Latest news with #ComplaintSingapore
Independent Singapore
28-05-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
Woman upset after seeing dog bed in laundromat dryer, says they're for human clothing only
FB screengrab/ COMPLAINT SINGAPORE SINGAPORE: After a woman asked others to 'Please be considerate la' and posed a video of a dog bed being cleaned in a laundromat, many others agreed. In a (Tuesday) May 27 post on the COMPLAINT SINGAPORE Facebook page, 盘相楹 wrote that a laundromat is 'ONLY FOR HUMAN clothing leh.' 'How can you dry your dog beds in the dryer!' she exclaimed, adding, 'Don't get me wrong, I have a dog at home too, but must not take things for granted!' She also wrote that cleaning the dog bed this way is not only disrespectful but also endangers those who have allergies to pet hair. Netizens commenting on her post agreed with her and thanked her for speaking up, appearing to find it inappropriate as well for anyone to use a laundromat for pet bedding. 'Oh no…. Why ppl do it like that… Should know is for washing clothes, curtains, and bedsheets only…. No other things alamak ,' a woman wrote. 'Isn't there a sign that states what can and can't be washed? I know pet beds are definitely not allowed,' another commented, adding, 'Does this laundromat name and shame bad customers? The one I went to had CCTV screenshots of the offenders printed and pasted on the walls with their 'crime' mentioned.' 'I hope the owners of these laundromats put up rules and regulations, dos and don'ts, T&C for users to abide by when patronizing,' chimed in another. 'Unacceptable! No plushies, no shoes, and certainly no pet beddings! It's for universal use for clothes worn by us only. Human beddings are ok. The management must look into it and sanitize their machines. When you see this should call their hotline immediately so they can send someone immediately. They have cameras that they can view who does it,' a group member added. Others complained that they've seen people similarly use the washers and dryers for items such as dirty shoes or muddy military uniforms. Another commenter wrote that pet keepers can also be inconsiderate in other ways. 'Not only dryers, even rental cars are also subject to misuse by pet keepers who use the rental cars to bring their pets for grooming or veterinary appointments. Pet keepers!!!… Imagine you're the next one using it, how would you feel?' The Independent Singapore has reached out to the post author for further comments or updates. /TISG Read also: Fur baby's mum appeals to cyclists to 'slow down near pedestrians and pets' after a hit-and-run incident that shattered her dog's jaw
CNA
24-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
I worry that I'm raising my kids to be complainers. Here's what I'm doing about it
Singaporeans are well-known for complaining. It's even said to be one of our national pastimes, alongside eating, shopping and queuing. On Facebook alone, Complaint Singapore has more than 244,000 group members, with dozens of fresh posts daily documenting some new (or old) gripe about living in Singapore. Singaporeans made more than 1.7 million municipal and estate complaints in 2023 alone, many of them relating to daily living irks such as overflowing trash bins. The hustings in our recently concluded General Election also made me think about how deeply ingrained complaint culture is in Singapore. I'm no political expert, so take this with a gigantic sprinkling of salt, but while watching many candidates' rally speeches, I couldn't help but notice a fair amount of grumbling. COMPLAINING DOESN'T JUST START AT HOME, BUT WITH ME 'It's sooooo hot today, I'm melting!' 'Why is there always so much homework?' 'I have to stop playing my game already? But I barely started!' 'We're eating what for dinner? Not again!' These are just some of the typical complaints I receive from my five children each day. Forget 'national pastime'. In our home, my kids have made complaining an endurance sport, one in which they're gold medallists. As their mum, it often feels like they expect me to have the power to make all their grievances magically disappear with a nod and a wave. I can't help but feel frustrated, irritated and disheartened at just how often and easily complaints spill from their mouths. But I also wonder if I've inadvertently taught them to embrace complaining as 'normal' with my own behaviour. I'll be honest, the last time I complained was just 30 minutes before writing this piece. 'I'm so tired,' I said to my husband, to a friend on WhatsApp and even to my kids when they asked if they could have one last bedtime story. Complaining about my exhaustion feels warranted, like I've earned it after spending the whole day juggling work, caring for my toddler and driving my older kids to school and their various activities all over Singapore. Yet, verbalising all my unhappiness in the moment usually does nothing to improve my mood. It only makes me feel like I'm 'allowed' to lose my temper with my family or be unkind because I feel tired, which is not healthy behaviour at all. WHEN IS COMPLAINING HELPFUL AND WHEN IS IT NOT? Modern parenting advice often tells us to encourage children to express their thoughts and feelings honestly. In this vein, complaining in itself isn't a terrible thing. It may even be healthy because it offers emotional release and helps validate our feelings – but only in small doses, some experts said. Sometimes, my kids have legitimate cause for complaint. A long, hot and busy day in school is no picnic, after all. Nevertheless, hearing their endless gripes worries me. Are they growing up to be ungrateful, perpetually unhappy individuals, simply by focusing on all the negatives? I want my kids to voice it out when they're seeing or struggling with a problem, but I also want them to be able and willing to stand up and be part of the solution in whatever way they can. But do I even do that myself? I want my kids to voice it out when they're seeing or struggling with a problem – but I also want them to be able and willing to stand up and be part of the solution in whatever way they can. Admittedly, I'm