Dear Dr Balakrishnan,
First off, thank you for entering the blogosphere and deciding to open your eyes to the reality on the ground.
In a recent response to a blogpost, you said:
“I wish the cynics would just focus their negative energy on me, and let the athletes and volunteers have the time of their lives”.
The unfortunate implication of your statement is that the negativity surrounding the YOG so far has been directed at volunteers and athletes.
Let’s be clear: not a single article we’ve read online so far that has been critical of the YOG has dishonored the work of genuine volunteers or even those who have been “volunteered”. Neither has it been directed against our athletes, of whom every Singaporean hopes will do us proud.
In fact, all criticism has been directed at the shoddy work of the main organizing committee, which seem to think it can treat the youths of Singapore like conscripts and organize a world-class event with minimal preparation. This is what Singaporeans are outraged about.
Even people scathingly critical of the YOG’s organization have said that they feel embarrassed for the stage performers and other entertainers lining Marina Bay, singing to rows of empty chairs.
The root of this problem is your lack of consultation before deciding to bid for the games, and your callous approach to cost overruns only further adds salt to the wound.
But now that the games have begun, ordinary Singaporeans don’t want the YOG to fail. No Singaporean can be happy that so far we haven’t put our best foot forward for the rest of the world.
But if you are really interested in the welfare of volunteers and athletes, you need to take some responsibility and address the criticisms that have been leveled at the way yourself and the YOG committee have organized the games.
It is not too late to make the games a genuine success: Singaporeans are fair minded and will surely give credit where it is due if you own up to your faults. A little bit of humility might go a long way in making Singaporeans want to be a part of the YOG.
Otherwise, it will be perverse for you to not accept any fault or directly address criticisms from student volunteers and ordinary citizens, while at the same time claiming: “The real stars and primary motivation for the YOG are…our own volunteers”.
The Online Citizen will be happy to publish your reply in full.
Best regards,
Choo Zheng Xi
Andrew Loh
———
The above open letter has also been sent to the minister via email.
Whether money is unfairly or corruptly acumulated one does not know lah. however,anywhere in this world when it is a one-party state or govt, the chances of such things happening is very high.
Simply cos, who is going to check, who is going to verify, who is going to account.
As long as it remains one-party it is dangerous and it is foolish to assume that the nation or people are in good hands.
Fugazzi
when it is a one-party state or govt, the chances of such things happening is very high.
Simply cos, who is going to check, who is going to verify, who is going to account.
……………..
why do hoching/temasek inc buy so many small known banks aroun asean? just to pray monopoLEE?
C’mon!!! This is LKY’s country. Singapore died a long time ago. These arrogant, greedy, corrupted MIW can change the constitution as and when the please. They can select, what was supposed to have been an elected by the people, president! This person is supposed to safeguard the interests of the people! What happened there? How did the PAP turn that around to a puppet they selected without our votes, then openly bribe $3 mil a year to sit there and shut up. How did that happen? What else are we as citizens going to give up to these despicable, corrupted to the core MIW in the PAP????
Vivian when interviewed on Aug 20 thanked and highly praised the volunteers, giving them “full marks.”
In all sincerity, I wish to believe his words. But it’s really more than a bit difficult to do so. Only after all these online hoohah did he issued such a statement. One wonders whether it’s a scripted statement to counter the myriad of accusations.
Moreoever, it remained a fact that volunteers were taken for granted. With years in the planning, hundreds of officers throughout the whole chain, not one person spared a consideration whether volunteers were being treated respectfully. Only when a massive outcry sounded was any actipn taken.
The old people like to say do things need to have heart. I think the “heart” was never there for the volunteers. And all said and done now will not redeem this.
singaporeans are still voting for PAP so this is what you will get. it is not the system to be correct or to voice up to the PAP and government to improve the system and help us, they will never ever listen to you. their words is their words!
the only thing singaporeans can do now is VOTE them OUT!! corruption government. throw them out now!!
I would like to re-interate NOT all singaporeans actually voted the PAP…and don’t forget how many more couldn’t get to vote….
Please refer to below hyperlink [the information may not be 100% complete but well we have to leverage on whatever comes to hand] -
http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/08/22/pap-did-not-receive-a-strong-mandate-as-they-claimed-in-ge-2006/
No wonder more and more singaporeans are leaving….not because they don’t love singapore…but the “rules” that have been set up for the few to becomes over-rated elites and so called “intellectual” class.
