Singapore students being forced to “volunteer” for YOG
August 10th, 2010 | 
Author: Despite the recent media frenzy over the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), there is a rising chorus of discontent emanating from the ground with both teachers and students alike feeling increasingly stressed out by the YOG.
There were complaints from teachers that they have to burn their weekends and put up with extra workload and last minute changes in teaching schedule to accommodate the YOG as their students are being “volunteered” to attend the events.
Teachers are also strongly “encouraged” to support the YOG and to “rally” their students and parents to follow suit as well with their performance being assessed by how “on the ball” they are for the YOG.
At NTU, students complain that the entire campus has been turned into a “high security prison” for the YOG with some hostelites being forced to make way for the YOG delegates.
Now, there are reports from polytechnic students that they are being forced to “volunteer” for the YOG to generate fake grassroots support for it.
One Nanyang Polytechnic student Hanif revealed on the “I hate YOG” Facebook that they are being dangled with carrots and sticks to “support the YOG.
As for Nanyang Polytechnic (my school), every class is re
Temasek Polytechnic, didn’t force but encouraged students to volunteer. They were shown the perks and privileges of volunteering (free taxi rides). Most volunteered only to end up in having 10 hour shifts at the YOG village. All this for zero pay and CCA points.”
Secondary school students are also either “strongly encouraged” by their teachers to watch the games or being “volunteered” unwillingly to help out at the event.
With public support for the YOG remaining lacklustre at best, the PAP is getting cold feet that its “vanity fair” is fast becoming a major international embarrassment.
After splurging nearly $400 million dollars of taxpayers’ monies on the YOG, the last thing the PAP wants to see is for it to become a big FLOP right in front of its eyes.
Are you being stressed out by the YOG? Are you pissed off at being forced to provide “free labor” to the YOG? Please share your views with us here.
Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. Please use our online web form to contact us.
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we’ve always been “forced” for the sake of stupid CCA points
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Give then an early taste of NS no?
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This is disgusting!!Can I make a Police Report??
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With most of the things state control. i dont think the ruler will have a problem getting the nos to turn up support for the pet project YOG.
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This is real monkey show at its hidden best! The arm-twisting now will squeeze out even more political votes in the coming ERECTION, as parents and teachers get their hides being speared through.
The farcical show is getting hilarious by the passing seconds and minutes of whiter-than-white oppression. They should have sent all voters a letter warning that if you don’t enthuse and participate in Your-Own-Grave show, we will double up your tax for costs of others’ contribution of efforts. It will get better and more effective results I guess.
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Makes you wonder how many of the rich Elite kids are “volunteering” for the YOG…
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The recent weekend saw the ridiculous efforts to drum up support from the disinterested heartlands, when the Youth Olmpic Torch was touring the various HDB estates.
To boost the crowd, one could see the uniformed students on the streets – on a Saturday afternoon – planted along sections of the planned routes, simply to attract the inquisitive and the bored to stand alongside these students and wait for the arrival of the torch.
Considering the publicity given, the response was less then lukewarm as seen in the very thin crowd, and sparse numbers along the entire route.
Was the right team assembled to manage the early planning stage, and executing any plans for the lead up to this event ?
Considering that this YOG event is supposed to be a major stunt for the Pro Alien Party, the intensity and scale of organising do not seem to match the efforts given to planning the National Day Parade – even if an attempt was made at a smaller scale.
The pathetic public response from the heartlands must surely reveal the true state of affairs in the talented elites chosen to lead the YOG Organising Team.
Their early pride and enthusiasm did not result in practical plans and programs to generate interests until it was too late.
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Sinkapoor is worst than china under this leadership.
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This is shocking! Erm, want to complain? Go see your MP.
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This is child labour exploitation make legal. What kind of leaders do that to his own citizens? Do they have no SHAME at all?
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@atobe: your use of the phrase “talented elites” is a no-no to me. the group chosen to run this event is rubbish – and they deserve only the dumps.
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The more they force students to participate, the more obvious the FAILURE. At this stage, they should just let it die quietly and hope it will be forgotten.
