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New Paper
a day ago
- General
- New Paper
Why some Singaporeans chase the perfect bird shot
Shahrul Kamal, 50, once spent six hours waiting for a kingfisher to dive, in order to capture the perfect action shot. It was physically exhausting, Mr Shahrul told The New Paper, but it was all worth it. "But when you finally get that moment, when it touches the water, the feeling is great. You feel like you've achieved something." And when a rare Ernesti Peregrine Falcon was spotted on an HDB rooftop in Jalan Kukoh earlier this year, the senior technical executive, who has been birding for six years, took leave from work just to try and catch a glimpse of Singapore's rarest breeding bird. Shahrul Kamal spent six hours waiting for the perfect shot of a kingfisher PHOTO: SHAHRUL KAMAL Birding in Singapore took off in a big way during the Covid-19 pandemic, with a surge of new hobbyists armed with telephoto lenses, binoculars, and smartphones. Some go alone. Others camp out for hours in groups, chatting, eating, and comparing gear while they wait for that one decisive shot. They can often be seen waiting patiently beneath trees, cameras in hand and eyes scanning the canopy, waiting for the perfect moment when a flash of feathers appears. Birds of a feather Singapore's birding community continues to grow, bringing together a wide mix of personalities - from competitive photographers to quiet observers, retirees to teenagers, conservationists to casual hobbyists. Singapore's birding community congregates in several active groups, both online and on the ground. Nature Society Singapore, with around 1,000 members, organises regular guided walks and conservation activities through its dedicated Bird Group. On Facebook, the Singapore Wildlife Sightings group has become a hot spot for casual and serious birders alike, growing to over 134,000 members since the pandemic. Telegram group chats have also become an essential tool for local birders, offering real-time alerts on bird sightings and locations. When a rare species appears, word spreads quickly through these channels, allowing enthusiasts to rush down with their gear in hopes of catching a glimpse. When someone posts about a rare sighting in a forum or chat group, the response is often swift and enthusiastic. Comments range from excited exclamations like "Chiong ah!" to practical questions such as "Still there?" or "What time was the sighting?" Others express near-misses with comments like "Aiyah, so close yet so far. I was there earlier in the afternoon but didn't see it." Some users offer directions, while others post follow-up photos or updates from the scene. Relief teacher Sheryl Khor, 46, said that if a bird she has not seen before is spotted, she will rush down to try and catch it, even if she is somewhere else at the time. "Even if I'm in the middle of something, I'll try my very best to get there… it's worth it," she said. The Ernesti peregrine falcon spotted at Jalan Kukoh has drawn the attention of many birders. PHOTO: SHAHRUL KAMAL Respect for wildlife comes first But birders that The New Paper spoke to agree: respect for wildlife comes first. There are unspoken rules: don't get too close, don't disturb birds while they're nesting, and sometimes, don't share their location. "Some people may not want to broadcast where a rare bird is, especially if it's with chicks," said Mr Shahrul. "It's not selfishness. It's for the bird's own good." For Lim Kim Seng, 64, birding is a lifelong passion. The semi-retired nature guide has been watching birds since he was a child growing up on a kampung farm. "Why would anyone not do birding?" he said with a laugh. "It's a form of exercise. I like the fresh air and being in touch with nature. Whenever I return from a session, I feel much better than before." "Although I've been birding for more than 50 years, I still discover new things about nature, and about myself." Unlike some who chase the perfect shot, Mr Lim prefers to observe birds through binoculars. "For me, capturing an image is good enough. It doesn't have to be picture perfect." 'Like making a new friend' Ms Khor is a self-proclaimed "by-the-way birder". With kids, elderly parents and work, she squeezes birding into her schedule whenever she can. "I've never sat there for six hours. I don't have that kind of time," she said with a laugh. "Some people think birders are crazy, but most of us have lives." Ms Khor grew up following her father on nature walks and rediscovered birding during the pandemic, when high-quality camera gear became more accessible. "Every time I see a new bird, it's an unforgettable moment akin to making a new friend." The mother of two recalled several mornings spent trekking to a remote part of Pasir Ris in hopes of spotting a black-capped kingfisher, only for it to never appear. Not long after, the area was cleared for development. "That was one of the saddest attempts," she said. "But sometimes it's not about the shot. Just being in nature is enough." A new generation takes flight Contrary to the stereotype of birding as an older person's pastime, younger Singaporeans are increasingly taking wing. The Bird Society of Singapore is currently led by an 11-member council, with a majority of its members in their 20s and 30s. Young enthusiasts explore nature through their lenses, proving birding is no longer just for older generations. PHOTO: ST FILE Ms Khor has seen the shift firsthand: "A lot of the conservationists and people heading societies, like the Bird Society of Singapore, are quite young. "And I've seen teenagers, 13, 14 years old, who are really sharp, amazing photographers, and already winning competitions." What sets them apart, she added, is their mindset. "They're great photographers, but more importantly, they have a stronger sense of conservation and that's something I really support." Ms Khor hopes that as more people pick up the hobby, awareness about conservation will grow too. "It's not just about rare or beautiful birds," she said. "Even the common or 'ugly' ones deserve protection."
