TR EMERITUS

OPINION In his latest interview with the media a few days ago, the PAP minister in charge of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Vivian Balakrishnan heaped generous praises on the Singapore volunteers who have been slogging day in and out like slaves to ensure that the YOG runs smoothly. "They are the real stars of the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. I think when all this is over and people have gone home, the enduring memory will be of our volunteers - how they got together, how they delivered," he was quoted as saying in Channel News Asia. [Source: Channel News Asia] [Please sign the petition demanding a public apology from Dr Vivian Balakrishnan for mismanaging the YOG here.] He also said he’s given the YOG food caterers ”more pressure” to ensure the volunteers are given proper food and treatment, one week after the eruption of the "dog" food scandal, emphasizing that the volunteers should be treated with respect and treated the same as anybody else, even the athletes. [Source: Yahoo News] Does Vivian really mean what he say or are these mere empty words to salvage the PR fallout from the mistreatment of the YOG volunteers by the organizers which has sparked a massive outcry among Singaporeans? It is most HYPOCRITICAL of Vivian to put up a show that he "cares" about the welfare of the volunteers when they have never been on his minds all along. Let us recap what he said in the weeks leading up to the YOG. “I think we live in an age which is sometimes too cynical. Sometimes when we talk about sports, you think about big money, big egos and petty politics. But I think it’s worth coming back to the fundamentals, and to understand that sport only makes sense when we understand our common humanity." [Source: Straits Times, 3 August] “The key thing which I want is to see that our own Singaporeans also get infected by this same infectious spirit, that they understand there’s something special about the Olympic flame.” [Source: Straits Times, 6 August] It is pretty obvious that the foremost thing on Vivian's mind then and now is the success of his mega $387 million dollar "vanity fair" which can make or break his political career. He had never shown any interest in the welfare of our volunteers. During the YOG opening ceremony, only IOC President Jacques Rogge bothered to acknowledge the contributions of the volunteers, praising them as the "real heros" of the games. They did not even warrant a brief mention from Vivian, Teo Ser Luck or Ng Ser Miang, the Chairman of the much maligned Singapore YOG Organizing Committee (SYOGOC) Even after it was revealed in the media that the volunteers were being given substandard food, he did not care to take any action to rectify the problem in person, electing to leave the matter entirely in the hands of the food caterer. The mass poisoning outbreak on 15 August betrayed Vivian's innermost concerns or rather obsessions which is his reputation rather than the welfare of the volunteers. If Vivian truly had the interests of the volunteers at heart, he would have called a press conference immediately on the same day and inform the public of what happened. The volunteers would be allowed to bring home-cooked food till the investigations are completed and the exact cause of the food poisoning outbreak known. Unfortunately this is not the case. Not only did he not visit the victims personally which he should have, the matter appeared to be cover up as well to pre-empt the expected negative publicity. Neither the media nor the two state agencies - NEA and MOH report the news till three days later when it was leaked on the internet. In the Geylang Serai food poisoning outbreak last year, the public was notified immediately and the source of the contaminated food was made known with the Indian rojak stall closed down. Till today, we still do not know the cause of the outbreak and volunteers may still be taking food from the same supplier or caterer. When asked by the media about the food poisoning, Vivian's reply was even more outrageous. He did not offer a single word of sympathy, regret or apology over what happened and instead exonerated himself from any blame by saying that such "glitches" are unavoidable. Will Vivian still consider a mass food poisoning outbreak as a glitch if it was his son who ate the contaminated food and had to be hospitalized as a result? Compare Vivian's response to that of DBS CEO Piyush Gupta who took the rap and apologized immediately for a technical glitch to no fault of his. Leaders are expected to accept responsibility for mistakes made, especially when they are paid astronomical salaries. Vivian then claimed that because he ate the same food with the volunteers daily, its safety is therefore "assured". Doesn't he realize that the caterer will be extra vigilant when preparing the food for him and the same level of diligence is unlikely to be found in other venues? One netizen Ho Ting Fei commented: "I refer to Vivian's comments on the mass food poisoning reported in TODAY ("A food poisoning mystery" 19 August 2010, page 3). His comments: "I make it a point every day to have my meal with the volunteers. That's my way of ensuring quality control." are extremely ignorant, totally non-scientific, irresponsible and bear no relevance to the outbreak of food poisoning. It is even more shocking that such comments come from the mouth of one who had years of medical education and training." Being a medical doctor by training, it is most appalling that Vivian does not realize that food safety can only be guaranteed by keeping to the most stringent levels of hygiene in the handling and preparing of the food. Talk is cheap. Love and concern are shown by actions and not mere words alone. Don't