Thai Mango Salad Recipe
The restaurant's mango salad received rave reviews today. Someone asked for the recipe. I know it's not tough to make the salad, though I've never done it myself. Anyhow, I gleaned the recipes below from a few sources. I'll give my comments after each one.
As a general rule, Thai cooking is a fusion of tastes - sugar, salt, limes, chillies, fish sauce, and other spices. It's important to add enough of each seasoning. Some helpful hints on taste balancing from my years in the kitchen.
If something is too hot, too salty or too bitter, add sugar to balance the taste.
Salt can be used to curb bitterness and sweetness.
Lime/vinegar can be used to curb saltiness and sweetness.
This will help you find the exact taste that you will like your mango salad to taste.
Thai Mango Salad with Roasted Peanuts
By Joanne (Ottawa)
This is one of my favourite recipes. This is simple enough for a weekday but a really nice treat for company too. Enjoy!
Ingredients
2 limes
1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce or fish sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) granulated sugar
1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced OR 1/2 tsp (2 ml) hot red chili flakes
2 tbsp (30 ml) peanut oil
salt to taste
2 ripe but firm mangoes
2 sweet peppers, preferably 1 red and 1 yellow
1 medium carrot, coarsely grated
2 green onions
1/2 cup (125 ml) chopped fresh mint or coriander
8 cups (2L) mixed lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces if necessary
1/3 cup (75 ml) toasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
Instructions
Finely grate peel from 1 lime and place in a measuring cup along with 1/4 cup
(50 ml) lime juice. Whisk in soy sauce, sugar, and jalapeno pepper until sugar is dissolved.
Gradually whisk in peanut oil until blended. Add salt to taste. Set aside.
Peel mango, then cut away chunks of fruit from pit. Cut into thin strips and place in a bowl.
Seed peppers and cut into thin strips and add to mango.
Coarsely grate carrot and thinly slice onions and add to bowl along with mint.
Toss gently until combined.
Place lettuce and mango mixture in a large bowl. Toss with dressing until mixed. Add nuts and serve.
Comments: Extremely easy recipe to use. You can simply serve this on its own!
Thai Mango Salad
Ingredients:
150g green unripe mangoes, shredded
Slice finely 15 bird’s eye chillies and 5 shallots
10g dried prawns, coarsely chopped
1 onion, sliced finely
Some coriander leaves
For sauce:
4 tbsp lime juice or to taste
1½ tbsp sugar or to taste
2 tbsp nampla (fish sauce)
1 tsp sesame oil
2-3 large prawns, shelled
Method:
Combine all salad ingredients together with the sauce in a mixing bowl. Toss well to mix.
Parboil prawns in boiling water until they change colour and are cooked.
Dish out salad ingredients on to a serving plate and top up with the prawns.
Comments: Can do without the prawns, for simplicity.
PAPAYA SALAD / MANGO SALAD
Papaya salad is almost as much a staple part of my diet as rice is. For sure if I eat out and am not given any som tam, I will soon after be found at a roadside food vendor, correcting the deficiency.
If you lived on a diet of som tam and not much else, it is highly unlikely you would ever become fat.
Some restaurants use mango instead of papaya. Generally though I find mango to be too acidic for this purpose.
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Ingredients to serve 4 people
1 medium sized green papaya, 4 small plum tomatos, 1 carrot, 10ml tamarind juice, 25ml lime juice, 2 cloves garlic, 50gm prik kee noo, 10gm brown sugar, 25ml nam pla, 25gm dried shrimp, 50gm unsalted roasted peanuts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peel the papaya and shred the green flesh (if you don't have a suitable implement for the purpose a coarse cheese grater may work).
Also peel and shred the carrot.
Put the shredded papaya and carrot in the fridge.
Soften the dried shrimp in a few mls of boiling water.
Pound the garlic and the prik kee noo together in a pestle and mortar.
Separately pound the peanuts together with the shrimp, but only until coarsely broken up, not reduced to dust or paste.
Mix the tamarind, juice, lime juice, fish sauce and the sugar.
Chop the tomatoes into quarters.
Mix all the ingredients together and serve in a bowl. Most restaurants would drain off some of the excess juice before serving, but I usually keep it.
Comments: Another very healthy recipe.
