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Former PAP MP slammed by netizens for his remark calling a commenter “snowflake”
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On Facebook, a member of the public called out former People’s Action Party (PAP) MP Amrin Amin for being “out of touch” when he said that the faux pas by the People’s Association (PA) of using a Malay couple’s wedding photo as a Hari Raya standee without permission is “not ‘racists’”.
Mr Amrin, however, responded by calling him a “snowflake”, which drew a lot of flak from other netizens.
In the comments section of Mr Amrin’s post on Monday (14 June) about the incident, a netizen replied that other minorities do not have to agree with Mr Amrin’s assessment of whether the incident is racist or not.
He wrote: “No offense, but just cos you don’t see it as racist don’t mean the rest of us minorities have to agree with you. Stop being out of touch.”
Soooo I called out a certain former MP for his extremely disappointing lack of sensitivity in the PA-Sarah Bagharib issue and he had this to say to me. A former MP. pic.twitter.com/M3Py9LRMJW
— Reap Cord (@reapcord) June 14, 2021
Mr Amrin’s reply was: “Don’t take offense too easily snowflake.”
The reaction to Mr Amrin’s reply has been one of irritation and disbelief as netizens slammed the former politician’s response as “shocking” and “inappropriate”, with one person suggesting that this is why he was voted out in the last elections.
Another said, “Your inability to have an open debate regardless of where you stand shouldn’t result in petulant name calling. Very disappointing and once again, highly inappropriate.”
Another netizen said that Mr Amrin should be above petty name calling given that he is a public figure while one person pointed out that his response was not professional.
The word snowflake is derogatory slang for a person deemed to be very sensitive or easily offended. According to the Collin’s Dictionary definition, it means: “Someone deemed too emotionally vulnerable to cope with views that challenge their own, particularly in universities and other forums once known for robust debate.”
Amrin Amin’s post
In his post on Monday (14 June), Mr Amrin shared the PA’s latest statement on the use of the wedding photo in its Hari Raya decorations at Radin Mas which caused an uproar two weeks ago when the woman whose photo was used called out the PA for its actions.
Following the incident, the PA issued a public apology, however Ms Sarah Bagharib said that the apology shed light on “glaring gaps” that reflect a “very superficial understanding of the gravity of the issue”.
In response, the PA made a statement on its Facebook page on Monday referencing her interview with Nanyang Technological University professor Walid Jumblatt Abdullah, from which she was quoted as saying that the incident has perpetuated a culture of racism.
The PA said: “These are accusations we reject. While the error was culturally insensitive, it was certainly not racist. It is not right to raise the allegation of racism, without basis, to stoke emotions and sentiments.”
The organisation claimed that it had explained to Ms Sarah that while it acknowledges that its staff “should have been more culturally sensitive”, it is not right to paint “sweeping conclusions from this incident”, adding that it was an “isolated case”.
The PA went on to describe Ms Sarah’s public call for messages or suggestions that they would like to have relayed to the organisation in their meeting as “odd”, adding that it does not see why that meeting should be “appropriated” as platform for public grievances unrelated to the incident.
As such, the PA said that it will not be following through with the meeting as there is “no point” in doing so, in light of the above.
Sharing the PA’s statement on his own Facebook page on the same day, Mr Amrin wrote that the lesson in this who situation is that while it is wrong to use a person’s photo without permission and that weddings do no equate to Hari Raya, what the PA did was not “racist”.
“As we call out racism, we must be careful not to label every error as borne out of racism or ‘racist culture’.” said the former MP of Sembawang GRC.
He went on to say that while it is crucial to point out shortcomings, people should not be too hasty to “cancel” and always look out for “opportunists eager to score points in their desire to gain mileage at any cost, without regard to sincere ongoing ground efforts”.
He concluded, “Grace is important in building harmony in a diverse society. No one is perfect. It’s a work-in-progress. Not every slip is Armageddon.”
Mr Amrin’s remarks, however, were largely met with indignation from netizens, having received over 700 comments so far and shared over 150 times. Some expressed shock at this response for calling Ms Sarah an “opportunist”.
Many pointed out that Mr Amrin appears to be out of touch with his community and that they are glad he is no longer in office as his views do not represent that of the people in the Malay community.
One person noted his biasedness in the situation and cited it as one of the reasons he was not reelected into parliament in the last elections.
