THE TEMASEK REVIEW

Video produced by The Enquirer TV, The Singapore Enquirer

Prologue:

70 year old Madam Tan has 9 children who gives her $500 – $700 monthly on average for living expenses. Yet she continues to collect used cardboards to sell in her neighborhood. She claimed she does not need the money and is doing so to keep herself healthy.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_brk8D6EhoQ&hl=en&fs=1]

Excerpts of interview:

SG Enquirer: “How much cardboards do you collect daily ?”

Madam Tan: “Not a lot, just a few – look over there.”

SG Enquirer: “How much do you learn from selling them ?”

Madam Tan: “Now times are bad, about S$1.50 after 3 days, at most S$3.00″

SG Enquirer: “Do you have any children ?”

Madam Tan: “Yes, 9 of them. They give me money for my monthly expenses.”

SG Enquirer: “Then why are you still working ?”

Madam Tan: “To keep myself healthy lor, my legs are very weak, so I need to exercise.”

SG Enquirer: “Why don’t you rest at home ?”

Madam Tan: “Nothing better to do lah, keep staying at home will go mad.”

SG Enquirer: “Are you happy with your present life ?”

Madam Tan: “Okay lah, in life most important must take things easy, don’t brood over problems, eat well, sleep well, I live a simple life.”

Afterthought:

In November 2008, we published a story from a reader about a 74 year old Madam Neo who has been picking cardboards for a living for the past 10 years (read the article here).  We were indeed surprised that there are actually elderly around who are in this “trade” to keep themselves fit.

Madam Tan appeared to be cheerful throughout the interview. Unfortunately, she belonged to the minority. For every Madam Tan, there will be at least a dozen Madam Neos who need to collect used cardboards in their twilight years to feed themselves.

If the current price for used cardboards as quoted by Madam Tan above is true, this means that many elderly who are dependent on the “cardboard industry” to make a living will have to starve every other day as S$3.00 can hardly buy enough food for a day.

EDITORS’ NOTE: Tomorrow, we will bring a series of exclusive interviews with Singaporeans on the most pressing question on our readers’ mind: who will you vote for if an election is held this year, the PAP or the opposition ? Stay tuned to this blog for more exciting and ground-breaking news.

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