Thai Green Mango Salad Recipe
Comments: This is a more involved recipe, as it is a meal in itself. Of course, preparation time will be much more.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Monday, May 23, 2005
4/6 Class Gathering
4/6 Class Gathering
Date: 24 May 2005 (Booking for 24 persons under my name. May be tables of 4 or large tables, dunno yet.)
Time: Between 1830 and 1900 h
Venue: Pattaya Garden Thai-Muslim Food Restaurant
Can I order the following items (see ^ beside item) straightaway?
Starters
^01. Mango salad (*)
02. Papaya salad (*)
Seafood
^03. Tomyam Seafood (soup)
^04. Sweet and sour fish slices (N)
^05. Thai otah
06. Seafood omelette (N)
Carbohydrates
^07. Seafood fried rice (N)
08. Pineapple rice (N)
^09. Fried "tang hoon" (green bean transparent noodles) (*)
^10. Fried kueh tiao (Phad Thai) (*)
Meats
^11. Pandan leaf chicken (N)
^12. Red chicken curry
13. Green chicken curry
14. Mutton curry
^17. Chicken with Cashew Nuts
Vegetables
^15. Fried kangkong (with sliced chilli) (*)
^16. Baby kailan (N)
Attendance:
Eugene, Nana, Justin, Zhenhong, Weiqiang,
Xingqi, See Khee, Cuiwen, Cassandra, Jonathan,
Gerald, Crystal, Rachel, Hui Ping, Yen Wei,
Tiong Li, Teresa, Rebecca, Pillai, Janice,
Jassamyn, Eileen, Zoe
Date: 24 May 2005 (Booking for 24 persons under my name. May be tables of 4 or large tables, dunno yet.)
Time: Between 1830 and 1900 h
Venue: Pattaya Garden Thai-Muslim Food Restaurant
Can I order the following items (see ^ beside item) straightaway?
Starters
^01. Mango salad (*)
02. Papaya salad (*)
Seafood
^03. Tomyam Seafood (soup)
^04. Sweet and sour fish slices (N)
^05. Thai otah
06. Seafood omelette (N)
Carbohydrates
^07. Seafood fried rice (N)
08. Pineapple rice (N)
^09. Fried "tang hoon" (green bean transparent noodles) (*)
^10. Fried kueh tiao (Phad Thai) (*)
Meats
^11. Pandan leaf chicken (N)
^12. Red chicken curry
13. Green chicken curry
14. Mutton curry
^17. Chicken with Cashew Nuts
Vegetables
^15. Fried kangkong (with sliced chilli) (*)
^16. Baby kailan (N)
Attendance:
Eugene, Nana, Justin, Zhenhong, Weiqiang,
Xingqi, See Khee, Cuiwen, Cassandra, Jonathan,
Gerald, Crystal, Rachel, Hui Ping, Yen Wei,
Tiong Li, Teresa, Rebecca, Pillai, Janice,
Jassamyn, Eileen, Zoe
Monday, May 16, 2005
On Giving
On Giving
Reminds me of a poem from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. An extremely well-written book which discusses many issues in life. "On Giving" is Gibran's take on what it really means to give. I share with you, "On Giving".
Then said a rich man, "Speak to us of Giving."
And he answered:
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?
And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
And what is fear of need but need itself?
Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, thirst that is unquenchable?
There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.
And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;
They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.
Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.
It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;
And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving
And is there aught you would withhold?
All you have shall some day be given;
Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'.
You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you.
And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.
And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?
And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.
For in truth it is life that gives unto life - while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.
And you receivers - and you are all receivers - assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.
Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;
For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father.
[The link on the title provides access to the full text.]
Reminds me of a poem from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. An extremely well-written book which discusses many issues in life. "On Giving" is Gibran's take on what it really means to give. I share with you, "On Giving".
Then said a rich man, "Speak to us of Giving."
And he answered:
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?
And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
And what is fear of need but need itself?
Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, thirst that is unquenchable?
There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.
And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;
They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.
Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.
It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;
And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving
And is there aught you would withhold?
All you have shall some day be given;
Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'.
You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you.
And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.
And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?
And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.
For in truth it is life that gives unto life - while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.
And you receivers - and you are all receivers - assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.
Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;
For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father.
[The link on the title provides access to the full text.]
