Tour of Duty

A halt at Jalan Tupai

Previous mansion is now flattened to ground zero, to give way for new distinctive residence.

Survey boundary marks on the footpath.

Narrow road at Angullia Park, where 3 property developments are now actively in progress.

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Today, Tuesday, 8 Jan 2008 on my tour of duty I came to a halt, as a crane was unloading a huge load of bricks into the building premise. It was at Tupai Road. You may not have heard of such a road in Singapore. Tupai is a Malay word which means 'squirrel'. Therefore, in English it is Squirrel Road. Isn't it a simple name for a road where there are many expensive bungalows and condominium.

Anyway, I managed to pass through when the crane turned its body around after the loading was completed.

Then I turned into Angullia Park, where there is a condominium site that I had to check on the road and drain condition, with the help of survey marks which correspond to the survey details shown in the Certified Plan of that area. These markings are important to determine the boundary of a certain property. from there we are able to deduce, who owns a particular piece of land and who are maintaining it.

The particular development I was looking for has been flattened to gound zero, as the en-bloc application had been approved.

As I was finishing and about to leave the site I saw a man walking towards me. I smiled at him and he responded with a smile too. He was walking from Tupai Road towards Orchard Boulevard, where Wheelock Place and Borders bookshop stands. After walking a few steps, he turned and asked me if I was doing the road inspection there. I gave him a quick 'yes' to avoid further questioning.

But, instead, he came nearer to me and posed me a remark which sound almost like a whisper.

"I think they are overdoing this place with too many housing developments."

Again I replied him quickly,
"Ya! you're right. 3 developments in a row at the same time and the road is narrow."

He continued saying,"Why are the Authority not controlling the developments. There will in no time be surplus of housing, and then the property price will go down."

I changed the subject,"Sir you're staying around here?"

He was so happy to reply,"Yes a few steps away, and everytime when I passed this congested road with huge trucks and construction equipments I feel unsafe."

I must say that I agreed with him. For the half hour I was there, there were many of that big vehicles passing by, making a reverse entry into the construction sites and it comes with noisy piercing sound too. I must admit I shared his predicaments.

"May be these developments are to catered for the 6 million population forecast", I tried to show that I am abreast with the local political issues. In reality, I only heard about that 6 million issue, but I missed the factual news about it.

"But that is ridiculous!" his voice began to get excited or perhaps disturbed. "I think we are overdoing things. You see, I was in the US 2 years ago, and I saw with my own eyes how the casino business is dying in Las Vegas."

"Really..?" I was trying to jack him up.

"Yes...! The casino operators there were going to Macau. And Macau was fast and expert in the trade. I think we are 2 years too late with the IR and casino projects. It will be another white elephant."

"You think so..." again I make myself inferior to lift him higher.

He continued, "I think MM understood my message and I see that he is doing something about it. He is a very brilliant man despite his age."

"You wrote him a note?" I lifted him higher.

"Yes...I constantly send him feedbacks.I hope you also convey my feedback about this road to your senior officer." he replied with his eyes gleaming bright.

I think He was about 60. He was polite and soft spoken, despite many comments and some complaints. I think he is a somebody who owns a landed property in that vicinity. To me, he looked like a retired richman. He was occupying his free time walking to Orchard Road. Probably spend some hours in The Borders. We had a few more subjects such as a crowded Orchard Road. Taxi price hike. COE rate going down.

Finally, he bid goodbye to continue his walk to Orchard Boulevard.

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Back in the office, instead of giving his feedback to my senior officers, I was posed with many complaints about our office telephones.

The contractors and movers had just completed our office renovation and reshuffling of seatings locations. As such many telephone lines need to be relocated. My coffice colleagues are strange people. They do not know how to make use of the telephone forwarding facilities and were always bothering me about the relocation of their telephone numbers.

Actually, my senior officer had not confirm with me what to do about the telephones. But, frusted of their continued complaints, I took the initiative and carry the burden by start making preparations to fill-up the "Relocation Form" and submit the draft via email to my senior officer. Although, it is not my actual reponsibility, I 'just do it' as advised by Nike, as I had been instructed to do it the last time.

My senior officer discussed with me my draft request and said that he need to discuss with our Deputy Director, before submitting the Relocation Form for her approval as it will cost some S$200.00. Our Big Boss is a lady.