TR EMERITUS

Written by Our Correspondent The People's Association (PA) has launched an official investigation into the business dealings of YPAP members Mr Sear Hock Rong and Mr Fong Yoong Keong with Eunos grassroots organizations following an email complaint lodged by Mr Alex Tan last week. (read article here) Mr Sear and Mr Fong are both grassroots leaders in Eunos. Mr Sear is the Chairman of the Eunos Community Club Youth Executive Committee while Mr Fong is the Assistant Secretary of Eunos Zone "3" Resident Committee. All grassroots organizations in Singapore are under the purview of the People's Association, a statutory board. In a recent speech, MM Lee Kuan Yew insinuated that these organizations are "part" of the PAP. Mr Sear and Mr Fong currently run an education service company. Though it was set up only in July last year, it counts many Eunos grassroots organizations as its clients including Eunos Zone "3" RC. Netizens have been questioning Mr Sear if there are any conflicts of interest between his business and grassroots work. The Temasek Review compiled a series of 10 questions for Mr Sear to answer based on the PA's operating guidelines for acquisition of services from external vendors. Among the key questions are whether if there were quotations submitted by other companies and if Mr Sear or Mr Fong sit on the Constituency Tender Committee in charge of awarding tenders to external vendors for services provided to non-CC based grassroots organizations. Mr Sear posted a comment on our site saying that he "does not have to explain anything to anybody" and challenged netizens to lodge a report against him to the authorities. Mr Alex Tan, who had earlier challenged the YPAP to an open debate at Speaker's Corner obliged by sending an email questioning Mr Sear and Mr Fong's business dealings with Eunos grassroots organizations to several government agencies such as the PA, CPIB and AGC as well as to all the MPs in parliament. In a short reply to Alex, Ms Adlina Jaffar, the Head of the PA's Corporate Communications Division wrote: "Dear Alex Please refer to your e-mail on Mr Sear Hock Rong and Mr Fong Yoong Kheong's business involvement with Eunos grassroots organisations.  The matter is being investigated. Thank you for your feedback." [Source: Alex's blog] There were no immediate comment from either Mr Sear or Mr Fong, both of whom are moderators of the YPAP Facebook. Since the controversy first erupted, they had been relying on fellow comrades Mr Edgar Khieu and Mr Genesis Shen to defray criticisms from netizens. Mr Edgar Khieu had earlier said that he did not see any "problem" with Mr Sear's business involvement in the grassroots organizations as any potential conflict of interest is "well managed". In the meantime, Alex received a threat from an anonymous poster on his blog yesterday warning him to stop "harassing" YPAP members. It also claimed to have made a "report" against Alex and urged him to "stop before it is too late". It is not uncommon to see grassroots leaders who are concomitantly PAP members being involved in business dealings directly with the grassroots organizations they are serving in. Though there may be nothing wrong technically in such practices, questions must be raised on whether they enjoy an unfair advantage over others because of their connections with the PAP. Grassroots organizations are supposed to be non-partisan in nature to promote harmony between the different races in Singapore. With so many PAP members serving as grassroots leaders at the same time, they risk becoming the grassroots support bases of the PAP instead. Copyright © 2009 – 2010 The Temasek Review (If you are going to reproduce this article on your blog or forum, please provide a link back to ours) Related articles: 1. Sear Hock Rong berates TR for “associating” with Alex Tan 2. PA’s operating guidelines for acquisition of services 3. Netizen questions if there is a conflict of interest between Mr Sear Hock Rong’s job and grassroots work 4. YPAP member demands Temasek Review apologize for “putting PAP in a bad light” 5. Identity of YPAP member who leaked Alex Tan’s DB record on Facebook 6. Alex Tan to YPAP members: Don’t be cowards on Facebook 7. Alex Tan challenges YPAP to public debate at Speaker’s corner 8. YPAP member slammed by netizens for revealing critic’s detention record 9. YPAP member resorts to smearing critic’s character to silence him 10. PAP MP De Souza: More robust debate from PAP than opposition MPs  Read More →

EDITORS' NOTE: Below is an email inteview conducted by The Temasek Review with Ms Yenny Young, the wife of Mr Tong Kok Wai, one of the victims of the fatal road traffic accident on the morning of 15 December 2009 at Bukit Panjang involving a vehicle from the Romanian embassy. Ms Young had earlier contacted Temasek Review to thank us for our coverage of the accident. In our correspondences with her, we realized that Ms Young and her family still have many unanswered questions about what really happened. We thanked Ms Young for agreeing to this interview: Temasek Review: It has been three weeks since the accident took place. It was reported in the papers that you were the one who made the decision to turn off the life support for Mr Tong and donate his organs. It must be a heart-wrenching decision for you to make. Can you share with us what's going through your mind during that time? Yenny: Actually it's not my decision only.  It's a decision made by the entire family.  We discussed this a lot of time before we finally decided to let him go.  We wished we could have more time but we were given deadline until 25 Dec only.  As for the organ donation, since he is a PR and did not opt out for HOTA, he had to donate his organ.  