Foreign Maids

Watched yesterday's evening news and the report about an Indonesian maid sentenced to life imprisonment for killing her employer's mother-in-law caught my attention. Last week, we have another maid sentenced to the same punishment for almost the same crime. I would say such happenings are not unexpected considering that we are ranked highly for being lousy foreign maid employers. What shocks me ,as the news is telecasted, is the response of the victim's son when asked how he feel about the punishment. If I am right, he said something like this,"We already know she won't die because she is under 18 at that time.... (Shaking his head and making a sound as if to say their desire to have her dead is not fulfilled).....". At first thought.... how can he have such thoughts. I admired his honesty on national TV though. But after further "analysis", it is understandable. It may not be a thirst for revenge, but rather, the unfairness (as he perceived) that she is getting away with the wrongdoing.... and she is appealing!! I thought the verdict is fair.... after knowing that she appealed (a.k.a. unwilling to accept consequence of her actions), I have less sympathy for her circumstances.

However, in my opinion, some (or more) fingers should be pointed at the employers, even if they are victims to some extent, as in the above cases. For the maid, what are the purposes of coming to a foreign land to work? Certainly not to commit some wrongdoings, get oneself in jail and thus no money to send home for their families. Some employers may like to say that they are not trained and too defient to be trained.... I got no idea how they conclude that their maid are supposed to be well-trained. If they are too defient, just send them back. These maid are young, less educated and basically alone in a different environment and culture. Employers in bringing them in for their service have every responsibility to take care or take charge of their well-being like their parents or older siblings. So potentially, if anything goes wrong, the one in charge must have been negligent in carrying out his/her responsibility. Or worse.... abusive behaviors.... I think that relevant errant employer can save legal fees and taxpayers' money and face the music as attentively as they listen to a seminar on "How Be A Millionaire??". Again, remember that if we have a lousy boss, we only face them (the most) 8 hours a day, 5 times a week. For maids, they are under the same roof with their employers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Preventable, but not prevented.... just a casual remark.

Needless to say (but I am still saying), most of the employers and maids do have happy working relationships.... but no one can deny that the statistics can be better. And just as the population is getting greyer, the foreign maid levy being decreased and more foreign maids are expected here, it is becoming more important for potential employers to ask themselves how professional and ethical are they as foreign maid employers. And if something like this happen again, news centre may reserve more space for the photos of the employers.

Please feel free to give your comments.

Dragon Splitting Into Singapore River

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to all readers of Eliwupc's World!

For me, this year's celebration will be with my girlfriend on the hill beside Sembawang Town Council/Yishun Library.... more affectionately known as Lovers' Hill. This would be the 3rd year in a row we are celebrating there by hanging two rows of traditional paper lanterns between two trees. Such exhibit do draw praises from passers-by and negative comments from people who seems to be dissent that they are not the creators of such beautiful sight. Since starting this way of celebration, I have this thought of encouraging those who stop to admire the lanterns to do this too next year, or ,better, to make their own giant lanterns to display (Mainly for the older folks who are not working).... no prizes, no sponsors..... just start doing things for ourselves. Or maybe children can make their own lantern to display.... this will promote a closer relationship between the child and his family who help him out and prevent them from celebrating by burning candles, rubbish and anything burnable or throwing burning sparkles when they grow older.

Maybe I will start talking to admirers of our creations later this evening. And that reminds me to bring a few long sticks later to give out a few lanterns to 3 or 4 years old children who does not have a lantern in hand. Please don't rain.

P.C.@AHM 04' "RAW!!"

This is taken about 20m away from the finish line when my legs were telling me that I need to stop finish line or not. Great job, P.C.!

Keep on Running.... Keep on Running.

Woke up to a brand new day while most of Singapore are still in their dreams.... it feels good to have a headstart. But the purpose of waking up earlier this morning, as you know, is for the Army Half Marathon 2004. I have a friend who also ran the 21km.... Mr. Riccardo Tan (picture below), my primary and secondary classmate, now a regular with the Air Force. However, we ran for different categories and started at different time. With so many runners, it is difficult to take note of each other and run side-by-side and possibly cross the finish line together. It does bring comfort, thought, to have a friend to go for the run together, running that same distance and that same route.... and then meeting up at the end point to congratulate each other.


My aim of not slowing down to walk is achieved, but that does not contribute to a faster timing (which I thought would). In fact, I completed the run in 2hr 29 minutes.... about 15 minutes slower than my first AHM last year. Riccardo ran better and finished in 2 hrs 23 minutes which is reasonably well for a first-timer. Congratulations again, mate!

I couldn't say whether this year's run or last year's is more difficult.... Last year, while I finished sooner, I walked quite a distance. and this year, while I finished later, I am able to muster some strength to keep running or jogging. I think I have such thoughts last year.... Towards the 5km mark, I was asking myself, "Why the hell am I putting myself through this?". At the 8km mark, 50th minute, I thought of how I am going to handle Singapore Marathon later this year and why the hell did I sign for that. But after that, it was all "Keep running! Keep running!" And really this reflects how most of us react when doing something new or not normally done.... initially, it could be painful.... adapting, learning. Although some of us can handle this well, it is human nature to find this process unbearable.... With patience and persistence, all these can be conquered and goals be achieved. You heard of this somewhere, didn't you.... but to experience it before any important opportunity walks out of your door is such a privilige.

Up next would be the Johor-Singapore 2nd Link Bridge Run. This time, it will be a fun run just to admire the scenery of the 2nd Link and introduce my girlfriend to long-distance running. If time allows, Singapore tallest vertical marathon at 73-storey Swissotel The Stamford, Southeast Asia's tallest hotel, would be next. If not, it will be the Singapore Marathon to summarise the fruitful year.