Mal (Mar26)

 

Three pop-up booths in a large mall here on the waterfront were each set alight one late evening earlier this year, one after the other. Some research in fact finds VivoCity at Harbour-front the largest shopping mall in the Republic, on a territory celebrated for their many forms. Composed of a number of levels, Vivo includes the usual clustering of fashion, dining, health & wellness, electrical & electronics. A renowned Japanese architect had taken his hint from the water, highlighting curved, flowing forms that mimic sea waves & create a dynamic, open atmosphere. (AI Overview from the promo.) A children’s playground was included, water features & garden. As at other malls, in addition to the familiar brands behind glass in the stores, numerous pop-ups lined the passageways. The young arsonist still in his teens was “feeling upset while walking around VivoCity on the night of March 19,” the newspaper reported, presumably citing a presentation in court. First a Polo Ralph Lauren booth on the first floor was attacked, the flick of a ciggie lighter on the black cloth covering enough to set ablaze. After the polo line, an Oh! Sunny booth on the second floor received the same treatment, same means effective for the same result. (Stylish beachwear to manage the punishing tropical sun.) Finally, a little later, the impulse again took the lad at the main atrium back on the first floor, at a Refash outlet. All same again. On each occasion the perpetrator had remained on the scene watching the flames. The Public Defender representing suggested the youngster did not offend out of ill-will. No one was injured, though the damage bill was significant & restitution difficult in the circumstances. Depression, coping mechanism, impaired judgement, OCD all mentioned in the representations; and, unexpectedly, during the course, both the prosecution & judge seemed rather sanguine at what had transpired. Condemnation seemed strangely absent; listing of the commercial victims flatly put and likewise the $10k damage. While the pressures upon the young lad’s mind seemed to be appreciated even in advance of prompting from Defence. Wildly anti-social behaviour in the Republic usually drew strong rebuke. Here, as if a wave of understanding and appreciation had forced itself on all the adults concerned; as if the young lad’s disturbed mind in the those halls could only be given its due; granted, acknowledged & accepted, if not condoned. Something in the circumstances in those corridors at Vivo had curbed automatic, reflexive responses. Not a hint of censure or reproach; not the merest suggestion. All in attendance gone sombre & quiet. Long faces through the chamber. Nodding; cleaning of eye-glasses. Heads bowed; others vacantly staring, pondering. Churches, temples & mosques could not be shared by all in Singapore; the malls certainly. Court in session in a kind of ponderous trance.

 

                    Singapore 2011-26