Saturday, 30 August 2008, 8:42 am | 44 views
I had made comments which had been misunderstood and had upset some Singaporeans. I sincerely apologise for causing any grievances and any stress.
Below is a news report from Channel NewsAsia:
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33 Responses to “The crisis is over? Crisis?”
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Reminds me of “Any inconvenience caused is greatly regretted”
Here leadership is questionable.
LAME!
The apology line follow a usual script - all the acting with serious faces; pretentious - sorry if………where is the sincerity ?
The establishment has not learned how to connect with people’s intellect and emotion- still thinking we are all born yesterday from their high horses.
The damage control is staged to try to mitigate vote swings for the future rather than to address real issues of past and present failures at the STTA - tranparency is not there, Choo Wee Kiang is mentioned to be passed on.
Deeper issues like selection process - root to the problems not addressed - only asking people to support LBW and give her time to perform - outrageous in a DIv one situation where the new leader be given the perception of someone no more than a management trainee calibre. What sort of FT is this ?
The crisis maybe over BUT LBW appeared not sincere,the damages were beyond repairs.We do not need her and so called Olylmpian Gao Ming to represent Singapore so as not to embarrass us further.
LBW has been ‘forced’ to apologise because of ‘top down” pressure. in her own words a few days ago, she said: ‘let’s move on”. It means forget about everything and just sweep the matter under the carpet. It shows a severe lacking in leadership qualities and how can she earn the trust of the residents in her consistuency? The damage has been done and Singaporeans have seen the real LBW. Certainly, as an MP, she should have a ‘cool head’ and not act impulsively. I thought the selection process for MPs is strigent and those selected represent the ‘best that the party can find’, certainly LBW has fallen short of this grade. She should just vacant her seat in AMK GRC so as not to affect her peers overall margin. Maybe we will see a swing of more than 5% to the opposition in next GE.
This kind of Div 2 MP always blames people for misunderstood her , to cover her ass. The press statement is just a show. Typical of Pap culture. Mistakes then move on. Vivian B, is not also a good MP. Talk more than work !!! These kind of talent, we can find many in Orchard Rd, or Tekka Mall.
I like to sincerely express my complete disappointment.
Given that she herself is also a citizen, although converted (as per understanding), and her role she plays (multi-hats), how can she have said the words she said and did the things she did without knowing the consequence of her actions? Did she think through well before doing what she did?
So, I am just totally disappointed , that is all.
The terms of reference used in her apology is also not right.
Misunderstood? Anyone of average intelligence would agree that there is NO misunderstanding in her remarks at the games and her followup actions.
She was very clear and concise when she made the respective statements.
Passing the buck to the manager Antony for the defeat of Guo Ning is just not right. A player is groomed over the years not onsite. The coach onsite is apart from providing moral support, onsite tips to counter the opponent. If the performance of Guo Ning slacked, a post mortem should be done to see what was the cause but certainly using the manager as the scapegoat is poor judgement especially before a thorough investigation is made.
The damage done by the outburst and the subsequent statements of LBH is not easy for the public to forget. Especially when she is a MP, that makes it worse.
Arrogance is something Singapore does not need. Remember, you are elected as a MP not because the public think that you are good. The public vote for a credible political party, and the credibility of each MP is proven over the years to have a high degree of integrity, humanity, compassion and many other qualities.
The new MPs are riding on the highly respected foundation laid by leaders like our MM Lee, SM Goh, Prof Jayakumar, Dr Tony Tan and many past and present leaders. It is over the next few years when the public will judge your character and commitment etc. A good leader does not display such outburst and take radical actions, a “Dictator” does. Fortunately the majority of our MPs are of a high calibre and do things NOT for personal ‘Glory’. New MPs must learn from our senior leaders and take whatever advantage of time to seek advice from such leaders.
The behaviour of Lee Bee Wah must be monitored further and the Government must put a leash on such a MP. The trend of her behaviour will not be accepted by the majority of Singaporeans.
No one is blaming her for Guo Ning poor play. Ultimately it is the player’s ability that counts. The core of the issue is her attitude which really put her in bad light. Lee Bee Wah should learn from our senior leaders if she wants to be in politics, if she refuses to reform herself, it is best that PAP take her out as a MP as she will be a liability to the party. She can choose live in her own cave but when you are a MP, you are in public domain and you are expected to look after the welfare of your ward, not yourself, “GLORY” or otherwise.
LBW: “‘Our action has dampened the celebration mood of our fellow Singaporeans.”
Noticed she used ‘our’, not ‘my’. Since much for sincerity. She also owes Peh Shing Huei the journalist a personal apology for putting the blame on him. Engreesh also kana-sai — used ‘celebartion’ as an adjective.
It seems that only PAP members can apologise, move on and case close. For the opposition, no no no way! Remember what Lee Kuan Yew said about James Gomez during the 2006 General Elections - even AFTER James Gomez made a public apology in front of tens of thousands of people? This was what Lee Kuan Yew said:
“Can you commit a dishonourable — maybe even one which is against the law — an illegal act and say, let’s move on because I’ve apologised? You may move on but you’re going to move on out of politics in time.”
