Andrew Loh / Pictures by Joshua Chiang
After The Online Citizen broke the story of homeless people camping out at Sembawang Park, all hell seemed to have broken loose. The authorities which, with all their resources could have helped these homeless people, instead seem bent on making life more difficult for them.
This article is an account of what took place on the ground after The Online Citizen’s revelation of the Sembawang Park homeless on 16 January.
The Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Dr Vivan Balakrishnan, was reported to have visited both Sembawang Park and Changi beach. We were told he did not speak to any of the homeless at Sembawang Park but he did take time to chat with those at Changi. Both times, he was accompanied by a posse of officials from Nparks and MCYS.
The homeless from Sembawang Park were told to dismantle their tents and were issued summons. They were also ordered to leave the area immediately. After TOC suggested that they be given more time, the officers from MCYS promised to give them a further three days to leave the park – this despite some of the campers having valid camping permits. (You can read a more detailed account of what happened here.)
The campers had, on that following Monday, gone to the MCYS office to discuss the matter of alternative accommodation with the officers, as previously arranged. After the discussion, they returned to Sembawang Park to pack up their belongings. They were greeted with the presence of workmen at the camping area who apparently were there to seal off the site. Indeed, Nparks seem eager to have the homeless leave the area as soon as possible, given how swiftly it had arranged for the workers to be there. The day after the campers left, the camping area at the park was cordoned off for “maintenance”.
Over at Changi beach, the homeless were treated just as badly. After the minister of MCYS’s visit, the campers were harassed for days, sometimes two or three times a day by Nparks officers, the campers told us. It is believed that these officers included those from other Nparks branches, such as East Coast, who were roped in to help rid Changi beach of the campers and the homeless, apparently.
The verbal threats by these officers were more blatant as well. “I do not want to see your face [here] anymore,” one lady was told by an Nparks officer. She was there to visit her friends who were fishing. She refused to oblige and has continued to visit Changi beach.
The “rules and regulations” and conditions as laid down by Nparks officers which the campers had to adhere to seem ridiculous at times. The campers were told that they had to be by their tents when Nparks officers come round to conduct their checks – at any time of the day. If they were not by their tents, the officers threatened that all their belongings would be confiscated, including clothings, tents, fishing equipment. If they wanted to retrieve their confiscated belongings, which would include children’s clothings as well, they would have to go to the Nparks office and pay S$300, the campers were told.
“How can we be by our tents all day waiting for them?” asked one of the men who was there to fish. “I told them to let us know what time they would come round to conduct their checks and we would be here to meet them,” he said. However, Nparks officers rejected this and insisted they did as they were told. “How can we go out and fish then?” the man asked. “We can’t even go to the toilet like that,” he added.
On one occasion, three Nparks officers demanded repeatedly that he packed up and leave immediately. “We told you to leave right now!” the officers kept shouting at him.
According to the men, other “rules” issued by Nparks officers were that it is illegal for the campers to leave anything outside of their tents and also that children were not allowed to be inside the tents, even if they were taking shelter from the rain.
On another occasion, one of the fishermen had booked a permit at the AXS machine which was located just outside the Nparks office at Changi beach. When the officers demanded to see the permit, the man told them that the machine had run out of paper and was not able to issue a paper permit. He asked the officers to check with the machine and they would see that his application was approved. The officers, however, refused and ordered him to pack up.
The Nparks officers also issued summons even to those who had valid camping permits, we were told.
One of the most puzzling and outlandish abuse of authority perhaps is the action of Nparks officers unzipping the tents of these campers without permission or warning. This have riled the campers, which included women. “How can they do this?” asked one of the men. In the past, the campers would use locks to secure their tents whenever they went out to fish. However, after they found their locks were cut by, they believe, Nparks officers, they no longer lock their tents.
Several of the campers believe that they have been “blacklisted” by Nparks when it comes to applying for permits through the AXS machine. One of them has been trying to do so for the last six months without success. Some of the homeless campers at Sembawang Park have also told TOC of similar experiences.
Yet, these may not be the worse that the homeless had faced.
One of them, a seven-month pregnant lady, had approached MCYS for help earlier, before we came to know of her plight. She told TOC that when she was at the MCYS offices, she was, quite incredibly, told to put up at a hotel in Geylang as it was “cheaper”. This pregnant lady, who has two other small children and a husband who had quit his job so he can be with her at the park to ensure her safety, held back her tears and her anger. After hearing what was told to her by the MCYS officer, she got up from her chair and walked out of the office.