And they flowed...
And they flowed...
I am a victim of circumstances - the Asian society does not allow the male sex to show emotions freely. Asian males are expected to keep a veneer of aloofness, infallibility, stoicism, and detachment. At least.
Asian males are, therefore, not expected to show emotions that betray any weakness. For instance, shedding tears is frowned upon. Even if your loved ones die, a few tears are grudgingly tolerated but an outburst is most likely a no-no. Two Asian males meeting each other are both expected to behave like alpha males, each guarding his "territory" as though his life depended on it. Horsing around is for young boys, or young siblings (read immature).
The greeting that involves any hugging or cheek touching is never ever allowed between two Asian males, lest they be regarded as gay or have homosexual inclinations.
I try to fit within the stereotypes. But I'm beginning to see the futility of it. I am, in reality, a person capable of more emotions that I would like to admit.
I like the hug of a close friend, someone with whom a hug tells everything and does everything that words and other less intimate actions fail to address. I "horse around" with my very close friends (many are teachers). We jab each other (verbally and physically) and tease each other in brotherly fashion. We pull playful punches even when walking and the relationship between us far surpasses mere platonic friendship - like I've said, we are like very close brothers. We talk about everything under the sun. We go out and share an ice-cream over coffee. We attract weird stares, but what the heck.
Human beings are social animals. Why should any sex be granted any less freedom of emotional display than the other(s)?
Today, for a very special reason, my tears flowed. The trigger was a new one. I've never experienced something like this before. And I never thought I ever will.
Today, I learn a new and very important lesson in love and compassion. I realise how little and insignificant I am in the entire scheme of things. I discovered how SELFISH and how UNFEELING I've become in my pursuit of material wealth and success in work. I felt so low down and dirty.
This afternoon, before my office relocation meeting at the Ministry of National Development Building, I went for a quick lunch at the Maxwell Road Market. Singaporeans will not find that place unfamiliar.
Sat at table 12, right in front of stall selling curried dishes. The stall on the curry stall's left sells fish porridge (I think they are called Porridge Garden or something).
Nearing the end of my meal of rice with mustard greens in oyster sauce, lily bulbs in soya sauce and minced meat paste, I saw a mildly retarded, spastic guy (let's call him P for now) walk towards my table.
P walked with an unsightly gait, with a severe limp (possibly from polio or some musculoskeletal disease), supported by a walking stick. His left arm was flailing from side to side as he struggled to find his balance from his limp. As he walked towards my table, I realised that I was sitting along his left. As he walked towards me, I slinked to my left and cringed inwardly as I thought about dodging his flying arms. Deep inside me, I never realised that given where I am sitting, he would never have hit me. But yet, I was trying to avoid him. Or was I avoiding myself?
Dressed in a brown shirt, brown bermudas and brown slip on shoes, P also had a Nike knapsack on his back and a prominently displayed disability card hooked on his bermuda's belt loops.
Trudging ungainly past me, P disappeared from my consciousness. I was only too relieved that he had not hit me as he walked past. I am beginning to find that my minced meat paste (which by the way is one of my favourite dishes) is starting to taste less savoury.
P was out of my mind's eye momentarily before he reappeared in the table right beside mine. [I was seated at table 12; he at table 11.] There were two ladies who are just beginning to eat their yong tao fu (assorted vegetables smeared with fish paste) and P was just seated opposite them. There were 2 seats between P's right and the first lady and a seat between him and the second.
The ladies did not even flinch a bit. They just let P be. P sat uneasily in his seat. He rocked back and forth as he tried to keep himself from falling off his seat.
Soon, the food came. P had ordered from the Porridge Garden stall. The first guy first served him a bowl of piping hot fish soup. He made sure that P was suitably out of the range of the bowl of hot soup before he placed it down in front of P. P tried to pay but the guy patted P on the hand and made P keep the money.
As P grappled with his little pouch which was initially hidden from my view to keep his money, the second guy from the stall brought him a bowl of rice. The first guy held out a pair of chopsticks and a spoon for P after he kept the money. It was so touching to see him guide P's hands so that he was able to get a grip of the chopsticks and spoon.
