YOG aftermath: NTU students threatened with arrest for checking into hostel
August 30th, 2010 | 
Author: I wish to start my letter off by saying that I think the YOG has been an interesting experience for me, as I was a volunteer with the National Olympic Council of Senegal and I had the opportunity to know African friends for the first time in my life. It was also an eye-opening experience for me as I had a glimpse into the Olympic culture, for example the trading of Olympic pins which apparently is quite a big deal among enthusiasts.
However, I am also of the opinion that the YOG should not be organised at the expense of the welfare of students of NTU, of which I am one. What I am referring to is the checking-in to the halls of residence in NTU, some of which were used as part of the Youth Olympic Village to house the athletes and officials during the Games. During the holidays before the start of semester, myself and my friends who were staying in one of the halls of the village had to move to another hall. We were notified that for the university-wide one-day checking in activity on the 29th of August, lorries will be provided at 9 am from the temporary hall they were staying in to help in the moving process. (The reason why I’m using “they” instead of “we” is because I did not apply for a room to stay in during the holidays, hence I packed up my stuff and left them with my friends)
With that 9 am timing in mind, I went over to my hall at around 8.30 in order to check in, but realised that the block where I’m supposed to stay still contained residents from a certain YOG delegation. Meaning to say, our rooms were still occupied but we can’t check in because there were still people there, even though the rest of our things will be arriving shortly after 9 am from the temporary halls. Apparently, most students who were supposed to be moving into the occupied block have been moved – knowingly or unknowingly – to another block which has been vacated. However this block is located on a hill which would necessitate climbing up and down everyday. Though the arrangement could be temporary, I thought that in principle I should not be the one troubled by the YOG’s lack of communication with the delegations. After all, school does start tomorrow and I can’t be bothered to be moving here and there once the semester has begun.
Nevertheless, I was already willing to compromise on the issue and relocate to the alternative block temporarily, but the hall officer found out that the room right next door to the one I was supposed to get is empty. He allowed me to take that room and I was happy and thanked him for it. Unfortunately, the previous residents of that room left at 4 am this morning and hence the housecleaning staff have not had the time to work on it yet (and the room was in fact quite filthy). So I went to the office again and inquired whether or not housecleaning can go there and clean it up for me, and the volunteers who were there told me that they can come within an hour – which did not happen. It was rather urgent as my (and also my roommate’s) things have arrived by then and we couldn’t put them in the room since it was dirty. Hence, we piled all our stuff along the corridor hoping for the cleaning staff to arrive. When they did not show up I went down to the hall office again and asked when they will come, which is when they told me they could only go at 9 pm after the delegation has left so that they could clean all the rooms at the same time.
Needless to say, I was unhappy with this development as school begins in one day, we have only one day to unpack and prepare for class and yet we can’t do anything until after 9 pm. One the volunteers responded by saying that I could have chosen to go to the alternative block to save all of us the trouble. I felt at the time that they’re not seeing the point at all, and I said that as far as I’m concerned, the YOG ended last week and we shouldn’t be compromising up to the point of having it affect our studies. She then requested me to compromise a bit more and accommodate their schedule which I acceded to since the argument wasn’t going anywhere.
Since there wasn’t any hope of getting the room cleaned anytime soon I got back to the room and started moving our things inside, and while doing that to my surprise the cleaning crew arrived. They proceeded immediately to sweep the floor while I waited outside. It was at this time that the hall officer came up to my room and spoke to me, saying that I was causing a scene at the hall office and giving him trouble, and he requested politely to stay put and keep quiet once the room has been cleaned. I happily agreed to his request as having the cleaning crew there was all that I wanted.
However, moments later a burly man with slicked-back hair wearing the YOG volunteer uniform came to my room as well, and proceeded to speak at the top of his voice, first to the hall officer and then to me. He yelled that the particular block was still officially under YOG control and not NTU, so technically I was not allowed to be there. Let it be known that the barriers that were set up around the YOV were already removed, and there were no security checkpoints for that block, so there was nothing physically indicating that the block was out of bounds. Essentially, this man, let’s call him Martin, failed to see the simple fact that all I wanted was to get into the room and have it cleaned so that I can get out of their hair. So he interrupted the cleaners and asked us all to leave, even though I still had some things left out in the corridor. He was adamant that we leave immediately. “Two minutes,” he said, “and I will get you arrested by the police if you don’t leave immediately!” He asked me to pack up my things and leave, not even allowing me to get things into my room.
