Writer Of The Week

Mr Sim Eng Cheong with his wife Hsiao Wei. Mr Sim reads the Forum page because it reflects the concerns of the average Singaporean, giving an insight to the real Singapore.
Mr Sim Eng Cheong with his wife Hsiao Wei. Mr Sim reads the Forum page because it reflects the concerns of the average Singaporean, giving an insight to the real Singapore. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SIM ENG CHEONG

Who: Sim Eng Cheong, 38, self-employed

My family: Married to Hsiao Wei, in her 30s, who works in the financial sector.

My home: An apartment in Ang Mo Kio.

My passions: Travelling, reading, reef keeping, eating.

I first started writing to the Forum page in...: 2011.

What I write about: So far, I have written on a range of issues such as sports, the gross domestic product, medical insurance and so on. My latest post was on SkillsFuture. I do not have any specific themes or pet topics, so I just write when the inspiration comes.

Why I write: I write mainly to express my feelings about certain newspaper articles, events or government policies that I encounter. At times, I write to satisfy my curiosity on why certain things need to be done in a specific manner. Lastly, I write because writing is therapeutic for my mind and soul.

I read the Forum page because...: It encapsulates nicely what irks the average Singaporean and better reflects the real Singapore.

Also, the alternative views expressed by some writers can be interesting and allow me to look at the same issue from different perspectives.

My wish for Singapore: Singapore has enjoyed great successes in the past 50 years. Yet, it seems to me the people's happiness levels have not improved much despite our material wealth. Perhaps it has something to do with our propensity to be dissatisfied with the status quo - be it ourselves or the built environment and the relentless push to greater heights. So my wish is for the people to find happiness within themselves - whether in Singapore or beyond.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 07, 2016, with the headline Writer Of The Week. Subscribe