The Wise Old Owl

Performance at The Esplanade - 14 Nov 2011

2011-11-13T23:47:00.003+08:00

http://www.esplanade.com/whats_on/programme_info/nostalgic_moods/index.jsp

The Performing Stage at the Concourse

How time flies again ! It was only last year in late August that I decided on something I had never seriously done before...forming a musical group mainly of seniors and retirees for musical singalongs and get togethers. To be sure of continuity and to attract more and new faces the happening must be regular, must provide a platform for others to come together to simply enjoy crooning together, play a musical instrument, share and learn. The main thing is that everyone must have FUN and enjoy what they are there for.

Audience area - front of Stage

That was how it began. Once a week on a Wednesday, we'll meet at the Serangoon North Community Club soundproofed music room for our regular gig. Unk Dicko had to do practically everything from planning the sessions, sourcing the song lyrics and musical tabs, chords and notes. Getting them printed out so that files of songs are made...with the help of cc staff etc. Lots of stuff needed to be done.
It took a lot of my time and effort. But it was always a labour of love to me especially when I see how happy and passionate some who first came turned out to be.

Concourse Performing Stage at Esplanade

Within a month or so, I had been approached to get my "group" to entertain and perform at a number of public functions and events.

Most of the regular members had never performed on stage before a live audience. So it was a challenge for me to prepare them for this next hurdle in their changing life.

Since then, my Minstrels have performed big time as you can read in my earlier blogposts.

Unk Dicko and Esplanade Programmes Officer Desmond C

On Monday 14 November 2011, my performing group known as " Dick Yip &The Minstrels " have been specially invited to perform at the opening of " A Date with Friends" which is a music festival under the Esplanade auspices.
We will be the first to kick off the series with " Nostalgic Moods "- entertaining at the Concourse.
Time 7.15pm and 8.15 pm .
Free for all public.

The Beautiful River scene by the Esplanade

The grounds beside the Esplanade is so scenic and relaxing. It's a good setting to enjoy an early dinner with many restaurants and cafes there and simply stroll into the Concourse for relaxing music!

If you do that on Monday 14 Nov, come and say hello to me and my Minstrels. I'll be most happy if you do that!

Dick Yip & The Minstrels

The Esplanade - picture source official website of the Esplanade

Ukulele Uncle Dick sings a 50s tune

2011-09-09T16:13:00.000+08:00

PM Speech highlights James Seah's memory of Bukit Ho Swee

2011-09-09T16:12:00.001+08:00

Why no blogpost for over 3 months - Unk Dicko

2011-08-04T18:25:00.000+08:00

Hi all visitors, friends and readers of this blog,
More than 3 months have passed since my last blogpost in late April. I'm certain many must have wondered if I had gone on a long leave of absence or had been in poor health or simply was living in the 7th heaven somewhere or worse.. that I may have absconded from ever blogging again.

Touch wood, it's none of these things. The reason was due to something more down to earth. Let me explain.

From the time I started on my IT journey of self-discovery which included my initial adventure into the world of blogging, I had always depended on my generally reliable desk-top computer system. It has served me well for the last 5 plus years. But I did not know that many of the parts making up the systems, the hardware may have only a shelf life of about 2 years, 3 if you are lucky. From time to time, breakdown will occur not necessary due to virus attacks or other malware.

The trouble is as a layman, you and I have no precise knowledge about such things as there are literally hundreds of parts, wires, cables that are part of a computer...which as I've said we know nuts about...especially when do these parts start "expiring ".

That's what I've been facing these past months...one part expiring after another. I changed the internal fan ( cooling system ) yet within days something else breaks down. A condenser got heated and melted. Had to change that whole segment/piece.

My computer engineer chap suggested that I buy a new set up.

But it was not just the costs that made me wary.

My present system have ALL the stored info and data that I've patiently accumulated for over 5 years of often painstaking research and effort, things I need for my future Blog posts and future talks etc. They are all in the hard disk and I'm not prepared to lose all that precious stuff.

Don't get me wrong..I'm not afraid someone hacks into my harddisk or anything like that. There is NOTHING of MONETARY or FINANCIAL value inside. I AVOID all internet banking/financial/transfer of money totally.

So my suggestion was to set up a 2nd Desk top system which was done. This new system is a Dell Office system with the latest Windows 7 Ultimate with High Definition resolution. I connected it to my all my previous external applications...printer, scanner, etc..

My existing Acer computer desktop with Windows 7 system ( older system) was set up at another location in my living room... with no attachments.

Then came the problem. Big problem.

When I wanted to blog again, I found that most of my "saved" resources were not in the new Dell system. It has a new hard disk which did not completely transfer my old stuff in the Acer system. Many files were there but not the stuff I needed for blogging. Sigh !

Worse, my printer and scanner were not properly configured to work in sync with the new Dell system.

My computer engineer chap conveniently neglected to do it properly..thus requiring me to call on his services again ( at his convenience of course ).

This to and froing went on until 2 days ago when he came to complete the job. But there are still some problems left hanging as I've discovered but will wait until a more opportune time to discuss this.

At least, I can now resume my usual blogging life, at least 80 % of it.

So much has happened in the last couple of months aorund us at home and abroad. For those past few months I have been more active on Facebook as an alternative...if any of you had noticed.

Thanks for all your PATIENCE !

Duty calls. Service will resume as from today !

Unk Dicko

Grandpa Uke entertaining "Live" at Nex Serangoon, Sunday 24 April 2011

2011-04-23T03:37:00.000+08:00

Unk Dicko and his partner R C will again be entertaining at NTUC Hypermart

at Nex Serangoon on Sunday 24 April 2011 from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Yes...3 solid hours of good ole' ukulele music that is guaranteed to bring back fond memories of the yesteryears.

Grandpa Uke are in reality 2 real grandpas who have been performing publicly and privately for many years since the 90's.

We have a wide repertoire of songs in our extensive collection. We'll be playing and singing a wide cross-section of songs that will include hits of the 50's, 60's, 70's , popular favourites, kiddie songs, funny songs, songs from movies, some jazz pieces, calypso hits, keroncong tunes...and more.

Many members of the public have asked Unk Dicko when and where the next performance is going to be.

Well, if you're free, do come on down to NTUC Hypermart at Level 3 Nex Serangoon.

I understand there is much that is happening there on Sunday being the Easter weekend.

Our last performance there was on the night of Tuesday 29 March as shown in the photos below.

The next day, the store management told me that many of their customers and visitors gave very positive feedback about our stint. They wanted to know if we're coming back!

So...yes, we'll certainly be there again on Sunday !

If you are interested in the ukulele, don't miss this.

If you are a ukulele player and want to pick up some tips for improvement...do come.

If you like those songs of the good ole days...think no more, just come!

Seranding a sweet old lady in wheelchair

Unk Dicko and Minstrels entertaining today at Suntec City.

2011-04-03T04:16:00.000+08:00

The Active Ageing Carnival 2011 was officially launched yesterday, Saturday April 2nd at Suntec City Convention Centre by Minister Lim Boon Heng. I was at the official Opening together with several past Active Ager Winners.
From my estimate the number of people who came has certainly increased over the previous years. It was jam-packed with not only the older folks but also younger people.

My Minstrels and I entertained the visitors with a selection of songs from 1.10 - 1.40 pm.

Today we will make our 2nd appearance at 2.20 pm at Level 3 with another super selection of songs.
Quite a few people have been requesting for Unk Dicko to do a solo of IZ Kamakawiwo'ole 's version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".
I did a tiny portion of it on the FM 90.5 programme on Friday night with the Richmonds.

If there's time, I will do a full SOLO version ( my own version following the style of the great IZ ) at the Carnival this afternoon during our scheduled performance.
Time: 2: 20 pm - 2. 55pm
Venue: Demo Performing area at Level 3.
Don't miss it. Bring along your video camera if you wish to.

Ps: At 10 am sharp, at the Main Stage at level 4...I shall be modelling some sports attire together with my 4 year old darling grandson 'baby T'.
Never done one before. This is the first time I'm actually doing a routine to music. Same for baby T...it's absolutely terrifying for him!
No idea whether he might just go on strike at the very last minute....still.
He's only doing so because of me. Love him!
Cheers!

My Minstrels and I making some music- 2 April 2011

Unk Dicko and the Minstrels entertaining the crowd

Unk Dicko and his Ukulele on FM 90.5 Gold "live".

2011-04-02T04:46:00.001+08:00

Last night I was the special guest of Radio station Gold 90.5 FM hosted by father and son team of Brian and Mark Richmond. Brian received me at MediaCorp's reception area at about 7.30 pm and drove me to another building which housed the Radio section.

As we entered the soundproof studio of Gold 90.5, Mark was at the controls "live". As soon as the music came on, he stood up and came over to shake my hands warmly. I have known Brian previously and I can say for certain that they both have great chemistry as father and son to jointly co-host the programmes they are doing. It was infectious as they were jibing each other...and that makes three of us. I have a similar propensity.

Though it wasn't the first time I've been on Radio, still there should be some apprehension when that was going out truly "live". Glad to say I was not one bit nervous...just acting and being my normal self.
And that made it easy to go with the flow of that live segment as managed by Brian and Mark.
The theme and subject matter was about the Ukulele., the impact it had on my life and the surge in interest today.
The feedback I'd received from those who caught the 1 hour programme aired live was absolutely positive and inspiring.
Special Thanks to Brian and Mark!
You have helped give more life to that little fella ( the ukulele ).
Keep the music going and the good times rolling!
The ukulele community out there will appreciate this too.

Unk Dicko

They are truly a super, fabulous pair ...Brian and Mark

Unk Dicko with the Radio host legend himself...Brian Richmond

Wow, Mark has really grown real tall !

Unk Dicko with Brian and Mark inside Gold 90.5 FM studio

MediaCorp FM 90.5 invites Unk Dicko for "live" Ukulele performance tomorrow night.

2011-03-31T16:08:00.000+08:00

My favourite local radio station is Gold 90.5 and that goes for my wifey too. We simply love to be surprised by the fabulous songs of the good old days that come over the airwave from this station mostly hosted by the incomparable Brian Richmond himself. Recently, his son Mark joined him in a father and son thing and it's definitely a first of sorts in radio folklore.

Yesterday ( Wednesday 30 march ) I received a pleasant surprise...a phone call from Brian himself.
We chatted like old friends for awhile before he sprang the surprise.
He wanted me to be his "Special Guest" on Friday,s programme segment called the "HOT SEAT".
Friday happens to be tomorrow April 1 2011...but this is no April Fools' joke I can assure you!
Apparently there are reports of a surge in ukulele interest among people in Singapore. On Tuesday the New Paper carried a double page write-up about the current ukulele interest level. And on that very night the "Grandpa Uke" duo ( R Chee and Unk Dicko ) were entertaining the shoppers "live" at Fairprice Hypermart at Nex Serangoon.
The topic for tomorrow night: We'll be discussing the UKULELE and its impact on my life from the early years to the present. That will not be the only thing....there's much more.
Brian has requested me to provide him with a couple of songs that will feature in my personal all time favourites list.
Sigh...I have so many and it will not do justice to leave out the rest !
Nevertheless, the songs I had narrowed down to are the ones that have most emotional impact and meaning whenever they are played or sung.
So which are the songs?

I won't let the cat out of the bag yet...in fact, I think I'll leave all that to Mr Gold 90.5 himself to reveal the mystery.
So whereever you may be...tune in to FM 90.5 tomorrow starting from 8 pm sharp.
It's going out "live".
Those of you who missed my earlier ukulele performances on radio a few years ago will get a chance
to hear solid, pure ukulele sounds and songs.

Friday April 1 from 8 - 9 pm. Don't miss it!

Homestretch

Weekdays: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
TIME : 5pm to 9pm
SMS Keyword : HOME
DJ: Brian and Mark Richmond

Gold 90FM makes radio history with the first-ever Father and Son pairing of Brian and Mark Richmond on the evening drive show the Homestretch. Mark makes a return to radio to helm the Homestretch from 5pm to 9pm Monday to Fridays.

You'll be Riding with the Richmonds with great songs and tongue-in-cheek humour spiced with interesting segments to captivate and entertain the senses. With both father and son having credible sports casting experience, you can expect a healthy debate on the English football league and such like. There will also be interactive elements to engage the listeners.

A 'Celebration Surprise call' segment will enable listeners to get the duo to call on a loved one or friend celebrating a special day.

The Playback in the 8 o'clock hour will feature the Top Ten songs in the UK and the US for that particular day for a specific year interspersed with interesting historical events. And once a week on a Friday, Mark and Brian will entertain a special guest in the Hot Seat. They will share their favourite songs and give us an insight into their world.

There will be lots of surprises coming your way as you Ride Home with the Richmonds on the Homestretch. Catch it on Gold 90FM, Monday to Fridays 5pm - 9pm.

Send your SMS to 72346
*Each SMS costs 30 cents. This SMS service is provided by MediaCorp Technologies Pte Ltd, customer service hotline 68777132.
Reach the Richmonds by email: homestretch@mediacorp.com.sg
( The above is from MediaCorp Gold 90.5 FM website )

Grandpa Uke ...entertaining LIVE tonight at Nex Hypermart, Serangoon.

2011-03-29T15:11:00.000+08:00

The last 2 months or so I have spent much of my time going through all my collection of song books, song files, music CDs, music albums for the purpose of re-organising the many resources for easy retrieval based on song index, song type and other such things.

In doing so, I found it was necessary to look at many of the song lyrics to correct obvious mistakes. Many of these songs did not come with music notes or even chord tabs. So, I had to source for them on the internet. When that produced nothing, I play the song out myself and write down the chord tabs.
It was a time-consuming labour of love.
In doing so, there were many bright moments like when I found better chord arrangements for a previously popular song...with good intro and a good ending as well.

My work is not finished yet. Will require many more months of hardwork.
Tonight, Tuesday 29 March 2011...something interesting is happening at NTUC Fairprice Hypermart at Nex Serangoon Central. The Hypermart is located on level 3. Nex Mall is above the Serangoon MRT station.

From 7 - 9 pm, Unk Dicko and Richard Chee my close ukulele partner, will be entertaining "live" within the premises of the Hypermart. Grandpa Uke is what we will call ourselves. Some members of my Minstrel Performing group may also be coming.
NTUC Fairprice has engaged us to provide "live" songs and music within the store.
Why Tuesday ?
I think it's because Tuesday is the day seniors aged 60 + get more discount than other days of shopping.

So come on down to shop and join in the night of music and fun.
We will be playing a very good selection of songs. And if you have a personal favourite just shout it out and we will oblige.

See you there!

Watch. Dream. Be Inspired!