Thankfully the hall officer immediately bent down and helped me carry the rest of my things and put them in the room, while asking the cleaners to “stop looking and start helping” and thanks to them I had everything in my room before Martin blew his top. I then grabbed my phone and wallet and just left the room, leaving them behind.
And so ends the story that I want to tell, of my personal experience being treated like a second-class resident compared to the YOG delegations. Martin was wearing a YOG volunteer uniform but he certainly did not any exude the qualities that are expected of us. Perhaps it was because I was just a student and not a YOG official. Excellence, Friendship and Respect are the values of the Singapore 2010 YOG, but I felt none of that coming from this YOG “volunteer”. He showed no Excellence in dealing with the problem, made no attempt at Friendship, nor did he treat me with Respect.
My letter is a long one and I apologise for the length, but it is just because I wish to illustrate clearly and carefully just one point – NTU students should not be unreasonably inconvenienced by the YOG as we do have our studies to get on to, and from what has happened today I believe the residents of that particular block of that particular hall have been unreasonably inconvenienced. As for myself, in particular, I wish nothing more than to be treated with respect and dignity, which was unfortunately not the case when Martin came along.
Thank you for your time.
An NTU student.
Posted in Letters
“and I will get you arrested by the police if you don’t leave immediately!”
you may have been dealing with a thug and there are many of them like him when acting in the “goodname” of authority or something official.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Why are you afriad to post your name? Or even the unruly “volunteer”’s name? Write to the YOG committee, demand an apology and explanation for this mishap. Why should you be afraid of your rights as an NTU student? Why let these hooligans go scot free while you have no doubt suffered an injustice, and have wake up today feeling sore while having to meet the challenges of a shortened school term due to the YOG?
Let the YOG committee know, let everyone know about this, and don’t be afraid about doing the right thing.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
TR is really becoming trashy. Just another site that goes into bashing all the time and nothing new. Comments are usually written by the same people. Better change your nick to make it look like more. You are turning people like me away..sigh..
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’m sorry to hear of your plight. NTU, in Nantah University days, had a good track record of having vocal students who are not afraid to voice out their disappoinment. Perhaps you should help revive that grand tradition of Nantah. I hope you see this as a precursor of things to come. Now it is your dorm room, next time it will be your job that will be taken by the foreigner. Today, they left your dorm in a filthy state. Tomorrow, they might leave you in a bad state. We can all pray something happens so your generation will not suffer.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This is just the begining..We will be slave soon.. wake up now just do the right things when putting the cross on your vote. Dont change your mind during elections period cos alot of great dreams will be offered to blind you again.
As usual after elections we will get screw up side down again by the gov if not enough oppositions to let them fix, they will fix us the citizens. Tell your friends your parents, dont be a fool for whole life … if sinagporeans still afraid to voice up use http://www.shownoip.com to hide your IP..Good luck
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dear NTU Student,
Do you have something in b/w that says you are allocated a room on which date henceforth, etc..? Have you paid for the hostel fees or is it being debited already? Did YOG issued a letter to NTU students that says they have acquired the YOV from which date to which date? If so, and you are within the terms stated, then you should tell this ‘Martin’ to F**K OFF! (Sorry, if you are a lady, then tell him to suck eggs).
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It would be helpful if you file a complain to the rightful people. Posting here does not really help you. In this land. Everyone follow the law. In your care the Yog law. YOG is the government pet project. No way they give priority to you.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“Remember this when the voting comes.” MM Lee.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
WOW….I feel sad for you at the same time very angry.
Do you have apic of this Martin…pls
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
the letter is pointless unless you choose to write in to the papers and the authorities in charge. your hall officer supported you. everything looks to be in order for you to move in on that day, why worry about blowing the whistle?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
i think u shld feedback to the YOG committee or whatsoever. have your grievances known to the officials. That “martin” is behaving badly.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think the good name and reputation of the SPF has be abused by the YOG official.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
@TR supporter:
What kind of rubbish are you talking of here ? you are just a pests at this site only. That’s why people ignore you loh.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
the poor guy probably had an upset stomach from lousy food
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The confidence of the YOG volunteer to behave in such arrogant manner can only come about from some authority given; and if the recent attitude of the Political Leadership in the YOG Organising Committee is to be noted, it is not a surprise that a low level YOG volunteer will behave in such high handed manner.
A distressing experience told to end the much mismanaged YOG and hope that this will bring the YOG into a pathetic final cul de sac for the “knuckle duster expert” to practise his imaginary skills.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
TR supporter:
August 30, 2010 at 9:37 am
Better change your nick to make it look like more. You are turning people like me away..sigh..