It was painful seeing P eat. P could not separate the chopsticks like most of us and used it more like a spatula instead. He could not really manage his spoon either. He filled the bottom of his spoon with rice, then piled on more rice on his spoon using his chopstick-spatula and then in a gulp only manage to swallow around half of the rice mound. Not a lot. P has problems eating too.
Meanwhile, the first guy came to the table with a small dish of soya sauce for P, in case he wanted his food to be more flavoursome. The second guy, by now, is seated on P's right, keeping P upright at the table (possibly providing support, which I could not see clearly from where I sat) so that P could have a less fidgety meal.
The two ladies ate as though P was like any other normal diner at the food centre.
I was so touched by these people. I felt so ashamed too. Seeing this, I felt tears swimming in my eyes. Pride forbade me from letting the tears fall. So I swallowed them with my rice and minced meat paste. It tasted awful. Was that the taste of wounded pride? I don't know.
I only know some things such as the following.
I have lots to learn and much to do in learning to be a servant leader. People will only begin to respect you when you start to respect them. Every single one of them.
Nobility is earned, not bestowed. Only he who is able to serve the lowest of all brothers is noble.
What is the gift of money if it represents merely dumping excess cash that you can part with? Is it that all powerful? A simple gesture of supporting someone so that he can eat a meal is more than all the things that money can buy.
What is the value of staying the course of non-discrimination?
I left quickly after the meal with my colleague who ate with me. I never dared to reveal my thoughts. I kept up with my facade.
Tonight, as I drove home, the shame, the guilty-consciousness, the feeling of being touched by the warmth of the people around all came rushing back. And the tears flowed...
I am a victim of circumstances - the Asian society does not allow the male sex to show emotions freely. Asian males are expected to keep a veneer of aloofness, infallibility, stoicism, and detachment. At least.
Asian males are, therefore, not expected to show emotions that betray any weakness. For instance, shedding tears is frowned upon. Even if your loved ones die, a few tears are grudgingly tolerated but an outburst is most likely a no-no. Two Asian males meeting each other are both expected to behave like alpha males, each guarding his "territory" as though his life depended on it. Horsing around is for young boys, or young siblings (read immature).
The greeting that involves any hugging or cheek touching is never ever allowed between two Asian males, lest they be regarded as gay or have homosexual inclinations.
I try to fit within the stereotypes. But I'm beginning to see the futility of it. I am, in reality, a person capable of more emotions that I would like to admit.
I like the hug of a close friend, someone with whom a hug tells everything and does everything that words and other less intimate actions fail to address. I "horse around" with my very close friends (many are teachers). We jab each other (verbally and physically) and tease each other in brotherly fashion. We pull playful punches even when walking and the relationship between us far surpasses mere platonic friendship - like I've said, we are like very close brothers. We talk about everything under the sun. We go out and share an ice-cream over coffee. We attract weird stares, but what the heck.
Human beings are social animals. Why should any sex be granted any less freedom of emotional display than the other(s)?
Today, for a very special reason, my tears flowed. The trigger was a new one. I've never experienced something like this before. And I never thought I ever will.
Today, I learn a new and very important lesson in love and compassion. I realise how little and insignificant I am in the entire scheme of things. I discovered how SELFISH and how UNFEELING I've become in my pursuit of material wealth and success in work. I felt so low down and dirty.
This afternoon, before my office relocation meeting at the Ministry of National Development Building, I went for a quick lunch at the Maxwell Road Market. Singaporeans will not find that place unfamiliar.
Sat at table 12, right in front of stall selling curried dishes. The stall on the curry stall's left sells fish porridge (I think they are called Porridge Garden or something).
Nearing the end of my meal of rice with mustard greens in oyster sauce, lily bulbs in soya sauce and minced meat paste, I saw a mildly retarded, spastic guy (let's call him P for now) walk towards my table.
P walked with an unsightly gait, with a severe limp (possibly from polio or some musculoskeletal disease), supported by a walking stick. His left arm was flailing from side to side as he struggled to find his balance from his limp. As he walked towards my table, I realised that I was sitting along his left. As he walked towards me, I slinked to my left and cringed inwardly as I thought about dodging his flying arms. Deep inside me, I never realised that given where I am sitting, he would never have hit me. But yet, I was trying to avoid him. Or was I avoiding myself?