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The PAPpies will soon order all the BMT recruits and other NSF to fill up the stadiums and line up along the roads in the rain and under the afternoon sun just to wave little plastic YOG flags and sing Yog cheer songs.
Have you ever wondered? Why must we ser-erve? Children having fun … while we are holding guns…
Ha ha … vote wisely if you want our country to grow properly without all these cockups, wastage of our blood money and reserves, misuse of human lives, crumbling standard of living with Swiss COST of living, and where the benefits only go to a small minority of people. Real soon…
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@atobe:
August 10, 2010 at 9:52 am
“To boost the crowd, one could see the uniformed students on the streets – on a Saturday afternoon – planted along sections of the planned routes, simply to attract the inquisitive and the bored to stand alongside these students and wait for the arrival of the torch.”
- I highly suspect that the students in uniform are there to make a nice backdrop in a segment of their YOG promotion media to convince the world Singapore is successfully hosting the YOG with it’s people participating fully. The camera will cover just the right amount of crowd along the streets welcoming the torch. We can see this type of shooting styles from our MSM, especially during the NDP.
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Kan Ni Nah!!
Look at the fucked up wayang & self praise for this YOG. I’m damn happy that no true-blue singaporeans give a fuck about this self-masturbatory event just to make the PAPpies feel good.
What a fucking waste of $400M — all the more galling coming from a ministry whose primary purpose is to ensure the welfare of the citizens, and where its double-headed snake boss is so proud to declare that “Singapore is the only country in the world where if you are poor, you will have a roof over your head, and 3 meals delivered to you even if you cannot afford it”.
Ni Na Beh!!! If the goddamn govt wants to blow the budget and throw away $400M to foreigners and other countries, they might as well use the $300M budget over-run to hire jobless Singaporeans to be temporary spectators and supporters at the sports events. There are at least 250,000 Singaporeans who are either jobless and pushed aside for cheaper foreigners, or who are under-employed working in low-wage meaningless jobs below their capability just to survive.
Even if you are stingy and pay a subsistence wage of $1,500 you can temporarily employ 200,000 unemployed Singaporeans to fill up the stadiums. For a more normal $2,000 you can get 150,000 citizens. For people who are unemployed and discriminated against being offered jobs, such wages however temporary is a big boost to them both financially as well as mentally, getting them to interact with fellow people, create more networks etc.
Now this is a MUCH better use of the $300M cost over-run instead of simply giving away to foreigners by trying to bribe so-called world-class athletes to be ambassadors, or to build sports stadiums and facilities for other countries.
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atobe:
August 10, 2010 at 9:52 am
GOOD SHOW OF ILUSORY SUPPORT NEATLY “CONSTRUCTED” by “CUM” of the unwary??. Why I am reminded again of flies attracted to cracked rotten eggs??.
“To boost the crowd, one could see the uniformed students on the streets – on a Saturday afternoon – planted along sections of the planned routes, simply to attract the inquisitive and the bored to stand alongside these students and wait for the arrival of the torch.”
It is comically hilarious. HAHAHAHA. Did they learnt that or got great advice from Beijing 2008 Olympic?
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Preparing these kids for “national obligations” before NS, I guess … ?
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Urge everyone forced to do this, video/record it down for posterity.
Don’t have to be image, sound also can. Then upload it for everyone to hear, or just keep it for future generations to know how far these freaking PAP regime will go towards saving their own face.
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it very true, my friend brother studying at shatec was force to volunteer in yog, saying that marks will be awarded for volunteering and it is compulsory, if it volunteering why is it compulsory?
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This is a good snapshot on how the government misuse the state machinery, including children, to create a front, like North Korea world, lining up brightly dress, rosy cheek flower waiving children to express their love for the dear leader.
To some extend, PAP is doing that.
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NO CHOICE BUT TO ‘PULL’ IN THE SCHOOL KIDS
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All go take MC, problem settled
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What’s new? You guys brought it upon yourselves foor being compliant lambs for PAP’s slaughter since 1965.
Go protest lah if u dare and believe in LHL’s benign charming PR smile on national tv.
