MediaCorp's New Year countdown show: 'Not happy with the event, go organize your own'

SINGAPORE - A Stomp reader wrote in to give his opinion on the comments made by Singaporean theatre director and actor Ivan Heng over the MediaCorp countdown show.

The Cultural Medallion winner had criticized that the show was too Mandarin-centric, and said that the nation's countdown was not inclusive of all races and nationalities who call Singapore their country and home today.

The Stomp contributer disagreed and challenged Singaporeans to organise their own countdown show if they are so unhappy.

He also felt the term 'cheena' used by Heng was derogatory, and had this to say:

"I felt that there are a few incorrect points in his post.

"1. 'I kept flipping channels to double-check to see if I was watching Channel 8 or CTV.'

"Channel 8 and CTV are both Mandarin speaking channels. What's wrong with him? If both the channels were broadcasting in Mandarin, then why must he double-check?

"2. 'Jack Neo and Zoe Tay wished me Happy New Year in Mandarin, and Wang Lee Hom took to the stage as the main act.'

"Jack Neo and Zoe Tay mostly appear on Channel 8, what's wrong with them speaking Mandarin? People like Tay Ping Hui and Joanna Peh who appear in both Channel 8 and 5 greeted the audience in English.

"Just like Malay actors will greet their fans in their own language and Indian actors will also greet their fans in their own language.

"I feel it's unfair for Jack Neo's and Zoe Tay's fans if they greeted them in English. Will an 80-year-old uncle who only understands Hokkien and some Mandarin wish to hear Zoe Tay saying 'Happy New Year' in English?

"Wang Lee Hom also spoke in more than one language while he was singing, and some simple Malay. Leehom doesn't have any English songs in his album.

"There was also The Wanted who performed before the countdown event.

"If Singaporeans are not happy with the countdown event, they could go organize their own personal event.

"Or if you really have the talent, go for the interview to organise the 2015 count down event. Then they will understand how hard is it to organise an event."

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