Transcript of Kurt Tay's phone call with Teo En Ming on November 22, 2024
Topics covered:
Housing and Financial Situation:
Teo En Ming lost his HDB flat due to multiple moves (7-9 times) caused by his mother's mental illness
Currently lives in a rental flat from the government
Rent was reduced from $414 to $50 monthly due to unemployment
Has about $3000+ left in savings, which might last 2-3 months
Health Issues:
Has schizophrenia, inherited from mother who had it for over 30 years
Suffers from multiple physical health problems:
Back pain and knee pain
Obstructive sleep apnea
Overweight (120kg)
Cannot stand for long periods (max 2-3 hours)
Expresses belief that people with schizophrenia have shorter lifespans
Employment Situation:
Lost job on July 5, 2024
Attended 31 IT job interviews without success
Has a security license and considering security guard work
Exploring various job options:
Security guard work (12-hour shifts)
Food delivery (waiting for motorized wheelchair)
Customer service roles
Claims difficulty finding work due to fame and haters
Personal History:
Age: 46 years old
Previous work at MINDEF as IT Engineer
Claims issues with government employment after criticizing Lee Kuan Yew in 2007
Mother is 82 years old and has severe mental illness
Lost father 4 years ago
Current Activities:
Participates in podcast interviews (unpaid) to become famous
Attends events like cosplay, celebrity events
Spends time watching dramas on YouTube
Court case
Kurt Tay's upcoming court appearance on December 4th at 2:30 PM
Beliefs About Mental Illness:
Believes mental illness was invented by governments to control critics
References websites like targetedjustice.com
Claims this is a belief shared by people from various countries
Teo En Ming
No matter where she lived, she said she could hear the neighbors scolding her every second, every minute.
So it was the government who made my mother hear the voices.
It was the government who gave my mother mental illness
That's why my mother always thought the neighbors were scolding her.
They scolded her every second, every minute.
That's why my mother keep wanting to move elsewhere.
We’ve moved houses around 7, 8, or 9 times already.
We moved houses so many times that we ended up broke.
We even lost our HDB flat.
That means the government deceived us and took away our HDB flat.
Kurt Tay
No, you could have persuaded your mother not to move, right?
Teo En Ming
She keep pestering to move
My mother had severe mental illness
She will keep shouting.
Kurt Tay
You already knew your mother had mental illness
You should tried to ...
You should have stopped her from moving.
You should have persuaded her not to move. Find ways to prevent her from moving.
Teo En Ming
It's because we moved house over 7, 8, or 9 times until we became broke.
Kurt Tay
Moved until broke?
Teo En Ming
If you buy, sell, and move places multiple times, of course, you will end up broke.
Kurt Tay
You should have stopped her.
Teo En Ming
No choice. My mother has severe mental illness, schizophrenia.
No matter where we moved, she always thought the neighbors were scolding her.
Thats why she keep wanting to move.
Kurt Tay
You said that your father passed away many years ago, correct?
Teo En Ming
Its been 4 years.
Kurt Tay
How long has your mother been admitted to IMH?
Teo En Ming
8-9 years already.
My mother was diagnosed with a mental illness over 30 years ago.
Kurt Tay
So, you are saying you are staying in a rental flat?
Then, are you staying in a rental flat now? Are you staying with others?
Teo En Ming
No, I am staying alone.
Kurt Tay
You can stay alone? You don’t need to rent a room?
Teo En Ming
I co-signed with my mother to rent a flat.
Kurt Tay
You mean you rented the whole HDB unit?
Teo En Ming
Rented 2 room flat
Kurt Tay
You rented the whole flat? It belong to both of you?
Teo En Ming
It doesn't belong to us. We don't have ownership.
We only rented the flat.
Kurt Tay
Does that mean you rented the flat from the government and not from others?
Teo En Ming
Yes, rented from the government and not from outside.
Kurt Tay
How much did you pay the government for the rental flat?
Teo En Ming
Last time when I had a job, I had to pay $414.
Kurt Tay
Every month $414?
Teo En Ming
$414
But after I was fired on 5 July 2024, I became jobless.
I wasn't working for 4 months.
The rental was reduced from $414 to $50 monthly.
Kurt Tay
Reduced to $50?
