Retard at Nanyang Polytechnic

I just happened to found this piece of document. It may be rubbish to others but I’m sure it meant a lot to the owner. It was with me for about a week. The owner stays in Tebans Gardens. It’s quite far away from my place in Pasir Ris.

Of course, I could just take the easy way out by mailing it to the address. But then what if it is lost in the mail? Or that it could be crumbled about?

I have since lost faith on our commercialized postal services where they are more concerned in making profits by selling all kinds of unrelated items other than stick with providing efficient basic postal services.

I happen to visit someone weekly at AMK Ave 6 and Nanyang Polytechnic is nearby. The piece of document (diploma) is issued by NYP. Since it is such an important document, I decided to personally hand deliver it to NYP.

On 5/2/2012 (Sun), I put that document in an envelope and drove to NYP on my way home after that AMK Ave 6 visit. It was 9.30pm when I told the security guard at the entrance of NYP that I found this original diploma issued by NYP and I was handing it to him. Hopefully he could pass it to the NYP Admin Office the next morning for necessary action.

That security guard dressed in a smart uniform with long sleeve shirt and tie stopped me when I was about to go off. He called on the telephone – presumably his office or superior and spoke for about 5 mins.

I didn’t want any recognition. I just wanted to hand over this piece of NYP diploma and then go back home. At least, I have done my part. No need letter of appreciation or commendation.

To my horror, the said security guard refused to accept the NYP diploma. He handed it back to me. He smugly told me to come back in the morning during office hours and bring it to the admin office of NYP!

I retorted that he could easily do that. He could have passed it to the staff since they work in NYP. It’s so easy for him to do it rather than me staying in Pasir Ris. I also had to work the next day.

That retard refused to budge. He refused to listen to my plea for reason. I told him to be reasonable. He said “we are only in charge of security matters. It is not within our area of responsibility!” Sorry Sir, you got to do it yourself. We can’t help you!

In my line of work, if a passenger hands over any found item, sometimes even rubbish, we as train officers, still have to accept it thanking the finder. We will then hand over to our station staff and try our best to locate the owner of the item.

Could we just tell the passenger whom hands over an item that it is not within my job scope or responsibility? Can I tell the public that my job is ONLY to drive the train. It is not in my job description to receive any found item? If that passenger were to lodge a complaint, I assure you that the train officer will get the sack!

What if that diploma belongs to your daughter and is treated in such a manner by that retard in NYP? How would you feel? Just because it is of no concern to you or your job scope, you don’t bother about it even though you are getting paid indirectly by NYP? Even by this blatant idiotic act, that retard still keeps his job. He still thinks that it is business as usual. Unlike us train officers there is no question of getting the sack if we were to adopt the same attitude as him!

When I related this incident to some of my colleagues all kinds of expletives you can imagine flew from them. They felt that retard is being selfish. How could such a person be in their employ?

No amount of logic or reasoning could get into his idiotic head! Exasperated, I told him that I would lodge a complaint against him. He was looking pleased with my intention and encouraged me to proceed with it. KNN! Really Langgar Terus!

This is the typical mindset of our present selfish “Bo Chap” generation lacking in EQ and having serious attitude problem. Just follow by the rule book and nothing or nobody can touch me. If it is unrelated to my job scope or area of responsibility, it is none of my business. To them – It is just as simple that. Is it really so?

The above true incident clearly reflects our failure as a society. What is happening to our society? Our work culture and work attitudes? Where is the warmth and helpfulness of our people?

I left Nanyang Polytechnic with the undelivered diploma on my slow drive home listening to my favourite chanting in the background and wondering why NYP entrusted such an idiot in guarding their premises?

I left with a sad heavy heart. That was the most shocking encounter I ever had.

PS: This article was emailed to nyp_registry@nyp.gov.sg

This is the official reply from NYP which I received a week later via email.

Dear Sir,

We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused over this matter.

NYP has conducted an investigation concerning this matter. We have warned the security company concerned about the service lapse and to improve their service to prevent a recurrence. Our security service provider has been constantly instructed to be courteous to and render assistance as and when needed.

We are grateful for your kind gesture and effort in returning the document. We can collect this document from you at your convenience. Please feel free to contact Tan Wah Long @ Tel: 65500310 or via email for any enquiry or clarification.

Thank you for your feedback and understanding.

With best regards,

for Estates Management Dept
Nanyang Polytechnic