2011-03-19T02:30:00.001+08:00

I was browsing at my favourite bloglinks when I saw this video clip highlighted on Ageless Voice, a website belonging to my good friend Eleanor. Apparently she attended an informal meet up of some members of the club SILVER TSUNAMI ASIA ( www.silvertsunami.asia)at the East Coast area a few days ago. This clip was highlighted in their discussion.

Based on a true story of these elderly men, average age 81 years, who decided to return to doing what they had done as a group of close buddies in their young days....riding motorcycles! There were 6 of them originally but unfortunately one had passed away.

Unk Dicko knows and understand what they must have felt when their situation, circumstances and their bodies 'prevented' them from enjoying life to the fullest, especially that of their first love - riding their motorcycles again.
I am still the only one among my peers enjoying the freedom of riding today and everyday. The rest of my riding friends have given up donkey years ago.

As long as I am alive...I will continue to ride the freeways, safely.
This videoclip produced by Ogilvy Taiwan is truly one of the most inspirational clips I've seen.
It has garnered some 1.8 million hits already.

If you are like most seniors and elderly folks leading a sedentary and mundane lifestyle, watching this clip will make you want to jump up and do things. Perhaps even radicalise your
thoughts and actions.

Watch. Dream. Be Inspired!

Orangutan and the Hound

2011-02-28T21:29:00.002+08:00

Orangutan and the Hound

I received this clip today from a close friend. It's such an incredible love of sharing and bonding between a stray hound dog and an orangutan.
It must be shared here.

How we poor humans can learn so much from just these 2 animals !
Click on the red link above and watch.

New Shaw Theatre at Nex Serangoon...my experience.

2011-02-26T22:56:00.001+08:00

On Tuesday 15 February 2011 unk Dicko was invited to the private and exclusive pre-opening sampling of what the latest in cinematic luxury.. theatres can offer. It comes as no surprise that Shaw Theatres Pte Ltd, a household name for enjoying movies, has taken things to a higher level.

The invitation I had received came with a request...that I would hopefully blog about the experience of watching a movie at the Shaw Theatre Premier Hall which seats only 48 patrons plus 2 handicapped seats. They have 2 such luxury halls named simply Premier Hall 1 and Hall 2...both similar in structure.

This is my response to that request from http://www.omy.sg/ which invited me.

That night, my wifey D2 came along for the experience. Nex at Serangoon is conveniently situated right where Serangoon MRT station is. So, we decided to park our car and take the MRT down. The trains were as usual fully packed around 6.35 pm. This was my first ever visit to Nex. D2 had been there before and reminded me not to drive there if possible as parking lots are very limited. We had hoped to have some dinner within the gigantic new mall. But the crowds here were just like those at Vivo City.
Many eating places were packed.

There is a certain hugeness about this mall and the escalators are strung further apart...making sure you have to navigate and walk pass all the shops. Maybe it's intentional huh !
We decided to skip dinner and headed straight for the Theatre on Level 4. There, Alvin from OMY met me and handed me 2 premium tickets. There were some other invitees too...mostly fellow bloggers much, much younger than Unk Dicko.

We presented our tickets and were led into the exclusive Lounge where Premium patrons can have their wine, drinks and dine in comfort before a show. The set up is sleek and really classy with a bevy of smart-looking uniformed staff waiting to serve you well. I had my camera with me and asked if I could snap some pictures. " Certainly sir", one staff said. They were all polite to a perfect "T".

The Premier Lounge is the place where you could have some pre-screening drinks or meals, have a chat or just prepare for the movie. It is not open to patrons of the other halls. There is a substantial Food and Beverage list and comes with some discounts for patrons. D2 and I decided to head straight in to check out the interior of the Premier Hall.
As soon as we stepped inside and looked around, the first thing that impressed is the spaciousness...lots of space between each row and aisle, unlike the usual cinemas. No wonder, it will accomodate only about 50 people in all.

There is plenty of legroom for everyone. The super deluxe seats are made of the softest leather which adds to the comfort. Each pair of seat comes with a small oval mini table on which a F and B menu list is placed. A tiny table-lamp is attached for your convenience of reading in the dark.

This is Shaw's news release which I got when doing some checks.

[ Above: The interior of Premier Hall and the yummy F and B list food ]

The seats come with full adjustable reclining button. Press the button fully and it almost becomes a bed. A high quality blanket is provided for each seat. It is a sheer class act I must say.

Many cinemas are too cold for comfort and patrons without a jacket suffer.

New, fresh blankets will be used for each showtime.
What's our verdict about the seats?

Absolutely worth the money for the ticket price.

It's taking luxury to another level.

These are our 2 ticket foils. They are actually silver in background.

We were there for the new movie Rabbit Hole starring Nicole Kidman.

At the entrance of the Premier Lounge.

The bar of the Lounge.

We decided to try out their Lounge menu. Even though it was dark, the service was still excellent with the waiters even kneeling down on one knee to attend to your needs.

The food?

No complaints....very well done !

The movie we watched was not one we would normally have gone to. It is not "my kind" of movie and is the same for my wifey.

But it was an enjoyable and memorable outing for us. We had never eaten a meal like we did in a cinema before.

So, that was a 1st !

And we won't forget in a long while yet.

All in all, this was a memorable experience for me and D2.

Must listen..Hokkien local food song !

2011-02-07T23:38:00.005+08:00

All food lovers whether from Singapore, Malaysia or even Indonesia will love this video-clip.
It is almost like a running commentary of all the top local hawker food we have come to love.
And singing it in Hokkien dialect somehow makes it seems tastier !
Don't believe me?
Play the video, watch and listen.
Me...I'm going for my 'prata' or 'char kway teow' break right now !

Great World...recapturing the fun of childhood !

2011-01-27T16:12:00.001+08:00

At the opening night of the recreated Great World Amusement park at Sengkang, I made it a point that my 3 older grandkids will get some exposure of the heady excitement of those days, 50 odd years ago.
I am referring to the tikam stalls and the stalls offering games that required some " skill " to carry out the challenge. Yes, it's actually a challenge of sorts but always tilted heavily in favour of the stall operator nevertheless.
Despite the not so obvious disadvantages known or unknown to the potential participants, many simply could not resist the " it looks so easy, mum...I want to try it! " attraction.
So, many doting dads and mums and grandmums like my wifey queued up flashing shiny $ 50 notes to buy more than the required number of tokens. Each token cost $3 which is the minimum for any game or tikam stall.

One of the popular 'skill' stall is the shooting gallery. There are 3 air-pop guns that shoot the bottlecork out of the muzzle. The targets are any of the 3 pingpong balls placed on a bottle each.
It look pretty easy and straight forward before trying. The distance is slighty 2.5 metres only.
This white-haired gentleman was the first to have a go. He looked every inch an ex-SAF trained commando. Taking proper careful aim...remembering all the shooting cues, he readied, steadied, aimed and fired. Three times...pop, pop and pop. He missed all 3 times !
The ping pong balls never shifted an inch.

The guy looked at the gun examining it closely and decided to change for another. His earlier failures goaded him.

He tried taking even better aim but I was sorry to see him miss all 3 shots again.

Meanwhile, my grandsons were watching all this and one of them was hooked.

He wanted very much to have a go probably encouraged by all his playing with the recent fad of

"nerf" guns.

We encouraged him.

Though Unk Dicko was once a classified sharpshooter, I left him alone preferring for him to enjoy the experience on his own.

Unk Dicko carrying the younger grandkid who seemed mesmerised by everything there...the sights, the sounds and the ambience of wonderland.

Probably the most popular attraction in the park is the Bumper Car rides.

Queues started forming as soon as it was opened. Even adults got into the act!

Each car seats 2 persons and cost $ 6 each person. They are controlled electronically. As soon as it starts, an old-time song will be played like "papa loves mambo, mama loves mambo" over the system. The duration of the ride lasts as long as the song lasts.

The fun and thrill in Bumper car rides is to move your car in ways to bump into other cars.

That's why they are called bumper cars.
Much enjoyment, laughter and yells result.

Be prepared that your kids will ask for several repeats like mine did!

This is definitely one activity that reminded me so much of the fun we used to have in those bygone worlds of old.

Now the kids and also older adults get a chance to live or relive those days.

Unk Ringo had come out with this interesting water attraction...a self-powered boat ride.

This is only for kids and is very safe.

Very shallow inflated pool that provides another super dimension of fun for kids.

There are many other attractions in the park. Those who have not been there should make it a point to visit and relive your golden past again.

Great World Amusement Revival at Sengkang

2011-01-24T23:05:00.001+08:00

It has been decades since all the 3 famous 'Worlds' in Singapore had totally disappeared from our landscape leaving only nostalgic memories of an age and time that have altogether vanished. Even then, only the oldtimers among our people would have better recollections of those wonderful times they had spent in any of the 3 separate 'Worlds'....Happy World, New World and Great World.
After their eventual closure, there was no attempt made by any businessman or anyone for that matter to rebuild and resurrect any of the previous Amusement parks. Not until the latest movie
"The Great Great Great World ", a locally produced movie by MediaCorp set for public screening on 27 January in our cinemas...did someone come up with the brave idea of remaking part of that iconic Park.
That someone is a local maverick for fairs and carnivals....Unk Ringo. He has been in this business for 3 decades.
For the filming of the movie they had to recreate "Great World" with all infrastructure as we knew from the past. Unk Ringo had a big hand in this as he had all those big items for thrills and rides plus all kinds of "tikam" and Game stalls paraphernalia.
After the movie was completed, he was encouraged to recreate on a smaller scale the "fun" part of Great World in the heartlands.
He chose to set it up at Sengkang as there was a ready-made hardcourt and with good location to attract many visitors.

[DPM Teo Chee Hean being greeted by the cast of the movie ]

Great World Amusement Park at Sengkang was opened at 7.30 pm sharp on Saturday 22 January 2011. The Guest of Honour was DPM Teo Chee Hean accompanied by the other MPs of the GRC.
I was there with my grandkids and wifey to lend moral, heritage and blogger support for this laudable effort. Some of the members of my Performing group...the Minstrels were present too.
No we were not there to entertain anyone...just being there to see if the past can be reconnected in some ways.

[He and his party was were welcomed by Lion Dancers ]

[The official Ribbon -cutting ceremony ]

[ Balloons were released into the night sky ]

[ The movie cast took turns to speak to the crowd ]

[ Some of those in the movie..elaborating ]

[ The VIPs at the 'tikam' stall - Horse Racing ]

[ They tried their luck..win or not I don't know ]

[ Joget Tanjong...DPM can certainly "joget"! ]

The LATEST soccer goals scored..now on my Blogsite!

2011-01-24T02:35:00.001+08:00

Many of us can only catch some of the "Live" Soccer games that are played daily all over the world.

For many Singaporeans and others hooked on the main soccer leagues of Europe and South America like the English Premier League, Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A...whatever action that they can catch will depend very much on what Singtel or Starhub show and at certain times only.

There are some free websites that provide the latest updated scores as well as video highlights of all the goals scored. I have been using one such free website with no strings attached. This has enabled me to see all the fantastic goals scored in all the major leagues everyday without fail.

Many of the videos are in high definition.

I have just included a link at the top right of my blog page that allows you to see all the super action leading to the goals being scored or sometimes missed.

Just click on the GOALSTUBE Com widget or box and you'll be spoilt for choice of what to watch.

Try it.

The "live" widget also provides the latest scores and updates for soccer matches.

Hope my soccer loving visitors will enjoy this !

Unk Dicko

Great World.... tikam and games skill stalls

2011-01-23T02:05:00.001+08:00

In the actual Great World of the past one of the things that we remember most were the "tikam" stalls. No, they are not gambling stalls but more games of chance usually found in carnivals and fairs. Below are some of these kind of stalls available to visitors.

Some of the stalls offer games of skills like throwing a porcelain hoop/band onto bottle necks.

Others use darts to burst balloons attached to a board.

Or shooting a pop-gun at a ping pong ball balanced on a tiny bottle...etc.

This is an example of a "tikam" game of chance which uses 9

crafted horses controlled electronically. You roll the ball into the

slots which is numbered 1 to 9. And if " your" horse wins, no you

won't collect thousands of $ but will come away with a prize.

Games of chance and tikam plus the other games of 'skills' add to the flavour

of the recreated Park.

Great World...thrills and rides like old times!

2011-01-23T01:47:00.000+08:00

These are some of the kind of rides and thrills available to visitors at the Amusement Park.
I went there to see for myself what the "recreated" Great World offered before the Opening.
Workers were still testing out the facilities and putting in the finishing touches.
These were the same kind of rides that captivated many of us when we were kids over 50 years ago. They should prove to be the same to our modern kids today.

Most of the rides will cost a token ( $ 3 ) per kid or adult.

Some will require 2 tokens ( $6 ) per person.

This Carrousel should be very popular with the younger children.

Similarly this boat ride would attract many kids as they can't resist water.

Those who have had a full dinner better not try this rocking Viking ship!
Your stomach goes upwards and then downwards...imagine the effect.

All little kids love trains !
So this should prove an attraction too.

Great World Amusement Park Opening tonight!

2011-01-22T17:50:00.014+08:00

The iconic world of " Tai Say Kai " or more popularly known as the Great World which existed more than half a century ago will see a small revival tonight when it opens its doors to one and all at 6 pm.

The Great World Amusement Park is an attempt, at least, to recreate some of the allure and attractions of the past. Though it may be limited in scope as it is practically a one-man self funded business project, still it should attract a large pool of visitors with all the interesting rides available, the " Tikam" stalls, food stalls, music and dance halls, beer garden etc..

Unk Ringo, the owner of the project, is well known for staging outdoor carnivals locally.

[Unk Ringo and Unk Dicko at the famous gateway ]

The Amusement Park is located opposite Compass Point and next to

Seng Kang Community Hub.

It is timed in conjunction with the release of the movie with the

same title....on Jan 27 2011.

Entry to the Park is FREE.

Buy tokens for the games etc..

The Main Performing Stage...still not set up yet fully.

Unk Dicko has been invited to the Opening shortly and will have more to report later.

Auld Lang Syne 2010...Welcome 2011 !

2011-01-21T01:29:00.001+08:00

As the night and the big Swing party wore on and with a sweltering crowd of more than 20,000 residents and friends of Kampong Serangoon eagerly awaiting the Countdown, the emcees invited the VIPs up to the main stage. It was probably about 11.50 pm when they were all gathered there.

In the background were the performers and entertainers and the dancers.

The Mic was handed to PM Lee who was in a joyous and infectious mood. He pronounced his Best Wishes for the people and for Singapore. Likewise the other 5 MPs bestowed their Good Wishes for the Best that 2011 will bring to one and all in Singapore and the world.

It was indeed heartwarming to hear each of them in such a short and sweet fashion rather than long parliamentary speeches.

[ Courtesy : Passion Photographers ]

[ Courtesy: Passion Photographers ]
The crowd just moments before the final countdown....

