Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng has urged the public to respect volunteers following an incident during a monthly free haircut event. On November 24, an 82-year-old volunteer, Ms Jenny, was confronted by a man unhappy with his haircut. The man called the haircut “ugly” and claimed the sides were uneven.
In a December 4 Instagram post, Mr Baey explained that the man was not a regular visitor but was welcomed like others. On that day, eight volunteer hairdressers served 57 people between 2:45 p.m. and 5:10 p.m. The man, unhappy with his cut, made a scene and criticized the organizers for not checking the hairdressers’ skills. He also told Ms Jenny she should retire and stop providing “lousy service.”
Ms Jenny has been a volunteer since the project started in 2014. She is known for her dedication, often bringing homemade snacks to share. The volunteer group now includes 15 regular hairdressers, with five to ten attending each session to serve about 50 to 60 residents.
Mr Baey highlighted that while not all volunteers are professionals, they have basic skills and a strong desire to help. Over the past 10 years, no complaints have been made. He was not at the event, as he was away on an official trip.
He urged those unhappy with the service not to attend the free sessions or disrespect the volunteers. The volunteer-in-charge arranged for another hairdresser to redo the man’s haircut.
The post received support from the community, with many praising Mr Baey for defending the volunteers and reminding people to be grateful for such services. One user said, “People should be more thankful for these services for those in need,” while another thanked the volunteers for their care and dedication.
Mr Baey emphasized that volunteers give up their free time to serve the community and deserve respect in return.
