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AsiaOne
8 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
'I'm happy taking the audience seat': Andrew Seow, now auxiliary police officer, reflects on past acting career, Entertainment News
One evening last year, former actor Andrew Seow's father asked him a question while they were watching television: "Is there something you've always wanted to do?" "That moment really made me pause and reflect. Contributing to national security had always been at the back of my mind, but life's circumstances never quite lined up, until then," the 55-year-old told AsiaOne in an interview recently. Andrew said his father was an auxiliary police officer (APO) in his 20s and had shared his experiences and pride in protecting others. Inspired, he decided to take the "leap of faith" and submitted his application for a position with security company Aetos. "To my surprise, I got a call within eight hours inviting me for an interview. Things moved quickly from there and before I knew it, I was putting on the uniform. It's been more than a year now. I'm proud to be part of something bigger, protecting our country and community, and I think my dad is too," he said. Andrew shared that his main responsibilities as an APO includes guarding and escorting persons-in-custody, conducting security searches and handling bail procedures. 'Those days in the limelight are behind me' As a former public figure, Andrew said he would be recognised by his colleagues, clients and members of the public occasionally. He shared: "I'm always thankful when people remember me and take the time to say something kind. But those days in the limelight are behind me. These days, I find more meaning in the work I do as an APO, carrying out my duties with professionalism and integrity." Andrew debuted in local showbiz in 1995 and acted in both English and Mandarin television series in Mediacorp. Some of his iconic roles include rebellious eldest son Gary Tay in local English drama Growing Up (1996 - 2001) and loyal friend Tang Tang in local Chinese drama Man At Forty (2004), for which Andrew won Best Supporting Actor in Star Awards 2004. He retired from the entertainment industry in 2007. Reflecting on his acting career, he told us: "After 12 fulfilling years in showbiz, I felt that it was time to step away. Life took a different turn, I had to care for my parents and I needed time to reflect and reset." He added that after stepping away from the limelight, he did some business ventures while caring for his parents. Because of his interest in art and culture, he also worked as a senior curator with Tsu Ho Gallery, which specialised in fine arts, jewellery and antiques, for a few years from 2010, before joining Aetos. When news broke in early July that Andrew has found a new career as an APO, netizens were glad to see him again, adding that he brought back nostalgic memories for them of their time watching Growing Up and praised him for his good performance. When asked why he decided to step back into publicity now, he said: "To be honest, I never planned to return to the spotlight. But I realised that if sharing my story can inspire even one person to take that first step towards something they've always wanted to do, then why not? I hope my journey is proof that it's never too late to chase your calling." As to whether he has considered returning to acting, Andrew shared: "I'm happy taking the audience seat these days. The current generation of actors and actresses are incredibly talented, and I enjoy watching them shine. For now, I find just as much satisfaction appreciating the craft from a different perspective, as a viewer and supporter." In a 2023 interview with actor Steven David Lim, who plays Gary's younger brother David in Growing Up, he told AsiaOne about some tension between him and an unnamed actor on the set of the series. Former actress-host Jamie Yeo, who played youngest sister Tammy, was involved as well. When asked about this, Andrew said: "That was quite a long time ago, and I honestly don't have any recollection of who or what the situation was referring to. Working on set back then, we were all young and still learning the ropes. If anything was misunderstood, I hope it's all water under the bridge by now." Although Andrew is no longer in the spotlight, he is still able to apply the skills he had learnt as an actor into his current career as an APO. "Coming from an acting background, I've learnt to adapt quickly, stay composed under pressure, and connect with people from all walks of life. Long filming hours also prepared me well for shift work. More importantly, learning to read situations, communicate clearly and stay calm even under pressure — these skills have been valuable and continued to help me in my role every day," he said. Finding joy in everyday moments During his days off, Andrew, who is single, values his personal time. "I enjoy the peace that comes with being in my own space. On my off days, I like to do a bit of gardening, care for my pets and spend time in nature. With the structure and responsibilities that come with being an APO, having the time to unwind and recharge has become something I really appreciate," he shared. He also enjoys spending time and cooking for his parents: "They're getting on in years and I truly cherish each day I have with them." Andrew's specialty is making curry chicken from scratch, and he said seeing how much his parents enjoyed it "makes all the effort worthwhile". "It's these little everyday moments that remind me how much joy can be found in the simple things," he added. 