While awaiting for Mas Selamat to be caught by the security forces, netizens are having a jolly good time debating whose head will roll and whose future will be affected. Singapore’s reputation of being a safe and secure home has definitely taken a certain beating now.

Though he was not at fault, the minister had already apologised. What else does the public expect? Him to resign perhaps? A closer possibility is what a Hardwarezone netizen did by ‘inviting’ Minister Wong to star in his latest blockbuster – aptly titled ‘Toilet Break’. 

It was a human error. And humans do err. No one is a saint. Yes, with the security agencies out in full force, it’s like Singapore is on a threat level never seen before. A climate of fear unseen in the history of Singapore. We used to read about it from the papers. Blast here, bomb there. But that’s not in Singapore so we don’t care right? This time, it’s in Singapore.

For one, Mas Selamat will not be showing his face at any shopping malls or foodcourts. He would probably have changed his look by now – more hair? Less hair? No hair? Morph into a macik as well? Perhaps with tudong? Or bleach himself white like Michael Jackson? Thinking realistically, Mas Selamat would probably have escaped already from island city Singapore. After all, the statement from the Home Affairs Ministry only came 4 hours after the escape was discovered. Within 4 hours, Mas Selamat would already have fled Singapore. This is a very high possibility. After all, he feels much safer in Malaysia and Indonesia (where more JI cells are present).

When will the massive manhunt involving thousands of security forces (rumoured to be close or even exceeding 10,000) cease? Not until every corner in Singapore has been overturned, every street has been combed, every home has been searched, every person interviewed. Despite this incident, I still trust the security forces and believe that they will do their utmost to capture Mas Selamat. 

Mas Selamat, stop hiding now. Be good. Come out….quickly…

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The creativity of mankind knows no bounds. These are entries to a Washington post competition asking for a two-line rhyme with the most romantic first line, and least romantic second line.

My darling, my lover, my beautiful wife:
Marrying you has screwed up my life.

I see your face when I am dreaming.
That’s why I always wake up screaming.

Kind, intelligent, loving and hot;
This describes everything you are not.

Love may be beautiful, love may be bliss,
But I only slept with you ’cause I was pissed.

I thought that I could love no other
– that is until I met your brother.

Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you.
But the roses are wilting, the violets are dead,the sugar bowl’s empty and so is your head.

I want to feel your sweet embrace;
But don’t take that paper bag off your face.

I love your smile, your face, and your eyes
Damn, I’m good at telling lies!

My love, you take my breath away.
What have you stepped in to smell this way?

My feelings for you no words can tell,
Except for maybe “Go to hell.”

What inspired this amorous rhyme?
Two parts vodka, one part lime.

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The truth has been revealed. Wong Kan Seng, Minister of Home Affairs, in replying to queries from fellow members of parliament, finally broke the silence.

In his reply, he acknowledged that there had been a security lapse at the Whitley Road Detention Centre, which allowed Mas Selamat to escape. Mas Selamat was taken out of his cell to go to the family visitation room to wait for his family. He requested to go to the toilet and escaped.

In reassuring Singaporeans, Minister Wong apologised for such a security lapse. No efforts would be spared to track him down. Security at the land, sea and air checkpoints have been tightened, including areas where there may be a possibility that he may leave from places which are not the normal checkpoints.

Singaporeans have been urged to remain calm and carry on with their daily lives.

This is perhaps one of the biggest security boo-boos. I’m sure while the Minister continues to reassure us with his words and actions by his ministry, heads will roll within the ministry. I’m just wondering whose heads…

Let’s pray for them.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a terse notice informing all that the leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) network here, Mas Selamat Kastari, escaped from the Whitley Road Internal Security Department’s (ISD) detention at 4.05pm today.

“Mas Selamat was the leader of the Singapore (Jemaah Islamiyah) network. He walks with a limp and is presently at large,” the Home Affairs Ministry said in a statement. “Extensive police resources have been deployed to track him down.”

A massive manhunt involving thousands of policemen, Gurkhas and Special Operations Command officers are is now underway island-wide to nab the man who allegedly plotted to crash a plane into Changi Airport.

