Now @loud has gone through a year of transformation and thus, publishing our new magazine in 2010; RepublicanPost (ReP). Student-initiated and student-led, @loud caters to students in RP and other polytechnics in Singapore, as well as to the public. We deal with issues ranging from youth and graduate issues, the latest fashion, movies, music, entrepreneurship, career ideas, to politics.
At @loud, when we want something to be done, we work together as a team to achieve our goal. We com from a diverse background and from all walks of lives, the @loud team is full of energy, is creative and is always bursting with ideas with its think-out-of-the-box nature.
Thus, our name A L(oad) O(f) U(tter) D(elirium).
@loud
July 2010
@Loud Online Launch
Chief Editor: Sakina Khaliq
Deputy Editor: Shaistah Munawar
Editor: Ng Si Ying Amandaz
Editor: Clara Lim Mei Xing
Editor: Teo Xing Zhi
Head Designer: Kenneth Pek
Webmaster: Yazier Nifail Hamzah.
Special thanks to: Khadijah Binte Rosli.
Basecodes: © Candycoatedmisery 2010
Contact us at: aloud.rp.gmail.com
Gang Rivalry
By Mardiana Abdul Malek
Have any of you ever wondered how rivalry could actually be a turning point in someone’s life? Being in a gang, there seem to be a lot of ways to get into trouble. In search of answers, @LOUD had the opportunity to interview Azlan (not his real name), 23 years old, who was once a gang member.
What led you to join a gang?
It was all about peer influence. At such young age of 14, I was definitely very naive.
Were your parents aware of the gang activities that you were involved in?
No, they weren’t aware of it until I got caught in 2004 and went in and out of the police station for so many times. After a while, bailing me out already became a norm to them.
How important was it for you to be recognized as one of the best gang members?
For me, it wasn’t much of being recognized or being famous among the gang members. It was the spirit of brotherhood; taking care of and looking out for each other and being loyal to the gang that mattered.
Have you ever thought of the consequences of getting into gang fights?
No, I was very impulsive last time. It was more like I was living on the ‘fast lane’; living like there’s no tomorrow.
How did you cope with the competition among the other gangs?
If my gang saw any other stalls which sell DVDs or CD-ROMS at our designated area whereby we sold the same stuffs as well, we would confront the people whom we see at the stall to find out who they are selling those things for. If other gangs wanted to dominate the same area, they had to pay us with some of the profits that they gained through their business.
What are the future plans that you have for yourself after going through a lot during those competitive yet dark years?
My ambition is to be a dietician. I’ll be pursuing Bachelor of Science in Perth, Australia for 4 years. I’m majoring in Exercise and Health Science. I do hope to come back to Singapore during my term breaks.
We hereby arrive at a conclusion whereby life, no matter in a gang or not, competition is always inevitable. Sometimes, competition may lead us to a possible mishap but that does not mean we should falter. Instead, we should do it like Azlan; move on to better and more beautiful things in life. @
Have any of you ever wondered how rivalry could actually be a turning point in someone’s life? Being in a gang, there seem to be a lot of ways to get into trouble. In search of answers, @LOUD had the opportunity to interview Azlan (not his real name), 23 years old, who was once a gang member.
What led you to join a gang?
It was all about peer influence. At such young age of 14, I was definitely very naive.
Were your parents aware of the gang activities that you were involved in?
No, they weren’t aware of it until I got caught in 2004 and went in and out of the police station for so many times. After a while, bailing me out already became a norm to them.
How important was it for you to be recognized as one of the best gang members?
For me, it wasn’t much of being recognized or being famous among the gang members. It was the spirit of brotherhood; taking care of and looking out for each other and being loyal to the gang that mattered.
Have you ever thought of the consequences of getting into gang fights?
No, I was very impulsive last time. It was more like I was living on the ‘fast lane’; living like there’s no tomorrow.
How did you cope with the competition among the other gangs?
If my gang saw any other stalls which sell DVDs or CD-ROMS at our designated area whereby we sold the same stuffs as well, we would confront the people whom we see at the stall to find out who they are selling those things for. If other gangs wanted to dominate the same area, they had to pay us with some of the profits that they gained through their business.
What are the future plans that you have for yourself after going through a lot during those competitive yet dark years?
My ambition is to be a dietician. I’ll be pursuing Bachelor of Science in Perth, Australia for 4 years. I’m majoring in Exercise and Health Science. I do hope to come back to Singapore during my term breaks.
We hereby arrive at a conclusion whereby life, no matter in a gang or not, competition is always inevitable. Sometimes, competition may lead us to a possible mishap but that does not mean we should falter. Instead, we should do it like Azlan; move on to better and more beautiful things in life. @