'Don't be afraid to follow your passion' Life took different turns for Andrew, where he got to experience careers as an actor, curator and APO, and it all boiled down to one thing — chasing his aspirations. Reflecting on his position as an APO, he shared: "This job has given me the chance to show others that it's never too late to pursue your passion. I've also come to realise that people see me not for who I was on screen, but for who I am today, someone who is playing my part to safeguard our country and communities. "On the ground, I've encountered people in distress, some at their lowest points. It's in those quiet moments, where you're able to step in and make a difference, that reminds me why the work I do matters." He hoped those who are thinking of a mid-career switch would consider following their heart. "It's never too late to go after your dreams. So long as it's something you believe in, give it your all. I made a bold move last year, and it's been one of the best and most fulfilling decisions I've ever made. Keep learning, stay curious and don't be afraid to follow your passion," Andrew said. 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Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
A love for ice cream took Nigerian swimmer Adaku Nwandu to the Olympics
SINGAPORE – Home is many places for swimmer Adaku Nwandu, who was born in China, lives in Singapore and wear the Nigeria flag on her swimsuit. And it is at her current home in Singapore that the 17-year-old is making her debut at the World Aquatics Championships (WCH). In the second heat of the 100m freestyle at the WCH Arena, the teenager, who has a Nigerian father and Chinese mother, led at the turn before finishing third in 1min 0.89sec – she eventually placed 59th out of 82 athletes overall. After her race, Nwandu shared with The Straits Times that she was born and raised in Shanghai, and started swimming when she was eight. Interestingly, it was ice cream that kept her in the sport. Adaku, who still has the 50m freestyle heats on Aug 2, said: 'At a school competition, I didn't do so well, and I asked my dad if we could make a deal. He said if I do better, he would buy me ice cream once every week, and that's a promise we have kept with each other. And that's what brought me here.' In 2023, the family moved to Singapore due to her mother's work posting. With her fluent Mandarin and love for Asian and spicy food, it did not take long for her to pick up Singlish and enjoy local delights like chicken rice and chilli crab. She said: 'We came here mainly because of my mother's work, and also because the swimming scene back where I lived in China was a little bit toxic, so she also thought Singapore would be a new experience and better for my swimming.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore ICA to bar high-risk, undesirable travellers from boarding ships, flights bound for Singapore Singapore 17-member committee to drive roll-out of autonomous vehicles in Singapore Singapore Over half of job applications by retrenched Jetstar Asia staff led to offers or interviews: CEO Singapore Underground pipe leak likely reason for water supply issues during Toa Payoh fire: Town council Business Singapore gold investment soars 37% to 2.2 tonnes in Q2 while jewellery demand wanes Multimedia 60 years, 60 items: A National Day game challenge Asia US-Malaysia tariff deal set for Aug 1 after Trump-Anwar phone call Singapore 'Switching careers just as I became a dad was risky, but I had to do it for my family' By then, she had already committed to representing Nigeria after its aquatics association contacted her after the National Sports Festival in Asaba, where the then 16-year-old was part of the national record-breaking women's 4x200m freestyle relay team. But Singapore is where she has been honing her swimming skills, as she has set her 50m and 100m freestyle long and short course Nigeria national records at meets here. Noting her improvements, national swimming coach and performance director Gary Tan said: 'Adaku has been participating in our system for a while, and we hope it helps her develop as a swimmer and achieve what she wants while training in Singapore with her school (German European School Singapore).' For someone who is inspired by Olympic champions David Popovici, Caeleb Dressel and Adam Peaty for 'their dedication and the way they are able to take breaks for themselves to improve and get back to the water', qualifying for Paris 2024 on ranking points was a dream come true. Her Olympic debut was also unforgettable as her swimsuit ripped 20 minutes before her 50m freestyle heat, but she managed to finish second in her heat and 33rd out of 78th overall in 26.62, just 0.03 seconds off her personal best. Back in Singapore, Adaku, who is in the International Baccalaureate programme at her school, realised that she needed more of such resilience to reach her goals. Singapore-based Adaku Nwandu (from right) represented Nigeria at the 2024 short course swimming world championships in Hungary, alongside Pakistan's Jehanara Nabi and Nepal's Duana Lama. PHOTO: JEHANARANABI/INSTAGRAM The swimmer, who also plays for the school's volleyball team, said: 'I had a lot of improvement the first year I came to Singapore. But this past year has been especially hard for me with family problems and also school. The workload in my first year of IB made it hard to balance training and school. 'Especially in the next year, I want to focus more on swimming and try to get some new personal bests because this year I just plateaued. I'm looking forward to training harder and preparing for my next competition, and hopefully qualify for the next Olympics.'