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they are born paedophiles
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Good that the youth of today know the oppressiveness of the government from a young age, all they need to know is they have the power to affect changes and sites like TR are making the that possible.
“The government said that I am the new morally poor, but I vote for the opposition not by choice but by survival”
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Secondary school students around Ang Mo Kio were forced to line the streets on Saturday to ‘welcome’ the YOG torch.
$400m of our tax dollars blown on this event and yet students are being forced to create fake support and serve YOG guests, all for free. We already feel like ‘maids’ in our own country!
No buildings or roads or facilities were built. $400m is a lot of money. Just where did the $400m go?
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atobe:
August 10, 2010 at 9:52 am–
…..
…Their early pride and enthusiasm did not result in practical plans and programs to generate interests until it was too late.
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Case of complacency and taking things for granted, so got caught off-guard again, isnt? Clearly they didnt anticipate the apathy for YOG not jus in but also outside Spore. For Spore, as u can see from the many expressed views of Sporeans, there are more than one reasons for the apathy that extends beyond simply YOG is not something that is anybody’s favourite cup of tea for Sporeans to be willing to spend their money and time on.
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Hey we need bagala lah
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Stop the complaining.. force to volunteer for YOG. Next you never know force to Sxx Slave to FT. When you are suck dry, and don’t have a choice. This dream will come true. Well, time will tell.
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thie YOG thing is going to be a major disaster for singapore.
from the ridiculous jingle (o ye o ye o ye oh!) to the i-dont-know-whats-the point torch relay around the island.
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All parents should be given a consent form to certify that they agree to let their kids be invovled in YOG.
Being volunteered by the school is not acceptable.
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Major foreign news networks are not reporting or reporting little on YOG. Check BBC, Guardian, NYT, New Straits Time, LA Times, Washington Post, Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian just to name a few. Wikipedia only has a short article on YOG. Apparently only china news networks are the only ones reporting significant things about the YOG. That is how famous the YOG is.
Say NO to YOG.
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Please lah TR, the definition of volunteer is “To perform or offer to perform a service of one’s own free will”. Being forced means not of one’s own free will.
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This can be considered forced child labour. Can we complain to ILO??
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Yes… no buildings, road or facilities are being built…. where is the S$400 million? The $400 million vanished? No future infrastructure?
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I believe there is a right balance to everything. At times, we do need a little pressure to push us in the right direction and if left as completely optional, many of our youths wld much rather spend the time on Facebook or forums. By ’strongly encouraging’ them to support, they will be forced to participate and who knows, many of them may get infected with the ‘Singapore spirit’? Of course, we cannot go overboard too and i think its a just a matter of proper communication and convincing.
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Do you know that army regulars are also forced to help out at the event? And I don’t mean security. I mean as ushers, transport coordinators, tour guides etc.
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My school students are going to be made to stand around, under the 3pm-hot sun, to pretend that we support YOG. How is that fair? It is like as if we are a communist state – forcing the children to do something that is not only agaisnt their will, but it is also something that would not affect our lives greatly. If the students want to watch and support the YOG torch, they can watch it on their own! Why force the other students to fake support under the sun? 90% of the students in Singapore don’t even care about the YOG, and yet we are forced to pretend that we do.
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Even politicians grow old and have to retire. Not every one of them can be the MM or SM. Let them anticipate the type of future they will expect from the younger generation.
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hellooooooooooooooooo? you got the facts wrong. we are not forced to do YOG. We volunteered lah! the CE points are given whenever we take part in things at school or outside. so it’s not true that we die die must do YOG to graduate. there’s so many things we can do to get CE points. LOL!!!!
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my friend who is a sch teacher is forced to bring students for dance rehearsals for over 12 practices til 12 midnight!!!! no extra allowance, next morning kena forced to teach at 7.25 am! if it is an expat who is a sch teacher, he will say: you think i stupid!? spend 12 hours chaperoning the children.
I think our welfare system is the worst in the whole world!!! boo boo to sing GAHMEN!
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I got 4 words…i am piss off
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All these forced labour on our young ones to YOG will remind our future generation to vote wisely when they reach legal age to so.