[ Courtesy: Passion Photographers ]

All eyes looking up at the night sky anticipating the fireworks...about to come.

[ Courtesy: Passion Photographers ]

The actual, precise moment when the New Year began just past midnight 1st January 2011.

With fireworks shooting up all around, PM Lee Hsien Loong turned to his right to warmly

congratulate Minister of Finance and MP Mrs Lim Hwee Hua. There were handshakes and hugs everywhere. Some loving couples kissed. Unk Dicko...? I was at the Command Center with uniformed police personnel and they warmly ...( no lah did not kiss me ! Luckily. Otherwise I would have fainted! ) shook my hands and we wished one another the very Best for the New Year.

There were several minutes of fireworks that lit up the dark sky overhead.

You could hear the oohs and the aarghs among the appreciative crowd of people.

These snapshots from my simple digital camera did not do justice to the actual scene

of exuberance, noise , glow and smoke resulting from all the explosions.

The crowd loved every bit of it.

Suddenly there was an extremely bright and sustained burst of exploding lights and sparks

and we knew from experience that was the final scene.

31 December 2010 will be a day and night all of us involved in the Serangoon SWING will long remember.

Will my Minstrels and myself be on the main stage again for the next Countdown in 10 years' time ( Year 2020 ) ?

By then some of us will be in our mid 70's and 80's !!!

No one can really say. I cannot predict the future so far ahead.

But ever the optimist that I am.... Unk Dicko says don't bet against it happening either !

Wishing everyone the Best for 2011 .

Serangoon Swing...part 9, The Countdown begins.

2011-01-20T02:45:00.003+08:00

There were fans of various celebrities and MediaCorp artists. This group of exuberant and lively girls were obviously rooting for their # 1 star...Elvin who appeared with his arm in a cast owing to an injury.

Popular MP Zainal Abidin arriving with his wife.

PM Lee Hsien Loong arrived at 11 pm accompanied by his wife.

The excited crowd, many with cameras, waiting for him to pass by.

The VIP stand.

The residents of Kampong Serangoon gave him and the other MPs a very warm welcome and reception.
Acknowledging the crowd's welcome.

MP Cynthia Phua and her hubby.

D2 making the PM and his wife feel right at home in Kampong Serangoon.

Arrival of MP George Yeo. He was at another Countdown event and rushed over from there.

Serangoon Swing...Part 8, The PM arrives.

2011-01-20T02:02:00.001+08:00

From about 10 pm onwards, more people came from out of nowhere strolling towards the main section of the crowd that encircled the stage. Perhaps they had known in advance that PM Lee Hsien Loong and his wife would be arriving at 11 pm for the Countdown proper.

The emcees and the entertainers had done their job well keeping the excited crowd on their toes...until the arrival of the Guest of Honour.

The Photos below are courtesy of Passion Photographers of SG. Thanks !

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua and her GRL team awaiting the PM's arrival.

Arrival of PM met by the Organising Chairman Tay Swee Yee and D2, CCC Chairperson.

PM greeting the hardworking members of the Organising Committee

for the night's event.

The covered stand for guests and VIPs.

All the MPs of Aljunied GRC were present to join in the Countdown.

Serangoon SWING...part 7, Minstrels made TV news!

2011-01-15T01:58:00.000+08:00

Serangoon Countdown SWING on 31 December 2010 attracted a large crowd of more than 20 thousand people. Local TV stars and media celebrities were definite crowd-pullers. Some sang a song or two before going off elsewhere for other countdown engagements. Mark Lee and Henry Thia, that unlikely pair, made the crowd rock with much laughter with their mixture of eccentric Hokkien, Mandarin and even pasar Malay in their stand-up comical banter.
Besides the promise of fireworks to usher in the New Year, one of the certain attractions was to be the appearance by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong himself as Guest of Honour for this event.
That would take place close to 11 pm that night.

When my Minstrels and I were entertaining on stage we had absolutely no idea whether we were captured "live'' by any media or Tv crew. It was only much later when Hoe Yeen Nie, Senior Reporter for MediaCorp News Hub, was referred to me to interview me about the Minstrels and my background...that I realised they had some filming done.
I had no prior idea when or even whether the footage will be aired. Subsequently, some of my Minstrels and friends told me that we were featured prominently in the Primetime news and on Razor TV...as shown below.

[ Hoe Yeen Nie from MediaCorp reporting the event"Live" ]

Serangoon Swing ...Part 6, More memories !

2011-01-13T23:16:00.001+08:00

We had opened up with our first 2 English songs which settled in nicely. For our 3rd song, I had chosen that rousing and thumping old English sea shanty ' Drunken Sailor' played and sung in Dm intro key. It was a very good choice!
For as soon as we started out there was much clapping and thumping out there.

This particular song allows for different variation in harmony and if done well can achieve a spectacular effect. I tried some of that during the chorus part...I always do so for this song, including stamping the floorboard.

The crowd response was getting better by the minute.

Soon after all that stomping we changed tack to entertain with local favourites.

We did Gelang Si Paku Gelang and Di Tanjong Katong as a medley. This was where our percussion members really got into the act full blast with their maraccas and tambourines.

Many of our senior babas and bibiks out there would have loved these kind of songs.

Younger people know these songs by now.

Since 1988 schools have been further involved in the 'Sing Singapore' element where local songs were popularised.

So many were singing happily along with us !

Our next song was the ever popular "Rasa Sayang Eh " which is always a crowd favourite.

Then we followed that up with " Burong Kaka Tua " , another well-loved song that requires no introduction.

Everyone was enjoying themselves...the Minstrels as well as the large crowd.

Finally, I went to the Mic and told them, "we'll be doing our last number and for this, let's sing out even louder than before! "
The crowd got ready and once we started they went, " Chan Mali Chan ...hoi, hoi!, Chan Mali Chan...hoi, hoi !" pumping their fists into the air.

At the end of our gig I thanked the crowd on behalf of my Minstrels for having the honour and privilege of entertaining them in this unforgettable Countdown SWING party...which happens only once in a decade.

Serangoon SWING...part 5, The Minstrels wow the crowd!

2011-01-11T03:45:00.000+08:00

The 7 photos for this particular blogpost are from Passion Photographers @ Serangoon.
My thanks to them!

My group - The Garden Minstrels was slated to begin our gig after Matthew and his Mandarins. We had prepared for an approximate 20 minute entertaining slot with 8 songs. During our private rehearsals we had timed ourselves carefully and found that our song selection was most suitable in terms of content, liveliness and duration.

I had two main objectives in my selection:- to recapture some of the nostalgic mood of the past "Sing S'pore 1988 success " and to entertain with some favourite oldies of the 60's. Quite a large number of Serangoon Garden residents are older, senior folks. They belong to the generation that we knew would appreciate most the kind of songs and music we were doing. This is not to say the younger people did not enjoy the music we did... ( Many were clapping and singing along with us ! ). It is just that the older folks can identify better with it.

The 2 emcees were Justin Mission and Moses Lim. They introduced our group to the crowd.

Here they were simply having an improptu chat with our newest member Mona who caught their eyes!

This light-hearted banter easily got the crowd eager and dying to listen to us.
When all was ready...I made the proper introduction of our Group and encouraged the crowd to join in by singing, jumping or clapping or whatever as we entertained them.

Our 1st song was that lively number... Corrina, Corrina.

I would lead the intro to the song and the rest would blend in smoothly. All was well or so it seemed. I was acutely aware midway through this first song that not much volume output came from the sound sysytem for my lead Ukulele.
As soon as the song ended, I signalled for the technical soundman who appeared...telling him the problem.

It appeared that he had forgotten to switch on the control converter box!

See my previous post about his promise, " I'll take care of it later".

So much for pre-checking and pre-testing of the music set-up.

I hope the Event Manager Steven, if he reads this, will see to it that such a thing should never happen again in a "Live" event.

It does not speak well for the reliability and dependability of these people who are paid to do a good job. It does not speak too well of the company involved.
If I had not been sharply alert no one would have been any wiser. But the performance quality would have been adversely and seriously affected.

Nevertheless, even during the 1st song, realising this shortcoming, I repositioned myself closer to the standing mic for better sound pick-up.... thus preventing a mini disaster.

I looked at the crowd and assessed that we were with them and they were just warming up to us after our first song.

It is not difficult to engage or stimulate a crowd who is there to enjoy music and being entertained.

Our second song was that popular calypso number " Marriane".

The response of the crowd was now clearly visible and audible.

Our members were very confident in their percussion and singing!

This big screen was situated at the rear of the stage where earlier on many fringe activities took place.

Captured on the screen were Edmond Tan on guitar and myself on ukulele.

Serangoon Swing..part 4, Minstrels Getting Ready!

2011-01-09T03:03:00.000+08:00

How was the weather that afternoon?

Well as had happened the previous few days..the sky was ominous with swirling black clouds laden with water. It started to pour at about 1.30 pm. By about 4 pm the weather gods were kind and allowed the sun to shine through. So, the organisers must have heaved sighs of heavy relief! In fact, it was almost perfect weather after that heavy downpour. Everyone put away their umbrellas and brought out their big smiles.

The whole area was very carefully marked out and separated by metal swing barriers manned by SWING volunteers in their official yellow T-shirt and augmented by police, AETOs and other security personnel. Two channels were created...one for the general public and the other for all approved persons leading to the main performing stage and VIP stand.

Security was very tight.

All performers and entertainers had to go through a bag and full body scan after which they were kept in a holding area before their stage appearance.

No one complained knowing that these measures are now part and parcel of our life since 9/11 and in the light of the new age of terrorism.

[The 4 musicians: Me, Richard Chee, Chong H B, Edmond Tan ]

My minstrels and I were asked if we wanted to have a "final" open rehearsal on the main stage. Apparently some other performing groups took up the offer and actually went through their routines despite knowing that the crowds were already present.

However, I declined the offer to rehearse but asked for a few minutes to prepare and install our equipment/music instrument set up on stage.

Matthew and the Mandarins were also on the stage doing a pre-performance check on their set up. We waited until they had completed before doing so ourselves.

My Minstrels and I had a total of 3 ukuleles and a guitar. Only my Concert Ukulele had a plug in line to the amplifier system. Edmond was using a guitar with no plug in line. The other 2 ukuleles are similar.

Here I was doing the attachment and testing out the amplified sounds. It did not sound ok to my practised ear. No, not the ukulele...nothing wrong with that but more the sound system. I asked one of the technicians to come over and explained to him and he replied it'll be ok later...as they have not gone full volume yet. I was taken aback by such a reply. It's either you are ready or you are not as far as I was concerned since the actual performance was imminent. That 'sound' chap simply told me to leave the plug in line there and he would do the rest later.

As a matter of fact, when we actually began performing our 1st song...my ukulele was attached but the converting control box was not "turned on"! So much for their competence! More of that later....

After preparing our set up on stage, we went to the Food Centre to relax. We had about over an hour to have our dinner at Pow Sing chicken rice restaurant with coupons provided. The service was fast, good and food was as usual excellent.

The 1st major group to entertain the early crowd of people was Matthew and his Mandarins. They are a definite crowd-puller with their ever popular country beat and twangs.

Matthew as always is lovely for the ears of country music folks.

[ Matthew and the Mandarins ]

[ Dick Yip and the Garden Minstrels ]

The crowded scene just before we went on stage.

These barriers prevented the crowd from getting to close to the stage.

The crowds waiting for us to make our appearance.

We were up on stage and being introduced by the 2 emcees.

Serangoon Swing... Part 3 - Fringe Activities

2011-01-08T00:12:00.001+08:00

The roads leading to Serangoon Garden Circus were promptly closed off by 4.30 pm on Friday 31 December...the last day of that eventful 2010 year. By 3 pm I was still at the CC making some last-minute update of my 4 song files. My minstrels and I had worked on doing 8 songs I had specially selected to entertain the crowd. But at the Final Rehearsal on Thursday 30 Dec, we felt that the last song 'When You're Smiling' ..although a most lovely song with beautiful lyrics, just wasn't "kicking" enough. I replaced it with that lively old English sea shanty " Drunken Sailor".

D2 and I made our way to the Command post by 4 pm.
Soon after that the roads were closed off. Only vehicles with approved SWING labels were allowed entry. The rest had to park at specially arranged designated carparks within schools nearby or along fringe roads that were open.

By 6.30 pm the crowd began to slowly filter in. Parents and grandparents with little kids in tow, older folks..some on wheelchairs gently handled by caregivers. The young and restless also came early to sample and try out the many free fringe activities. There were giant slides for kids, bungee/trampoline for the older ones, games like bowling for anyone, bubble-blowing and painting for the youngsters, rides and more fun activities all around.
Goodie bags were given to one and all from the collection centre.

A large group of line dancers enjoyed the music and gyrating in front of thousands just in front of the McDonald eatery. Anyone could join in if they were in the mood. I saw some little kids imitating the adults' every move! Perhaps the only thing missing were their cowboy and cowgirl hats, boots and outfit.

That would have added more spice to their excellent dancing.

The mother of this lady line dancer happens to be a close friend of mine from our Sing Singapore days. Judy the mother, was also a member of our Sing S'pore group back in 1988.

No fees, no charges. Just queue up, follow the verbal instructions and enjoy the fun.

So that was exactly what many of the kids did.

The giant slide was very popular attracting a lot of participants again and again.

Many of those who partied through the night were our European residents within the estate.

There were many of them at the event.

In the background a large screen to project what was happening on stage.

[ Photo from Passion Photographers of SG ]

A must-have item nowadays...stilt walkers dressed to the nines!

[ Photo from Passion Photographers of SG ]

[ Photo from Passion Photographers of SG ]
As soon as dusk fell..the lights went up and the entire area around the circus took on a far different ambience. The magic of the night, the lights and the sounds that reverberated from the speakers heightened the atmosphere. More and more people came streaming in from different directions, jostling for places or space for themselves.

It must have been a most welcome and pleasant sight for the party organisers.

[ Photo from Passion Photographers of SG ]

The Serangoon SWING ...part 2.

2011-01-07T21:54:00.001+08:00

Media Conference and Preview of SWING

About 4 days before the Big Day, I was at the Serangoon CC office preparing some songsheets with the help of the CC's staff who have always been most helpful to me personally. When I had finished and was about to leave, Judy Foo a staff member, requested for my presence at the Media Conference to be held that evening at the Command Post ( at NPP Serangoon Gardens ).

She reminded me to bring along my ukulele...as the press/media/Tv may want a preview.

That segment was chaired by Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister of Finance and MP for our kampong.

She deftly fielded the questions about the SWING and why in particular did our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong chose to attend our SWING when there were more than 50 other Countdown parties all over the island.