Dressed in a brown shirt, brown bermudas and brown slip on shoes, P also had a Nike knapsack on his back and a prominently displayed disability card hooked on his bermuda's belt loops.
Trudging ungainly past me, P disappeared from my consciousness. I was only too relieved that he had not hit me as he walked past. I am beginning to find that my minced meat paste (which by the way is one of my favourite dishes) is starting to taste less savoury.
P was out of my mind's eye momentarily before he reappeared in the table right beside mine. [I was seated at table 12; he at table 11.] There were two ladies who are just beginning to eat their yong tao fu (assorted vegetables smeared with fish paste) and P was just seated opposite them. There were 2 seats between P's right and the first lady and a seat between him and the second.
The ladies did not even flinch a bit. They just let P be. P sat uneasily in his seat. He rocked back and forth as he tried to keep himself from falling off his seat.
Soon, the food came. P had ordered from the Porridge Garden stall. The first guy first served him a bowl of piping hot fish soup. He made sure that P was suitably out of the range of the bowl of hot soup before he placed it down in front of P. P tried to pay but the guy patted P on the hand and made P keep the money.
As P grappled with his little pouch which was initially hidden from my view to keep his money, the second guy from the stall brought him a bowl of rice. The first guy held out a pair of chopsticks and a spoon for P after he kept the money. It was so touching to see him guide P's hands so that he was able to get a grip of the chopsticks and spoon.
It was painful seeing P eat. P could not separate the chopsticks like most of us and used it more like a spatula instead. He could not really manage his spoon either. He filled the bottom of his spoon with rice, then piled on more rice on his spoon using his chopstick-spatula and then in a gulp only manage to swallow around half of the rice mound. Not a lot. P has problems eating too.
Meanwhile, the first guy came to the table with a small dish of soya sauce for P, in case he wanted his food to be more flavoursome. The second guy, by now, is seated on P's right, keeping P upright at the table (possibly providing support, which I could not see clearly from where I sat) so that P could have a less fidgety meal.
The two ladies ate as though P was like any other normal diner at the food centre.
I was so touched by these people. I felt so ashamed too. Seeing this, I felt tears swimming in my eyes. Pride forbade me from letting the tears fall. So I swallowed them with my rice and minced meat paste. It tasted awful. Was that the taste of wounded pride? I don't know.
I only know some things such as the following.
I have lots to learn and much to do in learning to be a servant leader. People will only begin to respect you when you start to respect them. Every single one of them.
Nobility is earned, not bestowed. Only he who is able to serve the lowest of all brothers is noble.
What is the gift of money if it represents merely dumping excess cash that you can part with? Is it that all powerful? A simple gesture of supporting someone so that he can eat a meal is more than all the things that money can buy.
What is the value of staying the course of non-discrimination?
I left quickly after the meal with my colleague who ate with me. I never dared to reveal my thoughts. I kept up with my facade.
Tonight, as I drove home, the shame, the guilty-consciousness, the feeling of being touched by the warmth of the people around all came rushing back. And the tears flowed...
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Bread
Bread
Goodness gracious! I finally found enough sense to surf for some bread recipes and I'm amazed there are so many bread aficionados out there! [I know Marlina had been "screaming" at me for my "boring" breads for the longest time, but I've added new stuff to my bread list!]
Yay... More to bake, more to try. More mouth watering breads and more fun, more fun, more fun!
Goodness gracious! I finally found enough sense to surf for some bread recipes and I'm amazed there are so many bread aficionados out there! [I know Marlina had been "screaming" at me for my "boring" breads for the longest time, but I've added new stuff to my bread list!]
Yay... More to bake, more to try. More mouth watering breads and more fun, more fun, more fun!
Blog Incidents 3
Blog Incidents 3
Just to remind myself what I'm facing.
Sometimes I think that if I speak, I am damned; if I don't speak, I am condemned.
Whatever.
Just to remind myself what I'm facing.
Sometimes I think that if I speak, I am damned; if I don't speak, I am condemned.
Whatever.
Blog Incidents 2
Blog Incidents 2
I don't know whether it's true or not, but this is what I read about the PSC scholar who spread "racist remarks".
This guy was eventually rapped by PSC, who issued him a "love letter" for his actions.
I don't know whether it's true or not, but this is what I read about the PSC scholar who spread "racist remarks".