be taken in by Vivian's sweet words which is akin to a man going down on his knees to beg his girlfriend not to leave after months of neglecting her. As one angry Singaporean Roy Chan puts it succinctly: "Sir, if you think that volunteers are the most important component of YOG, you certainly did not say so until many people start to voice their concerns. Not only did you not say it upfront, it was clear to me that our volunteers did not receive treatment and welfare that is congruent to what you have put in words. To me, this is unacceptable. I am a political neutral, but there are just too many things about this episode that made me lose confidence in your (and your colleague's) leadership. I do not blame you for everything that went wrong, nor credit you for everything that went right. But I expect integral leadership, transparency and humility when it comes to handling of public resources and people." Where is the leadership, transparency and humility expected of you of a minister? Vivian, it's time to practice what you preach by offering a public apology to all the YOG volunteers and parents who have been put through a most tortuous ordeal for the past two weeks as a result of your mismanagement of the YOG. [Please sign the petition demanding a public apology from Dr Vivian Balakrishnan for mismanaging the YOG here.]  Read More →

An online petition started two days ago demanding a public apology from the minister in charge of the YOG Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has garnered more than 400 signatures so far. The petition was started by Ms Fiona Tan, who is currently working as a teacher in a primary school in the East. Ms Tan wrote in an email reply to us that she felt obliged as a citizen to demand a public apology from Dr Vivian for "mismanaging" the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore. Speaking from her personal experience, she said she was "terribly stressed" over the past few weeks due to the YOG preparations. "It's not true that we teachers force the students to attend the YOG. The school was forced to buy the tickets and we have to "refund" MOE if our students didn't turn up. I have to buy my own ticket when accompanying my students. See how cheapskate the organizers are!" Fiona felt that Dr Vivian should have done a lot more to engage young Singaporeans rather than to focus largely on the "hardware" aspects of the game. "Frankly speaking, many of us felt the event was poorly organized. What a letdown, it's supposed to be Singapore's first international sporting event," she added. The embattled Dr Vivian has received much flak from the public for his inept handling of the YOG which has exceeded its initial budget to more than three times to a shocking $387 million dollars. A quick glance at the comments posted on the petition revealed that a majority of Singaporeans are unhappy with Dr Vivian for spending so much money on the YOG while he has been most miserly with helping needy Singaporeans. Patrick Lee wrote: "Vivian must be held responsible for his blatant mishandling of YOG and escalation of expenses to 3 times the original amount now at $387/- while so many poor destitute citizens are living under the poverty line." Cyrus Ong concured: "Yes, a statement from him to justify and apologize to the Singaporean Citizens should be in order. If he doesn't give one now, at least give one after Y.O.G is over, the $387 Million worth of Taxpayers money is not a small sum, not to mention the pride the country has lost due to this little stint initiated by him." Till today, there is not a single word of apology from Dr Vivian for the litany of comical YOG screw-ups which have brought shame to Singapore such as the mass food poisoning outbreak involving 26 YOG volunteers. [Please sign the petition demanding a public apology from Dr Vivian Balakrishnan for mismanaging the YOG here.] EDITORS’ NOTE: Singaporeans, please feel free to email us to share your frustrations, anger and grievances against the YOG. Your views matter alot to us. You are a citizen of Singapore and as a citizen, you have the right to speak up. Let us be your uncensored voice and fight for your rights. Foreign journalists, please stay tuned on our site and Facebook for the latest updates on the ground about the YOG. You can never get any authentic or accurate news from the Singapore media which is ranked a pathetic 133th in terms of press freedom by international media watchdog Reporters without Borders last year. All the papers in Singapore are owned by a single media company – Singapore Press Holdings whose Chairman is a former PAP minister Dr Tony Tan. Related articles: >> IOC Vice President Thomas Bach concerned about YOG's spiraling cost >> Jacques Rogge: YOG is perfect promotion for Singapore >> Countering Straits Times ‘hogwash that YOG has caugh the “eyes” of the international media >> Jacques Rogge: YOG is a resounding success >> YOG volunteer: not much improvement in food >> Dr Vivian: YOG glitches unavoidable >> Petition demanding Dr Vivian to apologize >> YOG food poisoning scandal: Open letter to Dr Vivian >> Live maggot found in YOG food >> Ng Ser Miang: YOG gets positive reviews >> Kuo Chuan Primary School principal admits to blackmailing students >> Parents should pull children out of YOG >> No apology from Dr Vivian on YOG food poisoning scandal >> Massive outcry over screw-ups in YOG ticketing >> Why Ng Ser Miang should resign as Chairman of SYOGOC >> Dr Vivian: probe into YOG food poisoning scandal will take time >> PRC photographer fell down from temporary platform at YOG venue >> Cover-up of YOG food poisoning scandal? >> NEA, MOH to probe YOG mass food poisoning outbreak >> Singaporeans “enslaved” by YOG organizing commitee >> Kuo Chuan Primary School