[Tang W L, Poon , Mrs Lim HH, Tay Swee Yee- Chairman]

[ Map showing activities and road closure for the event ]

[This group led the crowd for the record-breaking Papaya Dance]
Here they were giving a demo to the assembled media and press.

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua introduced my group to the assembly saying.." We are proud to have Dick Yip and the Garden Minstrels, a group of mainly our own Serangoon talent and mostly seniors and retirees, entertaining the crowd. "

[ Edmond Tan and Unk Dicko doing an impromptu item ]

Serangoon SWING Countdown Party 2011

2011-01-07T18:03:00.000+08:00

Serangoon Swing Countdown Party
29 December 2010
Join 15,000 Serangoon residents in ushering in 2011 at Serangoon Swing 2011.

The Countdown Party, "One Serangoon, One Family", is guaranteed to be an evening of family-oriented fun, games and musical entertainment featuring fellow residents, local celebrities and artistes. Best of all, residents can celebrate the New Year and bond with each other right at their doorstep.

Residents can rub shoulders with celebrity hosts for the night, Michelle Chong, Moses Lim and Justin Mission, and sway to the beat of live bands – Juz B and Man Tou from Channel U’s Project Superband. The night will sizzle with performances ranging from hip-hop to samba percussion and a live performance by “The Shaggies.” Residents can also set a Singapore record by joining in the “Papaya Dance”.

What’s more, residents will get a chance to party away with Mediacorp artistes - Rui En, Jeanette Aw, Elvin Ng, Hady Mirza, Sylvia Ratonel, Ebi Shankara, Mark Lee and Henry Thia! There will also be performances by Serangoon’s very own talent - Dick Yip & the Garden Ministrels, who will kick off the night of entertainment.

Guest-of-Honour, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, will grace the event along with Advisers from the Aljunied GRC, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Mr George Yeo, Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang and Madam Cynthia Phua.

Come on down to Serangoon Garden Circus on 31 December 2010 from 6pm to 1am for a night of fun-filled entertainment.

Admission is free.
Early birds will be served with exciting fringe activities such as the inflatable castle, foam party for children, challenging rides for youths, and line-dancing for seniors.

[ The report above is from PA Gov online website dated 29 Dec 2010 ]

[ Dick Yip and the Garden Minstrels on 31 Dec 2010 ]

The biggest party of the decade in Serangoon Gardens took a year to plan and organise. It came under the ambit of the CCC of the constituency with Tay Swee Yee as Chairman of the main Org Committee. It cost half a million dollars. The funds came from generous patrons and sponsors associated with Sg Gardens.

For such a huge event to be successful it needed to have a varied and diverse range of fringe activities, top celebrities and emcees, popular singers and bands and hopefully involvement by Sg Gardens own residents.

That was where I came in.

In the earlier part of last year ( 2010 ), the Org Committee approached me to sound out the idea of replicating in part that iconic and historic ""Sing Singapore segment which led to Sg Gardens Sing Singapore Group winning the inaugural Inter-Con Singing Title in 1988.

I had the great honour and privilege as Leader, of organising, attracting, training and preparing that 35 member mixed group for months of gruelling practices and competitions before we beat all to be crowned National Champions.

It was to be one of the greatest achievements in the local history of our kampong!

It made front page news in the press.

Fast forward 22 years on. The year 2010. What has happened to those 35 members? Where are they today? How many are still living in Sg Gardens area? How active are they? Many questions occupied my mind.

Sad to say, except for a few, most of the others have moved elsewhere. Some have passed on. Quite a few are in their advanced years and not quite mobile and in weak condition.

Only a handful of us still remain after all the years.

Nevertheless, I gave the solid assurance to the Org Com that I will form a completely new group

comprising our residents who will be even more versatile as time passes.

That group has now been in existence for over 4 months and has been featured on Prime Time news a few times!

They have given off their time, effort and money to come together purely because of their love

for music, songs and singing.

Unk Dicko is mighty proud of them!

How Time Flies! The 4 Ds in 1977...

2010-12-17T14:44:00.000+08:00

How time flies! These pictures of 1977 ( 33 years ago ) showed us as a young family when Singapore was still struggling to make itself known to the world.
D2 and Unk Dicko were then happy parents of 2 daughters, aged 6 and 1+. Wifey D2 had resigned from her job a few years earlier to devote herself fully to the childrens' upbringing. It was a HUGE decision on both our part that ultimately paid HUGE dividends.
She may have lost 5 solid years in government service. By any kind of reckoning that was a major sacrifice of her working track record.
But our 2 girls and the family as a whole gained a lifetime for that foundational investment in their early years.
We had Yin and Yang running in the family, with much love and laughter and fun during their growing up years.
This was to continue to adulthood.
And we see the same Yin and Yang balance running in their own families and children today.

[ McRitchie Reservoir 1977 ]
The little girl next to me is a niece of my close buddy who captured this pic.

[ Dawn and Dora - 1977 ]

They both love singing very much! I had so much fun playing the guitar and the ukulele to accompany their

singing. Mummy joined in too.

WISHING ONE AND ALL A MERRY, MERRY X'MAS !

Ps: Unk Dicko will be away spreading the joy of Christmas, music and fun with his faithful Ukulele.

Until then, CHEERS!

Unk Dicko meets Marilyn M at Universal Studios

2010-12-16T02:51:00.000+08:00

In my travels either alone or with my wife or daughter and friends, I have visited some of the very best theme park studios in America, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong and Australia. Almost all the parks seemed to be very crowded, no matter which day or time I visited them. Some are really huge when compared to Singapore's Universal Studios at Resorts World in Sentosa. Because of their size, they have many times more attractions, rides and shows than ours. This is not to say ours is no good...no, Unk Dicko can confirm that the standard and quality is there. No doubt about that. But the time taken up waiting for your turn in the LONG, LONG queue is quite unbearable...some as long as 45 minutes to an hour just for a ride that is over in 2-3 minutes !

D2 and I brought our grandkids and their keeper there last Friday ( 10 Dec 2010 ). Our tickets were bought during the initial official LAUNCH of Universal Studios many months ago. We wanted to see for ourselves just how it really is and to give a holiday treat to the kids. Going to such a place requires some advance planning when kids are involved.
You need to check out the kind of rides they can or cannot do dependent on age or height.
To save some valuable time, you need to obtain a resort map, preferably with all the latest details of showtimes, performances and routes to the the various rides.
Study it, mark out your own preferences allowing time for meals ( it's a nightmare inside ! ).
That way, you'll suffer less heartache.

The main problem as I saw it is the sheer volume of the crowd and the limited attractions for the rides. It was most unbalanced resulting in a "Hobson's choice" kind of scenario.
You arrived at a popular ride station. The queue looks like a coiled-up snake. The notice says "Waiting time is about 50 minutes " ( The time can change ). What do you do? If you join in, you'll be stuck for close to 1 solid hour with nothing to do...STANDING UP all the time, moving at a snail's pace forward. Imagine the little kids with you!
If you give it a miss, well you might not get the chance again to try that ride..at least for that day.
Thousands of us were faced with Hobson's choice, several times that day. ( No Choice ! )

I am allergic to long queues. So went to explore 5th Avenue to see who I would meet. Suddenly from out of a building, a lady stepped forward..she's blonde. I remember her from a long time ago.
I approached her and said, " Hi there. I seem to know you. Your name must be Marilyn right? "
" Certainly, I'm Marilyn "...she said. We shook hands and someone captured this scene for me.

When we arrived at the entrance, we saw many people still hoping to get tickets to go in.

Tickets were all sold out. They had a quota for maximum capacity daily.

Children love this "no need to queue " performance. The characters are from the popular movie Madagascar.

Hobson's Choice taking place, very few smiling faces as everyone seemed resigned to their fate.

Another of the "no need to queue" show...Water World.

But this is one show you must not miss. It's spectacular with superb effects, dare-devil stunts and lots of explosions and fireworks.

Just look at the size of the crowd in this one place. Imagine how many visitors are inside daily.

The Ancient Egypt section

Watching the world go by at 5th Avenue, Broadway.

There are not many rides that little kids can do..but this Caroussel is perfect for them.

With our Madagascar friends.

These were some Indian tourists who befriended the little ones.

There were more tourists than S'poreans that day.

More info on DTE Murder latest arrests.

2010-12-11T00:13:00.000+08:00

Straits Times online news

Dec 10, 2010
DOWNTOWN EAST MURDER
Youths brought to court
By Elena Chong

[ Photo: Straits Times online news ]

Puay De Feng (left), 20, and Stilwell Ong Keat Pin, 19, were brought to court on Friday over the Downtown East murder of a polytechnic student Darren Ng Wei Jie. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

TWO more youths were brought to court on Friday over the Downtown East murder of a polytechnic student, bringing the number of people charged to 11.
Stilwell Ong Keat Pin, 19, and Puay De Feng, 20, were each accused of being part of an unlawful assembly, one or more of whom caused the death of Darren Ng Wei Jie, 19, at the main foyer of Downtown east at Pasir Ris Close on Oct 30.
Darren died in hospital hours after the apparent gang-related attack, during which he was hacked with choppers.

Ong, represented by Mr Sunil Sudheesan, was arrested in Johor Baru with the help of the Royal Malaysian Police Force while Puay was nabbed here on Wednesday.
Both were remanded for a week for investigation.
If convicted, they face the mandatory death penalty.

Unk Dicko's Comment:

Almost all those who joined gangs have admitted to having feelings of inadequacy or powerlessness mixed with low self-esteem....that was felt BEFORE they joined. Usually their story takes on a dramatic turn AFTER they had been actively involved in gang activities...especially for those who had BULLIED, INTIMIDATED, HARASSED, THREATENED AND ASSAULTED others. If they had been involved in a gang clash ...it's like a feather in their cap, a 'badge of honour' of sorts...so they were all led to believe.

If they dared to carry and conceal a deadly weapon like a parang, a chopper or such...they were praised for being 'brave'...that is if they remain uncaught.

All these ideas have been tossed around between gang members and foolishly accepted as gospel truth or 'fait accompli'...without questions in typical gang culture.

Youths in gangs should use their brains and ask themselves some questions such as:-

1. How can we call ourselves "brave" when we have 25 people all armed attacking 3 persons

armed or unarmed ?

The most appropriate word in such a case? No, not brave but COWARDS !

2. AFTER we attack or ambush our rivals, surely the SSB, CID, POLICE, GOVT and even good citizens will want to identify us and arrest us. HOW can we avoid this? How can we feel powerful when after such an attack we run and hide like rats? How can we ever enjoy our life and FREEDOM again after such an attack?

Over to you...mr 'so-called' gang headman. You will be held responsible whether you like it or not as these 'hot air balloons' are under your orders.

3. If there is no way to avoid being tracked and arrested and face potential Death Penalty or a long prison term, plus CANING...then WHY are we still going to do this ???

Better ask your gang leader or Headman first to answer before you continue.

Did your gang leader or Headman inform your parents of the planned attack?

Asking yourself such simple questions may save you from a hanging in future.

It may be a little too late for all those involved in the DTE killing.

A Slashing case in Yishun..3 nabbed.

2010-12-10T01:07:00.003+08:00

Man slashed in Yishun, three suspects arrested
By Patwant Singh Posted: 09 December 2010 0027 hrs

[ Photo: Channelnewsasia.com ]

SINGAPORE:

A 23-year-old man was slashed at Yishun Ring Road on Wednesday evening.
Police said three suspects - aged 13, 15 and 18 - have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The incident occurred at the void deck of Block 362, Yishun Ring Road.
Police said the slashing resulted when the victim accused the suspects of allegedly stealing his mobile phone.
The victim was apparently attacked by two youths who, according to witnesses, were on a motorcycle.
The victim fled the scene, leaving a trail of blood along the way till the nearby Block 343 at Yishun Ave 11.

There, he sought help from a resident on the second floor.
Goh Gerard Kelvin said: "So he came up all the way here...I controlled his blood pressure...I (asked him what happened), and he said 'somebody chopped my hand'."
Other residents said the victim was not alone.

Iskandar Zulqarnain said: "When I come down, I saw a lot of teenagers and one guy (was covered with) blood. I was shocked."
Police said they received a call about the incident at 5.50pm.
The victim had injuries to his head and arms, and was taken to the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.
The case has been classified under Section 324 of the Penal Code, that is voluntarily causing hurt by a dangerous weapon or means.

- CNA/ms/fa

Unk Dicko's Comments:

Another slashing with deadly weapons case. It can happen anywhere at any time so long as you have such 'macho-bravo hot air balloons' usually with gang links, out to cause trouble. There are still many of such out there, with little education ( not that education was not available to them..they prefer to be educated on the streets), no proper family or parental control, no motivation, low self-esteem etc.. .

DTE Killing...latest,2 more caught. Total 11.

2010-12-10T00:55:00.001+08:00

Two more youths to be charged with Downtown East murder
Posted: 09 December 2010 2056 hrs

SINGAPORE :
Police have arrested two more youths in connection with the Downtown East murder.
One of the suspects, a 19-year-old, was arrested with the assistance of the Malaysian police in Johore Bahru.
A warrant of arrest was issued in Malaysia and he was brought back to Singapore on Wednesday. The other suspect, a 20-year-old, was arrested in Singapore on the same day.
Both will be charged with murder in court on Friday.
If found guilty, they will face the death penalty.

So far, the police have rounded up a total of 11 youths for the murder of 19-year-old Darren Ng.
He was killed during a gang fight at the entertainment complex on October 30.
- CNA /ls

Unk Dicko's Comments:
The relentless hunt for the remaining suspected killers have resulted in another 2 more being arrested. With the number now totalling 11 who may have been directly involved and responsible for the the brutal killing of Darren Ng and all facing the DEATH PENALTY if found guilty...this case has overtaken the infamous "GOLD BAR TRIPLE MURDER CASE" of December 1971.

In that unforgettable crime, 10 persons were charged with Murder of 3 gold merchants that took place in Chepstow Close, Serangoon Gardens. When the case ended all were found jointly guilty of murder whether they did or did not deliver the killing blow...as they had carefully planned the brutal killing for profit. After final appeals were heard, 7 of the killers age 18 and above were sentenced to death. They were hanged on the same day !
2 of the killers were below 18 at time of offence and were detained in prison under President's pleasure. The main prosecution witness for the state was Augustine Ang, also found guilty but in a kind of plea bargain, was not hanged.

IS IT WORTH IT ??? Think Hard and Carefully !

2010-12-07T04:34:00.000+08:00

Gang chief jailed 42 months, caned 18 strokes
By Shaffiq Alkhatib
Posted: 02 December 2010 1715 hrs
Channelnewsasia.com

SINGAPORE:
The headman of a secret society was sentenced to 42 months' jail and given 18 strokes of the cane for offences including being part of an unlawful assembly that attacked a 16-year-old boy.
Twenty-eight-year-old Mohammed Hussein Mohammed Kassim and five other men attacked Rashvin Ravindran with a knife at a playground near Block 511, Jurong West Street 51 at around 4.20pm on 14 August.