………………………………………………..
LOL,for every unappreciative chap like you,there are many who will replace you really soon.
If you have short attention span,please don’t show it…
you can go back to SHIITY TIMES and immerse yourself with shits once more!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
TR supporter:
August 30, 2010 at 9:37 am
Up yours, sport! Moron, don’t you know the difference between right and wrong?
“I’m sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and disagree with this administration, somehow you’re not patriotic. We need to stand up and say we’re Americans, and we have the right to debate and disagree with any administration!” — HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON.
I saw this yesterday. It made me furious. I have never seen this happened – ever in Singapore in my life time. One foreigner rode is motor bike on a circular narrow jogging track filled with elderly and young families with kids and toddlers doing their evening stroll, weaving in and out to avoid collision. There is roads nearbv, why is he endangering lives by behaving so callously and selfishly? If I call the Pigs-in-blue what would they bother when they must know that LOCALS DON’T DO SUCH A THING!!!!
So if an angry short-fused hothead seing this ridiculous ongoing took a baseball bat and slam him across the face riding past on his bike, it will be criminal consequences because he is LOCAL, right?.
Excellence, friendship and respects are such values that goes BOTH WAYS, DON’T THEY??
If TR publishing of this THUGGERY BEHAVIOUR does not meet your cup of tea, DON’T COME BACK.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I would challenge the Martin to go ahead and call the police. I will also take down his full name, IC and contact his superiors. Lastly, I will share my experience with TR, TOC and major forums in Singapore. I may even make a Police report myself as I felt threatened.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
TR supporter:
August 30, 2010 at 9:37 am
TR is really becoming trashy. Just another site that goes into bashing all the time and nothing new. Comments are usually written by the same people. Better change your nick to make it look like more. You are turning people like me away..sigh..
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
hi,i am sorry but your nic and your message shows that you have some kind of mental disorder.
maybe ,you want to “go see a dcotor”?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Why YOG “Martin” wants U out? maybe the top committee members knew the mess that are created by these foreign YOG participants and they fear you snap snap here and snap snap there and pop appears a stomp.com.sg picture. Their (top personnels) very fearful kind you know and they don’t like the world to know that YOG participants were so poorly educated in etiquette lah. Remember to take a picture of your clean up room and interview the cleaners – you will get a shocking view on sportsmanship-living in filth/trash.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
@Kenny Tan
August 30, 2010 at 9:36 am
YOG COMMITTEE ACTS BLUR ON FOOD POISON, ‘ILL-TREATMENT’ OF SCHOOL KIDS, REFUSE TO ANSWER PUBLIC CALLS TO ACCOUNT FOR EXCESS SGD300-million in YOG BUDGET, N MOE MINISTER SPENDING SGD2-million OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO BUY YOG TICKETS ETC.
Kenny, u tink they would bother about a letter of complain from an undergrad.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
courtesy for foreigners… rudeness for locals
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
‘WELCOME TO THE REAL SINGAPORE’
WELCOME NTU UNDERGRAD,
BUT STILL LESSER MORTAL-3RD CLASS
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dear NTU Student:
There are many channels for you to go through. Try going through the “official” channel, and simultaneously go public. No one can blame you if you have gone through the “official” channels of communication.
If you are not satisfied by their explanations, remember that we still have a very strong press as well. It may not be totally free, but it is worth a try.
Be careful though. If official explanations are not satisfactory and you do take up the matter with the press, there will be no stopping it. You will put yourself in the limelight, unwillingly perhaps in your case (seeing that you chose to post under a pseudonym).
Only the press can stop themselves. Yes, they may be heavily-controlled, but you may still find a few sympathetic ears there. Besides, you are not against the YOG, just against this kind of treatment from a YOG official. Unfortunately, as an official, he represents the YOG Organising Committee, and if it true that such an incident has occured, he should be taken to task.
Just my 2 cents worth. Feel free to disagree with me if you feel it is not worth sticking your neck out for.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
@TR Supporter
I guess now you know how most Singaporeans feel when they read “glowing” letters about the YOG on Straits Times Forum day in day out.