Others echoed the commenter above who noted that just because Mr Amrin doesn’t see it as a racist incident doesn’t mean that everyone else doesn’t either and that he should not invalidate their experiences.
One person noted that the chain of events is “odd and concerning”, nothing that it appears that Mr Amrin wants to define what racism is without considering other people’s perception. The netizen commented, “the implicit message is that the construction of social norms rests in the hands of those who eild power”. He questioned whether Mr Amrin thinks this approach is conducive to cultivating an inclusive society and combatting racism.
A couple of people also focused on Mr Amrin’s remark that people “must not be too quick to cancel”, pointing out that the PA themselves were quick to cancel their scheduled discussion with Ms Sarah.
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Netizens see Mediacorp actor Shaun Chen’s move to JB as response to Singapore’s high living costs
In a recent interview, Mediacorp actor Shaun Chen, a Singapore PR, announced that he and his family have relocated to Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Netizens view his move as a practical response to Singapore’s rising cost of living and note a growing trend of ‘dual-country living’ among Singaporeans. Many are considering retirement in Malaysia or managing child-rearing expenses while maintaining ties to Singapore, reflecting broader concerns about healthcare and living costs.
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SINGAPORE: Following Mediacorp actor Shaun Chen (陈泓宇)’s recent announcement that he and his family have moved back to Malaysia, many netizens have praised his decision as both smart and practical, given Singapore’s rising cost of living.
Additionally, some users observed a growing trend of ‘dual-country living’ among Singaporeans, noting that many are considering retirement in Malaysia or managing the costs of raising children while maintaining connections to Singapore, highlighting broader concerns about healthcare and living expenses.
In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Chen, 45, revealed that he and his family moved to the Eco Botanic township estate in Johor Bahru on 1 August.
They are currently renting a place while searching for a home to buy.
Houses in Eco Botanic, a sought-after residential area about a 10-minute drive from Legoland Malaysia, are priced from RM1,000,000 (S$300,000).
His two daughters, who hold Malaysian and Singaporean PR status, are enrolled in an international school in Johor Bahru.
Chen, originally from Negeri Sembilan, explained that the move was largely influenced by his age and his plan to retire in Malaysia eventually.
“I’m not young anymore. I was going to return to Malaysia to retire anyway, so I decided to enroll my daughters into the international school in JB while they are still young,” said the actor.
Chen noted that their new home is just a half-hour drive from the Malaysia-Singapore second link bridge and that their living expenses have decreased by 30 percent since the move.
The cost of international schooling in JB is comparable to the school fees and student-care fees for PRs in Singapore, according to Chen.
Chen mentioned that his daughters, who have been at the new school for less than a month, are enjoying their experience.
They find the environment welcoming, with a manageable workload and opportunities to interact with students from around the world.
Regarding his previous residence, Chen shared that he had owned a house in Tiong Bahru, Singapore, but sold it during the pandemic due to lack of occupancy.
He has also sold his apartment in Singapore.
As for his career, Chen reassured that the move would not impact it.
He said he will continue traveling between Singapore and Malaysia for work, with smooth traffic conditions except during public holidays.
Netizens View Shaun Chen’s Move to Malaysia as a Practical Response to Singapore’s Rising Cost of Living
Commenting on posts by Singapore’s state media Lianhe Zaobao and CNA on Facebook, some users reacted positively to Chen’s decision and suggested that, given the rising cost of living, more Singaporeans might consider relocating to Malaysia for retirement, particularly if their health permits, as it could significantly help manage expenses.
Some commented that it makes sense for Shaun Chen to move to JB since he is Malaysian, noting that the cost of living there could be significantly lower, and that he can afford a larger, freehold property compared to smaller flats.
A comment suggested that it is common for Malaysians to work in Singapore and spend their earnings in Malaysia, which enhances their quality of life. The netizen also pointed out that the high cost of living in Singapore makes this arrangement particularly advantageous.
Concern over raising child in Singapore
Another netizen analysed Chen’s decision in the context of raising children, noting that as children grow, expenses increase.
He noted that, unlike Chen, who can relocate to Malaysia to manage costs, Singaporean citizens like himself have to stay in Singapore and cope with the financial pressures.
A comment questioned why the Singaporean government may not fully consider the reasons many Singaporeans are buying property in Johor Bahru or moving their elderly parents to elder care facilities there, driven by high living and medical costs in Singapore.
The comment also noted that some Singaporeans are migrating or retiring overseas for similar reasons.