Hussein, who is the headman of the 18 Sio Ghi Ho secret society, directed the assault.
The fight broke out after a member of his group accused Rashvin of calling his friend a "dog".
They then attacked the boy before he even had the chance to answer.
As a result, Rashvin suffered injuries to his neck and head, and was sent to hospital for treatment.
Just about two hours before the assault, Hussein and at least 13 of his associates were at Jurong West Street 52 waiting to ambush another group of men.
Members of Hussein's group were armed with knives and a knuckle duster.

The headman had personally planned the attack to take place at a street soccer court.
However, he aborted it as he found that there were too many passers-by in the area.
The 13 youths, aged between 14 and 21, were charged with the crime.
Three of them have already been dealt with in court.
A 14-year-old boy was sent to the Singapore Boys' Home for rehabilitation while his 15-year-old accomplice was put on probation.
They cannot be named due to their age.

Another member of the group, 20-year-old Maria Dass Pandi Rasan, was sentenced to 24 months' jail and given six strokes of the cane.
Besides these, Hussein was also caught with a sickle and a flick knife in his flat at around 12.15pm on 16 August.
Police seized the weapons after officers raided his home at Block 118, Corporation Drive, in Taman Jurong that day.

The plump, heavily inked Hussein - who sports several tattoos on his face - was seen smiling to his family members in the gallery as the authorities led him away.
For the rioting charge, he could have been jailed up to ten years on top of the caning.
- CNA/ir

Unk Dicko's Comments:
More and more of these "secret societies " gangs have opened their doors to non-Chinese to boost their strength in numbers and to counter what the 369 group have been doing for over 2 decades. I have put the term " secret societies" in quotation marks because unlike half a century ago, today's samseng gangs are not that secretive any more. They do try to make some attempts to hide their links from the police and our authorities. But do so only superficially. Many openly tattoo themselves with their gang insignia or gang emblems in the hope of frightening ordinary people. Even skinny looking weakling kids tattoo themselves, dye their hair in weird colours, keep unkempt or spiky hair and add all sorts of stuff in the hope of looking more macho-bravo..the more sinister the better.
In actual fact, many of these samseng kias are openly declaring themselves "fair game" for their ss enemies and the police.

The situation in and outside the school is somewhat similar.
The teenage gang member in school DOES NOT SHY AWAY FROM STATING HIS SECRET SOCIETY to others they want to intimidate, harass or confront.
All the gangs operating inside a school, if they are on opposing sides, want to outdo one another.
These "hot air balloons' are simply that ...full of hot air led by so called leaders such as the so-called "headman" in above report.
From his actions as described in the report..you can see what a mess he has made of his life for himself, his family and those whom he has led astray ( total of 13 charged ).

This was pretty much the same kind of rubbish leadership that I encountered during my years of dealing with them. It was actually no leadership at all. I prefer to use the term "conmanship".The young, impressionable kids lured into such gangs were all basically conned...by older adults into thinking they are joining not just a gang but "an army" of thousands of fellow gang members., with numerous branches NSEW, all on call at a moment's notice. They fall for this big brotherhood thing.

Many of my charges learnt the hard way that when they were really in trouble...no help came.They were abandoned and left to fend for themselves for creating their own mess.

Some parents have asked me this question seriously: " if my son or daughter is already in a gang,how can he/she come out completely, without his life being in danger?"
As a matter of fact, during my appearance on CNA BLOG TV reently, the "Flying Dutchman" who was hosting the programme on Gangs and youth violence, had asked the very same question...with differing answers from the others on the panel. No one there actually had the kind of experience Unk Dicko had...of securing a gang member's unmolested, free release from his own S S gang without any payment or retribution by gang members.
Many parents have also asked me this, " how can we tell if our son/daughter is in a gang?"
Anyone out there interested in the ANSWERS ?

The Minstrels Public Performance at Zoo...part 2.

2010-12-06T20:22:00.003+08:00

This is a continuation of the previous blogpost on our Public Performance at the Singapore zoo on Sunday 28 November 2010 in celebration of Grandparents Day. The venue of this performance was at the Event stage set up at the fringe of the lakeside. Free seating was available around the stage area while many others simply watched from where they stood all around.
My Minstrels and I were the only "Live'' music entertainers for that day. We had 2 performing slots from 10.15 - 10.30 am and again from 12.45 - 1.pm that were scheduled. However we had much more time than that especially in the 2nd segment where we heard the announcement inviting us onto the stage again at about 12-25 pm.
Fortunately, I was well-prepared for any such requests for extended performance.
And later, we invited families to come along and sing with us on the stage. Prizes were given to these families for their spirit of participation.

[ The 1st poster I crafted to attract interested members ]

This was a few months ago when I held my very 1st Sing-a-long session at the Serangoon.
We had 2 ukulele players present..R Chee and myself to provide the music. As the weeks went by, 1 more ukulele was added( Chong ) and better still 2 guitar players joined in Edmond Tan and Steven Goh. The others took care of the percussion instruments.
Almost all the songs were prepared by me in 2 thick songfiles. I am now preparing the 3rd File.
They cover music from everywhere and every type. Quite a number of the songs I had chosen to perform in public are actually "new" to my Minstrels. Yet, in only a short while, I was able to teach them the songs and how to play and sing them properly.
Truly, Unk Dicko is very proud of his fellow Minstrels most of whom had no music background at all.

[ The stage at the Performing venue - zoo]

Many of the visitors came in organised groups from different parts of Singapore. The photo above show many of the audience leaving the stage area after we had ended our 1st performance segment. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves singing or clapping along as we belted out old time favourites.

[ Alice and Nancy taking a break after 1st performance ]

[ Chong, Richard and Unk Dicko doin the same..relaxing ]

[ Our 2nd performance - Unk Dicko and Chong ]

[ R Chee - looking very focus and serious in his role! ]

[ Our back-up Minstrels doing a great job ! ]

[ The Minstrels wowing the crowd ]

[ Families gathered round to sing on stage with us ]

[ The Minstrels with C3A CEO - Henry Quake ]

Mr Henry Quake, the CEO of Council of Third Age was personally present to lend support to the event. He thanked me profusely for agreeing to do this gig with my Minstrels as it helped to enliven the occasion...and made it all the more memorable.

Believe it or not, all the 6 Minstrels featured here are also GRANDPARENTS themselves!

Grandparents Day..indeed!

Matthew & the Mandarins, Edmond & Unk Dicko entertaining..

2010-12-04T03:02:00.001+08:00

A few nights ago, my wifey and I were invited to a private function to honour our Kampong Serangoon 2010 National Day Awards PBM recipients. The event was held at the Ballroom of Sg Gardens Country Club. The 2 PBM winners John Leow and HS Chew hosted the function. Many of the key GRLs were in attendance and included Minister Lim Hwee Hua who is MP of the area and her hubby too.

[ Photo source: Unk Dicko - Matthew & the Mandarins ]

The main entertainment for the evening came from Matthew and The Mandarins...a group that does not require any introduction. There's no other group like Matthew and his members who have been synonymous with Country and Western music for over 4 decades. They command top draw wherever they perform.

And so it wasn't surprising that they were engaged for this function.

One thing I noticed about this group is they always appear very relaxed and unfazed on stage. That comes with being together for a very long time and knowing their music and songs inside out. It helps if you have the legend himself as the leader and catalyst...Matthew Tan ! He is ever so easy-going when he sings, strum and perform. Truly a gifted country star.

[ Singapore cowboy and his group still wowing everyone ]

[Edmond and Unk Dicko providing accompaniment]
After the Mandarins had provided the soothing sounds for close to an hour, they took that much

needed break. It was the turn for Edmond Tan and Unk Dicko to keep the celebrations going with a guitar and ukulele duet.

We started off with a rousing number...Corinna, Corinna.

Then a rather unfamiliar number to many...Enjoy Yourself, It's later than you Think!

That was followed by Mac Davis...Oh Lord It's Hard To Be Humble which got everyone going.

I managed to "con" the 2 PBM awardees to come on stage to do a song together.

They leafed through the file and chose...Let It Be by the BeeGees. We provided the accompaniment with me on ukulele.

Edmond and I rounded it off with that old time favourite...DIANA.

Soon as we came off the stage, Matthew shook my hands and added, " Great sounds! "

I thanked him warmly. Coming from Singapore Cowboy himself...it is more than just a compliment.

[ The 2 PBM winners with Edmond and Unk Dicko ]

[Edmond Tan and Unk Dicko entertained at event]
[ in a guitar and ukulele duet ]

[With the legend himself..Matthew Tan ( Mandarins]

[ Edmond, Matthew Tan (Mandarins), Daisie, Unk Dicko ]

A Ukulele Performance for VIPs

2010-12-03T01:18:00.000+08:00

The Council for Third Age sent me a CD recently.It has pictures of our Ukulele performance before our distinguished guests headed by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
Our performance was featured in the evening's Prime Time News and I managed to capture a few screen shots with my digital camera.
The picture below is from my cameara.
The rest of these photos were sent to me by the C3A ( Thank You C3A dear darlings! ).

[Photo: From my TV screen, Mediacorps primetime news]

Soon after our introduction, and just before we began our first song item.

I engaged our VIPs and guests giving a brief background of our selections and setting the "mood" in readiness.

Darren was a surprise. He was steady and quite relaxed considering this was only the 2nd time that he had appeared on the large stage with me for a public performance. The 1st time was last year at the launch of the Active Ageing Carnival at Suntec City. During my ukulele performance with R Chee a friend of mine, I saw Darren and his parents among the crowd and invited him on stage. I had extra ukuleles and giving him one asked if he would like to join us impromptu. He was game and daring enough to accept despite not knowing what songs we were doing. But I had taught him a little more than the other kids I've coached as he showed a keener interest back then.

Click Here to read about that including some pictures of Darren and us at that event at Suntec City in 2009.

Someone asked me there, " How long have you been playing the Ukulele? "

When I said, " I started a long time ago...before Singapore became fully independent in 1965 ..",

the response was , "Wow! before I was even born !"

Well, Darren if he keeps playing would be a step ahead of me. He started when I taught him and his schoolmates in Primary 5 ( 10 years old then).
He was also a member of the scout troop to whom I've specially taught long-forgotten scout and campfire songs as mentioned in my previous post.

I went out of my way to do this voluntarily for a couple of years as that's simply the best way to impart heritage, knowledge, history about the legacy of the past to young and eager minds.

So, Darren is not the only beneficiary. There are many others including their most appreciative parents.

For this performance, Darren was using his simple Mahalo soprano Ukulele.

I had just bought my latest Ukulele...a handmade Maestro Concert Ukulele ( UC 20) made entirely from solid Mahogany wood. The listed price is $ 399 at City Music at Peace Centre.

Unk Dicko got a discount as a card member of Maestro Ukulele Singapore.

The sound quality from this particular ukulele is superb with a rich and well-balanced tone. It comes with superior Aquila Nylgut Strings..model 14.

It is excellent for playing songs or tunes that require a little more plucking mixed with intricate

strumming...like some of the 'keroncong' type melodies or even some advanced Christmas numbers.
I'm very happy with my buy. I expect the tone to be even better in a few short years.

Listeners told me they simply "love" the sounds of this ukulele.

"Would you like to have it?" I asked someone.

His classic reply, " I prefer to have your fingers ! "

This was where we were seated at during Lunch..Table 4.

Unk Dicko Entertaining SM Goh and MPs..part 2.

2010-12-02T03:41:00.001+08:00

When we arrived at the Qian Xi Restaurant at Tanjong Pagar Complex amidst a very tight security cordon, we were met by the organisers who showed us to our seats at Table 4. Both 13 year old Darren Goh and I were special invited guests. We had our names pasted on the tables. SM Goh was at Table 1, the VIP table nearby us with some of the other MPs of his GRC.
Lunch was a yummy Chinese style dishes served by individual tables. I observed that most of the other performers in the 2 hour plus programme were there just as performers. They were not involved in the lunch. So, I must thank the organisers for being invited as guests for Lunch too!

[ All photos from Unk Dicko's Archives ]

Just after 1 pm or so, when most of the items were over and people had a full stomach, the emcee announced, " And now we have for you something special.... a guitar performance by Mr Dick Yip who was the Active Ager and Infocomm Champion Award Winner of 2008.! "

Darren and I walked to centre stage and as we adjusted the mic and music stand, I introduced ourselves properly to SM Goh Chok Tong, his fellow MPs and all guests.

The 1st thing I did was to quickly correct the mistake by the emcee...who said " guitar performance". Just goes to show that he the emcee ( a veteran ) does not know the difference between the 2 instruments...sigh!

Soon as we were about set and ready, I spoke directly to our honourable SM Goh saying,

" I have picked a selection of songs of which a few are campfire songs of long ago...maybe at least 50 odd years ago. I can guarantee that most of you present will hear it for the first time today. Hopefully, some of the songs we are playing and singing will rekindle some sweet scouting memories for SM who was also a scout. By the way sir, Darren is a scout and I have been scout and scoutmaster for a long time. Sit back and relax and do join in to sing or clap along. "

Keeping to my promise...the first number we did was a very old campfire song called

" Ah Chong Sok". As expected that song got everyone's attention immediately. The rather noisy din of moments ago made by the 800 strong crowd was now replaced by a very strange atmosphere...only our ukulele and singing!

Everyone was listening ! Unbelievable.

When we ended, I asked SM Goh if he could remember or recall that song. He smiled and shook his head. See what I meant...that song has not been sung for over 5 decades! Very few today know that song even exists.

"Would you like to hear it again?" I asked. And the response was "yes".

So we played it again. And more could catch the lyrics this time. Many left their tables to go closer to the stage with their cameras, video cams and Tv crew was there too to film. This did not happen for all the earlier items...!

In case you the readers want the lyrics, here they are:

Ah Chong Sok

Ah Chong Sok is a cut-throat hawker,

Chee cheong fun hey chee cheong fun

He says his goods are not very costly
Chee cheong fun heh chee cheong fun

He marries a wife who's a sor lo kwai

Whose father's name is Tai Tow Kwai

And they all live together in Yap Poon Kai

Chee cheong fun heh chee cheong fun.

That song went down very well with the crowd.

Our 2nd number was that one time popular " Down By The Sea"..a campfire round, again almost half a century ago. I have been invited to many campfires over the last 40 odd years and in not a single one had I heard this song being sung. The scouts have "lost" it completely over the years.

Our 3rd song was that old funny song, "The 2nd Storey Window".

We played it in a rather more catchy, upbeat manner.

That got many people tickled by the lyrics.