– MM Lee Kuan Yew on James Gomez, Channelnewsasia, May 2006
How is she?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYL6_xsX2Q8
The trigger:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5hxl_I1ZOA
The so-called insincere ‘apology’:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDO31Fx6AjU “I made some comments which had been misunderstood”. Total lack of sincerity.
Lee Bee Wah’s (half-hearted) apology together with her resignation from STTA would be the most appropriate solution to this fiasco that she created. Anything else is pure irresponsible of her and most disconcerting for the others.
Please R-E-S-I-G-N for overall goodness’ sake.
DID she really say SORRY? in the traditional sense? Got this from another forum… (paraphrased)
‘I had made comments which had been misunderstood and had upset some Singaporeans. I sincerely apologise for causing any grievances and any stress.’
ie. I am sorry that YOU misunderstood me.
=================================
‘It is regretful that this situation happened and turned out the way it did.
ie. It should not have happened. I’m sorry that it did.
=================================
‘Categorically, the crisis is over.’
Let’s go back to our celebration.’
ie. Let’s move on.
=================================
Same process flow as Can’t Sing
ST editor for sports just write based on what you have spoken that it is a fact. If not, you could sue the journalist in COURT. No joking business. I think all living creatures couls make mistakes in life. I salute her (MP Lee) has learned what is being President od STTA just more than a month. Let us put all grievances aside.
We `are Singaporeans. We are from PAP or Oppositions. It does not matters. MM Lee wants to pass the baton to good future leaders whether you are PAP or Opposition , i would not count. The fact is how you bring our future generations ( your roots) to stay and survive, Not to think of migrating to new nation. How to remember your friends, your neighbours and your close relatives to have better life in future when you about to end your life behind. Our main objective is to achieve lead the Table Tennis Team to accomplish GOLD Medals in London.
Best Wishes to Singapore Sports ….. from Shanghai ( more than 6 years here)
‘Some Singaporeans’ is an understatement and she is telling us that the matter isn’t that serious. Only some, wah. What so big deal? You guys stirred up the storm in a her coffee cup.
She shows no remorse and sincerity. Resignation is in order and nothing less.
Whats more to say:
Birds of the same feather flock together, OR should be ‘chickens and birds of the same feather, all cohabit together.…thats why its not in their nature to be humble and offer sincerest apologies.
Another reason I venture, millions of dollars and perks at stake, if one is to resign, how?
Resignation is the conclusion. You are next in line.
if she didn’t appear inexperienced or only 1.5 months old. She shot off her hip like some dowagers. The truth is unfolding and the true LBW is exposed
im just wondering, all those people who said she had no sincerity in apologising, what do you really expect her to do? exactly what can/should she do to really appease all our anger regarding this incident?
Don’t u think that she has an unqualified apology.
Some days ago she said to move on.
I think that they should get someone more qualified to run the table tennis association.
Why politicise the association and get MP who hardly spent time in their own wards and seem to get their hands full in everything
So why u have an mp when they still want to run other things.
They do not seem dedicated
“Can you commit a dishonourable — maybe even one which is against the law — an illegal act and say, let’s move on because I’ve apologised? You may move on but you’re going to move on out of politics in time.”
– MM Lee Kuan Yew on James Gomez, Channelnewsasia, May 2006
This is the prerogative of the ruling and not the ruled.
To appease the ruled, resignation only can.
Was she really sincere in her apology ? Just by saying “I sincerely apologise” does not make it sincere. It is the demeanour and body language which Singaporeans can see to determine if one is really sincerely sorry.
I saw her apology on TV. I’m not convinced. I sensed reluctance.
While “sincerely” apologising, she continued to claim she is misunderstood. When one is sincere in his/her apology, one will not try to justify one’s comments/action that cause the stress/grievances in the first place.
And why suddenly it became “Our action” ? With “Our”, who else was involved ? Or is she trying to deflect some responsibility of this saga to others ?
I do not usually post comments. However, after reading the ST today and the text of the so-called Apology in the NP, I feel compelled to record my opinion (my wife just told me “She has apologised, so shouldn’t that be enuff?…” Well, it isn’t enuff, and here’s why:
Not only is she trying to deflect blame from herself and insult the intelligence of Singaporeans, she has the cheek to implicate the STTA, the coaches and the management by giving an apology ‘on behalf’ of them…the nerve of it all!!! It comes across as self-serving, narcisstic and typical CYA speak. A SINCERE apology comes from one’s heart and a honest admission that one has been wrong. By claiming to be ‘misunderstood’ by others, she does not only show insincerity but is lying through her teeth - feigning genuine regret and putting the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of Singaporeans and apportioning blame on the association, coaches and management. Isn’t this a classic case of avoiding the bullet, rather than swallowing the bitter medicine?? While the media has now been told in no uncertain terms (’crisis is over’…) to lay off further coverage of this, and the BENEVOLENT AUTHORITIES are hoping that this furore will die out soon, I feel it has been dismissed too easily - this is a case of glossing over the issue, putting a positive spin on the episode and covering up incompetence at high levels!
