Singapore volunteers now served better food after “DOG food” scandal
August 17th, 2010 | 
Author: Following the leakage of photos of the infamous “DOG” food given to Singapore volunteers by the YOG committee on the internet which sparked a massive outcry among Singaporeans, better food is served this week, according to a volunteer who took a snapshot of it and uploaded to his Facebook:
[Get instant updates and discussions about the YOG on our Facebook page here]
[Source: YOG unofficial news]
“After the meal expose in the papers. This is the meal we have. Not fantastic, but it is better on the 1st day,” he wrote.
There were also unconfirmed rumors circulating around that the catering company has been changed.
The fracas dealt an irreversible blow to the YOG already plagued by little interest from Singaporeans, especially when it was revealed in the press that the foreign athletes and officials are being given three daily buffet meals befitting of a king by the same caterer, Singapore Food Industries:
[Source: Yahoo Fit to Post]
The wide discrepancy in the treatment between the volunteers and the athletes prompted many angry Singaporeans to criticize the organizers with some calling for a boycott of the YOG.
When contacted by the media, the YOG committee dared not reveal the budget allocated for the volunteers’ food.
“We are aware of the feedback (on the meal) and have taken immediate action. We will work with the caterers to continually improve the meal standards,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying in the Straits Times.
PAP minister in charge of the YOG Dr Vivian Balakrishnan told BBC News that he sees the YOG as a chance to extend Singapore’s image as an “efficient globally connected city.”
The “DOG food” debacle has helped showcase the PAP regime’s pettiness to the world. As the saying goes, charity begins at home. Treating one’s own citizens as slaves while rolling out the red carpet for foreigners is certainly not a Olympian “value” worth emulating. IOC President Jacques Rogge would have agreed.
EDITORS’ NOTE:
Has your life been turned upside down by the YOG? Please share your views with us. We assure you that your identity will be kept strictly CONFIDENTIAL. We will be your UNCENSORED VOICE. We will publish your letter in FULL with ZERO editing, moderating or censoring. You do not have to suffer in silence! You have the RIGHT to speak up as a citizen of this country. Remember: you are a CITIZEN of Singapore, not a SLAVE of the PAP regime.
Our mailbox has been swarmed by letters from YOG volunteers for the last few days. Unless you specifically want us to publish your REAL NAME, we will use a pseudonym instead. Please understand that due to manpower constraints, we may not be able to publish your letters immediately and we will have to stagger them a few hours apart to ensure that they get maximum exposure.
Please keep your feedback coming! Singapore for SINGAPOREANS! Your interests always come FIRST.
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” PAP minister in charge of the YOG Dr Vivian Balakrishnan told BBC News that he sees the YOG as a chance to extend Singapore’s image as an “efficient globally connected city. ”
VERY TRUE, YOG HAS SHOWN THE WORLD THE TRUE SINGAPORE AND ITS TRUE COLORS.
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Have anyone heard on TV that garment even have plans to bid for Olympic after the YOG experience guess chances are higher for those countries who had hosted major international sports event??? Then wun LTA have to close all lanes on PIE instead of 1 lane??? Volunteers will have to eat trash worse than “DOG” food??? Haha…what a joke & eye-opener!!!
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It is heartening that Singapore Food Industries with major stakeholder being Temasek Holding, is now providing better quality food to Singapore volunteers of YOG after public outcry by netizens on the internet.
But it is disheartening that SFI had initially being double standard by providing buffet style food for the foreign YOG participants whereas poor quality food being given to our local volunteers as from the leakage of photo of the infamous “DOG” food here at Temasek Review.
These local volunteers who are sacrificing their time and energy to support the YOG event should deserve better treatment from Pro Alien Party government linked company.
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Treating one’s own citizens as slaves while rolling out the red carpet for foreigners is certainly not a Olympian “value”…. I have to agree! Treat people simply as some kind of machine… no heart.
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Yes, the food looks much better now, with different dishes as opposed to the stingy fish fillet and few pieces of bean stalk the firt time.
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It is pathetic that SFI need to be pressured by netizens for initially serving poor quality “DOG” food to our local volunteers of YOG.
WHEREAS the foreign athletes and officials are being given three daily good quality buffet style meals by the same Foreign Action Party’s government linked caterer.
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The PAP is 1st class.
The PRs, Foreign Talents and new citizens are 2nd class.
