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By Chai Hung Yin
HE paid $17.70 to enter the Escape Theme Park last year.
But Mr Mohammad Hafiz Amat, 26, ended up taking only one ride.
The reason: His tummy was too big and the safety harnesses could not latch on properly.
Mr Hafiz used to weigh 168kg - almost twice the weight of an average man.
Due to safety reasons, he could only get on the flume. The ride climbs five storeys before a thrilling drop that ends in a splash.
But he ended up spending three hours taking the same ride repeatedly for about 20 times.
Mr Hafiz is not the only one who has encountered inconveniences because of his weight.
Last month alone, there were at least four instances around the world where obese people needed help to get out of their homes.
Mr Hafiz said: "Luckily I'm no longer so obese, otherwise I could end up like them." He now weighs 93kg.
Mr Hafiz said that in the past, he preferred to stand when he took public transport like buses and MRT.
He said: "If I sat, I would take up 1 1/2 seats and people will avoid sitting beside me. They will look at me and nudge their friends.
"I felt embarrassed and I would rather stand to avoid any remarks."
But that was not a solution either.
He said: "When I stood, especially during the peak hours, aunties with bag loads of groceries would squeeze through the crowd muttering 'so fat'."
He felt hurt. One of the most hurtful incidents was when a passenger stared at him and said very loudly to his friend: "Wah, that 'Ah Pui' (Hokkien for fat person) takes up so much space".
His problems didn't end there. He faced difficulties looking for a job too.
He said: "Many people associate obesity with laziness. I was shortlisted for many interviews based on my capabilities and qualifications.
"But when they met me, they asked me what I was going to do with my weight."
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