To show we were capable of playing and singing different kinds of music, I included a calypso

number...that eternal evergreen "Yellowbird".

That got many people singing, humming, tapping including the VIP table! Well done Table 1!

For ukulele players, try to master the calypso strumming patterns ( there are a few ). It would add variety to your normal strumming style.

Our 5th song was a definite HIT ! I can judge by the way the crowd looked and reacted.

What was the song? No not the modern techno songs...none of that!

It was a beautiful, very traditional old English sea shanty...." Drunken Sailor".

My version..well is my version, with some foot stomping on the wooden floorboard of the stage.

The combined effect of the ukulele, our singing in "cockney" and feet stomping made this a top draw. Many were clapping away.

After that first 5 songs, I announced that we'd be doing our final 2 songs as a medley.

And that... these 2 songs have all the more special meaning and significance as we were right there that day....Gelang Si Paku Gelang and Di Tanjong Katong.

As both these songs have been incorporated into our Sing Singapore segments over the years, many of those present could sing along with us.

The VIP table were now singing away merrily to the sweet sounds coming from our 2 ukuleles!

I thanked one and all for listening to us and they applauded warmly and heartily. I think they all knew it was something very unusual they had witnessed that day.

For Darren my young ukulele student beside me, it would be a day he would treasure for a lifetime.

Table 4 - had 2 special guests, Unk Dicko and Darren Goh

SM Goh and his fellow MPs singing one last song

Unk Dicko was privileged to have helped Marine Parade GRC and 800 seniors make Grandparents Day celebrations an especially enjoyable and memorable one.

Thanks also to C3A whom I've always had a close association with.

The DTE Gang Killing...one more caught!

2010-12-01T16:10:00.001+08:00

Ninth youth charged with Downtown East murder

By Shaffiq Alkhatib

Posted: 01 December 2010 1214 hrs
Channelnewsasia.com

SINGAPORE:

Another young man has been charged with the Downtown East murder that took place on October 30.

18-year-old Ho Wei Quan is the latest person to be accused of being part of an unlawful assembly that attacked and killed 19-year-old Darren Ng Wei Jie between 5.30pm and 6pm at the entertainment complex.

Darren, a Republic Polytechnic student, died some five hours later at Changi General Hospital.

Ho, who was wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt and sports dyed brown hair, was expressionless when he appeared before the judge.

More than ten of his friends and family members were sitting in the gallery.

He will be back in court on December 8.

If convicted of murder, he will face the death penalty.

-CNA/ac

Unk Dicko's Comments:

With the arrest of this 9th murder suspect only one more remain outstanding. It won't be too long before he too will be nabbed. Our police field and special operations officers must be commended for tracking this latest fugitive down. We are right now into the month of December where large numbers of students and teens will be out of their schools and homes...and spending a lot of time outside. Parents should be concerned enough to know not just where their kids are but WHAT they are doing and with WHOM they are spending their time, WHOM are they associating with.

All those involved in the gang killing at DTE and in the gang attack at Bukit Panjang came from homes and families. Most have parents, grandparents and other family members WHO COULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE to all those detained and charged had they taken serious pre-emptive action earlier. Perhaps,the schools or institutions they went to could also have worked more closely with the police and especially the SSB to identify, refer and take serious action. Much more can be done by many.

But the important fact remains...the individual boy or girl who has chosen to travel on this slippery path of youth gangs, secret societies and crime...on a one way ticket to hell, has only himself to blame. In the several years before a samseng kia is arrested and charged for serious crimes, he MUST HAVE HAD SEVERAL WARNINGS and CAUTION while he was still a minor and in school...about his potential for wrongdoing and his gang activity. The question is whether there was any proper follow-up action regarding all this warnings to the PARENTS and other police agencies. And if there was, what follow-up action was carried out and re-communicated to the parents and the schools.

Unk Dicko entertained at a huge event at Zoo.

2010-11-29T03:48:00.002+08:00

5,000 people celebrate Grandparents Day at Singapore Zoo

By Tan Qiuyi

Posted: 28 November 2010 1946 hrs

Channel News Asia online news

[Photo: CNA online news - Unk Dicko & The Minstrels ]

SINGAPORE :

Some 5,000 people celebrated Grandparents Day at the Singapore Zoo on Sunday. Part of a slew of active-ageing activities organised by the Council for Third Age (C3A) this month, the event had participants aged between 4-months and those in their 70s.

A scavenger hunt, games and live music provided ample opportunity for multi-generational fun at the event. Grandparents Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of November every year.

-CNA /ls.

Unk Dicko was invited by the Council of Third Age to perform and entertain at the main stage of this big event. The special invitation was made more than a month ago.

So yesterday morning , me and my 'Minstrels' made our way to the Singapore Zoo where the Grandparents Day celebrations were held. Fortunately, I had asked members of my group to be there by 9.15 am. We were slated to perform at 10.15 am at the main stage of the Event venue.

By the time I got there, only 3 empty parking lots were left.

The many vehicles that came later had to park along the 1.5 km approach road to the zoo, all the way to the main junction of Mandai Road!

It was that crowded.

Young parents and families of all races turned up in force to support and honour their own grandparents. It was good to see that many people doing this. Quite a number even had elderly grandparents in wheelchairs coming for this event.

My minstrels and I walked to the Performing area amidst a sea of excited kids and other visitors, enjoying the sights, sounds and especially the unmistakable scent of animal droppings that was ever present in the morning air.

Soon as we neared the stage, Felicia..one of the event co-ordinators excitedly asked me if we were all ready to start. I looked at my watch which showed 10.am. Obviously the earlier item must have ended earlier than expected and they could not just keep the crowd waiting for the next 15 minutes with nothing to hold their attention.

Being always ready and well-prepared has its advantage as in such situations...I meant our group.

Immediately, I gathered our minstrels and strode on stage. Checked the mics and music stand.

The emcee had made an introduction of myself to the crowd.

I tuned and played some warming up notes on my Ukulele as I engaged the crowd. Nice and really pleasant audience seated on white chairs.

It is always very useful and important to engage the audience a little before a performance in "live' entertainment like ours. Such rapport guarantees there will be some enthusiastic response from those watching you.

How to do so effectively is not a secret, more a natural tendency and knack.

We were slated for a 15 minute slot in our 1st segment. Turned out it was over 25 minutes.

That means being ready to entertain with more song requests.

What was our 1st segment like?

Details in part 2....lots of pics.

Unk Dicko entertains SM Goh and company

2010-11-27T03:55:00.000+08:00

Singapore News

Channel News Asia
800 seniors gather to celebrate Grandparents' Day

Posted: 21 November 2010, 1915 hrs

By Dylan Loh

800 seniors gather to celebrate Grandparents' Day

[ Photo: CNA news online ]

[ Photo: CNA news online ]

SINGAPORE :

Some 800 senior citizens gathered on Sunday to celebrate Grandparents' Day.It is the culmination of a two-month long active ageing campaign held in the South East District.

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong graced the occasion with grassroots leaders and met the area's residents.

The celebrations also had other performances from various community groups.

CNA /ls

[ Media Corp Primetime News - from my TV screen ]

[ Media Corp Prime Time news - from my TV screen ]

Last Sunday, Nov 21 2010, there was a big event organised by the South East District in conjunction with the on-going Active Ageing campaign ( Active Ageing Roadshow ). It was held at the upmarket Qian Xi Restaurant at Tanjong Katong Complex. This is a big restaurant that can hold more than a thousand people.

More than 800 seniors from the Marine Parade GRC were gathered there to celebrate Grandparents' Day. All the MPs and advisors involved were present.

The Guest of Honour was Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

A sumptious 10 course Lunch was served.

An elaborate entertainment Programme had been prepared well in advance by the organisers which lasted over 2 hours. There were many dance items, karaoke 'type' solo and duet singing,

skits, a drumming act, most songs were either in Mandarin or dialect, interviews with 2 winners of " Mr and Mrs Active Agers of the GRC ", and a lucky draw.

One major highlight was Unk Dicko's 'live' UKULELE Performance. It was slated for just before the Final Lucky draw....to hold the crowd's interest.

'Live' Ukulele public performance is rare in Singapore.

I had received this special invitation to give a Ukulele performance more than a month ago.

The request was to showcase my unique Ukulele music and style, preferably with a young kid whom I've taught the ukulele to.

For this, I handpicked 13 year old Darren Goh now in Sec 1, one of the hundreds of kids I have coached about 3 years ago. Fortunately, he is still playing the ukulele when I contacted him through his father.

To polish his technique and skill, I gave him 5 solid one on one in-depth session on strumming, plucking and other more advanced methods.

We also worked through the songs I selected...7 in all, for tone, tempo and emphasis.

Our hardwork and effort was rewarded.

As soon as I began to warm up the crowd and SM Goh and company, by light strumming and introduction of ourselves and songs , while Darren got our music scores ready, many whipped out their cameras, camcorders and that included the official TV media...and approached the front of the stage to have better shots...sensing that they were about to see and hear something that was far different to what had gone before them.

Part 2 to follow soon.....

Another youth arrested for inciting online Violence

2010-11-26T01:45:00.001+08:00

15-year-old arrested for inciting violence online

By Wayne Chan

Posted: 25 November 2010 2116 hrs

CNA news online

SINGAPORE:

Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy for inciting violence online following the Downtown East gang murder which occured on 31 October.

The arrest was made on November 22.

The suspect is said to have posted comments on YouTube related to the Downtown East slashing, claiming he was from a gang.

This happened on the afternoon of November 4.

He also challenged other online users in the video wall postings to meet for a fight at a specific date, time and location.

The suspect has since been released on bail and is being investigated for making a statement to incite public mischief via electronic means under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code Cap 224. Director of the Criminal Investigation Department and Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ng Boon Gay, said that statements which can cause fear or incite violence are against the law even when hiding behind the anonimity of the Internet.

Anyone who does so can be jailed for up to three years, fined or both.

-CNA/ac

Unk Dicko's Comments:

Hope that can be a big lesson to the reckless youths and other irresponsible people who visit forums and blogsites to post insensitive or incendiary statements.

I say well done to the police !

More Measures to control gangs, youths at risk.

2010-11-24T18:29:00.000+08:00

Singapore
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Nov 24, 2010
CRACKDOWN ON YOUTH VIOLENCE
Curfew for at-risk youths?
By Teh Joo Lin
Related Link
SPEECH BY MR K SHANMUGAM, MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND MINISTER FOR LAW

ST FILE PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
TO TACKLE the problem of youth gangs, the police may be armed with additional powers such as getting at-risk youths to observe curfew hours and to attend intervention programmes.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is studying the feasibility of giving the police this kind of clout, so they 'can intervene upstream', that is, step in before errant youths form loose gang associations, said its minister K. Shanmugam in Parliament yesterday.
Giving an update on gang violence, he made it clear that the police have a 'zero-tolerance' policy towards gang activities and will hold on to this stance.
The police have picked up 144 suspected gang members since the end of last month. They include the eight youths since charged with murder in the Downtown East slashing case, and the six linked to the armed rioting in Bukit Panjang, who are being processed for criminal detention.
Mr Shanmugam, who is concurrently Minister for Law, said 45 per cent of the rioting cases this year involved young persons; about 32 per cent of them were linked to secret societies.
Noting the current of 'understandable public concern' over the recent incidents, he assured the House that the police took a serious view of such violence.
Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.
joolin@sph.com.sg

Unk Dicko's Comments:

There is far too much talk and reports on what the government can do or hope to do.

There is also far too much "top down" instructions and "controls'' on how to cope with many of the challenges facing Singaporeans. This slowly fliters down to from top to bottom to the men in blue...who are somtimes clueless about the emphasis and directions they should take.

They lose focus in their fight against crime.

We need to have a special team or TASKFORCE specially trained to take out these ss elements in our society. The work of the SSB should continue but now shored up by the exclusive attention of this select group of special officers who will be a part of the future of S'pore's frontline home defence.

Mas Selamat...relatives, family members jailed! I was spot on again in my analysis!

2010-11-22T15:30:00.005+08:00

Mas Selamat's relatives aided escape

Posted: 22 November 2010 1510 hrs
Channelnews asia

[Photo: CNA news online ]

Mas Selamat's brother, the brother's wife and their daughter, have been jailed between three and 18 months for harbouring the terrorist after his escape from the Whitley Road Detention Centre in 2008.His niece, Nur Aini. was sentenced to 18 months in jail.His brother, Asmom was given 12 months while his sister-in-law Aisah, three months' jail.

The three were arrested and charged last Wednesday, on November 10.They were convicted of the charge and sentenced on November 18.Mas Selamat's nephew, Mahadir, who had a lesser role in the matter, has been served a stern warning in lieu of prosecution.These details were revealed in a Ministerial statement in Parliament by Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.

He said Mas Selamat made his way to his brother's home in Tampines on February 29, 2008, two days after he escaped from the Whitley Road Detention Centre (WRDC).He wanted to seek shelter and help from his niece, Nur Aini.Mr Shanmugam said Mas Selamat thought that Nur Aini was living alone.The Minister added that Nur Aini persuaded her mother to allow Mas Selamat to enter the flat.She gave him use of her bedroom, provided him food and water, and also assisted him by destroying the clothing he wore to the flat, which included his WRDC-issued attire.

Nur Aini helped Mas Selamat disguise himself as a woman to evade detection and recapture.She also gave him several items, including a map of Singapore that showed part of Malaysia.Asmom gave him S$100 and RM100 to facilitate his escape from Singapore to Malaysia.Asmom's wife Aisah gave Mas Selamat an EZ-link card and hair-net which he wore as part of his disguise, and some paracetamol.

Mr Shanmugam said the three had knowingly harboured Mas Selamat, an escaped prisoner of the State, who they knew was the subject of a massive manhunt.They deliberately withheld information when they were interviewed by the authorities on March 3, 2008.It was only in October this year, after being confronted with the facts, that they admitted to what had happened.Mr Shanmugam said Asmom and his family's decision to harbour Mas Selamat and provide him with material support that enabled him to escape to Malaysia was very wrong, illegal, and had grave security implications.Mr Shanmugam said Singaporeans will be understandably disappointed that Asmom and his family had helped Mas Selamat in his escape.But he added that their actions are not a reflection on the wider Malay-Muslim community who had disapproved of Mas Selamat's deeds, and participated in the manhunt for him in 2008.

Mr Shanmugam said Singaporeans should not allow this episode to affect the trust and goodwill that has been built up over the years between the different communities.Instead, he said this should reinforce how important it is for every Singaporean to unite and assist the security agencies to overcome the threat of terrorism.As to how Mas Selamat made his way to his brother's flat and how he subsequently made his way to Malaysia, Mr Shanmugam said the account given by Mas Selamat is still subject to verification.