sometimes guilty of ranting and venting without any real intention or consideration towards a solution. Other times, I do want to make a change, so I complain 'carefully'. I think about what I say, how I say it and to whom I say it. I ask myself what would make things better and make sure to verbalise it, too. Take my 'I'm so tired' complaint, a frequent refrain of mine. Do I take concrete steps to address the issue by sleeping earlier, getting more exercise, eating better? Not often enough, if I'm being honest. Sometimes I even exacerbate my day-time exhaustion by staying up late at night catching up on social media or Netflix shows. I can definitely do better, but meanwhile, how do I teach my children not to be incapacitated by their unhappiness? Can I inspire them to instead let their dissatisfactions spur them on to make things better? FROM COMPLAINERS TO PROBLEM-SOLVERS Lately, this is the strategy I've been trying to work with, both for my kids' benefit and mine. I listen to their complaints with as much patience as I can muster. I ask questions for them to figure out exactly what they're unhappy about – is it really the amount of homework, for instance, or is it a particular topic they're struggling with in mathematics? Then, I prompt them to take ownership or action: 'What do you think will improve the situation? How can you be part of a change for the better?' They're usually very eager in the first half of this process, airing out all their gripes with great detail and gusto. Once we get to the second half, they have to pause and think hard about what they're able and willing to do. My sons, aged 12 and 10, abhor cleaning up their room. Each evening, the scene is positively criminal. Books and study materials are strewn everywhere, often spilling out to the living room. Pillows dot the floor from hours spent doing homework and reading. Boxes of half-sorted Pokemon cards occupy every inch of walking space. School bags and pencil cases are emptied out (personally, I've given up understanding this habit of theirs). It's a nightly whine-fest whenever it's time to pack up and prepare for bed. 'Ugh, I hate cleaning up.' 'This will take forever!' 'Can we just do this tomorrow?' Recently, I sat my boys down to ask them how we could improve this situation. After some thought, here's what they suggested: Putting books back onto shelves immediately after reading, Pokemon cards back into boxes after playing, and homework back into bags once done Decluttering their room – less stuff makes for less mess Banning their little sisters from entering their room and adding to the mess Acknowledging the necessity of the clean-up process and setting aside 30 minutes every evening before bed to get it all done, grumbles and all We've been aiming for No 1 but habits don't form overnight. I'm still giving them incessant reminders. No 2 will likely have to wait for the upcoming June holidays. They've also realised that keeping their sisters out doesn't do much to reduce the mess (or, as Taylor Swift sang, 'It's me, I'm the problem'). In the meantime, what seems to be sticking is No 4: Complaining, but packing anyway. Is it the best solution? Maybe not. But right now, it gets them to think about what they can do to improve situations they're unhappy about and focusing on acting instead of just talking. While listening to some of the recent General Election candidates speak about perceived problems in society, my older children expressed an interest in community work and volunteering to help the underprivileged and less fortunate. Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I'm taking this as a good sign – that one day, they'll grow to be responsible adults who use their discontent to fuel positive change for themselves and those around them.
Independent Singapore
22-05-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
'Bitten and scarred': Facebook user flags severe mosquito problem at Rockridge Park, Yishun
SINGAPORE: A Facebook user, Zoey Lim, took to the 'Complaint Singapore' group on Wednesday to raise concerns about a 'serious mosquito issue' near Rockridge Park and the adjacent Housing & Development Board (HDB) block 502 in Yishun. The post included images of multiple large bite marks on her young niece's legs, allegedly caused by mosquito attacks during a brief evening stroll. 'The mosquitoes bit my niece seriously,' Lim wrote in the post, dated May 22. Rockridge Park sits quietly along Yishun Street 51 and falls under the jurisdiction of Nee Soon Town Council, which oversees the maintenance of public spaces in the Yishun area. The park is a known green space for residents, especially families, who frequent it during the early morning and late evening hours. A larger pattern? Lim's post has sparked a wave of concerned comments from fellow Yishun residents, many of whom echoed similar experiences of 'being swarmed by mozzies' during recent park visits. One user described the park as 'poorly maintained and not been cleaned for a very very long time.' This raises questions about the vector control measures in place for public parks and adjacent residential estates, especially given that the National Environment Agency (NEA) encourages public agencies and individuals to proactively eliminate stagnant water and potential breeding sites. Who's responsible? Under Singapore's mosquito control framework: The NEA is the primary body responsible for vector surveillance and public health enforcement. Nee Soon Town Council handles maintenance and fogging in common areas of HDB estates in Yishun, including park peripheries. Residents are expected to keep their private premises mosquito-free and report sightings via the OneService app. If confirmed, the severity of the mosquito issue at Rockridge Park may point to a breakdown in inter-agency coordination or lapses in routine fogging and drain maintenance. Next steps? As of the time of publication, no official statement has been issued. Residents are encouraged to report mosquito breeding grounds directly via the OneService app or contact the NEA hotline. NEA officers conduct regular inspections, and in cases of confirmed breeding, enforcement action—including fines—can be taken against responsible parties. Public health reminder If you or your family experience high fever, rashes, or joint pain after mosquito bites, consult a doctor immediately. These could be early symptoms of dengue fever, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Korea Herald