A couple who had approached their Member of Parliament for help, told us what this MP advised them: “You can go sleep at the beach since there are many people doing that.” [Update - 1 Feb 2010, 13.23 hours: TOC has contacted the MP in question and received this reply from the MP: "I would never ever reply to anyone who comes to seek help in that manner." ]
On one occasion last week, the Nparks officers were again doing their rounds and were particularly demanding that a couple packed up and left Changi beach. When TOC came to know of this, we asked to speak to the officer in charge of the group, over the phone. When he was told that “Andrew from The Online Citizen” was looking to speak to him, the officer could be heard saying dismissively, “Ahh! We don’t entertain!” It was the same answer we got when we tried to speak to another officer by the name of Anthony whom we believe is in charge of the Nparks office in Changi beach.
TOC wrote to the Chief Executive Officer of the National Parks Board, Mr Ng Lang, and to its Chairman of the Board, Mrs Christina Ong, on 27 January. Our email was copied to Dr Balakrishnan as well.
Our email asked for clarification on the rules and regulations regarding the use of public parks in Singapore, particularly those which were issued by Nparks officers to the campers at Changi beach. Since these rules were issued by Nparks officers, it was only natural that the public should be made aware of them. Thus, it was a matter of public concern.
Nparks has not replied to our query.
It would seem that the authority given to Nparks officers on the ground are either extensive – to the point where they can issue arbitrary and ridiculous orders – or that the officers on the ground are abusing their authority and powers, along with their blatant and rude behavior bordering on contempt for the poor and homeless.
Nparks officers, and indeed all public servants, including those from MCYS, must keep in mind that they are public servants and not “little Lee Kuan Yews” in charge of their own little domains – issuing orders and rules and regulations according to their own fancies. Public parks in Singapore belong to Singaporeans. Nparks officers are merely custodians of these parks.
But what really gets your goat is that the authorities have known about these homeless people for months. At least one MP, as mentioned above, had actually recommended that the couple set up home at the beach. Yet, why did the authorities, especially the MCYS, not do anything until TOC reported the situation?
And when it did finally do something, it was with a posse of officials, policemen and the minister himself descending on the parks in an ostentatiously threatening manner – with police cars and officers issuing summons and barking orders to the homeless.
“I am a Singaporean, you know?” one of the campers told TOC. “I come here to fish. What is wrong with that? Why they treat us like this?”
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NParks are really not nice people to deal with.
I once had to ask for filming permission in one of their parks. They came back with the reply that the sport I was filming (Frisbee) was dangerous to the trees in the park and therefore not allowed to play.
As everyone knows Frisbee is such a safe sport even for children and dogs, I can’t believe the trees can be hurt…. had such a bad experience with NParks.
Where is all the kindness in the kindness movement or gracious society?
http://kindness.sg/?q=about
Goh CT thought this is important.
What happened?
We have been conned.
I agree with all the comments posted here regarding the need to help these homeless people. But I have a question – should we help everyone, regardless of how they became homeless? The man who is homeless because he beat up his wife and kids, and was thrown out of the house? The man who due to his gambling habit caused the family to become homeless after he failed to maintain the bank loan repayments? The serial adulterer whose marriage broke up after the spouse had enough? Should we help everyyone? Or just the “deserving few” And then leave the rest in the park?
Think we might have sensationalised the issue… I agree that the gahmen needs to nib the issue at its bud…. to understand why these people really needs to camp at the park and arrange for alternative housing for them if there is a need to do so. And I personally think NParks officers are doing the right thing – I wouldn’t want to go into a park full of “vagrants” and campers… I would feel threatened…. Just my 2cts worth… :)
We are living in a society that the gahman is only interested in making money and not the welfare of the people. Identity is not at all important. MPs crave for GDP growth to pocket more money while citizen never see any improvement in life. Gracious society??? There is no such environment to nurture such a great value.
Singaporeans never get a chance to hold a job when the companies refused to give Singaporeans a chance to work. Companies become very choosy when they have a choice to choose between cheap foreign talent and expensive Singaporean. What is then gracious? Does it mean Companies that set up shop in Singapore that has a desire to employ cheap foreigners consider gracious to Singaporeans or the gahman? Is these people denied from getting a job or is it just themselves being lazy? It is HDB flats have become more and more unaffordable and the salary they earn is too little to buy them a roof? I believe everyone wants a roof over their head. Why not the MP investigates it? Why did he not talk to the people when he is there? Does our MP feel embarrassed when taking to these unfortunate people? Elite mentality?
Why call for graciousness when the environment created by the gahman is not one.
yeah. the govt is turning singapore into a place where mnc come to get cheap labour for real work and sex and whatever.
They don’t add value.
There is no difference between the way they operate and the way the pimps in geylang run their show.
ooh no. the pimps in geylang don’t go on tv and give talks (to teach people to have sex or whatever).
the pigs @ parliament have to do that to ensure that you are continually brainwashed.
Besides that, their method are both lazy and cheap.
I feel sad to realise that it was myself who learnt about the problems of the system and not highly educated people who told me about the problems. They never did. I learnt it by myself before a rare few of them started tell us.
Yes, now, there are a few but last time, there was none. People were scared to voice up. The more informed and educated did not helped in the past as much as some are doing it now. But this number is still too negligible to be Significant.