The subservient local Singaporeans are 3rd class and so being serve with low quality food and poor service.
But we may end up as 4th class if the PAP appreciate the foreign workers more…
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Take more photos la… later they will handcuff u or ban camera phones/camera at the venues…
Was wondering how come they can provide 1st class food for the participants and yet give 3rd class food for our volunteers (sounds familiar?)
First world for foreigners… 3rd world for singaporeans…
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Still do not see coverage on any of the major news network about this YOG… so what is bala talking about exposure? What freaking exposure?? no one gives a damn about your kiddy games. Give 3 meals to the poor in a hawker centre ok? Bad Karma will haunt you if u do not.
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Dear All,
This goes to show that our Government actually do really listen to feedback. I suspect the problem is that those civil servants did not channel the correct information to their bosses. You can’t expect the Minister to come and read you website right?
Bottomomline is that the governemnt do take our feedback seriously. There is not mucht he opposition can do even they are voted in with a majrity held in Parliament.
Cheers/
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but it is still served in plastic container!! bad for environment and health!!!!
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“There were also unconfirmed rumors circulating around that the catering company has been changed.”
You MUST BE KIDDING!
SFI is owned by SATS which is owned by TEMASEK HOLDINGS which is owned by HO CHING which is owned (vice versa) by PRIME MILLISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG.
Which IDIOT (except MM LEE) in Sinkapore DARE to change the catering company?
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U call this junk food?? My dog eat better food than this!! Can see there are many fucking PAP moles here!!
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“Bottomomline is that the governemnt do take our feedback seriously. There is not mucht he opposition can do even they are voted in with a majrity held in Parliament.”
maybe not in parliment lah. just take some picture and put on facebook / youtube / personal blogs and get it circulated – and just let netizens do the work lah. and you know which side the ‘majority’ (you may call it minority) of netizens support leh. only young students also know how to do that.
don’t sleep lah. garment took feedback seriously ? !!!!!!!
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It is good to see that the standard of food for volunteers has improved. The effect of alternative channels of communication to the masses.
The Government should keep up with this kind of positive response when feedback is given.
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Yes, it was revoltingly shameful episode. At least, the situation is much better now for the volunteers.Hope that it is not a one day or two day PR wonder but last till the end of the YOG.
For all those muddled-up and stressful logistics of food catering for volunteers, they really should give a cash allowance of $20 per day and let these volunteers eat where and when at their role’s convenience permit.
Don’t understand why they need to provide internal catering for volunteers. They know where to get their food and refreshments. For guests, it is understandable and correct that they be adequately provided of convenience.
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IS SGD5.5 MILLION TENDER BY SFI , THE LOWEST QUOTE?
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Well done, TR.
Keep it up!!!
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Doesnt look good still. In fact, the dishes look suckier than the first photo with 6 pieces of long beans and a fish fillet. At least the long beans look good to eat.
Now is extra beansprouts and an overcooked egg??
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I think Temasek Review should stop referring it to “dog food” but instead, call it something like “plain meal”.
After all, people who are suffering from hunger in different parts of the world such as Africa and North Korea wouldn’t mind eating that plain meal given to YOG sponsors… I don’t think we are going to describe them as “dogs”, right?
Anyway I think the food part is a huge oversight on the YOG committee.
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The point is what if there is no TR to report this inhumane treatment?Some volunteer will starve to death?Some will faint?Their bodies left to rot under the hot sun?Vivian keninalan will sweep everthing under the carpet and smile?This is worst than a third world country!!Its the fifth world country treatment!!Suffer the young volunteers!!
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Its the same for NS, only after some kpkb then SFI improved their food, until then , lan lan jus eat whatever food they give
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We should not let up until SFI does the right thing… serving the SAME FOOD to volunteers as the foreign attendees and athletes!
At to New Sinkaporean, are you f–king kidding us? What drug are you smoking?
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Isn’t this the THIRD “DOG” food?
I know the first one was rice with fillet meat and six long beans. Second was the one with the chicken drumlets and corn.
I believe this third one can be considered acceptable.
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@New Singaporean:
OK. I get your point. All complaints shall be directed to the e-mail account of the various minister instead of the ministry they are in charged of. Thanks for the advice.
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The improved “dog” food looks unhealthy – so much for healthy lifestyle and sports. Almost everything other than rice and vegetables are deep fried.
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You really should be proud, Temasek Review.
