Marvelous .... we really ARE turning into second class citizens
in our own home .....
I suppose only in Singapore, would you get such a thing
happening ....
Anywhere else there'd be discrimination lawsuits ... This is so
third world ......
nevermind, ... there are still plenty of other places to party
in Singapore ...
Boycott St James
he was requested to pay the $20 cover
charge.
His four friends - from England, Germany, France and
Finland - filed in for free.
The reason: They were foreign students on exchange in
Singapore, while he was local.
He had planned a night of revelry
with friends at St James Power Station last Saturday, but when
National University of Singapore student Matthew Rao flashed his
identity card (IC) at the door of the popular nightclub, he was
requested to pay the $20 cover charge.
His four friends - from England,
Germany, France and Finland - filed in for free.
The reason: They were foreign
students on exchange in Singapore, while he was local.
"I thought the IC was for age
verification, but the bouncers said I had to pay because it was
proof I was Singaporean," Mr Rao, 25, recalled. He was upset
because the policy seemed unfair and discriminatory.
"Why should foreign students get
different treatment? If they live here, why shouldn't they pay as
well?" he added.
Ms Cheryl Khong, marketing manager
at St James, confirmed its policy of giving foreign guests free
entry any day of the week if they produce a valid foreign student
pass. The little-publicised policy has existed since St James
opened in 2006, but it only applies to Powerhouse, the nightspot's
main dance room.
Ms Khong said the policy aimed to
"encourage a cosmopolitan party atmosphere for our young
partygoers" and added that St James regularly hosts parties thrown
by local tertiary institutions and students.
Still, Mr Rao said that the
incident has changed his mind about frequenting
theclub.
"I like rules that are fair and
open. If the club can at least publicise those rules on the
door, then I'll respect them."
At least we are still not chase out of our home yet.