Why were you able to reduce the rent if you want to?
Teo En Ming
I am jobless.
Kurt Tay
They were able to rental fees because you were jobless?
Teo En Ming
Because your rental fees is tied to your income.
So its related to how much I make?
Let's say if you make $1 million a month.
Then you probably need to pay $100k a month for rental.
Kurt Tay
So its tied to your income?
Teo En Ming
It's related to your income.
So if I don't have a job, they can't say ...
I am jobless for more than 4 months since 5th of July 2024
They cannot expect me to pay the same amount since I am jobless and have no income.
Kurt Tay
Then they charge you $50 a month?
You still need to pay $50 right?
Teo En Ming
Still need to pay.
I still unable to find a job.
I went for 31 job interviews.
Not a single company wants to hire me.
Kurt Tay
But you went for a podcast interview recently?
You didn't make any money from it?
Teo En Ming
I didn't make any money.
Kurt Tay
You went for free?
Why free? You should get some money from them.
Recently, you were interviewed by Jianhao.
Its impossible that they didn't pay you?
Teo En Ming
I didn't receive any money.
Kurt Tay
You should have rejected them.
If they don't pay anything, why you still go for the interview?
Teo En Ming
No, I wanted more people to know me.
Because I knew I had mental illness, schizophrenia
I know that I can't live much longer.
Most people can live until 70-80 years old.
But for those with schizophrenia, they can't live for very long. Maybe, they will pass away when they are 50-60 years old.
But for those with schizophrenia, they may not live for very long. They might pass away when they are around 50 to 60 years old.
Kurt Tay
Schizophrenia is mental illness?
Teo En Ming
Yes, mental illness.
That's why I want more people to know about me as long as I am alive.
Kurt Tay
Your mental illness has nothing to do with your physical health. What do you mean you can't live longer?
Teo En Ming
If you read wikipedia, its written that majority of those with schizophrenia, their life expectancy or their lifespan will be cut short by 20 to 30 years.
Kurt Tay
Is it? Is it related?
Teo En Ming
Yes its related.
Usually those with mental illness also have many other health and medical problems.
Like high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, back pain, knee pain, foot pain, heart attack and many other problems.
Usually those with mental illness have other health and medical problems also.
If you take the medication from IMH, your appetite will increase.
It will also increase your weight.
Makes you fat.
A lot of people with mental illness are overweight, though there is a minority who are thin.
But the majority of people who take medication from IMH tend to become obese.
And the medication will increase cholesterol levels as well as raise your blood sugar.
That means if you take the medication, it will shorten your life.
Kurt Tay
It will shorten my life if i take the medication?
Teo En Ming
Consuming antipsychotic medications that means medicine for mental illness will shorten the life span.
Kurt Tay
Is it?
Teo En Ming
Usually those with mental illness will have shorten life span but my mother is an exception
My mother has severe mental illness
But she is 82 years old now.
Kurt Tay
That means not everyone has a shorter lifespan.
Teo En Ming
Not everyone but mostly.
Kurt Tay
ok
Teo En Ming
I know that I will not live long.
I know that I will not live long.
Because other than mental illness
I also have a lot of medical and health problems.
So I know I am going to die soon.
I know I am going to die soon.
I won't live long.
I have a short lifespan.
That's why I am desperate to become famous
Even if I am not paid for podcast interviews, I will still participate.
Because I am desperate to become famous before I die
Kurt Tay
So your goal is to become famous, and whether you are paid or not doesn't matter?
Teo En Ming
Yes
Because I know I am going to die soon. I won't live long.
So I want more people to know about me before I die.
Kurt Tay
You like more people to know about you.
Teo En Ming
I want to be documented in history textbooks.
Kurt Tay
But you mentioned before that because you are famous, it affected your job opportunities.
You told me before that your employers said you were too famous...
Teo En Ming
A few people commented that it's because I am too famous, and the majority of companies dare not hire me.
Kurt Tay
So it did affect your life.
Teo En Ming
But I am also unable to work because I frequently have knee pain
Kurt Tay
knee pain?
knee pain, back pain?
Teo En Ming
knee pain
knee back pain
For example, this morning when I woke up ..I went to Taiwan on 7 August.