You did this, with help from the public.
You spotlighted this issue and helped changed the situation for the better. Good job. Keep it up!
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Change caterer alrdy. I confirmed it. Working at the Youth olympics village. The food there is completely different from what we were having previously. Much thanks to the pictures and news that leaked out =D and also much thanks to netziens for pushing it up.
(Had mentioned all this in another thread) – No idea hows the food for the NSF and volunteers of other locations, am only working in the youth olym village, someone might wanna check it our or give a us some info on it.
Lol… what to do~ the gahhhhhmennn will never take action till something happens to destroy its image. The food now is like 200% better. Possibly they want the media to note that they actually treat us all “very very” well and the leaked dog food news was just a slip”" of sorts.
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keep eating your dog food for those who say we are better off without any criticize.
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I believe some leafy vegetables should be added in their meals instead of always providing beans sprouts. I know its easier to prepare and cook but they do need a more balanced diet. How about some fruit slices too like water melon, apple, oranges and even banana? Gives energy and help to cool the body too.
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The most useless PAP government since independence.
Ha ha ha!
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I can imagine Singaporean “volunteers” slobbering watching the foreign atheletes enjoying their buffet during meal times.
This really makes me very tulan.
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Volunteers should just walk out after being given this treatment. Find your CCA points elsewhere, don’t take the ‘easy’ route.
Get your parents to write a letter to withdraw their support for your ‘volunteering’.
If you don’t stop asking for what you truly deserve, you’ll never get what you deserve in the first place.
STAND UP FOR YOURSELF.
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FUCKING Shit! NS, “volunteering”, dog food and other shit deals reserved for Singaporeans??? When it comes to goodies and jobs, they go to foreigners?? PAP you deserve to be voted out!
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I think the volunteers’ food must always be the same as officials & foreign athletes…
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SFI is owned by SATS. Looked at their stock now at a high. Must be earning alot of money by short changing our own people. Are SIA in flight food also better “dog” food? SATS wont dare to bully SIA but have no difficulty serving “dog” food to the volunteers! SFI & SATS you SUCKED!
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To PR CITIZEN
Haha! You are right man! Is a honour to serve our own country.So,what the hell you be a PR here? You should stay on at your own land and serve!Why you come here for? You betrayed your country right? You know what is the meaning of this word “Traitor”? I think you don’t know la? Well,i can tell you in chinese.Ttaitor=汉奸！
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Pleezlah, still crappy food. On Sun, my daughter lunch consisted of dried, cold roasted potato as the staple (no rice or noodle) and while she was on duty the whole day from 8.30 in the morning till 6.00pm, no provisions were made for morning & afternoon tea break. Also yesterday, due to fasting, the students had to go in pairs so Muslims were allowed to go first (fair enough as they were fasting) and the other groups later. However, there was not enough food catered for so my daughter and her friends did not get any dinner, even though they were on duty since 2pm. We had to take her out for dinner when we picked her up at 9.30pm. Thank you Singapore for showing example of care, concern & graciousness to our children who are born and bred here.
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As you can see, when this piece of news on ‘DOG FOOD’ serve to YOG volunteers surface & created major outcry. Those top YOG ass had no choice but to quickly do remedy action. Ther are more of such injust in this little red dot. Vote them out & make this island come alive with more spirit.
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Vivian,
You have no shame. You treat your own people like dirt.
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No food. Then there will be no photo to show loh.
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if a simple meal can be labelled as dog food… how about other countries where their citizen have to dig food from the bin… what food do we call those?
singaporean, you are too fortunate to be born here. learn to appreciate and less complain.
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Someone is making a lot of money out of this. Tax payers’ money is being spent and only a select group benefits. Same story everytime.
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Ha ha ha ha. Volunteers serve better food.
MP are eating buffets in some 6star rest. And you are eating slightly better food. You must be daft to report this. You are nothing but slave to the pap gov, that is why you are serve with “dog” food the last time. A slave will alwys be slave.
@Singaporean : Learn to appreciate. What is there to appreciate? You are comparing a third world country to a first world country. I have live thru that period as well when we are third world country get food from the bin. Those food from the bin is still food, perhaps not for your 6star consumption MP, but it’s sure food for people living in a third world country. Are you not aware that we have old auntie eating food leftover in the hawker centre when you have minister been pay millions , waste millions on YOG and loss billions , which is the taxpayer money. I think there should not be citizens in Sg eating leftover food, when we have big reserved. I will use this money to help the poor, the needy , the disable , the homeless, the jobless in this difficult and showing support , compassion. Just ask yourself , how many people can be supported if each minister with their millions salary gives it back to the people. In sg , the saying of you die your business is true. But Karma will set upon those who are wicked and has blood in the hands. My two cents , but time will tell.
