Why is there stigma? (Poem)

Recently, I learnt that 
there is a stigma to being an ex-prisoner, 
there is a stigma to being a cleaner, 
there is a stigma to being an ex-offender, 
there is a stigma to being a prostitute, 
there is a stigma to being a LGBT, 
there is a stigma to being a destitute, 
there is a stigma to being mentally-ill, 
there is a stigma to being a low-income individual, 
there is a stigma to being homeless. 
Why is there stigma? 

An individual from Jenaris Home at Pelangi Village

He is an individual from Jenaris Home at Pelangi Village. He does not have the freedom to go out of the Welfare Home on his own. 

Needy individual at a shopping mall in Hougang, Singapore

Low-income individual selling tissue paper at a shopping mall in Bugis, Singapore

I discover a fish-bone in a value meal in a hawker centre in Singapore

Reply from NEA:

Dear Mr Chua   

We refer to your feedback dated on 20 Oct 2016.

Following your feedback, our officer has conducted a surprise check at the alleged stall at the Ci Yuan Hawker Centre on 26 October 2016.

During our inspection, the premises was clean and food preparation was satisfactory. However, we noted the refuse bin was uncovered and have taken enforcement against the stallholder.

Notwithstanding, we will continue to conduct surprise checks. Strict enforcement actions will be taken for any hygiene lapses observed.

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

Yours sincerely

Benny Lee

Senior Officer

NEA

Homeless individual sleeping in the public in Little India, Singapore

Low-income individual on a tricyle in Little India, Singapore

Low-income individual in Singapore

Low-income individuals in Singapore eat Chinese pickles (salted vegtable) often

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese pickles or salted vegetable are high in sodium and is consumed by many low-income individuals in Singapore.

Reproduced from Wikipedia on Chinese pickles:

Possible health hazards of pickled vegetables

The World Health Organization has listed pickled vegetables as a possible carcinogen, and the British Journal of Cancer released an online 2009 meta-analysis of research on pickles as increasing the risks of esophageal cancer. The report cites a potential two-fold increased risk of oesophageal cancer associated with Asian pickled vegetable consumption. Results from the research are described as having "high heterogeneity" and the study said that further well-designed prospective studies were warranted. However, their results stated "The majority of subgroup analyses showed a statistically significant association between consuming pickled vegetables and Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma".^[3]
The 2009 meta-analysis reported heavy infestation of pickled vegetables with fungi. Some common fungi can facilitate the formation of N-nitroso compounds, which are strong oesophageal carcinogens in several animal models. Roussin red methyl ester,^[4] a non-alkylating nitroso compound with tumour-promoting effect in vitro, was identified in pickles from Linxian in much higher concentrations than in samples from low-incidence areas. Fumonisin mycotoxins have been shown to cause liver and kidney tumours in rodents.^[3]

Replies from Member of Parliament (MP)

A: From MP Tin Pei Ling:

Auto reply: Please bear with my slow responses & please approach my MPS for assistance if urgent Re: No freedom at Pelangi Village Government Welfare Homes!

Hi,

Hope this finds you well. I am currently on compassionate leave and my
responses to your email(s) will be much slower.
Please bear with me. I will respond whenever I can.

Nonetheless, if there is an urgent issue requiring immediate
attention, please contact Ms Choy Chinn Yunn at
choy_chinn_yunn@pa.gov.sg.

Thank you for your understanding. Wishing you a pleasant day ahead.

Tin Pei Ling

B: From MP FOO Mee Har:

*MESSAGE TO RESIDENTS PROVIDING FEEDBACK OR SEEKING HELP*

Thank you for your email.

If a response is required, we will attempt to reply as soon as
possible.   However, we can only respond to residents whom we can
identify.  Please provide your NRIC, address and contact details
including telephone, if you have not already done so.

The best way for me to help residents is to meet at my Meet-the-People
Session (MPS), held on Thursdays at Block 32 Teban Gardens.  It is not
necessary to make an appointment - registrations start at 7:30 pm and
we operate on a first-come-first-served basis.  No appointment is
needed.

--

Regards,

FOO Mee Har (Ms)
Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC

C: From MP Zaqy Mohamad:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Thank you for your e-mail. We acknowledge receipt of your mail and endeavour to respond to you as soon as possible.