I returned to Singapore on 12 August.
For the past few months, I don't have back pain.
But this morning when I woke up, my back hurt again.
So I immediately took the medication.
Hopefully, after taking the medication, I won't need to lie down on the bed.
Hopefully after 3-5 hours, the back pain will go away.
Kurt Tay
If you regularly have knee and back pain, how are you able to work?
Then how? If you are unable to work, how are you going to survive?
Teo En Ming
I don't know.
I only have a few thousand dollars. It can last only 2-3 months. Maybe I will have to become a beggar.
Kurt Tay
You can find jobs that allow you to sit down so that you won't have knee or back pain.
Teo En Ming
Correct.
I need to find those jobs that allow me to sit down.
Because of my legs and my knee cap.
Normally, I am able to stand for 1-2 hours.
My kneecap cannot endure standing for 2-3 hours.
I am unable to stand for too long.
Kurt Tay
Then, do you have driving license?
Teo En Ming
No, I don't have driving license.
Kurt Tay
Oh, you don't have driving license. If not, you can be a grab driver.
Then, you are able to sit down and don't need to stand.
Teo En Ming
For me, if I sit down, I will fall asleep.
I am unable to drive. If I drive a car, I will fall asleep.
Kurt Tay
Then, if you work as customer service, you get to sit down, so it should be okay, right?
Teo En Ming
Should be ok.
Kurt Tay
You should go and find those jobs.
Teo En Ming
Correct.
Kurt Tay
Those jobs usually prefer females, right?
Teo En Ming
Correct, those jobs that allow sitting down.
Those jobs that involve answering the phone.
Those jobs they usually prefer female to male.
Kurt Tay
Its possible that some of them prefer male.
Maybe some of them.
Teo En Ming
Definitely.
Maybe not a lot of jobs prefer male.
Usually, those jobs that allow sitting down prefer females.
Kurt Tay
Yes.
You mentioned you for a lot of interviews.
What jobs did you interview for?
Teo En Ming
IT
All are IT jobs.
Kurt Tay
Then instead of IT jobs, you look for customer service jobs.
Look for those customer service jobs at shopping malls that answer phone calls.
Or those jobs that involve handling phone calls in an office.
Teo En Ming
Usually, they prefer to hire females for these roles.
Kurt Tay
I mean, you can try to find one that is looking for males.
Can try to find.
Teo En Ming
So far, I went for 31 job interviews without any offers.
All are IT jobs.
Like IT helpdesk, network engineer, network administrator, system administrator, system engineer, all these jobs.
Kurt Tay
Then how much money do you have left in your bank?
$1000 or $2000?
Teo En Ming
I think left around $3000+
Kurt Tay
Oh $3000+
Teo En Ming
Then, how much do you have in your bank?
Kurt Tay
$0. Hur Hur hur. How much?
Teo En Ming
You don't have any money in your bank account?
I told you before that I am on a daily rate; I get paid daily.
If I'm broke, I can work tonight and have $100+ the next day.
Teo En Ming
Oh
Just like that.
So you mean you have $0 now but if you go work tonight then you will be paid $120.
Kurt Tay
Correct
Sometimes, it's $110.
Mostly, it's $120.
Teo En Ming
Oh
But you need to work 12 hours for the security job correct?
Kurt Tay
Correct, 12 hours.
But its more relaxed at night.
Night shift is not as tiring as day shift.
Its more tiring to work day shift.
There are more things to do during day shift.
Teo En Ming
12-hour shift, are you working as a permanent or relief staff?
Kurt Tay
Its difficult for me to work as permanent staff.
I have many haters.
You know, last time I applied for permanent full time supervisor.
I was spotted by haters and they caused me to lose my full time supervisor job.
Teo En Ming
That's why during the previous telephone call, I suggested you to leave Singapore if you can.
Because no matter where you go, haters will target you.
Kurt Tay
I have family. How to leave Singapore?
Teo En Ming
I mean bring your family along and leave Singapore.
My family also don't want to leave Singapore.
Crazy. Aiyoh.
Very Simple.
After I get out of jail, I will talk to the employer and inform them that I have been
to jail.
I will also explain that I made some videos in the past.
By informing them beforehand, even if haters send emails, it won't affect my job.