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Hungry people = Angry people
Workers = The greatest asset to company, community and country
Lunch Box = Not filling even if the dish is good
Buffet Line = Filling even if the dish is simple
Productivity = Comes from energy
Energy = Comes from the food
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@singaporean
We, poor citizens, are not complaining, we are just suggesting a lack of welfare and care. I’m sure all of us want improvement. Improvement only come when there is feedback.
Our $Million Meanisters have been exploiting ordinary citizens and treating us unfairly.
Do you know our Pledge?
We want a democratic society, based on JUSTICE and EQUALITY; not a society where the elite papies and their cronies have priority over ordinary citizens!
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@singaporean:
please lah, enough about stories of starving kids in africa. we are no longer a 3rd world developing nation, so please stop with the INAPPROPRIATE comparisons.
if you want to be relevant, compare to the standard of food served to volunteers at other comparable events.
YOG = world class event, but you compare to 3rd world country.
we’re talking about volunteers’ welfare here, not free/slave/indentured labour.
@singaporean – stop acting like a blardy frog in a well
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@singaporean
I see at least one poor, old, abandoned S’porean digging into the bins everyday. Also walking at hawker centres squeezing the last drop of soda into their mouths. Where have you been eating that you haven’t witnessed this?
Fyi, I may have been fortunate to be born here decades ago, but no longer feel or am fortunate.
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Maybe the caterer cut off fund belong to NIE staff to supply volunteers.
NIE now is mooooore like a prison than NTU. From a week ago to yesterday, people there were prevented to take food in, prevented to walk around NIE, prevented to walk out to canteens, forced to eat “dog” food supplied by caterer.
Only at yesterday YOG opened the prison gate and admitted NIE people to walk out to NTU canteens at lunch time. But I still found some old cleaner waiting at “dog” food supply point at 13.00 pm. That’s because the no food supply message was sent by email at 11.47. How can those people know there will be no food? Staff can check computers and read emails by they are working with wastebins. Cleaners do contribute to YOG by their working and sweating. This is the way YOG treat them!
Look at the email at 11.47, how can we ENJOY the games?
From: ******(CPD)
Sent: 2010年8月16日 11:47
To: All NIE Staff (NIE)
Cc: NIE YOG Village Square;
Subject: RE: meals
Dear NIE Staff
Please note that no lunch will be served from today.
We can go over to NTU for our lunch between 12.30 to 1.30pm.
Again, please be reminded to
Wear your passes at all times
Please stay within the block corridors and avoid going into the Plaza.
Thanks and do find time to enjoy the competition of the Games.
AC
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@singaporean:
Does Africa , have million air MP ?
We Pay for quality , and we expect quality service from our government .
As the saying goes ” A FAIR DAYS PAY FOR A FAIR DAYS WORK ”
Our Knn Gov want the best , but give peanut’s .
Wind of change is blowing … you will see it soon
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Why must there be complain then there is action , still very army style type of response , why take the chance and later get complain . These proves sg only response when being commented , what are they doing ?…
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wats up man hows it going,They are very very good,Can you please show where it’s done wrong in this article? I searched but couldn’t find a place. Thanks.
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@sitting bull
Nope. Just many many millionaire dictators. And franky, our govenment is giving peanuts? This may seem unrelated, but I much rather it not follow other countries, subsidising everything for a short term popularity boost, but bankrupting the country in the process. And they DO give you subsidised education, medicine etc etc. Teachers do not work for the pittance you give them every term.
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singaporeans, you are too pampered, learned to appreciate what you have now, if not, migrate might be an option. but if you are not qualified to migrate… oh shame! even other countries also dont want you leh!
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Just about any weight loss program calls for resolve and willpower. The thing I like about the Every Other Day Diet is the reward meal you have once every other day. Still you must use perseverence. If you think any weight loss plan will just be an esay piece of cake you will always fail. By the way another thing I like about the Every Other Day Diet is that I can use it for life time maintanace. I also believe that a person must find a diet that fits them no matter what the eating regimen is.
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