With 4 million people living in one of the world's densest-populated cities, neighbourhood disputes are not uncommon, but the infamous decade-long Joo Chiat drama some years ago, a neighbourhood war in which seven families are united against one, is not a run-of-the-mill story.
In one of the semi-detached housing estates in Joo Chiat area, seven neighbours have repeatedly complained of harassment by the Chans for almost 10 years. The Chan family which includes retiree Chan Cheng Koon, 67, his wife Chua Gek Eng, in her 60s, and their daughter Soo Yin, a secondary school teacher in her 40s, in turn blamed their neighbours of having started the conflict.
In one dispute, the neighbours found the Chans mounted a spotlight which they turn on at night shining into their bedrooms and affecting their sleep. They think the Chan family is inconsiderate. The Chans, however, feel they are at no wrong and explain that it is for security purposes when confronted by their neighbours.
The seven neighbours are most distressed by the Chans’ offensive flaunting of wealth and earning capacity, showing off of jewellery and car and educational status. The arrogant daughter, a secondary school teacher with a doctorate in life sciences, standing next to her mother, once shouted across to the neighbours: "You see, this is diamonds, you can buy or not? You got money to buy?"
The police have been called in several times and the warring parties have resorted to getting video evidence of each other’s wrongdoings. The Gan family - one of the seven neighbours – eventually installed a security camera facing the Chan's house. Shortly after, an eye for an eye, Mr. Chan begun video-filming people in the street every morning routinely. The offended Chans would even film their neighbours and tail them or their visitors, causing many to feel uncomfortable.
In my opinion, this social friction of life in the neighbourhood mainly roots from the lack of community spirit and social gracious. If you are the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Joo Chiat constituency, how would you solve this conflict between the two warring parties?
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2 comments:
Hi Barry,
The case you highlight is certainly an extreme example of neighbourly conduct gone wrong. It seems to me that in this case, the antagonist is the Chan family. I feel that they should be more humble and considerate, especially in flaunting their wealth and filming passersby. However, I do feel that the Gan family has also overstepped the bounds of privacy by installing the video camera. The investigation should be carried out by the police instead.
If I were MP for Joo Chiat, I would meet with the eight families (on neutral ground of course) and and act as the mediating party between the aggrieved parties and hear each side out. For all we know, there may be a reason behind the Chans' behaviour.
Mei Ling
Hi Barry, the Joo Chiat situation described by you seems pretty bad, but I guess that would be the few exceptional cases in Singapore? It would be dreadful if my belief is wrong.
The Singapore Government has been emphasizing the need for our country to be developed into a gracious society (as shown through the Singapore Kindness Movement). I guess the neighbors would have to show more understanding to each other and the respect for other people’s privacy. There is also a need for people to forgive and forget. This way, unnecessary conflicts and unhappiness can be avoided in the neighborhood.
As the MP, I would perhaps have a talk with the individual families to find out the root of the problem(s) and see their point of view. Following that, I would appeal and invite all parties to a sharing session where everyone can share their frustrations, and perhaps come to some solution together or compromise on the current situation.
Mahatma Gandhi said: ‘An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.’ If everyone makes an effort to respect each other, Singapore would definitely become a more pleasant and gracious society.
Jimmy
ES2007S Group 2
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