22-05-2025
- General
- Korea Herald
Monkey nuisance at Singapore columbarium: Visitors asked not to leave food offerings unattended
SINGAPORE (Straits Times/ANN) — Visitors to Mandai Columbarium are advised not to leave food offerings unattended in order to reduce encounters with monkeys in the area, said the National Environment Agency (NEA). The reminder comes after a Facebook post on May 1 by Loke Jun Xiong, who said the animals were harassing visitors during Qing Ming Festival prayers. "A whole troop of monkeys was harassing visitors doing Qing Ming at Mandai Columbarium this morning. Once they see food, they will come and surround (the area)," he wrote on the Complaint Singapore page, which has around 244,500 members. "The worrying thing is that they're not even afraid of humans," he added. "Another family got attacked, and they had to throw lighted candles and sand at the monkeys. Soon someone will get hurt." Several videos accompanying the post showed monkeys taking food left as offerings for the dead. According to Loke, the incidents occurred during the Qing Ming Festival, a traditional Chinese occasion also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day. During the festival, families visit the graves or columbarium niches of their ancestors, and make offerings of food such as roasted meat and fruit, along with placing incense and paper tributes. This year, Qing Ming fell on April 4. The festival is observed for a period encompassing the 10 days before and the 10 after the official date. The NEA said it has implemented various preventive measures to manage such encounters, as the columbarium is located near a nature reserve. "These include putting up advisory posters at various columbarium blocks to inform visitors of the dos and don'ts when encountering monkeys," said the agency. "Notices have also been put up to remind visitors not to leave food offerings unattended. Food offerings are cleared regularly after prayers to minimize food availability." The NEA added that rubbish bins at the site are specially designed to minimize rummaging of their contents by animals and must be kept covered at all times. Members of the public are also encouraged to refer to the National Parks Board's wildlife advisory titled "What to do when you encounter a long-tailed macaque," which provides practical tips on managing such incidents. Those tips recommend that visitors do not take along food or plastic bags when visiting nature areas. If you are carrying food and are approached by a monkey, remain calm and walk away slowly, and do not attempt to retrieve the food or bag. Do not try to hit the monkey. This may be seen as a form of aggression and provoke it. Avoid direct eye contact with the monkey, as it can be perceived as a threat.
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Monkeys purportedly harassed visitors at Mandai Columbarium during Qing Ming: 'Another family got attacked'
Monkeys purportedly harassed visitors at Mandai Columbarium during Qing Ming: 'Another family got attacked' Vihanya Rakshika The Straits Times May 13, 2025 Visitors to Mandai Columbarium are advised not to leave food offerings unattended in order to reduce encounters with monkeys in the area, said the National Environment Agency (NEA). The reminder comes after a Facebook post on May 1 by Mr Loke Jun Xiong, who said the animals were harassing visitors during Qing Ming Festival prayers. "A whole troop of monkeys was harassing visitors doing Qing Ming at Mandai Columbarium this morning. Once they see food, they will come and surround (the area)," he wrote on the Complaint Singapore page, which has around 244,500 members as at 3.30pm on May 13. "The worrying thing is that they're not even afraid of humans," he added. "Another family got attacked, and they had to throw lighted candles and sand at the monkeys. Soon someone will get hurt." Several videos accompanying the post showed monkeys taking food left as offerings for the dead. According to Mr Loke, the incidents occurred during the Qing Ming Festival, a traditional Chinese occasion also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day. During the festival, families visit the graves or columbarium niches of their ancestors, and make offerings of food such as roasted meat and fruit, along with placing incense and paper tributes. This year, Qing Ming fell on April 4. The festival is observed for a period encompassing the 10 days before and the 10 after the official date. In response to queries from The Straits Times, the NEA said it has implemented various preventive measures to manage such encounters, as the columbarium is located near a nature reserve. "These include putting up advisory posters at various columbarium blocks to inform visitors of the dos and don'ts when encountering monkeys," said the agency. "Notices have also been put up to remind visitors not to leave food offerings unattended. Food offerings are cleared regularly after prayers to minimise food availability." The NEA added that rubbish bins at the site are specially designed to minimise rummaging of their contents by animals and must be kept covered at all times. Members of the public are also encouraged to refer to the National Parks Board's wildlife advisory titled "What to do when you encounter a long-tailed macaque", which provides practical tips on managing such incidents. They include: Do not take along food or plastic bags when visiting nature areas. If you are carrying food and are approached by a monkey, remain calm and walk away slowly. Do not attempt to retrieve the food or bag. Do not try to hit the monkey. This may be seen as a form of aggression and provoke it. Avoid direct eye contact with the monkey, as it can be perceived as a threat. Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
