By Tessa Wong
Political Correspondent
twong@sph.com.sg

 

LAST night at a community event I had a chance to pose an interesting question to ex-Minister Dr Lee Boon Yang: what do you think of Geylang as a tourist attraction?

I was referring, of course, to Time magazine's recent recommendation of Geylang as a tourist destination.

The news weekly hailed it as "an atmospheric quarter on Singapore's east coast that bristles with great period architecture, leggy street walkers and some of the best local food on the island".

Dr Lee, who is the Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC which oversees Geylang, was diplomatic in his reply.

He noted that it was reminiscent of how Bugis Street was once a tourist hotspot for the same reasons, then added: "While Geylang is a part of the mix of attractions for tourists, hopefully we can see more wholesome and culturally edifying attractions that will bring more tourists to Singapore."

My take on it?

When I first heard of the recommendation, I was amused - and approving.

Geylang, after all, is known for more than its seedy nightlife. With its plethora of foodie haunts, fruit stalls, karaoke lounges, bargain stores, coupled with chaotic traffic and a mix of immigrants from all over Asia, it's a vibrant and bustling place, great for people-watching.

On these merits, Geylang is indeed an intriguing place to check out if you're a visitor. It's definitely a grittier side of Singapore that you hardly see elsewhere on our island, full of life and colour.

But a quick re-read of the article made me have second thoughts. Touting "leggy streetwalkers" as a tourist attraction? Sorry, but that's just wrong.

It's just like "poverty porn", a term bandied around by the media recently over Danny Boyle's film on Indian slum life, Slumdog Millionaire.

Much fuss was made about how wrong it is to be entertained by watching other people's misery and degradation.

Similarly, watching the hookers stalk up and down the lorongs or hang around their brothels just smacks of such Schadenfreude.

Anyone who goes there to check out the sleaze shouldn't feel virtuous just because they're doing it on a "see, no touch" basis. You're not watching some exotic safari; you're watching someone's mother, daughter or sister doing a job she most likely hates.

Some may be doing it willingly, others may be coerced. All would most probably choose a different life for themselves if they had the opportunity.

So if you're heading to Geylang anytime soon for supper or late-night drinking, by all means have a whale of a time.

But think twice about staring goggle-eyed at those hookers. The sights may be seedy, but this ain't a circus, folks.

Read more about the Geylang area from Tessa Wong: Geylang back alley lit up.