We were against the idea as we wanted him to pass away naturally -- meaning the heart stop by itself.  But the HOTA staff did not allow us to do so, they kept on pressuring us to take off his life support.  We begged repeatedly but they refuse to listen to our pleas.  In the end, we got the HOTA co-ordinator in charge into trouble too as he took pity on us.  We think that since the way my husband passed away is too inhuman, we wanted to let him go in peace and in one piece.. but .. law is law ... there is nothing much I can do to against the law.. Temasek Review: The last few weeks must be a terrible time for you and your family. How are you coping with it? Have you started working yet? Yenny: I took it badly for the first few days .. I cried cried non-stop, had a fever, and suffer from sleeping and eating difficulties.  Even until now, it's still hard to accept that he is no longer around.  But it's GOD's will.  Slowly, I have accepted the reality but I am still deeply sad.  My family and friends give me continuous support.  I am blessed to have them. I have developed a kind of phobia in crossing the road or hail a cab from the road side probably due to the accident. No, until now I am not yet back to work.  Honestly, I have no mood to go back to work.  My company is very understanding and let me take my time.  But I am thinking of meeting them sometime this week to discuss it as it's not fair to let them wait for me when I myself don't even know when I can go back to work. Temasek Review: Till now, the police have not concluded their investigations though it appears that Dr Silviu Ionescu is the prime suspect. You must be hoping that the case is solved as soon as possible and the culprit pays for the crime, are you? Yenny: Yes, I do hope that this will be solved ASAP.  No one can bring my husband back to life.  But we deserve to know who killed him and the killer be punished to pay for what he had done.  I am not talking about monetary compensation here.  But I am talking about justice.  If Dr Silviu is really the driver, then he should be punished accordingly.  He is also made from flesh and blood just like my husband, so what makes him have the right to took his life cruelly.  If they let him go, then he can go on for another killing spree or do any other things that against the law. Cause he has the immunity, so he is above the law.  We should not let this to happen.  I read from the newspaper that this immunity has a long history of being abused. then all the more it should be waived off or cancelled. Temasek Review: Has the police or MFA contacted you regarding any updates about the case? Yenny: No.  Police told me that they are unable to tell me much on the progress due to the sensitivity of this case.  I understand their point.  However, police did stressed to me that in their eyes, nobody is above the law.  They don't care it's diplomat or normal people.  Whoever is against the law deserved to be punished. Temasek Review: Did anybody from the Romanian embassy contact you or your family members after the accident? Yenny: No. All the more it makes me and whole family and friends believe that Dr Silviu is the driver.  Because he is scared. A true blue coward. Temasek Review: Do you have any other questions about the case so far? Yenny: I personally feel there are many question marks in this case.  So, I really really would like to know the ending of this case.  Like; 1. Why would Dr. Silvio back to office after karaoke session, at such a late hours too? 2. Why didn't the alarm ring when the thief stole the car? How about security guard on duty? Don't tell me they were all sleeping. 3. Why would he leave singapore on 18 dec, the day Kok Wai's was certified as brain death?  It's all too coincident... 4. Why would he go to Romania for health check up when Singapore is very well known for its standard of healthcare? He is also a human, made from flesh and blood, what makes him so different from my husband and the other 2 victims?  Damn immunity.  So, should I start thinking of a change in my career? To be a diplomat so that I can do anything I want including those against the law and I won't be punished due to the immunity? I and my husband have so much plan together.  Now all that are ruined.  My life is also ruined beyond repair now.  I am not only physically sad and tired, I am mentally sad and tired too.  Even until now, it's still hard to accept that my husband is no longer around.  What I have left of him as my husband is his wedding ring and our marriage certificate.  And we have been married for only 3 weeks when the accident happened !!!!!  He did not even have the change to see our wedding photo yet.  We just came back from Bintan on 13 dec to celebrate my birthday which can be considered as pre-honeymoon as it was our first holiday as husband and wife. Temasek Review: There are no extradition treaty between Singapore and Romania. In the event that Dr Silviu does not return to Singapore, what will be your plans? Yenny: I myself have put everything in God's hand.  If Dr. Silviu won't return to Singapore and police is unable to catch him, then only GOD who can punish him.  What goes around will comes around.  Karma does exist.  One day Dr. Silviu will definitely pay for his crime and it will be thousand times worst than what I am dealing with right now. Temasek Review: Many Singaporeans have expressed their support for you. An online petition was set up to call on the Romanian government to make ex-gratias payment to the families of the victims. Do you have anything to say to them? Are there any ways we can be of help to you? Yenny: I truly touched when I heard it.  No words can describe how grateful I am.  I can only say BIG thank you to all Singaporeans and other citizens who gives me support.  