MENTION "mamasan" and one would expect women in their late 40s or 50s.

Mamasans are likely to be those who have retired from their days as hostesses to take on a more supervisory role.

But Miss Kanda Loh Kailing, who testified at a six-day coroner's inquiry in March over the hit-and-run accidents involving former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu, surprised many when her picture appeared in the newspapers, including this one.

Just 25 years old, she was working as a mamasan at the Legend Palace KTV lounge, where Dr Ionescu, 49,was a regular.

Pretty, chic and fashionable, Miss Loh may well represent a new breed of mamasans, many of them below 30.

Another, Miss Ruhua, 28, is not surprised that mamasans are getting younger.
 
                                                        >> NEXT