This guy was eventually rapped by PSC, who issued him a "love letter" for his actions.
Blog Incidents 1
Blog Incidents 1
Some interesting articles gleaned from the net, arising from the recent debacles involving bloggers and people of authority.
Monday May 9, 10:10 PM
Singaporean shuts blog, apologises after libel threat
By Geert De Clercq
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A Singapore student said on Monday he has shut down his blog and apologised unreservedly after a government agency threatened to sue for defamation. Chen Jiahao, a 23-year-old graduate student in the United States, told Reuters he closed down his personal Web site after A*STAR, a Singapore government agency focusing on science and research, threatened legal action for what the agency said were untrue and serious accusations.
International freedom of speech and media advocates have criticised the agency's methods.
The U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists said last week it was alarmed that the threat of defamation lawsuits was being used to inhibit criticism of the government in cyberspace, much as it has in Singapore's traditional media.
Chen said he had removed all material from his site and posted an apology on April 26 after receiving e-mails from the agency's chief. He added that the agency told him last week his apology was insincere and that they wanted a new apology.
On Sunday he posted the new apology on his "Caustic Soda" blog, saying "I unreservedly apologise to A*STAR, its Chairman Mr. Philip Yeo, and its executive officers for the distress and embarrassment caused to them."
"They sent me an e-mail with these words," Chen told Reuters on Monday by telephone from the United States, where he studies chemical physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
A*STAR's Yeo said in a statement on Monday he accepted Chen's apology and considered the matter closed. "We wish him well. My invitation to Mr. Chen to meet for tea in the fall still remains," Yeo said.
Paris-based Reporters without Borders said the case highlighted the lack of free expression in Singapore, which is among the 20 lowest-scoring countries in the organisation's worldwide press freedom index.
"Chen criticised some of A*Star's policies but there was nothing defamatory in what he wrote," Julien Pain, head of Reporters without Borders' Internet freedom desk, told Reuters.
A*STAR said in a statement that it recognised the value of a diversity of views and welcomed that in all media. "But the particular public blog had statements which went way beyond fair comment." It did not elaborate.
Bloggers are generally not journalists, but some of the thousands of private online blogs -- short for Web logs -- on the Internet have gained political relevance. The campaign for the May 5 election in Britain saw an explosion of blogs, much like in last year's U.S. presidential election.
"We are troubled that the (Singapore) government has raised the spectre of costly legal action to chill commentary on the Internet," Ann Cooper, Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, was quoted on a CPJ Web site as saying.
Singapore-based politicians as well as international media organisations have paid large amounts of damages in libel cases brought by senior government figures.
Singapore leaders have defended their use of defamation lawsuits, saying that such actions are necessary to safeguard their reputation.
Some interesting articles gleaned from the net, arising from the recent debacles involving bloggers and people of authority.
Monday May 9, 10:10 PM
Singaporean shuts blog, apologises after libel threat
By Geert De Clercq
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A Singapore student said on Monday he has shut down his blog and apologised unreservedly after a government agency threatened to sue for defamation. Chen Jiahao, a 23-year-old graduate student in the United States, told Reuters he closed down his personal Web site after A*STAR, a Singapore government agency focusing on science and research, threatened legal action for what the agency said were untrue and serious accusations.
International freedom of speech and media advocates have criticised the agency's methods.
The U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists said last week it was alarmed that the threat of defamation lawsuits was being used to inhibit criticism of the government in cyberspace, much as it has in Singapore's traditional media.
Chen said he had removed all material from his site and posted an apology on April 26 after receiving e-mails from the agency's chief. He added that the agency told him last week his apology was insincere and that they wanted a new apology.
On Sunday he posted the new apology on his "Caustic Soda" blog, saying "I unreservedly apologise to A*STAR, its Chairman Mr. Philip Yeo, and its executive officers for the distress and embarrassment caused to them."
"They sent me an e-mail with these words," Chen told Reuters on Monday by telephone from the United States, where he studies chemical physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
A*STAR's Yeo said in a statement on Monday he accepted Chen's apology and considered the matter closed. "We wish him well. My invitation to Mr. Chen to meet for tea in the fall still remains," Yeo said.
Paris-based Reporters without Borders said the case highlighted the lack of free expression in Singapore, which is among the 20 lowest-scoring countries in the organisation's worldwide press freedom index.