New Paper
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Paper
National Day face-off: Which fast-food chain nailed its limited-edition offering?
Every year, fast-food restaurants put their own spin on local flavours for National Day. This year, it seemed like everyone was spinning their take from the same thread - or maybe chilli crab sauce suppliers were offering an irresistible deal. The New Paper tried limited-time offerings from five fast-food restaurants, from laksa fish to chilli crab prawn. Guzman y Gomez: Burrito Bowl with Laksa Barramundi TNP PHOTO: SEAH JUN DE Guzman y Gomez is serving up a new limited-edition filling this National Day - the Laksa Barramundi. This new addition features pan-seared barramundi fillets topped with a laksa sauce made from dried shrimp, candlenut, laksa leaves, spices, and coconut milk from The Coconut Club. We tried it in a Burrito Bowl, which came with fragrant white rice, black beans, salsa, and corn chips. Maybe it's the Singaporean in us, but the whole thing gave off major cai png (mixed rice) vibes - like the lovechild of a cai png stall and a Mexican taqueria. The laksa sauce added a flavourful, coconut-rich depth to every bite of the barramundi, which was tender and generously portioned. The black beans had a soft and creamy texture, and the chips provided a nice crunch. Overall, it was an inoffensive fusion with each element complementing the others, although we did raise an eyebrow at the cheese sitting on top of the laksa barramundi. Rating: 4/5 McDonald's: Chilli Crab Sauce Prawn Burger TNP PHOTO: SEAH JUN DE You could say McDonald's pioneered the trend of controversial National Day specials - from the iconic Nasi Lemak Burger to interesting inventions such as the Crispy Hainanese Chicken Burger and the Laksa Delight Burger. This year, the chain was the first among many quick-service restaurants to bring chilli crab sauce burgers to the table. The Chilli Crab Sauce Prawn Burger comes stacked with fluffy scrambled eggs, chilli crab sauce, a prawn patty, lettuce, and coleslaw dressing, all packed into a bun. For some reason, the chilli crab sauce leaned much sweeter than spicy - almost reminiscent of Thai sweet chilli sauce. Perhaps they're continuing the Thai theme after last year's Thai Milk Tea Frappé. Though the sauce did taste a little like chilli crab sauce, it felt like a watered-down, family-friendly version that lacked a kick to it. The brioche bun was a bit questionable, too, giving the burger an odd buttery finish. We did enjoy the scrambled eggs, though, but we think we'll stick to having them in our breakfast burgers instead. Rating: 2/5 KFC: Chilli Crab Mantou Zinger TNP PHOTO: SEAH JUN DE Swapping out the usual sesame buns for a fried mantou, this new Zinger burger pairs the brand's signature fried Zinger fillet with chilli crab sauce and lettuce. The chilli crab sauce here was much more flavourful than the version from the Golden Arches - sour and spicy, without being overly sweet. The fried mantou was crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. However, that also meant that the burger felt extremely sinful and a tad bit salty. The few slices of lettuce were not enough to balance it out. Then again, it's fast food, so no one's expecting heaps of greens. Rating: 3.5/5 Long John Silver's: Chilli Crab Alaska Pollock Mantou Burger TNP PHOTO: SEAH JUN DE With lettuce, tomato slices, cheese, and battered Alaska pollock tucked between a fried mantou, the Chilli Crab Alaska Pollock Mantou Burger turned out to be a pleasant surprise. This unassuming burger ended up being our favourite as the fried mantou was perfectly crisped, with a crunchy top that made every bite extra satisfying. The vegetables also helped cut through any greasiness, which we appreciated. That said, the chilli crab sauce tasted more like a mildly spicy generic sauce than what it claimed to be. So even though we enjoyed it a lot, we were left a little puzzled by what we had eaten. Rating: 4.5/5 Burger King: Rendang Tendergrill Chicken Burger TNP PHOTO: SEAH JUN DE Though Burger King's rendang series isn't new, it was a welcome break from all the chilli crab-themed burgers this National Day. The Rendang Tendergrill Chicken Burger came with a juicy, grilled chicken thigh patty and onions that were lathered with a generous amount of nutty, spiced rendang sauce. We felt that it was a little too jelak (cloying) after a few bites. Some greens besides just onions would've helped cut through the richness. Overall, nothing mind-blowing - they played it safe here. Rating: 3.5/5 Conclusion There were a few hits and misses - as expected each year. We just hope the chilli crab sauce craze sits the next one out.
