Antanko Mix 3, a children's book about two male penguins hatching an egg, has been pulled
from the shelves of the National Library.
I'm on the train. Yeah, I'm staying on the train. Sorry, I had to stay a bit late to
go. Oh. It's all right. We can, we can catch us some other time then. I said it's
okay. Good luck for your essay. Mm. Okay. Bye.
Are you Irene's intern? Yeah. Can you stay here to take the calls? A short hander to
the max. I was just leaving. You can come in late tomorrow. It's fine. Okay, sure.
Come back tonight. I will let you. 22. What? I thought I went into it. Still thinking.
Inter in the Votspot team. Intern of the current affairs. Once you see the red light flashing,
pick up and say good evening, welcome to Singapore Talking. Shit. Take down a name, age, occupation
and everything that is in place into this basket. I hear the listen to crack. Sorry.
How long is this rounds in calls for?
Half an hour.
Everyone ready?
How many calls do we usually get?
They're coming out in droves tonight.
Brace yourself.
What?
Just be confident.
Good evening, welcome to Singapore Talking.
Yes, Kenneth, you're on week 8 journey with Occupation.
Good evening, welcome to Singapore Talking.
Hello?
I'm calling about the book debate.
My wife and I, we both support the library's decision.
Sorry sir, before you give me your comments,
can I have your name, age and occupation please?
Are you Singaporean?
Yes, are you?
Yes, yes, of course.
But you don't sound...
My name is Andy Lim.
Age, just right 30s.
I'm from the civil service.
As parents, we think they did the right thing.
All those people protesting,
they're not thinking about the children.
It's okay if the book was for adults,
but 5 year olds, they're not old enough to make those kinds of decisions.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not discriminating anyone.
But we need to bear in mind our values as a society.
Thanks Andy, if the show decides to make use of your comments,
we'll give you a call, okay?
Okay, yes, yes, thank you.
Good night.
Not so bad, right?
Yeah.
Better than transcribing?
True.
Good evening, welcome to Singapore Talking.
My name is Julia, I'm a teacher.
I think the whole thing is nonsense.
I read the book, it's just a simple story for children.
People in this country are so afraid of nothing.
Thanks Julia, if we decide to make use of your comments,
we'll give you a call, okay?
Yes, please.
Good night.
You took the calls last week?
Last week's topic was recycling.
No one called.
It takes a lot of conviction to call.
You hungry?
Oh, um...
Coffee isn't dinner.
There's chocolate.
Thanks.
Oh, actually I had a phone.
Thanks.
Thanks.
So, how's that at Carina Fares?
It's okay, except for overtime.
Post-production today?
We're featuring multi-cultural neighbours this week.
Friendship theme. That's nice.
Nice enough to go on air.
You want to work in film?
The Hollywood kind, I'm guessing.
Yeah, I've...
I've thought about it.
Why are you so scared?
I'm not scared, I just...
don't want to make a decision and then...
find out halfway down the road that...
it's a mistake.
Is that such a bad thing?
Are you?
Am I what?
Scared.
No.
Anything? Welcome to Singapore, okay?
At this point in time, the silent majority...
is not ready.
Can I have your name, age and occupation, please?
Why do you need my details?
It's a library.
I don't think libraries should be destroying books.
You see, if it was normal,
mankind would have gone extinct years ago.
I think they've bought me the decision
in the best interest of the public.
Sooner or later, people have to come to terms with...
They're always trying to...
The kids are very easily influenced by the things they read,
you know?
Always trying to monitor what people do.
Don't want my daughter reading that.
Thank you.
Good night.
Not long to go now.
Thank God.
You believe such assholes exist.
There's just one fessor of themselves.
I think their views say enough.
People hardly understand each other face to face.
It's going to be harder on the phone.
How much room is there for misconstruction?
People hear me.
Everything they say literally.
It's just how this country communicates.
Judging them isn't going to change.
Judging them.
That's not how the world works.
That's separate from the things they say.
Look, I thought you'd understand.
It just works.
They can't harm you...
Just what?
...unless you take their responsibility.
Good evening.
Welcome to Singapore Talking.
Hello.
Is this Singapore Talking?
Yes, it is.
I'm a mother of two children.
That book should not have been a library in the first place.
All those people saying the library book was wrong.
Are they parents?
This is not a western country, you know.
We have values to respect.
If not, everyone can just do what they like,
even if it's wrong.
Have you heard of the Civil Rights Movement?
What's that?
Back when there was racial segregation.
That is different.
That is interracial marriage.
It's still between a man and a woman.
It's a man-made law.
This is what happens when you give people too much freedom.
All these predators will try to take advantage of the law.
How are your children?
I have one son and one daughter.
Edwin and Eunice.
They are 18 and 21.
Oh, I feel sorry for them.
Did you ban books at home too?
Oh, so you are on their side.
That's why this country is very...
That's not even!
That's not even!
Shut up!
Hey, hey!
Next time, don't talk back.
You're just supposed to listen.
I know.
Sorry.
You all can call it a day.
You okay?
Yeah.
That wasn't...
That's not who I am.
It happens.
The leg gets to you.
Not leaving.
I'm staying till 10.
I'm going to claim the taxi fare.
Smart.
I'm taking a train.
I'm going to catch a movie.
Did you get any crazy phone calls?
Most of them are all right.
What's his name?
Italian relief!
All right.
Coco.
We have a caller on the line with us.
Andy?
Go ahead, Andy.
I'm going to call the police.
I'm going to call the police.
I'm going to call the police.
I'm going to call the police.
I'm going to call the police.
I'm going to call the police.