I really really appreciate it.  Thank you so much. No amount of money can buy the support you all give to me.  I really don't know how to pay you all back.  You don't know me yet you are willing to help and support me. I have always think and feel that Singapore is a good place to live.  I feel much more at home in Singapore than in Indonesia.  My parents have never been able to understand my feeling and connection with Singapore because I am from a medium class family.  If I were in Indonesia, I can live like a princess.  In Singapore, I have to work hard and earn little.  But I am happy with my life in Singapore before this accident.  I feel content.  With this incident, all the more I feel that I am right. Temasek Review: Thanks so much for your response.  Please feel free to let us know if you need anything. All of us are on your side. We will do whatever we can within our means to see that justice is done. Copyright © 2009 - 2010 The Temasek Review (If you are going to reproduce this article on your blog or forum, please provide a link back to ours) Related articles: 1. Investigating or procrastinating: Dr Silviu Ionescu still holidaying in Romania 2. George Yeo on Romanian embassy car crash: What happened is "very bad" 3. Online petition calls on Romanian govt to make ex gratias payment 4. Dr Silviu Ionescu: I took cab to notify car theft 5. Eye witness saw driver quarreling with a young girl in the car 6. Dr Silviu Ionescu: I have no connection with the case 7. Dr Silviu Ionescu flagged taxi at Sungei Kadut 8. From Romania with love: The Great Singapore escape of Dr Silviu Ionescu 9. Singapore police has not ruled out Dr Silviu Ionescu as a suspect in its investigations 10. Romanian diplomat suspected to be driver of Audi in hit and run accident at Bukit Panjang personally feel there are many question marks in this case.  So, I really really would like to know the ending of this case.  Like;  Read More →

Written by Our Correspondent The Temasek Review has conducted an extensive email interview with Ms Yenny Young, the wife of accident victim Mr Tong Kok Wai, who passed away on Christmas Day. Mr Tong was crossing the road at Bukit Panjang traffic junction with his friend Mr Bong on the morning of 15 December 2009 before he was knocked down by a black Audi A6 belonging to the Romanian embassy. The vehicle fled from the scene without stopping to help the injured. Mr Tong was declared brain dead three days later and his life support was taken off on Christmas Day last year. He was married only a month ago to his wife, Ms Yenny Young, an Indonesian Chinese. The case has attracted much public attention in both Singapore and Romania. The prime suspect, Romanian diplomat Dr Silviu Ionescu has since returned to Romania. In our correspondences with Ms Young, it is obvious that she is still feeling very upset and bitter about the accident. Contrary to media reports that Ms Young had agreed to take her husband off life support and donate his organs, the decision was made collectively by the entire family. They had initially wanted Mr Tong to die naturally in "one piece", but since Mr Tong did not opt out of HOTA, the family has no choice but to obey the law. Ms Young described her life as "ruined" by the accident and all she wants is for the culprit who "killed" her husband to face justice. She said she is both physically and mentally drained and it is still hard for her to accept that her husband is no longer around. "As his wife, I cannot accept that he had to leave me and the world in such a cruel way.  He doesn't deserve it.  No one can bring my husband back to life, but I and family, deserve to get a justice.  we deserve to know who killed my husband," she wrote. She and her family have many unanswered questions such as why Dr Silviu Ionescu decided to leave Singapore on the day Mr Tong was declared brain-dead and his testimony which contradicted what was given by his wife and driver. With all the evidence pointing towards Dr Silviu Ionescu, Ms Young appeared to have arrived at the conclusion like many Singaporeans that he was the culprit. An online petition started a few days ago to call on the Romanian government to make ex gratias payments to the victims of the accident has garnered more than 2,000 signatories so far. According to Ms Young, nobody from the Romanian embassy had approached them to offer their condolences or help yet which it should have done so out of goodwill. After all, Mr Tong was killed by a vehicle belonging to the Romanian embassy, whether the driver is one of its staff or not. Ms Young was visibly touched by the public show of support and she expressed her gratitude and appreciation to all Singaporeans and citizens from other countries who have been supporting them. The Singapore police said in a statement issued yesterday that a team of investigators, acting on leads and analysis of forensic findings, has established the identities of relevant parties, including witnesses who stepped forward. The team is ascertaining the veracity of all information given and will be releasing information only at the “appropriate” time. Read the full interview here Copyright © 2009 - 2010 The Temasek Review (If you are going to reproduce this article on your blog or forum, please provide a link back to ours) Related articles: 1. Online petition calls on Romanian govt to make ex gratias payment 2. Dr Silviu Ionescu: I have no connection with the case 3. Dr Silviu Ionescu flagged taxi at Sungei Kadut 4. From Romania with love: The Great Singapore escape of Dr Silviu Ionescu 5. Singapore police has not ruled out Dr Silviu Ionescu as a suspect in its investigations 6. Romanian diplomat suspected to be driver of Audi in hit and run accident at Bukit Panjang  Read More →