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Me and my group of friends are all so damn disgusted by all the “wayang”. When will they admit, YOG has failed.
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Nvm. Good good good.
Keep this up.
As time goes by.
You will only build more hatred.
And more people will start to hate.
Till one day. There will really be no more supporters.
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It’s okay to organise the YOG,
but not at the expense of closing so many roads and blocking vehicular and pedestiran access, hereby making our everyday destination even harder to fulfill.
btw, it is also okay to host an F1 night street track, but not at the expense of everyone else’s incovenience for the party own revenue sake.
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The YOG is the project of Balakrishnan and Teo SL, and to a larger extend the pride of PAP.
Their year-end bonus depends on the YOG. Already it is way above the budget, a failure and also the time-table of the whole educational system has to be re-scheduled around the YOG.
The fact that the original budget of about $100 million is exceeded to become $400 million shows those in charge TSL and VB must be called to account and their organisational ability called into question.
WE SHOULD GET STUDENTS FROM FOREIGN SCHOOLS TO LINE UP THE STREETS AND CONVINCE THEM TO BUY TICKETS BECAUSE THE PAP BADLY NEED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE YOG.
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“It is like as if we are a communist state – forcing the children to do something that is not only agaisnt their will, but it is also something that would not affect our lives greatly.”
Haha! Exactly! Just like the North Korea Mass Games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9ZrP40wdlg
See how earnestly those North Korean kids rehearsed and performed for their Dear Leader?
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The organizers are now praying for heavy downpour during the games. So flooding occurs and events got wipe out! Next thing’ just blame GOD for his act! Simple. Ii know where my next vote is headed. Do you?
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Precisely the case.
Why and how would YOG fail? Because no one supports it locally. and when it comes to embarassment, it’s gonna be global. and everyone who knows about the YOG will know about Singapore, and when any of us visit their countries, ya… they’ll know us as unsupportive singaporeans… a laughing stock to the world.
Of cos, students and youths should be given a choice instead of being forced. but seriously, how many will volunteer their services for the country? in the first place, to most guys, who wants NS? probably 19/20 (or even more) won’t want to be in there. probably, giving these students more incentives could allow them to really volunteer their services.
reading a piece of news and not finding out the actual facts, that’s what most Internet users are doing nowadays. look, an RP student replied saying it’s not true. i probably wont know unless i’ve got friends in YOG and I do. they volunteered.
how many times can the Olympics come to Singapore? I’d say, once in each of our lifetime. at most. nothing more. support the YOG!!
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Good to let the student kena force to do such things. Then let them decide if such arrangement is fair & just. Maybe their parents also LAN LAN & ask them to just do what the school tell them if not their future kena affected by not showing support to such crap event. What to do, Uniquely Stinkapoor.
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“Students in a Republic Polytechnic are required to volunteer for the YOG. Failure to do so will pull down their CE, which is crucial for them to graduate. So they can’t say no.
MY GAWD! This is so very North Korea! The commies are here!
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oh that’s bad
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LOL
so young get “tekan” and “saikang” job already.
but at least they won’t get charge and throw to (Detention Barracks)DB
unlike NSF and NS men, disobey means DB or SOL depends on your statues.
This is what I call cheaper better faster labour.
no need to pay $$$
got enough manpower
best can’t complain (can only complain to the divine)
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Precisely the case.
Why and how would YOG fail? Because no one supports it locally. and when it comes to embarassment, it’s gonna be global. and everyone who knows about the YOG will know about Singapore, and when any of us visit their countries, ya… they’ll know us as unsupportive singaporeans… a laughing stock to the world.
Of cos, students and youths should be given a choice instead of being forced. but seriously, how many will volunteer their services for the country? in the first place, to most guys, who wants NS? probably 19/20 (or even more) won’t want to be in there. probably, giving these students more incentives could allow them to really volunteer their services.
reading a piece of news and not finding out the actual facts, that’s what most Internet users are doing nowadays. look, an RP student replied saying it’s not true. i probably wont know unless i’ve got friends in YOG and I do. they volunteered.
how many times can the Olympics come to Singapore? I’d say, once in each of our lifetime. at most. nothing more. support the YOG!!