Barnama
5 hours ago
- Barnama
Two Individuals Charged With Causing Mischief By Setting Fire To Restaurant
GEORGE TOWN, July 31 (Bernama) -- A man and a woman pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of committing mischief by setting fire to a restaurant last week. Coffee shop assistant Khoo Teng Chi, 32, and Joanne Lim, 37, made the plea after the charge was read out in Mandarin before Judge Irwan Suainbon. They were jointly charged with committing the offence by setting fire, with the use of firecrackers and throwing them, at the premises of Jing Zhang Restaurant & Bar owned by a woman, causing damage amounting to RM34,800.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Two charged with setting fire to Penang restaurant in RM34k damage case
GEORGE TOWN: A 32-year-old coffee shop assistant and a 37-year-old woman denied charges of deliberately setting fire to a local restaurant last week. Khoo Teng Chi and Joanne Lim entered their not-guilty pleas at the Sessions Court before Judge Irwan Suainbon after the charge was read in Mandarin. The duo allegedly used firecrackers to ignite Jing Zhang Restaurant & Bar, owned by a woman, resulting in RM34,800 in damages. The incident occurred at 5.19 am on July 23 at No. 10, Jalan Pahang. Prosecuted under Section 435 of the Penal Code, read with Section 34, they face up to 14 years' imprisonment and a fine if convicted. The court granted bail at RM8,000 each with one surety, requiring monthly police station check-ins and a prohibition against witness intimidation. Deputy public prosecutor Lee Jun Keong led the prosecution, while lawyer Muhammad Zulzarif Mohd Zakwan represented the accused, who assist at Lim's mother's food shop. - Bernama
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
'I wanted to jump off the building': Victim recounts trafficking horror
KUALA LUMPUR: What began as a job offer turned into a nightmare for 23-year-old Nur Elisha, who was trafficked to Cambodia and forced to work as a scammer. Living in fear, she was punished with fines, threats — and once, even made to eat chillies for failing to meet daily targets. A native of Johor Baru with a diploma in office management, Elisha accepted a job offer last November to work as a clerk in Singapore The opportunity, offered by an old friend, promised a stable income, accommodation, and a chance to support her family. "She said it was a clerical job in Singapore, no interview needed, everything was arranged. "At the time, all I could think about was working. I never thought I was being tricked," Elisha told Buletin TV3. But instead of reporting to an office in Singapore, she was taken from Changi International Airport to an unknown location — eventually arriving in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. There, she was brought into a sealed compound surrounded by high fences and tight security. She was made to sign a contract written in Mandarin and forced to begin work the next day — not as a clerk, but as a scammer. "I had never been on a plane before. They said it was part of the company's holiday package before starting work. But the next day, I was made to work straight away as a scammer," she said. Elisha was instructed to memorise and recite pre-written scam scripts in Malay. During calls to victims, she had to place her head inside a box to distort her voice. Failure to meet quotas — at least three scams a day — came with the threat of being "sold" to another company. "They said if the boss feels you're a loss, you'll be sold. The next place is even worse. Some got beaten up, others were electrocuted. I was the only girl, and I was terrified," she said. Elisha revealed that her initial salary was RM4,550 at the first company, and US$800 (RM3,500) at the second. But most of her pay was deducted for missing targets or disobeying instructions. "There was one time I received money, but it all went on fines. I was once made to eat chillies. Some days, I couldn't work at all due to the stress," she said. On the eve of Hari Raya, workers were told they would be released and allowed to buy festive clothes — but the promise was false. "I cried while calling my mum. She had bought new clothes for Raya, but I couldn't come home. The boss suddenly said we couldn't leave. Everyone cried," she said. After several months, some victims managed to escape. Elisha was among the last five left behind. She was eventually rescued through efforts by her mother, the Malaysian Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), the Malaysian embassy, and Cambodian authorities. "At one point, I called my mum and told her I wanted to jump off a building. I just couldn't take it anymore," she said. Her story is a reminder of the deep trauma faced by trafficking victims — and the growing danger of overseas job scams.