If I don’t inform them and haters spot me, they might tell my employer that I’ve been to jail and made certain videos, which could get me fired again.
The best way is to inform the employer about your past and see if they are okay with accepting it.
Even if the haters email them, it will not make any difference.
Teo En Ming
It’s very difficult to find a job after being in jail.
It’s possible. There’s the Yellow Ribbon Project.
Kurt Tay
There’s the Yellow Ribbon Project.
Teo En Ming
What project?
Kurt Tay
Yellow Ribbon Project.
You don't know Yellow Ribbon Project?
The Yellow Ribbon Project helps those who have been released from jail to find jobs.
Teo En Ming
A lot of people have commented that the Yellow Ribbon Project is just for show.
No use.
No use.
Kurt Tay
They wil help you to find jobs?
Teo En Ming
No use. Wayang.
Unless you can be like Simonboy and join showbiz to become an actor.
Kurt Tay
I also don't understand why Simonboy became so famous.
I started earlier than him. I joined the entertainment industry in 2013.
People like Simonboy started later than me.
People like Simonboy and Mayiduo started not long ago in the entertainment industry and became famous shortly after.
He earned a significant amount of money and was signed by a talent agency.
I have been in the industry for over 10 years, yet I haven't achieved any significant results.
Teo En Ming
Maybe Simonboy has the connections.
Maybe he is lucky.
Kurt Tay
I don't know lah.
So you see, I've worked so hard for all these years.
I have to do normal jobs, I can't be like them, depending on...
Not just me, Guo Lai is also famous, but he still has to do Grab food delivery.
So its not everyone.
Guo Lai is famous too but he isn't rich.
Teo En Ming
He told me that he went to attend Daily Ketchup Podcast interview in 2023.
Usually, their videos have more than 100k views.
Kurt Tay
You chat with Guo Lai before?
Teo En Ming
Yes, we chatted a few times.
Kurt Tay
You have his number?
Teo En Ming
No, I don't have his number.
Kurt Tay
You met him outside?
Teo En Ming
Yes, I met him outside.
Kurt Tay
Ok.
Teo En Ming
Nowadays, security guards need to work 12 hours shift correct?
Kurt Tay
Correct.
Teo En Ming
Don't have 8 hours shift correct?
Kurt Tay
8 hours shift.
Maybe some of 3 shifts per day. Morning, afternoon and night.
Very seldom.
12 hours shift is not a problem.
Its very relaxing during night shifts.
Times flies even when doing 12 hours shift.
I worked as a waiter before. The working hours were shorter, but time felt like it passed more slowly compared to a security job.
I don't like working as a waiter because there are too many tasks to handle.
Time passed more slowly.
Teo En Ming
I also noticed that time seems to pass more slowly in jobs like dishwasher and waiter roles.
Kurt Tay
Not really for dishwasher jobs, because I prefer not to work in public-facing roles due to having many haters.
When I worked as a dishwasher, I wasn't in a public-facing role, which made me feel more relaxed.
It's better than working as a waiter because I encountered some customers who were haters. So, when I worked as a dishwasher, I feel OK.
Teo En Ming
But a full-time dishwasher job usually offers a very low salary.
These jobs are more relaxed compared to security roles, but the salary is significantly lower.
Kurt Tay
OK
Teo En Ming
The salary for security jobs is also not very high.
You may feel that the salary for the security job is high, but you're working longer hours, 12-hour shifts.
Kurt Tay
No leh.
You know, when I work as a security guard, I make $120 per night.
When I worked as a waiter, cleaner or dishwasher, I didn't even make $120 per day.
Wait long long, I only made $70-$80 per day.
Teo En Ming
Thats true. Better than nothing.
Kurt Tay
Correct.
If you compare these jobs with a security job, the salary for a security job is higher.
Security jobs pay $120 per shift. It's a lot.
Teo En Ming
Correct.
A lot of people regard security jobs as low-income jobs.
Kurt Tay
I mean, you don't compare it to manager jobs that pay $5k - $6k per month, of course, the pay for security jobs is much lower.
If you compare the pay for a security job with that of waiter or cleaner jobs, the salary is considered quite high.
Teo En Ming
Do you get to sit down when you work as a security guard, or do you need to walk around?