HAHAHAHAHAHA! u r indeed blind.
global? see the news.
volunteer or forced to volunteer? how many r real volunteers?
we don’t want olympics come to sg? we want to spend our money S$387 millions on better things; not a show with no entertainment value.
NS n yog different issues. y allow foregn trash to have their own schools? mobilise aliens to volunteer; n learn the sg system!
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When students are forced to serve the country, they are paid $0
When NSFs are forced to serve the country, they are paid $200+ a month
When PAP guys are “forced” to serve the country, they are paid almost $4,000,000 a year.
Basically you can only blame yourself for not being PAP.
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Hey,
Here’s an idea: Why not import foreign students to “volunteer” for YOG??
PAP has no qualms with importing foreign workers and athletes, so why stop there?
HAHAHAHA!!!
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Singaporean , you decide, if this 400millions is worth spending on some YOG, that most are not interested. Or it shld be spend on helping , the old , the poor , the needy , the disable, the retrenched, the homeless…etc, etc, etc, etc. I think the 5 C shld be compassion, compassion, compassion, compassion and compassion. Is this pap gov , doing the right thing for it’s citizens. OMG…………400millions. Not counting the billions loss.
IF you don’t change.Soon some of you will be selling in Geylang.
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I am from Temasek Poly and i am forced to take part in YOG. It is made so compulsory that in the event that i do not take part, I will not get a testimony at the end of my graduation. That is the most irritating thing right now..
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I see too many YOG posters everywhere. Now there are 16 YOG posters on my current office floor alone wahahaha.
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All S’poreans know they have to pay for every single little thing they need in S’pore, tangible or untangible, goods or services. Every single PAP govt agency and dept will make goddamn sure that S’poreans pay for everything they required from these govt depts.
….But when it comes to the PAP govt requiring a helping hand from S’poreans ….the PAP govt wants volunteers ….PAP wants assistance from the public at bloody FOC ……Free OF Charge!!
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Singapore’s Shame. Best thing is get your children to see doctor and get medical treatment and avoid volunteering. As we have no say, this is one way of saying no. I ask the PAP to stop all these nonsense as it is a waste of time and tax-payers’ money as we Singaporeans are not interested in sports. We cannot be blame for this attitude as sports has never been our focus, but studies were. You should blame yourself for getting into this because you are living in ivory towers, being deaf frogs and not in touch with your people.
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Khmer Rouge would be proud
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Reading all these PAP hatred posts just makes me wonder how true the words of a kid that actually took up the challenge of creating a YOG cheer. That all these complaints are coming from “Keyboard Warriors” lol. If Singaporeans were to transfer maybe 1 percent of their leisure time and energy to volunteering work rather then spend 1 percent of that time writing hatred posts, maybe this country will finally become a first world nation.
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Why do I see the word “My Comment is awaiting moderation” after I posted? lol …. I Thought this website is supposed to be an objective, “uncensored” forum for Singaporeans to voice their opinions,suggestions etc ….. Isn’t this a form of censorship that many is crying out against? lol…
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Hi “Stop The Noise”, I wonder why you didn’t post the same remarks on the mainstream media, of which there are no lacking of negative comments posted by the Pappies to discredit the opposition. Is it not a case of “The Pot Calling The Kettle Black?” Hohohoho!
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there is overseas volunteer too on singapore too Q: are they forced too?
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Joel:
August 10, 2010 at 9:51 pm
All these forced labour on our young ones to YOG will remind our future generation to vote wisely when they reach legal age to so.
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Do you think PAP don’t have the power for a Sure Win GE, don’t under estimate them, they are worse than Taiwan politician using underhand methods. But of course if majority of the new generation were to vote wisely there might be hope for a little more opposition. For us this generation no hope liao.
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While it is annoying having to put up a show for the sake of putting up a show and show the world that we are capable of something in the expense of our highway, having to give way even during peak hours and when there is no absolute way to give any more way to the YOG Buses, it is also annoying to see how sore some young and even adult Singaporeans are.
