Employer should take action against man who threatened teen on MRT, says Shanmugam
The Straits Times, 14 Jul 2015
The Straits Times, 14 Jul 2015
The actions of an MRT commuter who threatened a teenager who was wearing an expletive-bearing t-shirt was an act of "unacceptable bullying", said Minister for Law K Shanmugam on Tuesday night.
Last week, a video of a man who started threatening a teenager, who reportedly wore a t-shirt which had the words 'I'm F--king Special', on an MRT train circulated widely on social media.
Last week, a video of a man who started threatening a teenager, who reportedly wore a t-shirt which had the words 'I'm F--king Special', on an MRT train circulated widely on social media.
In the video, another man named Elfy stood up for the teenager and confronted the aggressor.
Yesterday, the Law Minister weighed in on the incident and called for the aggressor's employer to take action against him.
"Came across this video. Unacceptable bullying conduct. People like this are sick in their mind. And try and take it out on others. I hope his employer will take some action, against him - he brings his organisation into disrepute," Mr Shanmugam said in a Facebook post.
Mr Shanmugam, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, also praised Elfy for standing up for the teenager.
"Good to see someone, in this case Elfy standing up to this bully. His comments on the incident, that we are a multiracial society that should respect each other, are wise."
Mr Shanmugam linked to a report on Stomp that included Elfy's comments.
On his Facebook page, Elfy thanked those who supported his actions, saying: "To my all followers in Singapore, thank you for the support all have given to me.
On his Facebook page, Elfy thanked those who supported his actions, saying: "To my all followers in Singapore, thank you for the support all have given to me.
"We are Singaporean born to live with multiracialism. So we grown up with multiracialism. ...Whoever is in trouble we come and help. who ever is successful we come and applaud. So this is how we live, love amongst each other."
Hero of MRT incident
Shanmugam lauds man who stood up to bully
By Pearl Lee, The Straits Times, 16 Jul 2015
Mr Muhammad Hanafie Ali Mahmood, 25, had only one thing on his mind when he went up to stop a commuter from bullying another man in the MRT - to prevent a fight from erupting.
"I was worried that the bully would lay hands on the man," Mr Hanafie said.
Recounting the incident to reporters at Chong Pang Community Club yesterday, Mr Hanafie, who is unemployed, said he was riding the North-South Line train from Orchard at about 11pm last Tuesday with his girlfriend, Ms Nabilah Nasser, 23. Two men got on the train at Bishan, and out of the blue, the older man started to lash out at the younger man.
Shanmugam lauds man who stood up to bully
By Pearl Lee, The Straits Times, 16 Jul 2015
Mr Muhammad Hanafie Ali Mahmood, 25, had only one thing on his mind when he went up to stop a commuter from bullying another man in the MRT - to prevent a fight from erupting.
"I was worried that the bully would lay hands on the man," Mr Hanafie said.
Recounting the incident to reporters at Chong Pang Community Club yesterday, Mr Hanafie, who is unemployed, said he was riding the North-South Line train from Orchard at about 11pm last Tuesday with his girlfriend, Ms Nabilah Nasser, 23. Two men got on the train at Bishan, and out of the blue, the older man started to lash out at the younger man.
In a video of the incident filmed by Ms Nabilah and put up on social media, a commuter could be seen scolding and threatening a younger man who was wearing a T-shirt that said "I'm F--king Special".
When the train reached Ang Mo Kio station, the aggressor threatened to throw the victim out of the train. He said in the video: "Are you getting off? If not, I'm going to throw you off."
It was at this point that Mr Hanafie, who also goes by the nickname Elfy, decided to intervene.
"It just doesn't make sense. The man kept scolding the victim about his T-shirt," he said, adding that the victim had kept quiet and avoided eye contact with the aggressor to not provoke him.
The victim, who looked like he was in his 20s, was smaller in size than the aggressor. He was also wearing his backpack in front and the words on his shirt could not be clearly seen, added Mr Hanafie.
The identities of the aggressor and the victim are not known.
It was at this point that Mr Hanafie, who also goes by the nickname Elfy, decided to intervene.
"It just doesn't make sense. The man kept scolding the victim about his T-shirt," he said, adding that the victim had kept quiet and avoided eye contact with the aggressor to not provoke him.
The victim, who looked like he was in his 20s, was smaller in size than the aggressor. He was also wearing his backpack in front and the words on his shirt could not be clearly seen, added Mr Hanafie.
The identities of the aggressor and the victim are not known.
Mr Hanafie was speaking at an iftar session at the community club yesterday with young professionals and students. Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who was at the session, said: "The bullying was unacceptable, and what Elfy did made me feel proud - standing up to a bully."
Since the video went viral, Mr Hanafie and Ms Nabilah have been inundated with Facebook messages and friend requests. "I feel that people are proud of me... But life goes on still. I just want to say that we should help each other," he said.
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