Kurt Tay
You mostly sit down when you work the night shift.
Except that you need to perform clocking at certain times.
Some places don't even require clocking.
For a 12-hour shift, at places that do not require clocking, you are mostly sitting down.
However, at places that do require clocking, you only need to clock in for about 1 hour during the 12-hour shift. That's the only time you need to walk.
Teo En Ming
If I have to walk 1-2 hours a day, I can still manage.
But if its 3-4 hours ...
Kurt Tay
No, no. There’s no need to walk for so long.
Teo En Ming
Oh ok.
Kurt Tay
You mentioned before that you have a security license. Do you have one?
Teo En Ming
I have.
Kurt Tay
If you have, you should try to apply for secuirity jobs.
Apply for night shift jobs.
Teo En Ming
Thinking about it, I am unable to endure 12 hours shift.
Kurt Tay
There is time for rest during night shifts.
You don't have to be afraid.
Go ahead and give security night shift jobs a try.
Then you won’t have to worry about not having a job and money.
Go and give it a try.
Teo En Ming
But I still prefer daytime jobs.
I have another medical condition called
Obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea means I am unable to have quality sleep at night
When I wake up, I will feel very tired.
Everyday, I need to sleep between 12-15 hours.
Kurt Tay
You mean you are unable to sleep at night and you need to sleep in the day?
Teo En Ming
Can't fall asleep.
You probably haven't come across this this medical condition called obstructive sleep apnea
Kurt Tay
Do you need to take the medication before you can fall asleep?
Teo En Ming
No. I mean
I didn't take sleeping pills
When I sleep, I don't feel fully rested.
I still feel tired when I wake up in the morning.
Kurt Tay
Then you feel very tired during the daytime?
Teo En Ming
That means I feel very tired when I wake up.
Normally, I need to sleep until 10 a.m., 11 a.m., or noon.
Sometimes, I sleep until 2–3 p.m.
Kurt Tay
You need to wait until what time before you can fall asleep? 2–3 a.m.?
Teo En Ming
Not fixed.
Sometimes, I sleep at 3–4 a.m.
Sometimes, I sleep at 1 a.m.
Not fixed.
Sometimes, I am able to fall asleep at 11 p.m. Not consistent.
Kurt Tay
Then, how are you able to go to work?
Teo En Ming
If that's the case, then...
I also take medication called Haloperidol from IMH.
When I wake up, I feel even more tired.
You shouldn't take the medication too late at night.
You should take the medication between 6 and 8 p.m.
If you take the medication late at night, like 11 p.m. to midnight.
When you wake up in the morning, you will feel petty.
If you go to IMH, the patients are sleeping day and night.
Kurt Tay
Then how are you going to find a job?
How are you going to sleep?
Teo En Ming
Many IMH patients sleep day and night.
Last time, I stayed at Anglican Care Centre.
A lot of my roommates sleep during the day and at night.
They sleep the whole day.
Kurt Tay
I understand, but how are you going to go to work if you feel like sleeping?
Teo En Ming
In that case, because of work, I need to sleep early.
Then, I shouldn't sleep at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m..
If I have a job, I have to adjust and sleep at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m.
Then, the medication called Haloperidol from IMH should be taken at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., and not too late at night.
Kurt Tay
Then, you are still able to work in security despite being at IMH before?
You shouldn't be able to, right?
Teo En Ming
It should be cleared by now.
Kurt Tay
Does that mean you have a record and can't work in security?
Teo En Ming
You should be able to. It should be cleared.
Kurt Tay
You still can work in security?
Teo En Ming
I have a security license.
Kurt Tay
You still can work in security despite having a record of being a patient at IMH?
Teo En Ming
Because the psychiatrist certified me as medically fit to work as a security guard.
Oh I see.
At that time, I stayed at Anglican Care Centre in Farrer Park.
Patients with mental illness stay at Anglican Care Centre.
A lot of them work as security guards.
Kurt Tay
Then you shouldn't wait anymore; go and work in security.
Teo En Ming
I feel that a 12-hour shift as a security guard is too long. I can't handle it.
Kurt Tay
Better than not having a job.
Teo En Ming
That's true.
Kurt Tay
You can try it first. It's not tiring during the night shift.