It is quite alarming to see how ignorant and selfish and idealistic some are. Majority are good at complaining, sending terrible words of least encouragment. Perhaps instead of wasting your own time typing on this silly forum and focus on the down side of things, like being forced to participate in YOG, someday maybe not now, you will realize that it is all these lil things that actually make your life more fonder to look back on, esp with the fact that your life is not going to get any better after you become a full pledge tax paying citizen.
Moreover, unless you are filthy rich, which majority of the kids in school dream of becomin, you will eventually have to work in this country whether you like it or not because u need to earn a living for your stupid materialistic lifestyle, whether you like it or not.
YOG or no YOG, silly or not, annoying can be or not, irritates the hell out of you or not, you cannot bite the hands that feed you and provide you a home.
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@ 10.30am today,
The torch passed by Boon Lay Block 207
When i saw all the TPs i thought where got accident lol…
Finally realised all these YOG buses with Students wearing Samsung T-shirts.
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to Linzie:
Hi Linzie, i earned my own living whether in this country or not!
And i have to pay a premium for my public housing which would have cost a fraction elsewhere.
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STUDENTS CAN MAKE POLICE REPORT ONLINE IF THEY FELT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ‘THREATENED’ BY THEIR SCHOOL / TEACHER
http://www.spf.gov.sg/epc/ePCLinks.html
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MINISTER OF MANPOWER SHOULD LOOK INTO SUCH CHILD ABUSE.
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Dear StopTheNoise,
“Keyboard Warriors” I see. I wonder though, if it is any better being a “Balls Licker”. Except of course, a “keyboard warrior” sticks to typing his/her comments from the same keyboard everyday, whereas a “balls licker” turn to different politicians everyday.
Maybe you know better?
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Dear StartTheNoise,
I agree that our PAP is not perfect, but then again no one is perfect either. All the govt BILLs or policies that PAP has implemented cannot please everyone in the country. But at least we can see that Singapore has been governed well through the years compared with many countries in the world. We as Singaporeans should learn to be grateful and do our best for the country even thou some works do not benefit us individually or may benefit others more than ourselves. Are we becoming a “self-centered” and “materialistic” nation overtime? YES in my opinion looking at how these “anti-YOG” feedbacks are gathering pace. But I don’t blame such remarks because all the nations in our world is becoming of such culture too. I just hope that we Singaporeans do not vote for the “Opposition” or againstthe “PAP” for the sake of retaliation or revenge. –> BTW. In my opinion, YOG 2010 Singapore is worth the SGD378M coz this is the cost we have to pay to market SINGAPORE throughout the world that this is the best place to live, invest and nurture your family : )
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How many students really volunteers. I think 99% of the students either did it for CCA points or forced. Also the day when the torch bearer came past our school, the school called everyone back. We waited for an hour and a half for the torch bearer to run past in 5 seconds.
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Dear LearnToBeGrateful,
First of all, I don’t think the anti-YOG sentiment is a result of a self-centered and materialistic nation as much as it is a result of being overhyped, poorly marketed (e.g. lame songs played over and over again on tv/radio) and students/NSmen being made to “volunteer” for the event against their will.
Secondly, I do not agree with the regressive line of thought that we are better off then most countries, thus we ought to be grateful and opt for status quo. Yes I agree that we have been governed fairly well compared to many other countries, but surely we are also behind many countries in areas such as press freedom, public welfare and workers’ rights. Who is to say we don’t have room for improvement, right?
Also, isn’t it a bit ironic that we’re talking about being “self-centred” and “materialistic” when the epitome of all materialism is so readily manifested in the increment of electricity tariffs, bus fares, taxes, etc just so we can afford to pay some very important people their million dollar salaries every year?
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///All the govt BILLs or policies that PAP has implemented cannot please everyone in the country.///
no policy can. it is matter of gravity. ask yourself, blame the garment or the people ? once the policies antagonize more ppl than they please.
