[ManuelFerrara]

Dun need to go CV liao, woodlands also can.

FROM a distance, they look like three women enjoying a cool breeze at the park.

Seated together on a stone bench, they seem to be chatting amiably.


But their eyes are on a constant lookout. They wave at any male strangers venturing by.

Up close, a seedier story emerges.

These aren't residents just relaxing at Woodlands Town Garden.

Sporting heavy makeup and tacky outfits, the trio are transvestites - on the prowl for potential customers.

Residents living nearby said the three are among a group of transvestites who have been seen around the park for at least a year.

Their presence has caused the residents much embarrassment and inconvenience.

This is because they would blatantly solicit for business from park-users and passers-by.

The New Paper visited the park on Thursday night and our experience backs up these accounts.

The transvestites are also said to carry out their sexual activities at the carpark, or at secluded areas at the park.

APPROACHED MANY TIMES

One resident, who gave his name as Mohd N, said he has been approached at least five times.

The 27-year-old said: 'I feel embarrassed and disgusted that such things are happening in an HDB neighbourhood. They should be stopped immediately.'

The park is located directly opposite the old Woodlands town centre and a few hundred metres away from the Causeway.

Blocks of flats are located diagonally across the traffic junction.

Now Woodlands seems to have become a second Changi Village - which is known for its transvestite presence.

Some of the 40 residents The New Paper spoke to said they had been inconvenienced because the park is on the shortest route to the town centre.

Research assistant Lina Mohd Salleh, 23, said: 'I've heard about this problem in the past. I've stopped jogging near the park now, especially at night when it's so dark.'

Others who used to pass by the park, to go to the town centre for supper, also say they now choose other routes.


Mr Mohd, who often goes to Woodlands town centre for late-night suppers with his friends, now takes a longer route.

He said he has seen the transvestites approaching strangers.

He added: 'I'm worried for my safety. The place has become quite sleazy and dangerous because of these transvestites and the people who go there for their services.'

Mr Mohd said he believes that the transvestites are residents living nearby. He said he has seen some of them, on several occasions, walking from nearby flats to the park.

Another resident, Mr Anwar K, 28, said he has also been approached by the transvestites while jogging at the park.

He said the authorities should act quickly to put a stop to these activities.

'These activities shouldn't be taking place in a neighbourhood. It may have a negative influence on the young people using the park facilities,' said Mr Anwar.

'Also, the situation may become worse if the transvestites cannot get customers and resort to illegal activities.'

Ms Suriyama Saman, a 33-year-old property agent, agreed, saying: 'I definitely won't let my children go there with all these people at the park.'

A spokesman for Sembawang Town Council said it 'has not received any feedback regarding the presence of transvestites operating at Woodlands Town Garden'.



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For $50, 'I can give you good time'

THE New Paper visited the Woodlands Town Garden at around 10.30pm on Thursday.

Three transvestites sat on one of the stone benches near the carpark - which was dark, though lights from nearby lamp posts were shining.

When this reporter sat at a nearby bench, one transvestite walked over and asked in a suggestive tone: 'Hey, what're you doing here? Do you want a good time? I can give you good time.'

Probed further, the man - who gave his name as Gigi - said he was offering sex for money. He asked for $50 to $70, depending on the service requested.


But was there a private place to be intimate?

Gigi pointed to a slope next to the carpark.

The New Paper visited the area yesterday afternoon and found the grass patch strewn with used condoms and tissues.

HE LIVES NEARBY

Gigi also said we could go to his nearby flat for a half-hour of 'action' - for $100.

Despite my repeated rejections, he didn't give up - using brazenly lewd language.

He said there were about six transvestites operating at the garden.

Why this public park? Most of them were residents living nearby, he replied.

All were Singaporeans, he added. But he refused to show me his identity card.

Gigi, who claimed to be 27, said most customers were middle-aged Chinese men. But over two hours, the men who approached the group were mostly foreign workers.

Some teenage boys also stopped to chat with the transvestites.

Police patrol cars came by four times but Gigi and his 'colleagues' didn't seem bothered.

At around midnight, one got into a car with a male, middle-aged driver. They spent 15 minutes in there - engine running - at the carpark.
- By KOR KIAN BENG.