July 19, 03:39 PM 
514 Chai Chee Lane 03-16, Singapore 469029 The New Paper (TNP) has gone into defensive mode. Or rather, TNP veteran Melvin Singh has.
This after the tabloid published an unwieldy, unpopular and poorly-argued opinion piece by Singh (pictured above right) that unnecessarily stirred the hornet's nest after it was picked up by All Singapore Stuff, a website that has no qualms republishing unwieldy, unpopular and poorly-argued opinion pieces.
TNP's piece, put out in the aftermath of the recent bullying incident on the MRT train, insinuated that part of the blame of the whole incident caught on camera lies with the victim, who was wearing a t-shirt that read “I’m F***ing Special”.
This, in Singh's opinion, was tantamount to instigating the bully to behave in a threatening manner. Yes, this is coming from someone who has spent 20 years in journalism.
Facebook comments on the original article called out Singh's illogical conclusions.
Here is TNP's, or rather, Melvin Singh's defence:
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Posted by The New Paper on Saturday, July 18, 2015
Here is one of the comments by Singh that was published at 1am, on July 19, 2015, using TNP's official Facebook account, in response to a commenter:
From Melvin: No, Jessica. I did not stay up all night. I went through proper protocol to let my supervisors respond.
Nowhere did i say those who stand up to bullies are idiots. I said Idiocy is Singaporeans being bullies too like when the foreign worker was yelled at by the local. On the point of labels, I said if we are going to use labels, then the younger man's actions may be construed as the spark, instigation and therefore he is the instigator. Your insinuations that i stayed up all night and your insinuations in an earlier post suggest you are not content to make a point but would rather turn this into a personal thing. I would like to keep the debate on the points. Since your posting, my race has been ridiculed, my name and my family has been mocked. So bullying me is the response? To those who asked: I am Singaporean, third generation from a family with a proud history serving in the Armed Forces and Police Force. I too served in the Police Force for six years. I am a Rajput hence I do not have a turban. My full name os Melvinderpal. Check online and you will find it is a common name. I am colour blind and embrace all. I am in a mixed marriage if you must know. My mother is half Malay so I am of mixed parentage too. I take some risks giving these personal details but since my integrity is questioned, i need to respond. You may well criticise me again. That is your choice but refrain from dragging my family and race into this debate. Thanks. Peace, Melvin.
Singh was no stranger to controversy.
As TNP's Deputy Editor, he co-authored an article ("Is he SDP's loose cannon", May 3, 2011) alleging that Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) Sec-Gen Chee Soon Juan was about to lead his supporters on an "illegal protest" march after one of SDP's General Election rally.
Anyway, we wish everybody the best of luck trying to make themselves heard on the Internet.
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