Time flies during the night shift.
Go ahead and give it a try.
Teo En Ming
I went to inquire at McDonald's, Burger King, Texas Chicken, and Popeyes.
They told me that I need to stand and work for long hours. If I want to sit down, it's not possible.
Kurt Tay
Then, you should go work as a security guard.
Teo En Ming
I thought about that before.
I thought of working as GrabFood, Foodpanda, or Deliveroo delivery.
Kurt Tay
Can you recognize the way?
Teo En Ming
Use GPS.
The doctors said they can provide me with a motorized wheelchair.
Kurt Tay
I don't know, but it's more relaxed if you work in security.
Teo En Ming
I feel that it's more relaxed if I work as a GrabFood, Foodpanda, or Deliveroo delivery. Own time, own target.
Kurt Tay
How is it more relaxed? You have to run here and there to deliver food.
Working in security is better.
Teo En Ming
It’s not about running here and there. I can still handle it if it’s 2-3 hours.
Anything longer than that, and my kneecaps can't take it.
That's why the doctors want to provide me with a motorized wheelchair, a personal mobility device (PMD), so I can move around with it.
Kurt Tay
I know you have a PMD, but food delivery is not simple. You need to find the location and go here and there.
You have to go to different locations. It's still troublesome.
Teo En Ming
But I use the motorized wheelchair to move around, I don't have to use my legs.
Kurt Tay
Up to you. I don't know. Then you should go and try.
Teo En Ming
I have a friend who told me he worked as a Foodpanda rider for many years.
I wanted to ask him how to get started as a Foodpanda rider, but he advised me not to because it's dangerous.
He told me he fell many times, and once he had a serious injury.
Kurt Tay
Then, what do you plan to do?
Teo En Ming
If I use a PMD, I do not need to go on the roads as I can use the pavements.
Kurt Tay
Then, what are your plans?
Teo En Ming
My friend doesn’t wake up that early. He starts work as a Foodpanda rider at 10 a.m. and works until 10 p.m. or later, around 12 hours.
After that, he goes home to sleep.
He told me that working for GrabFood, Foodpanda, or Deliveroo is own time, own target.
You don’t need to report to a boss.
You can rest whenever you want. More relaxed than a security guard.
Kurt Tay
Then, when do you want to start trying?
Teo En Ming
I’ll wait until I get the motorized wheelchair.
I have an appointment with the occupational therapist on December 3rd.
I have to see what the occupational therapist says.
Kurt Tay
Oh I see. Ok.
Teo En Ming
I feel that if I can sit down for the entire shift while working as a security guard and don’t need to move around, then it’s okay.
Kurt Tay
You can.
Teo En Ming
All these jobs—GrabFood, Foodpanda, Deliveroo delivery, dishwasher, waiter—are low-income jobs.
If I have to be frank.
Kurt Tay
Not really. You can also make a lot of money if you manage to deliver a lot of orders.
Teo En Ming
But wealthy people view these jobs as low-income jobs.
They can make money even while they are sleeping.
Only people like us have to use our hands and legs to work.
If only I didn’t have mental illness, back pain, and all these health and medical problems.
I have a friend who is over 60 years old, very healthy, and able to go here and there.
But he is very skinny, like a pole.
He is very light, only 50kg. Running here and there is no problem for him.
My weight is 120kg.
I can't endure it.
I think your weight is around 80kg or more?
Kurt Tay
Last time my weight is 80kg+, but now it's 70kg+.
Teo En Ming
Normal weight should be around 70-80kg.
I want to ask the doctor for weight loss medication, but I heard it's not effective.
I read an article from The Guardian. There are a lot of obese people in England who are unable to go to work.
The medication helps them slim down quickly so that they can return to work.
This is a project in England.
I want to go and speak to the doctor again.
Kurt Tay
Just now, you mentioned which newspaper reported it. Was it The Guardian?
The Guardian newspaper is from overseas, right?
Teo En Ming
The Guardian is not the same as Guardian Pharmacy.
Kurt Tay
The Guardian is from England, right?
G-U-A-R-D-A-A-I-N
The overseas news outlet, The Guardian, right?
Teo En Ming
Yes, the overseas news outlet The Guardian did report.