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Netizens question NTU’s choice of timber for Gaia Building amid mould issues
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SINGAPORE: The Gaia building at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which opened in May 2023 as Asia’s largest wooden structure, was initially celebrated for its sustainable design and architectural beauty.
However, just over a year later, the S$125 million (US$95.5 million) timber building is facing an unexpected challenge: mould growth.
The 450,000-square-foot Gaia building, constructed with sustainable timber beams and panels, has developed mould on its walls, raising concerns about the suitability of timber for large-scale construction in tropical climates like Singapore’s.
The mould issue highlights the global challenges that timber structures can face, especially in environments with high humidity.
According to Bloomberg, the mould problem at Gaia underscores the difficulties that timber buildings encounter worldwide.
The Gaia building’s timber supplier claims that the structure sequesters over 5,000 tons of CO2, even when accounting for shipping, as trees absorb carbon dioxide during growth.
However, Singapore’s tropical climate, with its high humidity and frequent rainfall, has revealed the limitations of using timber in such environments.
The wood used in Gaia, primarily Austrian spruce processed into mass-engineered timber, is less resistant to mould compared to other species.
In Singapore’s humid conditions, untreated spruce is particularly vulnerable to mould and rot, according to Andrew Wong of the International Wood Culture Society.
Erik L’Heureux, an associate professor of architecture at the National University of Singapore, emphasized that different climates present unique challenges for timber construction.
He noted that in tropical regions, special care is required to prevent issues like mould, while in other climates, such as deserts or freezing environments, timber faces other risks like cracking and splitting.
Singapore has used mass-engineered timber in over 20 projects in the past decade, but it remains unclear if other buildings are experiencing similar issues.
In contrast, Singapore’s colonial shophouses, built with regionally native hardwoods, are naturally resistant to mould.
However, sourcing these traditional hardwoods today is both difficult and costly.
Loh Kee Soon, the lead architect for Gaia at RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, explained that while thicker protective coatings could have mitigated some of the mould issues, his team opted against it due to cost concerns and a desire to showcase the natural wood grain.
Despite its aesthetic appeal, the presence of mould has raised health concerns among staff and students.
While the mould is not expected to affect the building’s structural integrity, NTU has implemented a comprehensive maintenance plan, which includes reapplying sealant to the timber, adjusting air-conditioning settings, and instructing staff to keep windows closed to reduce condensation.
Experts also recommend treating surfaces with bleach, applying thicker coatings, installing dehumidifiers, and running the air-conditioning continuously, although these measures could undermine the building’s sustainability.
Netizens question sustainability of NTU’s Gaia building amid mould concerns
Under Mothership’s Facebook post, netizens have expressed various concerns regarding the mould issue at Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Gaia building.
One user questioned whether continuing to use the building is worth it, given the upcoming maintenance and potential health risks to staff and students.
They suggested that if maintenance is not feasible, it might be better to endure a one-time inconvenience of demolition rather than face ongoing issues.
One commenter questioned the logic of using wood in Singapore’s hot and humid climate, suggesting that protective coatings should have been applied to prevent mould.
They pointed out that NTU should have had the resources to implement such measures.
Another netizen proposed that demolishing the building and replacing it with a concrete structure might be a better long-term solution than continually dealing with mould.
Netizens raise concerns over material choices for NTU’s Gaia building
Several netizens focused on the choice of wood for the building, criticizing the decision to use Austrian spruce instead of locally sourced tropical wood that is more resistant to humidity.
One commenter pointed out that using wood from Austria hardly seems sustainable or environmentally friendly when considering the carbon footprint.
Another suggested that the building should have used hardwoods like teak, ebony, or mahogany, which are more resistant to termites and mould.
Further criticism focused on the project’s planning, with some questioning why wood from a cool climate was used in Singapore’s tropical environment.
They speculated that the original committee might have prioritized reducing construction costs, leaving the current management to deal with the consequences.
One commenter expressed disbelief that the project proceeded with wood susceptible to mould, despite the availability of more suitable materials like teak and cedar.
They criticized the $125 million price tag, suggesting it reflects a “lowest cost wins” mentality that overlooks potential long-term costs.
One netizen also raised doubts about the building’s sustainability, questioning whether the cost of treating and preventing mould might become exorbitant over time and ultimately undermine the building’s sustainability claims.
The post Netizens question NTU’s choice of timber for Gaia Building amid mould issues appeared first on Gutzy Asia.
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