"Chen criticised some of A*Star's policies but there was nothing defamatory in what he wrote," Julien Pain, head of Reporters without Borders' Internet freedom desk, told Reuters.
A*STAR said in a statement that it recognised the value of a diversity of views and welcomed that in all media. "But the particular public blog had statements which went way beyond fair comment." It did not elaborate.
Bloggers are generally not journalists, but some of the thousands of private online blogs -- short for Web logs -- on the Internet have gained political relevance. The campaign for the May 5 election in Britain saw an explosion of blogs, much like in last year's U.S. presidential election.
"We are troubled that the (Singapore) government has raised the spectre of costly legal action to chill commentary on the Internet," Ann Cooper, Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, was quoted on a CPJ Web site as saying.
Singapore-based politicians as well as international media organisations have paid large amounts of damages in libel cases brought by senior government figures.
Singapore leaders have defended their use of defamation lawsuits, saying that such actions are necessary to safeguard their reputation.
Monday, May 09, 2005
The Keys to Your Heart
The Keys to Your Heart
The Keys to Your Heart |
You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. |
In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. |
You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change. |
You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. |
Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets. |
Your risk of cheating is low. Even if you're tempted, you'd try hard not to do it. |
You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. |
In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted. |
Frighteningly Accurate
Frighteningly Accurate
Your True Birth Month Is February |
 Sharp Ambitious Spendthrift Loves reality Loves freedom Temperamental Low self esteem Honest and loyal Abstract thoughts Daring and stubborn Changing personality Showing anger easily Intelligent and clever Loves aggressiveness Quiet, shy and humble Learns to show emotions Rebellious when restricted Determined to reach goals Superstitious and ludicrous Dislikes unnecessary things Realizing dreams and hopes Too sensitive and easily hurt Loves entertainment and leisure Romantic on the inside not outside Loves making friends but rarely shows it |
Thursday, May 05, 2005
It Rained
It Rained
Finally, the rain came. Didn't wash out the place fully enough, but at least it did remove some of the heat.
But I did enjoy the rain. At least my drinking water doesn't feel lukewarm to drink, bathing water doesn't feel unrefreshing.
Took a COLD shower today. At least I could feel myself cooling down under the continuous spray of cold water.
At least I'm not perspiring now.
Finally, the rain came. Didn't wash out the place fully enough, but at least it did remove some of the heat.
But I did enjoy the rain. At least my drinking water doesn't feel lukewarm to drink, bathing water doesn't feel unrefreshing.
Took a COLD shower today. At least I could feel myself cooling down under the continuous spray of cold water.
At least I'm not perspiring now.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Former President Dr Wee Kim Wee
Former President Dr Wee Kim Wee
Singapore's former President Wee Kim Wee died at his home on 2 May 2005 at 5.10am on Monday from complications due to a relapse of prostate cancer.
-oOo-
Just a little entry about the People's President, whom I had met when I was a JC 1 student during Pre-U Seminar 1992. The seminar participants were invited to tea at the Istana, and during tea, Mr Wee walked round and talked to the young adults. He was encouraging, humorous, and always wore a smile.
He left me with a great impression - this is a president, our President, but yet there was never any moment that you felt out-of-place when he was around.
I'll miss him.
Singapore's former President Wee Kim Wee died at his home on 2 May 2005 at 5.10am on Monday from complications due to a relapse of prostate cancer.
-oOo-
Just a little entry about the People's President, whom I had met when I was a JC 1 student during Pre-U Seminar 1992. The seminar participants were invited to tea at the Istana, and during tea, Mr Wee walked round and talked to the young adults. He was encouraging, humorous, and always wore a smile.
He left me with a great impression - this is a president, our President, but yet there was never any moment that you felt out-of-place when he was around.
I'll miss him.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Dinner
Dinner
Home alone.
Had to clear a mango and some honey dew.
Heck.
So I scraped the mango flesh into a blender, added the honey dew and squeezed in the juice of one lemon.
Blend to smooth pulp.
Drink.
Home alone.
Had to clear a mango and some honey dew.
Heck.
So I scraped the mango flesh into a blender, added the honey dew and squeezed in the juice of one lemon.
Blend to smooth pulp.
Drink.
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