-CNA/wk

Unk Dicko's Comments:

I have been proven absolutely correct again. Readers should check out all my earlier blog postings from the time of Mas Selamat's escape, the big manhunt for him and his subsequent recapture.

My analysis of the situation, including the FACT THAT HE WAS STILL BEING HARBOURED IN SINGAPORE, was made in the days and week following his escape.

If only the police and the ISD could have obtained the proper search warrants and if only they could have been a little smarter than his relatives and family members...they would have solved this much earlier and avoided much public embarassment.

After Mas Selamat was brought back he recounted how he escaped by crawling all the way through those linked drains and culverts to Woodlands. He then embellished it by saying he swam across...ALONE. This is to say he "had no help from anyone inside S'pore ".

I asked our authorities not to fall for this " bullshit and hogwash" of a story.

He had outside help. PERIOD!

I rest my case.

Teen offenders had to do community service..in past.

2010-11-22T12:21:00.004+08:00

[ ST report 1996 ]

Click on the image to enlarge and read.

Look at the date on this report which was in 1996...14 years ago.

Our Singapore courts and other agencies involved came out with this innovative approach as part of their strategy in tackling the teen problem.

On paper it looked good. In practice it should be even better.

That being the case, why have we not heard anything more about this so called

" Community work for teen offenders " anymore. Years have passed by.

I do not seem to recall any news about any teen offenders serving graciously ( by court order or whatever ) at any CC, old folks home, hospice, childrens' home etc...

Any of my readers and visitors remember?

2010-11-22T03:06:00.000+08:00

Police arrest 70 more for gang activities
Posted: 21 November 2010, 2120 hrs, CNA news report.

[ Newsclip: Sunday Times - 14 Nov 2010, front page ]

SINGAPORE:
Police have clamped down on gangs with another 70 arrests.
The arrests were made at entertainment outlets and public places along Orchard Road, Clarke Quay and at various HDB estates.
Police said those arrested were between 16 and 51 years old.
They are suspected to be involved in gang-related activities, drug offences and possession of offensive weapons.
With these, the number of people arrested for gang-related incidents stands at a total of 144.
Of this total, 35 people were involved in the Downtown East murder of student Darren Ng who was hacked to death.
16 others were arrested for another gang incident at Bukit Panjang.
-CNA/ac

Unk Dicko's Comments:
The crackdown is producing some results.
The residents living in a particular neighbourhood, together with all those who have business within, should know their own backyard well enough.
They are the ones, the majority who want a safe and peaceful environment in their estate.
They are also the ones who know best where the various "samseng kias" often meet...be it at or near a coffeeshop, near a 7-11 store, at a foodcourt, outside a mall, at a HDB void deck, at a Basketball court or some secluded corner of a field, at a designated location in a park etc..
Residents, through their RCs, NCs and Business community should form their own Anti-crime and Anti-SS taskforce to liase closely with police agencies.
Such taskforce should make their very 1st task by IDENTIFYING ALL KNOWN SS or SS elements irrespective of sex or age operating in their own area.
They should make notes and identify.....
Who they are.
Who controls them.
What school they come from.
Where do they live approximately.
Other details such as the name of their group, weapons seen, their type of offences.
Day and time of ss activity
Night and time of ss activity.
Residents should also observe if police have been carrying out checks regularly, infrequently or
even NONE at all.
Such feedback should be channelled OFFICIALLY to their MPs or higher authority to remedy the situation.
The Police cannot SOLVE all of society's ills. But Police need to reorganise their approach.
Everyone must do his or her part to help clear this scourge from our land.
EVERYONE....every Ah Pek, Ah Soh, Ahmad, Muthu, boy or girl, man or woman.
Every teacher, counsellor, Principal or educator.
Every father or mother who treasure the children they have.
Yes, everyone if you make even a small effort to be helpful and corncerned enough to do your part...you'll be surprised how fast these samseng kias will turn into the tamest pussy cats.

2 ex-gang members say, "Don't imitate us !"

2010-11-20T02:09:00.003+08:00

The way I dealt with my former students who were directly and deeply involved in crime

and secret societies and those actively on the fringe of the same lifestyle is quite simple and classic.

Since I was fully aware there was not just a handful of cases but a frightening number of cases, all requiring in-depth internal investigation, and with many complicated twists and turns of differing complexity...I set out my personal philosophy and approach early and made it clear to one and all.

My approach? My strategy?

I won't reveal everything in detail here except to say it was MOST successful in keeping all the ss

and other elements from flexing their muscles where I was and in the vicinity where I was...and even further afield.

I used the "ICE and WATER" approach in dealing with ss chaps.

As you and I know, and the ss chaps too know... WATER is liquid and in that form is "soft".

A few drops of water on you won't kill you.

But ICE is real HARD compared to liquid water. A block of hard ice can kill you.

My strategy is always offer them a choice...if they want me to be water or ice.

That is choose if you want to play softball or hardball. But the choice is theirs.

I paint the scenario for those considering hardball.

I lay out the positive picture for those who opt for softball.

Having laid the background and drawing a RED line between the two...there's no middle ground

for any compromise, my session with these chaps begin. It can last from just 5 minutes ( super-quick confessions to crime and involvement) or over several days or even weeks.

I switched between "ICE" and "WATER" when dealing with such types.

When they aggravated their actions, even while under investigation, and upped the ante,

I came down on them like a TON of ICE.

They experienced the fear of the LAW but also the love I had for them as misguided kids.

Many are now gainfully employed or still studying.

The large majority I dealt with successfully are today on the straight and narrow. I have full confidence they will remain so.

Only a handful may still have to learn the hard way.

Some have served time in prison, come out and remained ok.

DTE killing...3 MORE CAUGHT, 2 more to go !

2010-11-19T23:21:00.003+08:00

Singapore
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Nov 19, 2010
DOWNTOWN EAST MURDER
3 more youths charged

By Khushwant Singh

[ ST photo by Wong Kwai Chow ]
Left to right: Chong Rui Hong, 18, Jason Chew Wei Beng, 20 and Ng Wei Lun, 18.
All three were ordered to be remanded in Central police division till Nov 26.

THREE youths were charged on Friday with the murder of 19-year-old polytechnic student Darren Ng in Downtown East last month, bringing the total to eight suspects arrested so far.
Chong Rui Hong, 18, Ng Wei Lun, 18, and Jason Chew Wei Beng, 20, were ordered to be remanded in Central police division till Nov 26.
The judge also issued an order that they could be taken out to assist police in investigations.

The trio is believed to have joined a group who hacked polytechnic student Darren to death with choppers at the Downtown East entertainment hub after a gang-related dispute on Oct 30.
Four alleged accomplices were first arrested on Nov 13.
At the mention of their cases on Tuesday, Chen Wei Zhen, 19, Ho Wui Ming, 20, and Tang Jia Min, 21, were ordered to be detained at the Changi Medical Complex in Changi prison. Edward Tay Wei Loong, 18, is recovering in hospital after injuring himself while fleeing from the police.

The fifth suspect, Louis Tong Qing Yao, 17 - who was arrested on Nov 2 for illegal moneylending activities - was charged for Darren's murder on Nov 10. On Tuesday, he was ordered to be remanded in the Central police division to assist in investigations. He also faces three loanshark harassment charges after he allegedly scribbled graffiti in Bishan and Serangoon North and splashed paint at a flat in Hougang
.
Two suspected accomplices -
Stillwell Ong Keat Pin, 19, and Ho Wei Quan - are still at large.

Unk Dicko's Comments:
Kudos to all the field officers out there involved in the relentless hunt for these 3 samseng killers. You can be sure that the public is pleased to see this. The police and the government cannot rest until this scourge of resurgence in teenage violence is completely put down...and rubbed out.
So there were 10 rotten Humpty-Dumptys carrying parangs sitting on the wall.
First 3 were caught, 1 literally fell down and 1 more while on the run went on a spree of crime.
5 + 3 = 8 caught.
Eight have fallen from their high pedestal of crime, secret society and murder.
Only 2 more to go. The police said they are still at large...but as you can see their names are already known.
Once that happens it will only be a matter of time before the other 2 rotten Humpty Dumptys will also fall.

Ps: To ensure they do not escape, perhaps the MHA could issue their photos to the media and press. And just like the "heartbeat molester" ...Singapore is so small, there's NO WHERE THIS KIND OF SCUMS CAN HIDE FOREVER. Yes, they may run but cannot hide for long.
More than 4 million pairs of eyes will be looking out for them...how to hide?

The school background of all these 40 odd samsengs nabbed SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY CHECKED. It would not surprise me at all that everyone of them are still LINKED to MANY of the present students in their former schools or in those schools they have some "control and influence". ( Remember the 19 nincompoops , many heavily tattooed, who turned up in court to show gang support to their arrested "brothers"....these are not all they have in their gangs. They have many, many more. Remember the large numbers at the funeral wake of the victim...many of the opposing gang members would have been there too. Press reports said more than a thousand were there !)
If the Police Intelligence Unit and the CID is up to it, they would have captured all the beautiful snapshots of many of the suspected gang members of FHS that had the fued with 369.
In the coming weeks and months even these FHS chaps would feel the heat...not just 369.
Some may already have over-exposed themselves and captured so clearly on TV during their rantings. Police and SSB officers will pick them up at leisure.

Another SLASHING at AMK ! ...what can police do?

2010-11-19T16:38:00.006+08:00

Straits Times online
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Nov 19, 2010
YOUTH VIOLENCE
Teen slashed in AMK
By Bryan Huang

In yet another incident of youth violence, a 17-year old , who was acquainted with the alleged attacker, also 17, was slashed on the right shoulder at Block 448, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 at about 7pm. --PHOTO: TNP

POLICE have arrested a teenager who was involved in an attack on another youth in Ang Mo Kio on Thursday.
In yet another incident of youth violence, a 17-year old , who was acquainted with the alleged attacker, also 17, was slashed on the right shoulder at Block 448, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 at about 7pm.

The victim, who left a blood trail from outside a 24-hour restaurant, where the attack took place, was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
The New Paper reported on Friday that the two youths had got into a loud dispute and a shoving match before the victim was knifed.
A police spokesman told straitstimes.com on Friday morning that the incident had nothing to do with gang activities, and investigations are ongoing.
The latest incident comes after a teen was slashed to death at Downtown East and seven others were attacked in Bukit Panjang.

Unk Dicko's Comments:

And only early this morning, I had stated clearly in my post..." Take it from me, there are still MORE out there..." referring to these brainless youths who are carrying LETHAL WEAPONS that can KILL with just a few slashes, stabs or swings.

When I saw this latest report online, it further confirms what I know about the "Real" situation

out there.

It is high time our S'pore Police Force relook their operation strategies to combat this rising scourge of gangs and violence.

The Courts and our Laws only come in when these samsengs are caught AFTER commission of crimes.

" We need to destroy not only the adult mosquitoes but to prevent the mosquitoes from breeding. Look for breeding grounds...larva, stagnant water, foul drians, cesspools.

Destroy these and the larva cannot turn into mosquitoes."

Our police need to be braver and smarter.

The commanders of all police divisions in S'pore should organise a SPECIAL PLAINCLOTHES ANTI-CRIME, ANTI-SS UNIT in each of their own divisions. The manpower for this are already there.

S'pore also has a large pool of police officers in the Special Constabulary both NS and Volunteers. All are trained in general police work.

I say select the BEST of them...and form them into a cogent taskforce to take out these multiplying hooligans. They too should be out of uniform and trained. Fully armed.

You only need to convert selected uniformed officers into plainclothes officers. They are fully armed and have the usual assortments, including hand-cuffs, extra rounds, etc...all unseen on their persons.

Keep this Taskforce operating openly where the public and DEFINITELY the samsengs know about it. Not all police action should be covert.

Most to be effective should be overt.

I speak from experience.....

What's the Most Important Gang Weapon Today?

2010-11-19T05:22:00.003+08:00

Singapore Straits Times online
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Nov 18, 2010
YOUTHS WAVE KNIFE ON MRT
2 with knife arrested
By Vanessa Jalleh

A photo of the two teenagers was posted on citizen

journalism website Stomp.

PHOTO: STOMP

TWO youths have been arrested for brandishing a knife onboard an MRT train.
The incident occurred in December 2009.
The suspects, aged 16 and 17 years, were on a train with two friends on New Year's eve when one of them took out a knife from his bag and started posing with it, while his friend took a photo.
A photo of the suspects brandishing the knife was later uploaded onto citizen journalism website Stomp.
The two teenagers have been released on bail and are still under investigation.
They are also being investigated for gang-related offences.

Unk Dicko's Comments:

Take it from me that there are still some more of such senseless and brainless "hot air balloons",

carrying different kinds of weapons hidden in bags they carry or on their persons. Police on their rounds should make random checks at every opportunity. The checks should be THOROUGH.

Some of the most incriminating evidence linking these scums to their direct links with gangs can often be found in their :-

1. Wallets:

Long list of Telephone contact numbers, sometimes more than 200 names, coded names and many with such prefixes as " god-aunty, 4th aunty, 5th aunty, ta-jie, 2nd ta-jie, apple #1, apple #2, candy #1, Candy#2, and many nicknames...ah xiao, ah boy, cockroach, scorpion, devil, etc.. etc..

In addition, there will be name cards, tattoo cards, arcade cards, games hall, gang photos often

taken as a close kit group..etc.. The stupid ones even have their gang numbers or name advertised on those picture cards.

Items that are stolen can be found in their wallet too...stolen NRIC, buspass, EZ link cards,

ATM cards, drug packets, drug pills, etc...

Large amount of cash is a an indicator of illegal or criminal activity for such thugs.

2. Hand or Mobile Phone:

Contains a lot of information that can link them to gangs.

To me, the Handphone and not the chopper or parang is the

SINGLE MOST DEVASTATING

WEAPON THAT A GANGSTER OR HOOLIGAN HAS TODAY.

For with just a few clicks on his mobile, he can transmit all kinds of coded message to his fellow gang members to do any number of things. An Example only:-

xxxx - Disperse now !

M - Meet at usual place.

MM - Meet at usual place Urgently! ( Calling for reinforcement over gang problem )

MW - Meet up, with Weapons ! ( An impending or expected fight or ambush of opponents ).

and any other kind of pre-arranged signals known to fellow gang members.

Holding a mobile in his hand that can summon a small army of thugs in minutes, a 15 year old hooligan feels very mighty and powerful. The gang has tried it before on "dry runs" and anyone who was supposed to turn up but did not ( no excuses excepted ) will later be severely punished to instill FEAR and COMPLETE SUBMISSION to the GANG LEADER, HEADMAN or his deputies. The punishment is usually a horrific, physical assault on the member ( even very new ones, age is immaterial ) carried out by fellow gang members that humiliates the victim...slapping, punching, kicking, spitting into the face, stomping, burning with cigarette butts, etc.... Most victims are too fearful to report even though they suffer injury as they have been warned that a WORSE fate will befall them if they do.