///Are we becoming a “self-centered” and “materialistic” nation overtime?///
for 40+ donkey keys. who got to implement all the policies that are in place where such results are the by product that get to manifested.
who (which group) has always called the shot. do you not see the talk about economic growth (as in materialism & consumption) & paying for & showering on top talents (as in self-centered).
///I just hope that we Singaporeans do not vote for the “Opposition” or againstthe “PAP” for the sake of retaliation or revenge. –///
everything has their cause and effect. it is just a matter of time when the critical triggering point is crossed.
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correction
///Are we becoming a “self-centered” and “materialistic” nation overtime?///
for 40+ donkey YEARS. who got to implement all the policies that are in place where such results are the by product that get to manifested.
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Interesting. Your article seems to not have included the views of more people. I believe there would definitely be some disgruntlement about this whole thing, and it is really not very fair to form a mere assumption based on just a few facts, is it? You can’t please everyone. What the government is doing is trying to promote this YOG because some people are not interested. This article is not very just towards this matter. There are many many performers, yet you seem to have just picked the few disgruntled ones(The article was also very vague. Reports from polytechnic students? Name of poly at least?) and made a fuss out of it. An article should have views of both sides, then making a fair conclusion.
I suppose some people here really don’t understand that YOG is an honour. It is not about what you get (CCA points) but what you achieve. That said, you already have said that this is an INTERNATIONAL event. Which means the whole world is watching, which thus equates to hard work being put in.
About the whole ‘forced labour’ thing, I am unable to form a conclusion and not willing to make one (due to lack of trustworthy information and out of my own character values) What this article needs is some good polishing and gathering of information before it is published for eyes to read and influence other people.
On what grounds do I have to say such things? Well, I am a performer, and I have seen more than what this article provides, and I find some information to be woefully lacking from here.
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I hope this article can be more partial as to gather views from authentic interviewees. It seems that this editor is quoting comments selectively from individuals who are unhappy with this event. Why don’t you interview the 12 year old boy who ran for 2 hours to catch moments of the torch relay runners? I am sure he does not think YOG is a waste of time.
This only further proves that the youths in Singapore show no support or pride in the nation’s event. If that’s the case, how would you expect Singapore to provide better welfare to her citizens if YOU do not even bother to render any support to Singapore.
As saying that the preparation is for ‘wayang’ purpose, I would dare to say that almost all countries that were hosts for the Olympics games also spent time and money to come up with a good international event so that everyone in the world can see its glorious moment.
I watched the opening ceremony of YOG last night and I was very proud of Singapore for her effort in showing the rest of the world that this small red dot is capable of doing a great job as well as other countries which are bigger. The effort ultimately must go to the participants whether they are the performers or the cheering crew that were welcoming the torch relay runners.
Come on, its only once in your lifetime. If you have participated, you can proudly tell your descendants that you were once a part of a much bigger piece of history. If you have not contributed to the nation, maybe this is the chance you get.
Stop whining, Singapore youths.
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@ Tan
“Stop whining, Singapore youths.”
Likewise, stop sucking up, sycophant Tan.
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Where is the middle ground in the discourse? Why are people who believe in the Youth Olympic Games, and actually proud to host the dreams of young athletes the world over, immediately lackies of the PAP? Do the people who immediately write off everything about this event actually spent time talking to an athlete from overseas, and understanding their own visions to one day be world class athletes?
Has anyone seen the effort the kids from over the world are putting into their sport, and Singapore has provided a platform for them to shine? When did this event only become about our grievances and not some kid’s time to shine?
Nevermind, that was rhetorical.
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(“Students in a Republic Polytechnic are required to volunteer for the YOG. Failure to do so will pull down their CE, which is crucial for them to graduate. So they can’t say no.)
Yoooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhooooooo!!! Who the hell said that????? Since when are we forced for the YOG.. Its a volunteer thing. We will be given CE points if we join if not no harm. Go for other talks..lol
Looks like we must also check the reliability of the “facts” stated here..
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No pain no gain.
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with media ranking 140th+
you will always the
“heil hitler”
“Saddam is right”
“Kim Jong ll is the greatest leader”
don’t expect the local media to get it right with the opposition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV71QNHnNMQ
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