In the meantime, for urgent matters related to the respective agencies, you may want to liaise with the relevant agencies direct: -

1. Chua Chu Kang Town Council    Tel: 65690388 or Email: info@ccktc.org.sg
2. HDB (CCK Branch)              Tel: 1800-2255432 or Email: bckadmin@mailbox.hdb.gov.sg
3. CCK Neighbourhood Police Post Tel: 1800-7659999 Email: spf_j_div_choa_chu_kang_npc@spf.gov.sg
4. NEA Call Centre               Tel: 1800-2255632 or Email: contact_nea@nea.gov.sg
5. LTA                           Tel: 1800-2255582 or Email: feedback@lta.gov.sg
6. South West CDC                Tel: 63161616 or Email: southwest_cdc@pa.gov.sg
7. AVA (Animal Issues)           Tel: 63257625, 62221211 or Email: ava_email@ava.gov.sg
8. NParks                        Tel: 1800-4717300 or Email: Nparks_mailbox@nparks.gov.sg


Thank you very much and have a good day.

Warmest regards,

Zaqy Mohamad
MP, Chua Chu Kang GRC


D: From MOT:

Dear Sir / Madam

Thank  you for your email.

We will look into your concerns and refer them to the appropriate agencies where applicable.

Meanwhile, should you need any further assistance, you can call us at Tel: 1800-278-3500 during office hours.

Yours sincerely

Quality Service Manager
Ministry of Transport

E: From MOF Ann SIM:

Please be informed that I will start using my new email address : “Sim_Ann@mti.gov.sg” with effect from September 1, 2016.

You may wish to update your address book.

In the meantime, your email to me has been automatically forwarded to my new mailbox. Thank you.

F: From MP Baey Yam Keng:

Dear all

I am away and will be back to the office on 14 October, Friday.  During this period, I have limited access to my emails and appreciate your understanding if I cannot reply to your emails immediately.  

Should you have any urgent queries, kindy send an email to my Assistant, Betty, at betty_woo@mccy.gov.sg

Thank you.

Rgds

Baey Yam Keng

Parliamentary Secretary

Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth


End

Reply from Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)

14 Oct 2016, Friday.

RE: No freedom at Pelangi Village Government Welfare Homes!

Dear Mr Chua,

Thank you for your email. Welfare Homes are gazetted under the Destitute Persons Act for the reception, care and rehabilitation of destitute persons.  For the safety and rehabilitation of residents, activities and programmes are scheduled and there is close supervision by staff.  Residents able to care for themselves would be granted more liberty to go out of the Home for work or to attend to personal matters.

Warmest regards,

Karen

MSF

Foreign workers in Singapore

Tending to the garden

Repairing the Road Divider on the public road

No freedom at Pelangi Village Government Welfare Homes!

Dear Sir/Mdm,

I wish to inform you that in Pelangi Village Government Welfare Homes, there is no freedom, that's Singaporeans who are sent there by Ministry of Social and Family Development, cannot go out on their own.

 

If there is a single individual (human being) in Singapore who has no freedom, then I think we should speak up for him or her or whatever.

 

The place which I mentioned is at:

 

Google Maps: Pelangi Village.

 

https://www.google.com.sg/maps/place/Activity+Hub@Pelangi+Village/@1.381688,103.8850973,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x31da1641c419e049:0xd527e537e6c3ea07!8m2!3d1.381688!4d103.887286?hl=en

 

Sincerely,

 

Mr. Chua Lee Kheng

Singaporean

The plight of the homeless!

(Photos from Google Images)

See the people with disabilities positively!

(Photos from Google Images)

See the Intellectually disabled positively!

(Photos from Google Images)

Refugees Crisis Around The World

(Photos from Google Images)

Tissue-Seller in Singapore

(Photo from Google Images)

Here's a Tissue-Seller in Singapore. He sells tissue papers in public to make a living. Tissue-Seller is a low-income earner. Please help them generously.

Hello, I am Chua Lee Kheng!

Singapore Public Buses Inclusive of Wheelchair Users!

Everyone on the public bus do not complain when the Bus Captain stopped the bus and help to push the wheelchair user into the bus.

This is what an inclusive society is all about!

PAP MP Halimah Yacob at World Mental Health Day in Singapore

Employers, drop prejudice against people with mental health conditions: Halimah Yacob

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/employers-drop-prejudice-against-people-with-mental-health-conditions-halimah-yacob

Gurmit Singh at World Mental Health Day in Singapore.