If not for TR, I guess everyone would think that we are living in a paradise. So it’s TR’s fault for not behaving like Straits Times.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
@TR supporter:
August 30, 2010 at 9:37 am
Nobody forcing you to come here. Don’t like please GO!!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
*TR supporter: August 30, 2010 at 9:37 am
You are turning people like me away..sigh.**
you think people like you are so special to TR meh and that they need you to survive meh. go fly kite high high lah.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
name the YOG fella and ask for his apologies as well as from SYOGOC.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The old Nantah slogan is: 自强不息，力求上进！
But the new stolen Nantah has no slogan.
http://www.nandazhan.com
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yes… definitely trade mark of a gangster. Perhaps he is just following examples set by ppl in power… ‘do what i say or else….’ hatchet man? meeting in cul-de-sac… These dogs really do bark like their masters..
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
No/few Singaporean has asked for YOG and PAP just went for it with the citizen footing the bill of the hugely over budgeted sport event. Can PAP provides some statistic on the awareness of YOG globally before it is claiming that the game has put Singapore in the radar of oversea investors? Talk is cheap!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
@Kenny Tan
August 30, 2010 at 11:37 am
YOG COMMITTEE ACTS BLUR ON FOOD POISON, ‘ILL-TREATMENT’ OF SCHOOL KIDS, REFUSE TO ANSWER PUBLIC CALLS TO ACCOUNT FOR EXCESS SGD300-million in YOG BUDGET, N MOE MINISTER SPENDING SGD2-million OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO BUY YOG TICKETS ETC.
Kenny, u tink they would bother about a letter of complain from an undergrad.
——————————————————————-
So do you stop trying when they don’t listen? So what he/she is an undergrad? Does it make him/her less a citizen, less a proper human being who deserves to be heard or receive redress for the injustice suffered? Defeatist or spineless talk like this will get us nowhere. If everyone was like you, there’d be no hope for Singapore already. Fortunately, there are people who are willing to push against the authorities regarding issues close to the heart, such as I.
If you are willing to push, push hard, and go on pushing higher up if the lower echelon ain’t doing anything. The more issues we raise, the harder it is for them to sweep them under the carpet or “move on” from. I don’t think we want to see a revolution, I don’t think anyone of us want painful bloodshed on our homeland Singapore. We just want to be heard and heeded. It needn’t be immediate, but we hope it’s soon.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Kenny Tan:
is this your real name
how about writing your NRIC no too
please
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yes it’s my real name, and no why would I put my IC no. down? Are you dumb? By leaving my IC no., it would be open to abuse by idiot trolls like you. Every single email to the authorities, I will leave my full name, IC and HP no. Try to use your brain to think of something constructive to say.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Some of our dear ministers keep thinking that the complaints towards YOG volunteers are made by Singaporeans themselves. However the truth is that those foreign delegates and athletics are the ones responsible for filing the complaints.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Violence is the only answer, if Martin yell, his teeth will be on the floor before he can finish his sentence.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Who the fuck is this Martin dog??
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Aiyoh, just cos someone threatened to call police means you kowtow is it? If police can bo chap hands off when you call them for being beaten up by another, you think don’t leave place is more urgent serious and arrestable mei? Please lah, YOG is no big deal. Even if Viva the Diva comes personally to tell you to leave , he also cannot arrest you unless you light cigarette to “burn” his threat under her stuck up nose.
Lim Pei Not Scared Kena Sai People, has spoken Swee Swee
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
oh!!! please people. do not believe in everything that he wrote. he seems very compromising and wrote everything very clearly until the truth was the IOC was so angry when the Chef de Mission of the delegation called and made a complaint that he asked them to leave Singapore since the YOG has ended since 26th of August. when everyone air ticket is actually taken care of IOC, the delegation themselves do not have anything to say when they are the last one to leave Singapore.
as a Host of Singapore, would you ask your guest to leave as simple as that? where is the Excellence, Friendship and Respect when you’re dealing with International delegation? is it by asking them to leave Singapore?
if you’re a NTU student, you all should know that some hall check-in time was starting from 2 pm onwards and some is after 6 pm. and did you all see what he wrote the time he came in to the Hall Officer to ask for his room?
yes, I would not blame him for everything that its actually that ‘Martin’ might be a bit harsh n didn’t use our YOG core values to handles with this case. Did you try to put yourself on other man shoes? There’s a lot of other student staying at that block, they also need time to settle down and everything.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The hall with high hill must be hall 10. Anyway, stop being a loser, I’m pretty sure this story is one sided, making everyone look bad but you. Well serve you right! Talking about respect and friendship, did you give any to the front office people, while requesting for the cleaner to clean the room? You even admitted that the hall officer think you are causing a ruckus! Don’t expect people to serve you with excellence when you aren’t even worthy of it. I think ‘Martin’ had all the good reason to chase you out.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0