They reported about the American, Edward Joseph Snowden, who leaked
confidential documents from the NSA.
The Guardian is a famous news outlet from England.
Kurt Tay
What did you say The Guardian wrote about?
Teo En Ming
I just told you about it.
Kurt Tay
What did you tell me? I heard it, but I forgot.
Teo En Ming
They reported about the American, Edward Joseph Snowden, who leaked confidential documents from the NSA.
That's why The Guardian became famous.
Kurt Tay
ok
What did you say they reported?
What did you say the Guardian reported?
Teo En Ming
They reported about Edward Joseph Snowden.
You can go and Google about Edward Joseph Snowden.
He mentioned 6 years ago that Western countries spy on their own citizens.
Just that.
Kurt Tay
ok
Teo En Ming
Where are you heading now?
Kurt Tay
I'm not going anywhere. I wanted to take photos of the Christmas decorations, but it's raining.
I can't take photos of Christmas decorations, swim, nor exercise outdoors.
Those are not gyms that require you to pay.
It's raining. It's troublesome.
Is it not raining at your end?
It's raining heavily on my end. Where are you staying?
Teo En Ming
Ang Mo Kio
It's not raining yet at AMK? It's raining heavily here.
Kurt Tay
I actually wanted to go swimming, but I can't. I wanted to go out to take Christmas decorations, but I can't do that either.
Teo En Ming
You're staying at Yishun, correct?
Kurt Tay
Correct. It's raining very heavily.
Teo En Ming
My back pain may be getting better.
I'll be heading out when I feel better.
Kurt Tay
Do you mean you are still at home?
Teo En Ming
I am experiencing back pain.
Kurt Tay
Does that mean you’ll be staying home all day and not going out?
Teo En Ming
I can still go out even though I have back pain.
If I go out and experience back pain, I have to lie down for a while.
Kurt Tay
If you need to buy something to eat, then you go out?
Teo En Ming
I go to the downstairs coffee shop, which takes around 3 minutes, and then I go back home.
Kurt Tay
That means you are usually at home, right?
At home watching YouTube and other videos?
Teo En Ming
I usually watch martial arts dramas on YouTube.
Kurt Tay
Oh I see.
Teo En Ming
Recently, I've been watching Romance of the Three Kingdoms and etc ...
I watch dramas from Korea and China. There are many available on YouTube.
I also watch dramas like Justice Bao and others.
Kurt Tay
Then, you must be pretty bored staying at home all day.
Teo En Ming
If there are events, I will go out.
Kurt Tay
What events? Do you mean cosplay events?
Teo En Ming
Mediacorp, celebrity events, Korean and Thai celebrities, or cosplay events.
These events don't require standing for a long time. They typically last around 1 to 3 hours.
That's why I can still endure it.
For cosplay events, I need to bring a portable chair.
Every 2-3 hours, I can sit down to rest.
I cannot stand for 8-9 hours at one go.
I could still do it 10-plus years ago.
Because I am already 46 years old.
Kurt Tay
Oh, you are 46 years old?
Teo En Ming
You are 42 years old this year, correct?
Kurt Tay
Yes
Teo En Ming
You are not as overweight as I am, so you don't have as many problems.
Kurt Tay
You can reduce your weight. Last time, I was over 80kg.
When I was younger, my heaviest weight was over 100kg.
Teo En Ming
Ok, 80kg is not as bad as me. I am 120kg.
Kurt Tay
If you want, you can still reduce your weight.
Teo En Ming
IMH patients have to take antipsychotic medications, and these can cause weight gain.
Patients at IMH are often overweight.
Only a minority of the patients are slim.
Kurt Tay
okok
Teo En Ming
The majority of those with mental illness are overweight.
Kurt Tay
You don't plan on getting married?
You don't plan on getting married?
Teo En Ming
A lot of people with schizophrenia are unable to get married because they fear that their children might inherit the illness.
Kurt Tay
Is it? Will they?
Teo En Ming
Just like my mother, she had this illness for more than 30 years, and then she passed it down to me.
Kurt Tay
Does that mean your mother passed it down to you?
Teo En Ming
There is also another reason. Seventeen years ago, when I graduated from NUS, I said something wrong.
I spoke badly about Lee Kuan Yew.
