February 26, 2010 TEMASEK REVIEW
The below email has been circulating around in cyberspace
and was forwarded to us for publication. For those of you who knows
the identity of the author, please keep it strictly
confidential.
Please forward this to all your male Singaporean loved ones and
friends. This is something that actually happened to me and I feel
that it needs to be shared. I believe my experience will help your
male loved one stay out of trouble.
On the morning of 18th February at about 9.50 am I was standing
at Coffee Bean (Novena Square) counter, ordering my usual cup of
mocha latte before heading into the office as usual. Behind me was
a row of leather cushions that the mall has provided. In the corner
of my eyes, I noticed a middle aged Chinese lady with an umbrella
and a cold storage plastic bag, looking really nervous, glancing
around every now and then.
The lady had shoulder length hair tied up neatly in a pony tail
and looked pretty plain, wearing just a normal t-shirt and jeans –
nothing too revealing. She was about mid 20s to early 30s and
pretty pleasant looking I must say. But her eyes were scary when
she stared intently at me for a short moment I did not pay much
attention to her as I thought she was waiting for the slimming
centre to open. I carried on my business as usual, glancing through
the Today newspaper.
As I made my way towards the direction of Banquet coffee shop,
she stood up and walked towards my direction. What happened next
caught me completely by surprise.
The lady stopped directly in front me of, stared at me and
suddenly screamed “Why you touch me?” Only then did I realise from
her unmistakable accent that she is from China. I said “Sorry? What
are you talking about?” I was more in shock then angry. The first
thing that came to my mind was, is this some woman that I
accidentally brushed on the train this morning?
She did not bother to explain but kept on screaming and pointing
her index finger at me “Why you touch me!” about 4 or 5 times. She
then squatted, covering her face and cried, crying out over and
over again that I had touched her. I was really lost. There were
some people walking past me and I felt like a criminal standing
there, while people gave me this disgusted look. All the while I
was trying to talk to the China lady but she remains in a squatted
position, covering her face and crying.
At this point of time, a Malay bang in light blue coloured
uniform walked over from Banquet. Seeing the situation he asked me
what happened. The lady stood up and said that I had “touched” her.
She then told the Malay bang that I need to giver her $500 to “see
doctor” or else she would report me to the Chinese Embassy. She
took out her hand phone and took several photos of me.
The Malay bang then said, “Bro, I think we better call the
police”.
At this point of time, I have gotten over my shock and anger was
slowly taking over. I nodded to the Malay bang in agreement. I took
out my hand phone too. But instead of taking her photo, I dialled
999 immediately. “I am calling the police myself. Let them settle
the matter”. I said calmly to the both of them. At this point of
time, she picked up her plastic bag and umbrella, and swiftly left
towards the direction of Tan Tock Seng hospital – even before my
call could connect!
We were left there puzzled. Somehow I was relieved that it was
over and did not want to proceed with the call. The Malay bang
asked me if I was ok. All I said was “Thanks”. He patted my
shoulder and walked away towards the
direction of Coffee Bean. Several patrons inside banquet were
already witnessing the commotion. I just wanted to get out of
there.
In case something like this happens to you or your loved ones,
do not make the same mistake I did, trying to console the woman.
Immediately take out your hand phone, take a photo of her and call
the police. Please help to
spread this around to our Singaporean husbands, sons, brothers and
friends.
Please, my dear Singaporeans, look around you, what has happened
to our country? Where have all these pests come from? Think about
your loved ones and your other Singaporean friends. Forward this
story and make sure that
they know what to do when the same thing happens to them.