SINGAPORE - Last Friday's news of the launch of a book about the
experiences of taxi drivers has riled retired teacher Teh Saw Im, 65.
The book, Taxi Tales, was a project led by the National Taxi Association, supported by the Land Transport Authority and the taxi companies. And it was touted as the "first of its kind" here by the NTA, a line that was also repeated at the launch by the VIPs - such as Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew and Members of Parliament Seng Han Thong and Ang Hin Kee - in their media sound bites.
The problem was Miss Teh had published a similar book, Taxi Talk, in 2005. "It is a gross insult to me," said Miss Teh, who has another book, Cousin June, published under her name. She added: "I am horrified by the way the book is being presented and the implication that it's the first of its kind."
Miss Teh's books were penned under her Hanyu Pinyin name, Zheng Shuying. Taxi Talk was published by SNP Corporation, now known as Toppan Leefung after it was acquired by Japan's Toppan Printing.
The book featured the real life experiences of taxi drivers and some statistics provided by the LTA. "It's as though the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing," said Miss Teh.
In his speech at the launch last Friday, NTA president Wee Boon Kim said the idea for his association's book was mooted by Mr Seng, the adviser to the NTA, about one and a half years ago. Mr Seng could not be reached for comment.
An NTA spokesperson reiterated that it recognises that "both books serve the same purpose, which is to help the public know more about taxi industry".
The spokesperson added that Taxi Tales "comprises stories of taxi drivers and more. We compiled the likes and dislikes of both passengers and taxi drivers to share a more diverse understanding of the taxi occupation".
Speaking to TODAY, Mr Ang said he did not know of Miss Teh's book "but at the end of the day, when you have more stories, from more diverse angles, it's better for everyone to understand the taxi industry and that's a good thing".
The book, Taxi Tales, was a project led by the National Taxi Association, supported by the Land Transport Authority and the taxi companies. And it was touted as the "first of its kind" here by the NTA, a line that was also repeated at the launch by the VIPs - such as Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew and Members of Parliament Seng Han Thong and Ang Hin Kee - in their media sound bites.
The problem was Miss Teh had published a similar book, Taxi Talk, in 2005. "It is a gross insult to me," said Miss Teh, who has another book, Cousin June, published under her name. She added: "I am horrified by the way the book is being presented and the implication that it's the first of its kind."
Miss Teh's books were penned under her Hanyu Pinyin name, Zheng Shuying. Taxi Talk was published by SNP Corporation, now known as Toppan Leefung after it was acquired by Japan's Toppan Printing.
The book featured the real life experiences of taxi drivers and some statistics provided by the LTA. "It's as though the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing," said Miss Teh.
In his speech at the launch last Friday, NTA president Wee Boon Kim said the idea for his association's book was mooted by Mr Seng, the adviser to the NTA, about one and a half years ago. Mr Seng could not be reached for comment.
An NTA spokesperson reiterated that it recognises that "both books serve the same purpose, which is to help the public know more about taxi industry".
The spokesperson added that Taxi Tales "comprises stories of taxi drivers and more. We compiled the likes and dislikes of both passengers and taxi drivers to share a more diverse understanding of the taxi occupation".
Speaking to TODAY, Mr Ang said he did not know of Miss Teh's book "but at the end of the day, when you have more stories, from more diverse angles, it's better for everyone to understand the taxi industry and that's a good thing".
PS:
Looks like someone didn't do enough research.
But someone also said that the PHD cabby had wrote a book also.
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