MCYS = ARMY?

In MCYS they do it like the ARMY.

"If you were a poor person, anywhere on this planet, Singapore is the one place where you will have a roof over your head, where you will have food on the table. Even if you can’t afford it, we will have meals delivered to you. You will get healthcare." - Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister MCYS

In my life as a Singaporean, the only time I have a roof over my head, where I have food on my table and free healthcare is - in NATIONAL SERVICE! Are you asking the couple to join the army? Or is your new appointment after elections our new Defence Minister?

In the whole saga, the only articles which I can understand fully and see the flow of events which made an impact are the ones from AJN (Al-Jazeera News) and TOC (The Online Citizen). I do not know if they are true (I say this cautiously) because I am only a third party reader. It would be good to be present at the couple's interview to vouch the details. But I have to take the information as true as any good reporting would.

I can see their efforts in trying to reach and help the couple and make the public aware of their plight. I believe their intention is to inform MCYS about the current situation - there are homeless people in our midst.

And these people need help. That was the simple message.

I am not sure if it is just me feeling this way - the mainstream media reportings and Vivian's responses each seemed disjointed. It's like a knee-jerk reaction with bits and pieces of information revealed along the way as the war of words and truth waged on. I wonder who can obtain these privy information? And if the ministry doesn't reveal or release them, can one obtain such information?

That is exactly my point. Nobody knows. What else do we not know? It is as if the 'unwanted' spotlight had been turned on the minister and suddenly the hidden stuff 'swept under the carpet' are now seen and every word scrutinised.

You see, Mr Minister, your own lips made this very bold statement. No offense but I don't know which hole this rabbit came out from, or which crack your speech writer is smoking.

Seriously I don't think TOC and AJN are making things difficult for you, sir. I don't see why you are getting so worked up. Put money where your mouth is. You mouthed off those words, not AJN or TOC. Or did your speech writer 'screw' you as 'mee siam mai hum' did?

Instead of working closely with TOC and AJN, you have tried to discredit them to justify your ministry. Instead of reviewing and tinkering the policy to prevent people from slipping through the cracks, you went on an all-out beration on the internet media and bloggers. And then you went on to embarrass the couple.

At the end of the day, the question is: Will the couple and family get the necessary help to move on with their lives?

Nobody wants to be a failure in life. Neither does this couple.