This is serious news indeed. Consider this.

Mas Selamat has since been held in custody under Singapore’s Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite detention without trial.

I cannot fathom how Mr Mas Selamat managed to escape from the detention centre when he had Gurkha guards watching him. After all, Singapore is well known for having one of the tightest security systems in the world. This is the second major security breach within the last one year. Remember the previous incident involving an NSF, Dave Teo, who got out of his camp with an armed rifle and was caught in Cathay Orchard Cineleisure?

Well well…Needless to say, the escapade immediately became worthy news for worldwide dailies to pick it up.

There are many theories on why this could have happened. Were the guards sleeping? Were there some part-time JI members within ISD? Did Mas Selamat get divine powers allowing him to foam a cloak of invisibility? Questions, questions and more questions. But the answers (if any at all) are far and few.

The immediate task now is to apprehend him quickly. The questioning can come later. It may take a while longer than Dave Teo considering the type of specialised training he has undergone.

For now, a climate of fear has descended on sunny island Singapore. Seeing so many police cars and men in blue is a surreal experience. Worse, Mas Selamat may be anywhere outside the Whitley perimeter now. And he may be armed.

If you see him (or anyone who resembles him as he must have changed his appearance by now), you know what to do. Call the police at 999.

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I guess I’m one of the last few to move into my new cubicle. Actually, it’s not actually a new cubicle but ‘new’ in the sense that it’s in a different location.

It isn’t difficult to see that I’m a horder. There’s lots of stuff lying around that is destined for the dustbin but I’m still keeping them. Now is the time to spring clean I think, or so I think. Hahaha…

My new cubicle’s smaller, much smaller than my old one. In fact, I’m short-changing myself as there’s hardly space to move around. In the past, I had so much space that I didn’t learn to appreciate. But that’s the past now. We have to be forward looking and stop harping on the good old days as they will never come back.

Yes, the new cubicle’s smaller. But it’s also much cosier as it’s located in a corner. I call it my little private corner, my little sanctuary, my little piece of heaven, my little oasis of calm.  I’m happy and that’s all that matters

Actually, I was given a choice to move into a bigger cubicle but it was a open concept where 2 people sat next to each other. I naturally declined the offer as the smaller cousin offered more privacy. I value my privacy a lot a lot.

The view from my new cubicle is great – I can see tall condominiums and office towers. It’s a goal I’m striving towards – to buy my own condo or/and office tower (as well). Previously I could only see the hospital building sticking out like a sore thumb.

The air vent is directly above me (which can either be a good or not so good sign). Air con, as we all know, is drying for the skin. Guess I need to drink even more water now and even bring a moisturiser to office. As for the good side, I’ll always be the first to feel a light breeze blowing down on me. No more hot hot days…Pray no one injects sarin gas…less I be the first victim as well..ha…

I’ve already thrown away lots of stuff. There are still 2 piles left to clear. And I’ve done away with the decorations as well. No more poster collages which used to fill my cubicle walls. It’s the spartan look now which I like. We come with nothing. We leave with nothing. Having nothing also reduces the attachment I may have developed over the months. And when it’s time to leave, it’s easier. I’m present yet detached and that is a good thing.

It will take a while before I get used to my new second home. But does it matter? It’s just a temporary abode. I’m easily contented. Even if you give me a small table and chair, I’m already happy

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It’s a comedy production which I’ve waited so so long to watch. Last 2 years when I wanted to watch it, tickets were already sold out. So when notice came that the Dim Sum Dollies would be performing again with their hit ‘The History of Singapore’, I bought my tickets in October last year. The early bird sure gets the  worm. And they are good worms as I got good seats, 5 rows from the from the front

After months of waiting, the show’s finally here. And today, I’m at the Esplanade watching it. The synopsis reads “The Dollies take on Sang Nila Utama, Samsui Women, Japanese Pilots and more, as they spice up “history” with song, dance and social commentary! From relak island to getting kicked out of Malaysia, this is a laugh-out-loud romp for the locals, and an Insider’s Guide to Singapore for visitors!”

