Monday, September 19, 2016


Letter to The New Paper:  SEX-VIDEO SUICIDE

Punish those who drive others to suicide

My letter to The New Paper (TNP) is published today, Monday 19th September 2016.

Driving a person to the brink of insanity where one is forced to take one’s own life is a cruel thing to do, and I was moved when I read about the Italian woman in the report “Sex-video shame leads to suicide (The New Paper; Sept 17).

Love is a many-splendored thing, but when it turns sour, and hate and jealousy take control of broken relationships, a lot of things can go dreadfully wrong.

A wrong turn in life can turn one’s whole world upside down.

Depressed people who are ridiculed and humiliated will experience severe emotional pain mixed with guilt, unmanageable anxiety and anger.

When most people commit suicide, they don’t really want to die. They are crying out for help. 
I am glad that the authorities here have come down hard on men who filmed their lovers and then use the videos or photos to blackmail them when love goes bad.
But the Mental Capacity Act should have more bite to deal with those who are instrumental in causing a depressed person to experience a horrible death.
It is devastating for the families of those who commit suicide.
While we cannot put a price tag on a person’s life, the law should not only jail the criminal in such cases, but also make him pay compensation.

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

Footnote:  Social media platforms such as Wechat, Facebook and Skype are being used by some individuals and syndicates to trap men into engaging in sex conversations and videos after which blackmailing takes place. The law must come down hard on such people who want to destroy lives and make a quick buck.

 

 

Monday, September 12, 2016

Raymond's letter to The New Paper: ZIKA VIRUS : Air updates during ad breaks? It’ll cause unnecessary alarm


My letter to The New Paper on the above matter is published today, Monday 12th September 2016.

In the letter “Air Zika updates on TV during ad breaks”, (The New Paper; Sept 5) reader Eunice Li Dan Yue suggested that the location of active clusters and the number of cases be constantly provided on the small screen. 

I do not agree as I believe this may cause alarm. 

It should be enough to have Zika updates broadcast during the news.

The authorities have advised Singaporeans to remain calm, and assured us that everything is being done to ensure the disease is under control.

People need to be educated on the prevention of infectious diseases, but we cannot live in fear all the time.

A few days ago, a feeder bus driver advised me not to travel to Aljunied and other areas with Zika clusters.

But I do not see any need to just stay at home and watch TV.

This is precisely why there must not be an overkill of the Zika virus updates.

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO