usually start something online instead of an ‘old school’ business like opening a shop.
How long has it been from ideation to now?
It has taken about 5 to 6 months actually, but it was very hard for me to find a place.
Photo: The Fragment Room
How did you decide on this location?
I think this location is very good because it’s by the main road, and it’s very unassuming you know? The whole area is like, near shops selling spices and all that.
So it’s like a “if you know, you know” type of thing.
What do your parents think about it?
Well my dad thinks it’s bullshit lah HAHA!
He just thinks it’s ridiculous lah, like why would you start something that no one else has started, why do you want to do something so risky?
Photo: The Fragment Room
But I guess if you’re successful, he’ll change his mind! What about your friends? What do they think about it?
My friends are all crazy about the idea!
So if you’re fully booked, how many people will there be in the shop?
Well, we have a lounge area for customers to chill out if the rooms are taken, so maybe 8 people?
How many rooms do you have in total?
I have 2 rooms, so a total of 4 people can be using it.
Photo: The Fragment Room
How long will a session be?
A session is around 30 minutes. But I think after 5 minutes, people will be tired already.
Do you plan to keep it open 24/7?
No, opening hours would be 1pm to 10pm, but if they want anything outside working hours, they can just give me a call and make a booking.
Actually I wanted to make it appointment-based, and I’ll open from 4pm to 10pm, but I feel like the appointment-based arrangement might be too intimidating, you know?
Like people would want to make small talk before they jump into it, they don’t want to just make a booking then commit to it.
Are there going to be specific rules that you will brief everyone on?
Yes definitely. Because we’re so repressed, you won’t know what they can do when they let loose!
They could even break my walls!
Photo: The Fragment Room
Will you be there to talk to the customers at the lounge?
Yeah! That’s actually what I’m looking for when I look for staff. I want people who can talk to the customers.
My slogan is “anger therapy”, so you can release your anger, but you can also talk about it. I feel like a lot of people don’t like to talk about their feelings.
What do you think about your step into the world of entrepreneurship?
Actually, I’ve always to be an entrepreneur. My dad was an entrepreneur, and I feel like I can’t work a 9 to 5 job. And I can’t study, so like…this is my next best thing. Where I can be my own boss, and my own ideas.
What are your greatest fears for the shop?
My greatest fear is when people who come in can’t control their aggression and then they start breaking everything in the shop. It’s like, what am I supposed to do then? How am I supposed to charge them then?
So how are you ensuring that they know it’s just a rage room, and that every negative emotion just stays there?
Before they go in, they will need to sign a waiver on what they can, and cannot do, and the consequences when they go out of bounds.
Photo: The Fragment Room
Where do you see The Fragment Room in a year?
Right now, I can’t really visualise it yet. I can only visualise 2 possibilities – one of it is that I get constant bookings, or two, nobody wants to come by. It’s very hard to get traction in Singapore.
What’s your ideal vision for The Fragment Room? Would you launch a chain, or just keep it to a solo shop?
I would just keep it ‘pure’, and just have one store. Also, based on the licensee-licenser agreement, I can’t do a chain.
I had ideas to open abroad actually, in our neighbouring countries..but I don’t think it’s a good idea, because it’s easy for them to find places to break things. In Singapore, we have this culture that we just can’t do things like this.
Their countries are just not as repressed as we are here.
What do you want to change?
I just want Singapore to be more diverse lah. Singapore is a very boring place, and there’s nothing new. All the new places are cafes!
I don’t want to go to a new cafe, I want to go to a place with a new concept and experience something new. That’s the whole point of leaving the house right?
When will you know that you ‘made it’?
Maybe when I’m fully booked? But it’ll be great if I can just make a difference in the lives of Singaporeans.
The Fragment Room
3 Balestier Road, Singapore 329671
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 1-10pm
Vulcan Post is all about living life with a digital edge, up and coming startups, and people who inspire conversations. Visit Vulcan Post for more stories.
