• Published by I-S
• Date
• Interviewed by Ng Hui Hsien

Half expecting to be greeted with oracle boards, paper money or at the very least the proton beams in Hollywood movie Ghostbusters, I-S chats with Ghostbuster Chew Yong Zhen. With trembling hands, we dared not offend the man whose teachers include the Jade Emperor, the Thousand-Arms Goddess and Chairman Mao.

How did you get started in this line of work?
I was cursed about 10 years ago, puking mosquitoes and being tormented by spirits. No one in Singapore, Malaysia or Thailand could cure me. One day, the Jade Emperor possessed a priest and healed me. He asked whether I believed in him and was interested to help people. I agreed, and this is how I got started in this line.

What are your specialties?
I correct destinies and conduct exorcisms. I can change your fate within an hour. For example, two years ago, a lot of people who lost their jobs sought my advice and most of them got employed within a week.

Who are your clients?
My clients include engineers, managers, pilots, air stewards or stewardesses, and prostitutes from China.

What is the most memorable exorcism?
It has to be at a modeling agency on Marshall Road. The pet tortoises would disappear and reappear of their own accord, and the dog’s food dish would move around by itself. The owner has locked up in one of the rooms on several occasions, when it is impossible to lock the door from outside. One night, I sprinkled flour everywhere and gave orders that no one was to enter the officer. The next morning, the owner discovered footsteps. We took photographs that revealed the face of a monkey ghost. I conducted a ritual to help the owner ask for 4D numbers and warned the ghost not to be too playful.

Does the Jade Emperor love jade, and does the Thousand-Arm Goddess really have a thousand arms?
I do not know whether the Jade Emperor loves jade. The Thousand-Arm Goddess, as she is revealed to me, should have a thousand arms. She looks just like the statue in Lian Shan Shuang Lin Temple in Toa Payoh.

So what does Chairman Mao think of the current politics between Taiwan and China?
I do not dare to ask about his personal affairs.

What are some of the different types of ghosts you have met?
Ghost can take the form of a monkey as I have mentioned. I have met female ghosts mostly- they are the most vicious, especially those dressed in red. Ghosts can take the form of children and men as well.

If you do not fear ghosts, what do you fear?
I fear not having enough money (ha ha).

Do you have any advice for budding exorcists reading our magazine right now?
It all depends on fate and destiny if you want to be an exorcist. The most important thing is that one should not cheat or do evil with your powers.