AsiaOne
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
'999-year leasehold?' Redditor is dead serious about columbarium booking, Singapore News
A Redditor went on what he thought was a free cultural tour of columbaria, but ended up being persuaded to book "property" in the afterlife. While Ahfookies was impressed with the quality of the columbaria, which he found well-designed and spacious, he was surprised at how the staff tried to sell niches like a property agent might. "They're even selling their under-construction units and referring to them as BTOs (Built to Order, just like HDB flats), lol!" he wrote, adding that the columbaria agents operated on a commission basis. There was even a banner celebrating top sales staff, just like property agents. Which made the Redditor wonder: "Is it time to speculate on this 'property' market?" 'Are they freehold or 999-year leasehold?' The post, made three days ago (July 20), drew a flurry of lively responses about the delicate matter of death and what to do with one's remains. Commenter whimsicism felt it would be a waste of money: "Tbh this columbarium thing is hilarious to me, just toss my ashes into the sea and be done with it, la "If people spend five figures on a stupid columbarium place for me, imma rise from the dead to scold them for wasting money, OMG." Others felt that it might be worth it as the niches mean more to the living than the dead. RoboGuilliman said: "I guess having a place to store ashes is good for many reasons. It's one more family social event when members who usually do not meet up have to go. It's not even about toxic families but people tend to drift apart and these rituals hold them together. "It's also a good time to renew their memories of the deceased and keep the loved ones in their thoughts." Another commenter, killing_my_dreams, asked, tongue firmly in cheek: "So these columbarium lots, are they freehold or 99-year leasehold or 999-year leasehold?" Up to $20,000 for a niche A quick Internet search showed that government-run columbaria such as Mandai Crematorium offer niches starting from around $500, while private ones like those the original poster saw can range from $3,000 to $20,000. While those already lamenting the cost of living might be appalled at the cost of dying, Redditor Kwijibokwijibo felt that others wouldn't consider it too much. "All funeral rites are really for the living anyway - it's all meaningless to the dead. And just another way to flaunt their family status - like a nice house or car," they said. A belief in eternal life or reincarnation has no bearing on the length of the lease, but columbaria operators would like you to believe your remains are safe forever. But for now, it looks like they just want your ash and your cash. [[nid:720473]] This article was first published in The New Paper . Permission required for reproduction.
New Paper
7 days ago
- Business
- New Paper
'You mattered': Friends mourn Jane Lee, businesswoman who spoke out days before death
Jane Lee, small business owner and a beloved friend to many, died on July 19 after posting on Facebook that she had been the target of a workplace injury scam. In her final posts, Lee claimed that an employee had faked an injury in a bid to file a false compensation claim. The mother of two added that it was a premeditated scheme involving the worker's husband and possibly a law firm. The posts, written just a day before her death, ended with an emotional message to her staff, friends, and family: "I'm truly sorry that I couldn't find the strength to face this battle on my own." When The New Paper visited Lee's wake on July 21, the mood was sombre as loved ones gathered to honour Lee's memory. Family members and mourners alike declined to speak to TNP. Her brother-in-law David Loh posted: "Awful way to start the week with the passing of a family member. May you rest in peace Jane. The Lord will bless and look after Victor and your kids. Till we meet again." Lee, who was reportedly in her 40s, was the founder of Sumo Salad in Holland Village. In online posts, friends fondly recalled not just the food she served, but her kindness and generosity. Sumo Well was still open for operations on July 21. TNP PHOTO: ETHEL TSENG "Thank you for serving us beautiful salads and tea," wrote Max. "During Covid, I remembered how you gave me delivery jobs to make ends meet. All the good things you have done, we will never forget." Calis Looi, who said she was her best friend of 37 years, posted: "I couldn't believe it. I kept hoping for a reply from you, even a simple emoji would have been enough. "When May and I visited your wake, it was so painful that I couldn't bring myself to say a proper goodbye. But I promise to send you off properly. Let's meet again in our next life." Lee's story has struck a chord with many in the business community, particularly fellow SME owners. Ng Keng Guan wrote that he had reached out to Lee after reading her post. "It takes a lot of courage and a great deal of accumulated stress to take such a step. "Several of our mutual friends who work in the same industry also spoke about the immense pressure they face. Running a business in Singapore is already tough, and when you add family responsibilities and societal stress, it can become overwhelming." Jeffery Khoo, a Progress Singapore Party (PSP) candidate for Marymount SMC in this year's general election, also paid tribute in a Facebook post: "We have been Facebook friends for many years. She invited me to her shop but regrettably I did not get to meet her in person." "Her final post before her passing is very disturbing. If found that there is truly a devious scam involved, please come down hard on the perpetrators. The damage done is irreversible." In response to queries from TNP, police said that the case has been classified as an unnatural death and that investigations are ongoing. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) also said it was investigating Lee's allegations about the fraudulent work injury claim. MOM said it had been in touch with Lee and is working with the insurer to assess the claim. It added that it would not hesitate to take action against those found abusing the Work Injury Compensation system.