Naturally, I have high expectations for the performance. After all, it stars 3 of theatre’s loudest, funniest thespians - Selena Tan, Pam Oei and Emma Yong. Plus throw in Hossan Leong and you know you’re in for a laughing good time

And boy was my faith not misplaced. Their antics, personifications, jokes et al had me in stiches….they danced, they sang, they joked, they played. I could see they were having fun on stage which was so so good. Their comic was spot on, the banter between the actors perfect and most importantly, their jokes (either done intentionally or not on the government) struck a cord with many in the audience.

The promotion booklet itself (see above picture) too was done with such a retro feel. When I flipped the pages, it was like walking back in time…

The Dim Sum Dollies are known for addressing issues that tug at the heartstrings of Singaporeans in a brutally comedic manner, and that, they did. The chemistry transpired between the three Dollies was hard to deny. Each unique, they complemented each other well. As they explained the origins of their moniker Dim Sum Dollies – every Dim Sum represents something unique; different from the other and is usually served in threes – that couldn’t have been more apt. Hossan Leong, the stick-thin thespian, was resplendent both in his cross-dressing 

I didn’t know Sang Nila Utama liked to ‘relak in a corner’, had a girlfriend called Siti which he brought along on his journey and bought Singapura from a ERA agent…

Neither did I know that when 3 Japanese soldiers find their parachutes caught in a tree, they will whip out their mikes and start singing karaoke.

Funnily, there were quite a few scenes revolving around ang mohs. There was even a song, ’Be my ang moh’, which garnered much laughter from the real deal themselves (psst, remember, Singapore was once under the British; that’s where the ang mohs came in). Even till today, some service providers are still giving preferential treatment to the ang mohs, isn’t it? The stiff upper lip, the nose in the air, the I-know-it-all look. In essence, the ang moh look.

Other cultures weren’t safe from the Dim Sum Dollies, which also means tons of accents and costumes. There was Alexander the Great, Gandi, Genghis Khan, Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Sang Nila Utama, kamikaze pirates, the Singapore Girl and of course, samsui women! I particularly liked Hossan’s take on the Indian accent (for Mahatma Gandhi) and Malay accent (for Sang Nila Utama).

It’s a pity no pictures were allowed to be taken in the theatre. I only have the memories to depend on. But memories, once itched in me, remain within forever.

Well done…Dim Sum Dollies. I await with eager breath your next show

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People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty; to provide you with guidance and support; to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may even seem like a godsend and trust me, they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then without any wrongdoing or at an inconvenient time, the relationship will end. What we must realise is that our need has been met. Once our desire has been fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer that you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

Then people come into your life for a season. Because your turn has come to share, grow and learn, they bring you an experience of peace or to make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. But believe it…it is real! But only for a season.

A lifetime person teaches you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lessons, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all your other relationships and areas of your life.

People come and people go. But people under a lifetime stays. This reminds me of a song titled Stay by Fann Wong which I like very much. The lyrics neatly sums up what I want to convey

Stay 因为夜太美
寂寞的月亮 需要星星陪
Stay 不管夜多黑
不管天会亮 不去想明天
带我飞远远的 到天涯到海角
浩瀚的天际里 只要有你陪
也许苦 也许甜
不害怕 不后悔
我不害怕 不后悔
因为爱 让我们再也分不开
Just Stay
Stay 因为夜太美
寂寞的月亮 需要星星陪
Stay 就算是不对 就算是沉伦
错误也是美

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我一定是迷失了
没看到你无视我的存在
只要你说你仍爱着我
我一定是疯了
没注意到你从我身边溜走
日子一天天填补空间
我找不出话语让你重新爱上我
我没有勇气让你走
当一切即如所说,你将是唯一的一个
即使我们之间没有什么好说的
就算日头下山我也绝不说再见
即使我们行同陌路
在我心间你总停留
曾多次尝试让你忆起我们之间的爱情
但你总是拒绝每一次的靠近
尽管是我们曾经的所有
我从没想过会失去你
我会为你留下而付出一切
当我没有语言让你重新爱上我
我没有让你留下的勇气
当所有的即如所说,你将是唯一
即使我们之间没有什么好说的
就算日头下山我也绝不说再见
即使我们行同陌路
在我心间你总停留
我，我仍然相信我们的爱情仍然存在
而且会永远存在

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I was on my way home in a cab when the taxi uncle asked me if I supported Singapore’s bid to host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010. As a Singaporean, I would of course be proud if my own country was chosen to be host city. Before I could reply him, taxi uncle went on his own rhetoric saying the angels favored Singapore’s bid. Plus, there was LKY’s aura. And if we won, he would earn more.