LBW could have escaped all this by using the famous line of Wong Can’t Sing by saying
“I’ll sorry this has happened” so she still the winner and no need to lose face.
“‘I sincerely apologise for causing any grievances, any stress.’ - Ms Lee Bee Wah, acknowledging that the episode spoilt the celebratory mood after Singapore won its first Olympic medal in 48 years”
By Lin Xinyi & Terrence Voon
‘Any’ used negatively, implies ‘doubt’.
All these comments really saddened me. I am a born Singaporean and was also a sports person. It seemed that many people who commented on this forum have not played in competitions which require the presence of a coach.
If LBW was originally a Singaporean and as pretty and well spoken as Denise Olsen, would there still be such outrage?
If Antony Lee is a Malaysian or foreigner by birth, would there still be such an outrage?
Do we condone disgraceful behaviour and lame excuses, at the expense of “graciousness”?
If Gao Ning is a Singaporean by birth, would there still be such outrage?
How does outsiders see Singapore with all these comments?
1. Ask yourself, have you played in a major tournament that has a coach around?I assumed those who commented watched the Olympics: fencing, badminton, table tennis, gymnastics etc etc. Did you see any country with the coach absent at the competition?
2. Do we want transparency or not? If LBW did not speak up, and the inquiry was behind closed doors, how would the public like me, who were disgusted with a coach not being present at the competition, and we’re talking about the Olympics! know that anything is being done?
3. Who is being gracious to Gao Ning? Doesn’t he deserve the same measure of graciousness “shown” to Anthony Lee n the coach.
Put yourself in Goa Ning’s shoes. If one day you were to migrate to another country and receive the same treatment as he did, would you still be saying the same thing? There is a saying, do not do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you.
I just read the Yahoo Singapore poll questionaire on this case. It gave 4 choices, all for the team manager. Made me think that the person who designed the poll wanted a skewed result. Why wasn’t there a point for those who agree on the removal of the team manager?
Now this team manager is being posted to SNOC, a higher organisation, for his incompetency. Perhaps that is the place where all the incompetent managers meet to have coffee together. Kudos to all the petition? Government leaders should have the boldness and courage to do what is right, not what is popular.
disappointed. LBW shld resign from her post to show her sincerity. although, well, you know she wouldn’t since she’s another pa*p member.
Aiyoh… …. AMK GRC got so many blogger’s favourite. Wee Siew Kim & family and now Lee Bee Wah. PAP sure know how to select their members.
Do not need to worry about the future of LBW guys even if she were to be booted out to pre-empt adverse election results.
Have you are heard the phase ” the jungle takes care of its own”. See the amount of ex-government employees and retirees given high posts as rewards.
To competitive player Fairplay:
So far, from the news coverage, it seems that
a. Gao Ning’s coach was sick
b. he didn’t inform anyone until much much later
c. at that time, the other coaches were tied up with the preparations
d. the only spare coach was the one whose “charge” was supposed to have finished earlier but that match was delayed so he missed his “slot” to coach Gao Ning
You’d at least want to get the facts right.. convene an impartial inquiry by all means before shooting your mouth off.
And also the timing of the thing.
FWIW, Gao Ning seems quite “petulant” in his gripes in his interviews. To lose so shamefully to someone allegedly 20 ranks below you seems to me more a protest than due to absence of a coach.
Simply said, the situation in Singapore today aptly is ” all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.” Observe what is happening in Malaysia to day, in time if this goes on without check, it will happen in Singapore too. Perhaps then our million dollar ministers will become quitters too.
Dear minister,
Her comments apologising on behalf of other people makes it impossible for this
S’porean to “move on”. Even her eating “sai” from the “jamban” (holding up hands of those she had to sack and having to hear that they were not sacked) wasn’t enough.
Unless of course she had the written consent of all those she apologised on behalf of.
She is a disgrace to Singapore and the PAP in particular. There is the original incident, now there is apology on behalf of others and the willingness to eat ’sai”.
A well brought up person would cringe from eating “sai”.
Even after her eating “sai” from the “jamban” (holding up hands of those she had to sack and having to hear that they were not sacked) wasn’t enough.
Dear “Moving On”,
We must thank the TOC for giving us the chance to air views and in doing so make a small contribution to edify others.
“Happy Ending’ aptly at the end of the backpage is an emotional need for those directly affected only - it has to be so to help them move on.
Self praise is another therapy the minister and his staff need - otherwise how can they face the cabinet.
Actually the issue is a common one - you find this sort of poltics every where and evertyday in the working world. It might be an a waste of expensive time for all - you can blame LBW and the ST for starting it. But the PAP must learn a couple of pointers from the saga.
Everyone need to earn a living and to feel good along with it.
So with the reportings, it is somewhat a make believe world where there may be are more press people than TT fans.
This blog posting too need to move on and perhaps “move out” to accomodate more pressing issues that will affect our children’s and Singapore’s future - like Education, Relationship with neighbours, Social graces, Affordable housing & Medical care for citizens, etc