During the day 9 of lunar calender where residents are burning joss paper, a couple came home realising that there was a patch of fire on the grass patch.
She went to ask the people burning the joss paper and enede up in an argue.
Full incident according to her,
“We came home late to find that the entire Bukit Panjang Park area was burning in flames. This was what happened…. “
“We approached 3 families and asked them to use the metal bins (WHICH WERE RIGHT INFRONT OF THEM) instead of the grass patches and under the trees to burn their offerings. It escalated quickly into an argument which led me to call the police. (Ps: THIS HAPPENED AT 1AM) These families said that they have been doing this for YEARS, no one has ever questioned them and who was I to question their actions? In addition, they said that, THIS IS THEIR CHINESE CULTURE & because I AM INDIAN & MY HUSBAND IS CAUCASIAN, WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO QUESTION THEIR ACTIONS. (https://va.ecitizen.gov.sg/CFP/CustomerPages/NEA_google/displayresult.aspx?MesId=1070625&Source=Google&url=va.ecitizen.gov.sg) “
“Now, how is this even LEGAL to burn offerings on the GRASS, in between the PLANTS & RIGHT UNDER THE TREES? P.S: The wind was blowing quite hard!! What if the trees and plants caught fire, WILL THAT BE ANOTHER MISTAKE THAT THE SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT CLOSES 2 EYES UPON like the Kranji clearance?? “
“This issue has been ongoing for YEARS!! Why hasn’t the SINGAPORE GOVERNMEMT imposed any FINES or JAIL TERM for offenders like them?? Is it a privilege to be a Chinese in Singapore and walk free from ILLEGAL BURNING ACTS like these??? “
“When the police arrived, there were 1 Indian, 2 Malay and 3 Chinese Officers! The Chinese officer said we WILL ADVISE THEM AND IF THEY DO IT AGAIN, WE WILL TAKE ACTION! Right under THEIR NOSES, THESE PEOPLE LIT UP THEIR OFFERINGS WHICH WERE ON THE GRASS AGAIN & the officer said, WHEN IT’S CULTURAL SENSITIVITY WE CAN’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!! “
“During Thaipusam, the ban on musical instruments were done within days or even months. The Indian society wasn’t hurting the parks or nature, they were playing CULTURAL songs. However, actions were taken so quickly to ban these instruments. The burning of fires on the ground, on the GRASS and in public spaces like the NATIONAL PARKS have been happening for years, YET NO ACTIONS HAVE EVER BEEN TAKEN. “
“What will the #PAP do to stop illegal burning acts such as these?? “
“My battery died, otherwise I would have FB live the entire saga!“