There have been countless victims such as I've painted, over the years, in practically all the schools and elsewhere.

This severe gang punishment is only for those who miss the "regular, scheduled meet up"..mandotory !

What about those who WANT to LEAVE the gang finally ?

Can you imagine WHAT kind of punishment or severe penalty they will face?

Just missing a meet up and you get horribly whacked...

And now they hear direct news that you want to leave the gang !... all hell break lose for you !

You can never imagine the FEAR and TROUBLE of some of those who went through the hellish process...of trying to opt out, on their own without any "help".

Unk Dicko has helped many so called "tough" ss chaps, some holding ranks, to get out usually after they have got a most terrible hammering from their own gang members.

How many of this came about, some with my close work with the SSB, is far too detailed for blogging. So I shall save it for confidential sharing with police or other agencies or the MOE or MCYS if invited by them.

The STATE cannot afford to be less 'tough' than the gangs!

2010-11-18T00:07:00.001+08:00

Now that MHA is going to conduct a full review of all our laws pertaining to suppressing gangs and the spread of gangsterism, it would be timely for our courts and the AG Chambers to also conduct their own reviews with particular reference and attention to young offenders, many of whom are in the school system or are school dropouts.
There must be a strong deterrent factor that should be applied to the fullest extent as a public example. The act to forewarn other potential adventurers must be given widest media and press coverage.
Everyone of us needs to do our part to help make Singapore safe.
Singapore can never be touted as a gracious society and a safe haven with gangs choosing to run wild with choppers and parangs, whenever they like and in whichever location they choose.

Newsclip - From Unk Dicko's Archives [Click on image to read]
The New Paper - Mon 24 June 2002

The majority of our samseng kias out there and their parents or family members do not realise that their wayward sons and daughters can be charged as adults even if they are under 16 years old at the time the offence is committed.
Under 16? Yes...that means 15 years in age and that boy or girl will be charged in "adult" court which carries very serious sentencing penalties.
So instead of being sent to a Boys' or Girls' Home for youth offenders, they join the much older prisoners at Reformative Training Centre or prison.

Unk Dicko has been bringing his " s s darlings " for twice yearly visits to such RTC and prison in the fervent hope that such visits will open their eyes to the DRACONIAN life ( if you can even call that living) and conditions that awaits them...when and if they stray from the straight path.
Prison life is not a joke.
Neither is life in the RTC.
It's a punishing regime of very STRICT rules and regulations to hopefully guide the inmates and channel them back to mainstream society after their release.
The prison visits always include a perfect demonstration of CANING on a dummy but using an actual cane and similar technique and extreme force.
All the "ss darlings" whom we have specially chosen on this MANDATORY visits have to go through every part of the programme.

On the journey back in the bus provided, I would ask for their feedback and frank views.
Most said they do not ever want to end up in prison.
All said they FEAR CANING ! Some of the toughie girls wanted to cry.
They were allowed to see real inmates out of their cells huddling in straight rows or squatting down. The prisoners were told not to look at our party...and they dared not disobey.
Most of them are in the thick of ss activities and display similar characteristics of those you have read about recently...they swagger, they curse, they openly show defiance to one and all, all of this taking place when there are lots of people watching...to "show and prove" to the world and their enemies out there just how "tough" they are.
It's an ABSOLUTE MYTH. You wannabie young boy and girl gangsters out there know for a fact that the so called "untouchable, leader or most-fierce chap" was always putting on a show when he or she knows many people are watching.
Just like DTE...thousands of people were there. They still did it. They felt very "brave".
But all of these ss darlings, when there is no one else around to watch...just between him and a law officer, SSB officer, me, police detective....when facing just people who have the REAL POWER to put them away for a long time...they never act brave, never this and never that, all shake and tremble, some go on their knees to ask for mercy.
Mind you, all this are during the investigation stage only and they are already crying and pleading!

GOVT will REVIEW all Laws to Tackle Gangs

2010-11-17T02:29:00.006+08:00

Singapore News

MHA to review gangs, youth violence laws

By Wayne Chan

Posted: 16 November 2010 1346 hrs
CNA online news

Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of State for Education and Home Affairs.

Video
MHA to review gangs, youth violence laws

SINGAPORE:

The government is considering if laws need to be tweaked to give more police power and sentencing options to deal with gangs and youth violence. This came in the wake of the recent Downtown East murder and armed rioting at Bukit Panjang.

Minister of State for Education and Home Affairs, Masagos Zulkifli, said the review would take between six and nine months.Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Mr Masagos said the upcoming review is aimed at clamping down the threat of street gangs.Beyond sentencing options and police powers, the review will also look at the powers other institutions need to ensure street gangs do not take root in the society.

Mr Masagos also stressed that the government, schools and parents need to work together to help the youth-at-risk.

He cautioned against over-using legislation and oversimplifying the solution to the recent problems, which are multi-faceted and need customised solutions.

He said: "The existing legislation framework is actually sufficient, but we also have to be forward looking - to look at the kind of trends our youth go through, the environment they live in. "And we have to ensure that these are all cogent in addressing the issues, so that relevant laws can be put into play to address the issues."

Mr Masagos said there are programmes currently available to help youth-at-risk such as school dropouts.

But the message that must be sent out is that while these programmes give them many chances, the law will come down hard on those who cross the line.

Sherrin Chua, assistant director of Community Involvement, Singapore Police Force, said: "In the coming school holidays, the police will be intensifying our checks at the youth congregation hotspots. "We wish to reiterate that the police do not condone any acts of violence. And those who disregard the law, regardless of their age, will be dealt with accordingly."

The authorities also urge parents to call the

police hotline

at 1800-225-000,

if they suspect their children are involved in secret society activities.

-CNA/wk/al

Unk Dicko's Comments:

I would like to commend and thank Minister of State, Mr Masagos Zulkifli for coming out clearly and strongly against gangs and youth violence at his News Conference. More importantly, he has on behalf of the government, assured the public at large that the Ministry of Home Affairs WILL REVIEW OUR PRESENT LAWS with regards to dealing with gangs, secret societies and thugs.

Our government has been known to be able to adept and react FAST to any kind of situation. This assurance by Mr Masagos serves to confirm the intent and hopefully the fact as it unfolds.

For the Review Committee to be able to carry out its major Task properly and effectively, it should be PROVIDED WITH THE "REAL FACTS, FIGURES AND DATA'' on the actual situation of Gangs and s s related incidents, recruitment, harassment, intimidation, extent of their network and structure, all manner of gang activity everywhere...in all schools, Jcs, ITEs, Polys, University, in the SAF, SCDF, and all levels of our society.

The most important area to FOCUS on is what has actually been going on in all our schools, all these years, over the last 10-15 years when the gangs have been recruiting non-stop from WITHIN EACH OWN SCHOOL, Primary or Secondary, the ITEs, JCs etc...

Most schools did not really know how to deal with the ss.

Only some cases may be reported in a year, if at all.

It is imperative that the Review Committee GET THE FULL PICTURE of the situation or else its recommendations will be muted and prove ineffective.

The whole of Singapore, except the samseng kias, will back the government on NEW STRONG MEASURES .

Some form of physical punishment for our wild and violent girls should be considered too.

High Time to Increase PUNISHMENT !

2010-11-16T05:00:00.001+08:00

[ Photo: S T, L to R - Azad, Nurul Aisyah, Effendi ]

Singapore
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Nov 15, 2010
CRACKDOWN ON GANGS

4 charged for choppers
By Khushwant Singh

The two kitchen choppers that were seized by the police.

PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE

AS ONE of the four teenagers arrested on Saturday at the Pasir Ris Costa Sands Chalet for possession of two choppers is not yet 16 years old, she was charged in the juvenile court.
In a district court less than 100m away on Sunday, her three older friends were having similar charges read to them by the Malay interpreter.

Muhammad Faiz Muhammad Effendi, 19, is alleged to have a kitchen chopper hidden under his shirt that Saturday while Nurul Aisyah Osman had another chopper hidden in her handbag.
Both are aged 18. Also charged was Azad Khan Azlan, 17. He and the underage friend were charged with consorting with persons armed with dangerous weapons.
All are believed to be involved in gang activities.

Unk Dicko's Comments:

They obviously are displaying a "we couldn't care less attitude" by their carrying these dangerous choppers on their body and handbag. All this despite knowing that the crackdown against gangs and thugs have begun.

According to the Chinese evening papers, after they were charged in court and led out by police officers..."they were smiling ".

Those smiles will cost them dearly as they clearly show a kind of teenage defiance against law and authority. The court will not take kindly to such arrogance...and neither will the police or prison officers.

Perhaps, it's high time that MPs and Parliament should call for the toughening up of our laws with respect to meting out punishment for anyone caught :-

1. Carrying a weapon in his or her possession.

2. Proven to have stashed away weapons for armed attacks. Many of these thugs, both male and

female, do hide some of their weapons for easy retrieval in secure hiding places.

We ought to make it something similar to anyone caught in possession of a gun or ammunition.

It is a MOST SERIOUS OFFENCE and deserve the maximum penalty under the LAW.

The GOVERNMENT has replied.... !

2010-11-14T04:51:00.001+08:00

Singapore
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Nov 12, 2010
CRACKDOWN ON YOUTH GANGS
Govt will not hesitate to act on gangs
By Jeremy Au Yong

'The concern is understandable because these are not random acts.

They were senseless violence. They were revenge attacks,' Mr Shanmugam said.

- ST PHOTO: SHAHRIYA YAHAYA

CLOSE to 200 people involved in secret societies are currently detained under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, and the Government is prepared to use it on even more perpetrators if necessary.

Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday the State would not hesitate to hold people under the Act as it moves to stamp out gang activity in Singapore.
And if there was a need for new laws to prevent the looser street gangs of today comprising youths from taking root, the Government was prepared to look into the matter, he indicated.

Speaking to reporters at a press briefing yesterday, he said: Where we can, we will charge them (gang members) in court for the serious offences, and they will face very serious consequences, as you can see from the actions we've taken.
"Where those who need to be put under CL (criminal Law) detention, we will do so, we will not hesitate. No one can doubt our resolve in that."
The Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act was introduced in 1955 and empowers the authorities to detain people suspected of criminal activities without trial. Historically, it has been deployed to control secret society activity.
Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.

Unk Dicko's Comments:

Finally the Home Affairs Minister Mr K Shanmugam has spoken out loudly and clearly. He is the first Minister to speak about the recent gang attacks. I hope more Ministers and MPs should be concerned enough to speak out in similar fashion to show a CLEAR MESSAGE to these cowardly scums to change their way of life, stop their nonsense and get back on the right track.

No half-hearted approach or measures will work when dealing with gangsters hell-bent on killing people.

The Crackdown should increase in intensity in the coming weeks and months. These gangs are very resilient. Unless continued pressure is applied by the police and all our instituitions...it won't be too long before they bounce right back.

For example, many of these gangsters will be drafted into N S when they reach the age. Many are presently serving in N S. Many are already known to the police, especially the SSB.

It should not be too difficult to keep tabs and monitor them aggressively provided the relevant info is forwarded to the SAF.

Parliament could also amend our N S laws and policies to extend the NS years by additional 2-3 years for those found to be still involved in gangs and secret societies...even after they have served jail time for crimes committed. We have to make it tougher for these teenagers and older gangsters and let them know what they will be facing.

In the schools, many of the most unbelievable incidents engineered by samseng elements against teachers, VPs, Ps, OMs, DMs....are by samseng girls of the worst kind. They have behind them adult samsengs who coach and back them up. These need not always be their parents or other family members. Many a time...they are goaded by their older "god-aunties, god-sisters, go-mothers" etc..to wreak havoc and hell on the school system.

Nan Chiau High School in 2004 was not the only case, though it was THE WORST CASE of its kind. Practically all our schools have experienced such situations before, year in year out.

Tougher measures, perhaps even laws may need to be effected as punishment for female samsengs. Many have asked in forums...WHY CAN'T THEY TOO BE CANED ?

Parents cane their own beloved children...boys and girls. That's alright. That's ok.

Schools cane their students who break school rules....BUT only the BOYS .

Girls break the same school rules with greater intensity and frequency....What happens to them?

No caning. Nothing. No physical pain from punishment as inflicted on male students.

No wonder they feel like the Almighty!

Perhaps, it's time for the govt to rethink the strategy and philosophy for the long term good of our nation.

Police Crackdown Continues...

2010-11-13T02:54:00.005+08:00

Photo: SPF

Straits Times online news
Nov 12, 2010
CRACKDOWN ON YOUTH GANGS
Police vow to act on gangs

POLICE on Friday warned youth offenders involved in violent crimes that they will not be treated lightly simply because of their age, and vowed to deal with all gang behavior 'firmly and decisively'.
They will not hesitate to use the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act if necessary, said a police statement in response to a recent spate of gang attacks and rioting, sparking calls from the public for stronger police action.
Police said they conduct regular enforcement rounds on the ground to flush out out gang activities. Once detected, the Secret Societies Branch would step in to investigate the extent of gang involvement by each member.
In the recent cases, a Republic a Republic Polytechnic student was fatally slashed in Downtown East on Oct 30. Five youths have been charged with the murder of Darren Ng, 19. Nineteen youths who turned up in court to support the fifth suspect also ended up being arrested on Wednesday.
On Monday evening, a 20-year-old youth was slashed by a group armed with parangs and choppers at Block 418, Fajar Road. The group is believed to have also attacked six teenage boys at Block 505, Jelapang Road. Twelve suspects have been arrested over the two attacks.
Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam told reporters at a news briefing on Friday that these attacks were not 'completely random'.
Following these incidents, police have picked up 40 suspects in an island-wide blitz and will continue to target gang-related activity in the coming weeks.
'Police will deal with all gang behaviour firmly and decisively,' said a police statement on Friday.
Police are also using preventing and proactive strategies to deal with street gangs, including giving talks to secondary school students and other rehabilitative programmes.

Unk Dicko's Comments:

The public's reaction has been noted and now acted upon.

This is a good sign.

But much more remains to be done if we want to remove this scourge from our peaceful homeland.

May I urge the police and other law agencies, our courts to show no sympathies to such internal terrorists. They knew what they were doing were brutal, evil and wrong. They had a CHOICE of whether to be a part of an armed gang going on a hunt for their enemies...or not to participate at all. THEY FREELY CHOSE to participate...in the end seriously injuring their poor victims and scarring them for life. In the case of Darren...he will never, ever be around again. Snuffing away the life of a human being is the ULTIMATE CRIME ( not justifiable hanging by the state...that is sanctioned by LAW ).

They need to be given the MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT possible AS A DETERRENT AND STRONG SIGNAL, REMINDER TO ALL THE OTHER SAMSENG KIAS....out there.