AsiaOne
16-07-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
'Against racial harmony': Singaporeans riled by Chinese menus with no English translation, Singapore News
Stepping into an eatery, the last thing most diners would expect is a menu entirely in a language they don't understand. After all, English is Singapore's lingua franca and the working language of the civil service, bringing its diverse communities together. While bigger chains like Haidilao, Tanyu, and Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodle cater to all customers with bilingual menus, some Chinese food establishments have been spotted operating without English menus — a trend that some non-Chinese Singaporeans call "exclusionary". A photo of a Chinese pancake stall menu recently went viral for its lack of English. The stall is located in Clementi's Gantral Mall, which one Google Maps user nicknamed "mini-Chinatown" in a review. This is in spite of Singapore Food Agency (SFA) regulations stating that food businesses offering prepacked food for sale in Singapore must provide labels with basic information about the product, such as its source, contents, and net quantity, in English. The labelling requirements do not extend to non-prepacked food like dishes served in a restaurant. This seems to be an issue across some Chinese food establishments in Singapore. In June, a Reddit user shared a post detailing the struggles of understanding a menu entirely in Chinese, as an Indian Muslim who does not speak Mandarin. "Yes, they're a Chinese business, and Singapore is Chinese-majority. But having only the Chinese language means you are excluding non-Chinese people and even some Chinese Singaporeans who struggle with their mother tongue," the user wrote. Comments in response to the user noted that Singaporeans are not the customer base these businesses are targeting: "Your absence does not make a difference to their bottom line because the (China national) expat bubble is self-sustaining." Another user who identified as a Chinese Singaporean felt that service staff should be trained to speak basic English: "I'm going to do my part and speak (in English) to the staff in Chinese restaurants." Not a one-off The Grantral Mall stall is not an exception - when The New Paper visited Scarlett Supermarket on a weekday afternoon, some signage was entirely in Chinese. The newly-opened outlet in Sembawang, one of 38 outlets owned by the Chinese supermarket chain, was predominantly staffed and patronised by Chinese nationals. It boasted a food court with four stalls, one of which was a mala stall with no English on its signage. An item on the menu of a dumpling stall was labelled in English, apparently with the help of online translation services, as Sichuan chilli oil wonton was awkwardly mistranslated to "copyist with red oil". Alienating non-Chinese customers 24-year-old university student Nornabihah Mohamed Noor told The New Paper that the lack of proper English translation alienates non-Mandarin-speaking customers: "Honestly, I dislike it. It feels unfair and goes against the idea of racial harmony that Singapore stands for. "As a Malay who looks Chinese, I often get told I should speak Mandarin, even though I didn't grow up speaking it. It feels like there's an assumption or pressure to fit in a certain box." She added that, intentionally or not, these businesses are sending a message to customers that other races are not as welcome: "Not having English labels would make people feel excluded or like they don't belong in their own country." 'We are a multilingual society' A 47-year-old woman from China's Hainan province, who only wanted to be known as Mrs Tan, told TNP that she first visited Singapore 20 years ago in search of a job. She later met her Singaporean husband through a friend and settled here. Mrs Tan, who admitted that her English is still "not good", has since obtained Singapore citizenship and has two teenage children. "When I first came here, I didn't know English at all. Nowadays, I know basic words that I can use at work," Mrs Tan, who has worked as a dessert stall hawker for over 15 years, said in Mandarin. While she acknowledged the preponderance of Chinese immigrants, Mrs Tan stressed that it should not excuse the absence of English translations on menus. "If you're living here, you should follow how things are done here," she said. "We are a multilingual society, so of course, you have to label your menu in English. That's the most basic level of respect you can give to customers because not everybody can understand Chinese." Taking action Some Chinese eateries have amended their menus to better reflect their offerings. Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine, with 15 outlets across Singapore, recently updated its menu to correct some English translations. However, not all Chinese words on the menu were translated. In September 2021, Scarlett Supermarket was investigated by authorities for selling products without English labels. In April 2023, the chain came under fire again for selling instant Chinese bread soup that listed methamphetamine as an ingredient. It was later clarified that the ingredients had been wrongly translated by the Chinese manufacturer. At press time, Scarlett Supermarket and Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine had not responded to TNP's queries. Miss Nornabihah told TNP that the lack of proper English labelling on menus is "not right" in a multiracial country. "It goes against the idea of inclusivity and racial harmony we claim to value and preach about." [[nid:719628]] This article was first published in The New Paper . Permission required for reproduction.