I agree with his last reasoning – winning the bid would mean the economy would receive an instant boost of a few million dollars. This was what happened to the IMF/World Bank meeetings in 2006.

Each time the radio mentioned something about the games, taxi uncle would turn up the volume of the radio…

“So you going to the Padang or not to wait for the results?”

The results were going to be announced at 7pm.

After months of preparations, campaigning and a unity unseen in Singapore in all strata of society, Singapore was down to the final two cities to compete for the right to host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games 2010. Competing with Singapore was a seasoned city called Moscow which boasts of a long lineage of sporting pedigrees and experience on their side (as they had hosted the Olympic Games before). Singapore, on the flip side, was banking on its exuberance and youth which showed much promise. It was a rare unseen kind of unity – with the common people to the top echelons of society banding together to fight for a good common cause.

:
:
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I alighted at my destination and noted that taxi uncle put up a sign on his taxi…He noticed me watching his action and told me “uncle going to eat…don’t want to pick up passengers.”

Ok. I glanced at my watch and smiled to myself. It was only slightly after 7pm. Perhaps taxi uncle wanted to race down to the Padang to witness either the euphoria of the thousands who were rumoured to have gathered there or to moan in the uncontrollable sobs of a city’s lost bid.

Everything happens for a reason. By thinking positive and creating positive actions, Singapore put up a gallant fight, manifested and realised the hosting of the inaugural Youth Olympics Games 2010. The result was unveiled by IOC President Jacques Rogge at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.  Result? Singapore beat Moscow in the final by 53 votes to 44. We won the bid!!

Rogge, to journalists present, described Singapore’s win as  ”a key moment for the Olympic Movement (as) Singapore has put together a very exciting project. Hosting the Youth Olympic Games for the first time is a great responsibility, and I have every confidence in the team in Singapore. I have no doubt that their professionalism and enthusiasm will be instrumental in the staging of successful Youth Olympic Games in 2010”, he continued.

Well done Singapore. Now is only the beginning. The work to see to the every need of approximately 3,200 athletes and 800 officials in 2010 is the challenge ahead, not forgetting the building of new sporting infrastructure. Best of luck

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To me, what remains is more than a distant memory. It is a memory of space and time we have spent together. Because of this, I never thought I had an unresolved issue with you.

Maybe I appear strong from the outside. Or maybe I have been masquerading for too long and need to let my defences down. Truth is, I tried to suppress it for so long that it’s threatening to eat me up slowly, yet menacingly like a rotten cancer.

Today, I connected both my emotions and my intelligence. They told me I had to clear this inner blockage. It was a knot which needed to be undone. And there was no person who could do it except myself. I had to forgive you wholeheartedly and start loving you again. And in the process of doing so, I would forgive myself and love myself even more.

We beat ourselves up too often over small issues. We never celebrate enough. I know you are proud of me. In fact, I’ve always been your greatest pride and joy.

With initial moist in my eyes giving way to torrents of uncontrollable tears gushing down my ducts, I could not longer hold on to the hatred I felt for you. I sought internal release and witnessed an unprecedented channelling of emotions emitting from my deepest recesses. There was no holding back now. And I did not want to hold back anymore. I did not want to live in deceit anymore. I wanted to be free. I wanted to be liberated. I wanted to release the baggage within me.

We hug each other in a comforting way we have never ever done and poured out our innermost feelings. We held on like there would be no tomorrow. We took cognisance of the fact that this was the day we were waiting for.

We hugged and embraced. We wept and cried…We resolved the unresolved.  

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