I urge that the more well informed and educated and capable who have awakened come forward and save us. Self interest is basic needs but without also taking care of Society interests, these cannot be considered Leaders of society.
What the fish? Pregnant woman also they can’t help her by providing some accomodation? WHAT THE FISH SERIOUSLY?
Can we get some good quality representatives to represent Opposition in the 2011 GE? Battle every area and try to win as many seats as possible. Even if you feel you might lose, just stand against all the PAP-owned areas. Don’t just give in areas easily.
Come on guys, 1 year to plan this and pull potential Opposition leaders in. Time to make a change!
We are no longer the older generation who just tick the logo with the lightning because it looked fierce and “garang”. Most of us are educated, hold diplomas and degrees and we can think and decide for ourselves now. Wake up, Singaporeans. Let’s not be slaves anymore to our own demise.
Its quite sad to see more & more SGeans ending up on the beach, but I’m aware that not everything that has been quoted by the homeless in this article is completely true. I know 1 family who rent their flat out and stay in the park! Thats selfish in my opinion. Some of them, as they are able bodied, were even offered jobs so that they can get themselves out of this vicious cycle, but never show up for work. Again, we shld criticise the policies being implemented by these govt bodies n push for more to prevent these people from ending on the park. But as we all know there are all kinds of people in this world & we have to acknowledge that some who dont even want to themselves when help is offered.
Bala will get his Karma!
While some well to be Singaporeans have never encountered hardship and keep singing the praise of PAP, they should come to know the plight of the homeless after 50 years of rule by PAP. Any one can go bankrupt or jobless. No one can be spared, even CEOs can be retrenched. When they are at the lowest end of their life, it will be too late to understand the homeless’ plight. Ha . . . . .
Govt. servants have become not servants but “bullies” on behalf of the Pee and Pee….I wonder what their parents and their children think of them…I believe they are ashamed of their children and the children of these “bullies” are shamed to tell their friends their parents are behaving like gangsters and bullies on behalf of the Pee and Pee.
there was a few times i visited Japan…the world No 2 economy….they have homeless people using only carton boards …to shield winter cold in sub way station…and on the busy streets such as in front of a 7 eleven store…and i also see somes in their national park where tents are build becos there is water there for them…but “assumping” that…i see the homeless do have their basic “rights” as humans to stay in their own country and ws not chase away…things will be there to be as it is…and new possibilities is to be create by the authorities to help them i guess….
All this confirms my impression of Singapore and its government , that the government has forgotten why it is there and for who . Its is there to run the country to the best of its ability , and foremost for all Singaporeans . I am sorry to say Singapore is going downhill fast and will not be that so publisised clean , green city in the future . Singaporeans have lost control of their state to an out of control civil service and government .
Surprise1 Surprise an unknown malaysian blogger has risen to prominence by being featured in a big way in the Shit Times today, thanks to the bootlicking stategy.
The Shits Times today carried a massive 1/2 page bootlicking report (“Bitter Truths from Lee Kuan Yew” by a Malaysian blogger Shizzad Lifeboat praising the Old Fart Hard Truths book and Singapore PAP govt for practising “..meritocracy” and “careful selection” of political leaders and developing Spore into a developed nation within “3 decades.”
The PAP’s ball-carrying Shit Times also thru its foreigner fucker carttonist ROCA deemed it appropriate to insert a gigantic cartoon of an angry Doctor Nahathir Mohd swallowing a red Hard Truth pill
for losing his Tanjong Pelepas Harbour competitiveness to PSA.
According to the low IQ truth-denied blogger concluded that PAP-owened Spore will aways win against its neighbours. This is the hard “…pill that their leaders must swallow.”
What the poor jobless blogger (thats why he has all the time to blog) did not know is
1) the so called meritocracy is disguised elitism.
2) the careful selection is infact an exercise in perpetuating PAP hegemony and disguised dictatorship
3) the so called developmet model is based entirely on screwed up policy of cheap labour importation with lip service and scant regard to real productivity growth model.
The unknown blogger should be congratulated though for his rise to prominence …that his blog entry has received massive centre spread coverage in maimed stream media called here as the Shit Times.
The blogger should also be pleased to note the hard truth tha the Pariah and Prostitute Party have often denounced bloggers as unreliable duds and spreaders of untruths.
Congratulations on his rise to prominence thru the bootlicking formulae. It works all the time.
I had been summoned $300 reason ciggarete bud littering which is ridiculously not right! I place it at the side of the place where i was sitting and the wind blew it off. The Npark officer din’t give a damn! i was summon $500 as i made a late payment and appeal is just not their practice..on 2010 my wife excitedly gave the monkeys a bread and was caught & being fined $500, no letter had been sent to her when suddenly this year they sent her a letter to go to court when the fine raised to $2000. WTH!
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