Kurt Tay
Did you? Where did you say it? On YouTube?
Teo En Ming
Not on YouTube.
When I was working in MINDEF, I spoke badly about Lee Kuan Yew while speaking to my manager."
Kurt Tay
What bad things did you say about him?
Teo En Ming
In 2007, 17 years ago, I told my manager, Loh Choon Fah, that when Lee Kuan Yew is gone, we would have more freedom.
That's why I got marked.
Kurt Tay
If you told your manager, how would the government find out about it?
Teo En Ming
I was working at a government agency.
Kurt Tay
What job were you working at then?
Teo En Ming
I was working as an IT Engineer at the Ministry of Defense.
Kurt Tay
Then, did people overhear and report it to the government?
Teo En Ming
No, the manager definitely reported it to the government.
Kurt Tay
He reported it to the government?
Oh really?
Teo En Ming
That's why I was unable to get CAT1 security clearance.
Kurt Tay
I thought you said you have a security license? What do you mean by not being able to get security clearance?"
Teo En Ming
A security license is used when you want to work as a security guard.
To work at a government agency, you must have security clearance.
Kurt Tay
That means you're no longer eligible to get a job at government agencies?
Teo En Ming
That's right. I'm unable to find a job at government agencies anymore.
Kurt Tay
Oh I see.
Teo En Ming
As long as you talk badly about Lee Kuan Yew, Lee Hsien Loong, or any ministers, you can forget about working at government agencies.
Kurt Tay
Oh I see.
Teo En Ming
They will no longer allow you to work at government agencies.
There are recruitment agencies who told me that Singapore citizens who criticize the government cannot find a job at government agencies.
Singapore is like this. I don't know if the same happens overseas.
But I think China is the same.
If you spoke badly about Xi Jinping, he won't let you work at government agencies.
Correct? Singapore is also like that.
As long as you criticize the government, they will not let you work at government agencies.
Kurt Tay
Oh ok.
Teo En Ming
I criticized Lee Kuan Yew in 2007.
A few months later, I got diagnosed with mental illness.
Kurt Tay
How is your criticizing him and your getting diagnosed with mental illness related?
Teo En Ming
Maybe you still don't understand.
A lot of people from the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, Russia, India, Japan, France.
They said that mental illness was developed by the government.
Kurt Tay
The government invented it?
Teo En Ming
If you criticize the government, they will give you mental illness.
Kurt Tay
How was it possible for the government to invent it?
Teo En Ming
If you go and search on Google, you will find out what actually happened.
Kurt Tay
If you don't have a mental illness, they will not be able to say that you do.
Teo En Ming
No, they give you the mental illness.
Because many Americans, Europeans, Russians, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and Australians argued that mental illness was invented to punish people who said bad things about them.
Do you understand?
You understand, right?
That means mental illness was invented by the government.
The main purpose of the government inventing mental illness is that they will give you this illness if you criticize them.
My side is also raining now.
It started raining a few minutes ago.
More and more people have found out that mental illness was created by the government.
You didn’t know about it before, right?
Kurt Tay
No. I don't.
Teo En Ming
You need to go to websites like targetedjustice.com and read those stories.
Then, you will understand that the government invented mental illness to torture people.
Haiz.
Kurt Tay
What is it?
Teo En Ming
Eh... we chatted for over an hour.
I will go and have a rest, then go out if my back pain eases.
Kurt Tay
Are you going out to eat?
Are you coming on the 4th of December?
Teo En Ming
Should be.
Kurt Tay
Should be? A lot of my haters will be there.
A lot of my haters should be coming.
Teo En Ming
Afternoon 2pm at States Court?
2.30pm at the Court room?
Kurt Tay
Correct.
Teo En Ming
To enter the courtroom, do I need to get a pass?
Kurt Tay
I don't think so. Just enter.
Don't need.
Teo En Ming
Don't need to get a pass? Just walk in?
I see you on 4th December.
Kurt Tay
No need to meet me. You can go in yourself.
If you want to attend, you can go there yourself.
I won’t be meeting you.
Teo En Ming
OKOK
Kurt Tay
OK Bye Bye
I haven't had the time to break it down into speakers for the transcript yet. In the meantime, here is the transcript.