students forced to pay $5 to attend YOG >> Singapore students forced to welcome YOG torch rally >> Mass food poisoning outbreak at YOG venue yesterday? >> YOG! What YOG? >> Canvas roof at YOG fell apart >> Zaqy Mohd defends MCYS >> Singapore students “invited” to attend YOG event >> Singapore volunteers forced to work long hours without rest for YOG >> PM Lee caught napping at YOG opening ceremony? >> Disaster at YOG opening ceremony >> 8 reasons why I am disappointed with YOG opening ceremony >> Netizens lampooned YOG opening ceremony >> No news of YOG opening ceremony in rest of the world >> MOE teacher: How students can stay out of YOG >> YOG Webcast server crashed >> SFI promises to improve “DOG” food for volunteers >> Primary school students stand in the rain to welcome YOG torch >> Plight of Singapore volunteers at Youth Olympic Village >> JC students forced to attend YOG events >> Dr Vivian: Singaporeans are proud of YOG >> PM Lee: YOG has struck a “chord” with our people >> Dr Vivian: YOG venues will not become “white elephants” >> Online pressure forced SFI to provide better food for YOG volunteers >> Improved “DOG” food on 14 August 2010 >> PAP provides three daily buffet meals to YOG athletes and officials >> YOG volunteers complain about being given “DOG” food >> Civil Service Club offering free YOG tickets >> Journey of YOG flame costs Singaporeans $7 million dollars >> Corny YOG propaganda in Straits Times >> Tharman: YOG enthusiasm is real >> Polytechnic student: I don’t care about YOG >> JC students being “volunteered” for YOG >> YOG: What the HELL is that? >> PAP provides YOG athletes and officials three daily buffets >> YOG students being given “dog food” >> Singapore students forced to volunteer for YOG >> Poor ticket sales forced closure of YOG gallery section >> PM Lee calls on Singaporeans to support YOG >> Young Singaporeans hurl vulgarities at YOG >> Dr Vivian wants Singaporeans to celebrate YOG >> NTU students complain about YOG >> Dr Vivian: Sports is not about “petty politics” >> More than 300 Singaporeans joined “I hate YOG” Facebook >> CNA poll: 90 percent of Singaporeans “not interested” in YOG >> Slovak YOG Ambassador slams YOG venues of “school standard” only >> Two Facebook groups calling for boycott of YOG >> Free condoms for YOG officials and athletes >> Singapore helping to repair Jamaica’s stadium in return for YOG marketing >> Former stripper to choreograph opening ceremony of YOG >> Desperate PAP wants Singaporeans to get “passionate” about YOG >> PAP to Singaporeans: Give way to YOG vehicles or get fined $130 >> PM Lee wants Singaporeans to do their part for YOG >> Only six teams in YOG soccer tournament Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. 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Thank you for hearing out but there are more than a few things that brings to upset the minds of Singaporeans seeing YOG is supposed to put Singapore in the limelight. However, it seems it is doing quite the opposite and any limelight was for the wrong reasons. Besides those that have been mentioned in the petition, there are other issues to be addresssed. For instance initially there were supposed to be 2 sets of uniform (1 shirt + 1 uniform shirt) given to all YOG volunteers however, they were only given 1 shirt and 1 pair of khakis to do their duties. A 50% voucher was given to buy own set of khakis at giordano. How do you expect the volunteers to do their duty daily with only 1 set of uniform? Also, I will like to highlight the customer service standard of the volunteers who are just plain rude to singaporeans but are polite to "ang mohs". With no smile or acknowledgment of our presence, they simply just put us down by saying "yes? what you want?". Are they really volunteers? The only polite volunteers I have met are those who are from foreign countries. It is clear that YOG should have carried out customer service courses to all YOG volunteers. Even if there was a course conducted, it was not executed well because the volunteers did not deliver and did not make their own Singaporeans feel welcome to the Games. Another enquiry is why are there so many volunteers just standing around doing nothing everywhere? It looks more like a waste of resource and more of trying to claim free labour hours for community service. Is this why there is a lack of uniforms, food and water for volunteers and athletes? Will this incur more cost and ballooned the budget for YOG even more? It does not matter that Singapore was only given two and half years to prepare for the YOG and that is why there is more than one mishaps, accidents, unfortunate events or whichever way you would prefer to call it because clearly, no one will own up to their mistake because the vendor will surely have to pay fines for their grave mistake or even worse not to be paid for not delivering service as accordance to the contract. That is why the investigation is taking so long. Singaporeans would say "kiasee" which means they are scared to die or metaphorically meaning scared to face the music. Were there anything else that was done well for YOG? Only the President of the Olympic Committee, Mr Jacques Rogge, gave credit to the volunteers, who include students I hope, for supporting the Games during the Opening Ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games on 14 Aug 2010. Only he bothered to thank Singapore upfront before the Games. Will he still thank us after Games? Yes he still will for formality sake. Our own Singaporeans thanking us? I do not think so. Not after all that have happened. So why not just apologize to us, Singaporeans, dear Minister.   FITRIS BALQIS Source: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/vivianyogapology/signatures?page=7  Read More →