Real intellects won’t want anything to do with the PAP…only those who want finite gains at the expense of the infinite would you see the buddy buddy shoulder rubbing BS and sucking up…i almost join these bunch of parasites and bottom feeders too due to a well connected to the PAP “bruder” and managed to stop myself in time when i realized all that money are actually literally blood money from the people of singapore.
And that is where i draw the line and i will never cross this rubicon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X9MET_H0dU
Dear Andrew and Remy
I hope you are not arrested!
Paul
Singaporean arrested after Facebook attack on govt
http://news.asiaone.com/print/News/A…25-233873.html
He has been arrested on charges of inciting violence. -AFP
Wed, Aug 25, 2010
AFP
SINGAPORE – A Singaporean man who attacked the ruling party on Facebook and urge people to “burn” a cabinet minister has been arrested on charges of inciting violence, police said Wednesday.
In a statement, police said they had arrested a “man in his late 20s” on Tuesday “in connection with investigations into offences related to incitement of violence”.
The statement did not name the man or give details of the offence, but said that he was released on bail pending further investigation.
Local media identified him as Abdul Malik Ghazali, 27, who posted a series of comments on the social networking site critical of how Singapore is hosting the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
The August 14-26 event, held for competitors aged from 14 to 18, has generated limited public interest, with many events blighted by empty seats and the host country’s athletes faring badly.
Vivian Balakrishnan, the minister for community development, youth and sports, has come under particular fire from online critics over the games.
Abdul Malik’s postings on his own Facebook page and on a separate group account called “I hate the Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee” are also critical of Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).
Abdul Malik, who works for a company specialising in wood and flooring, said on his Facebook page that he was arrested “due to my involvement in anti-YOG and anti-PAP Facebook pages”.
One of his postings highlighted recent floods in Singapore, the escape of detained terror suspect Mas Selamat Kastari, the amount of money spent to host the games and reports of the poor standard of food served for games volunteers.
He said it was time to “burn” the sports minister and the PAP. “Rally together and vote them out!!!” he wrote.
Abdul Malik said in comments published Wednesday by The New Paper that “the comment is a metaphor”.
“I did not intend for it to be taken literally. I did not mean for someone to actually burn,” he said. –AFP
paul
He has been arrested on charges of inciting violence. -AFP
Wed, Aug 25, 2010
AFP
SINGAPORE – A Singaporean man who attacked the ruling party on Facebook and urge people to “burn” a cabinet minister has been arrested on charges of inciting violence, police said Wednesday.
In a statement, police said they had arrested a “man in his late 20s” on Tuesday “in connection with investigations into offences related to incitement of violence”.
The statement did not name the man or give details of the offence, but said that he was released on bail pending further investigation.
Local media identified him as Abdul Malik Ghazali, 27, who posted a series of comments on the social networking site critical of how Singapore is hosting the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
………………..
this show how STUPID/cowards are our polis force and the ministers are…
even if dr chee and his sister would to do the same thinggie…nobody DARED in singapoor to take that risk includin YOURs trulLEE…
why should i take the risk and be in prison when people liked preston loon/funny/jereomelee/senoiroleguard is enjoyin themselves awaitin for ^KAMIKAZEE^ liked me to die on their behalves?
and we ALL know what is the HARSH penalty for BURNIN..you don’t just sit in queenstown holiday camp for 6 weeks
you would be send to ale california de changhi for a minumum of 7 years with a minimum of 3 strokes of the rotans under sections 327….
how stupid can the ministers be?
and who is Abdul Malik Ghazali? a decendant of hangtuah the great warrior?
~zhee~
Write 2 BBC / CNN / NYTimes / LA Times etc. Let them broadcast the issues.
I attended and enjoyed several events atthe YOG. I also attended the closing ceremony which as expected was not near as grand as the opening but enjoyable and spectacular nevertheless.
I was very touched by the spirit of the volunteers. Readers who doubt the ‘polite’ observations of the foreigners, should have seen our volunteers at work.It was a pleasure seeing their dedication and as a Singaporean makes me proud of them .
In any event there will be pluses and minuses. The empty seats and poor food were minuses but online wirters have harped on these as if they were the only significant things. Where’s the sense of proportion? Where’s the big picture? If this site wants to retain its fast losing credibility, it has to be fair to all sides. Don’t act like losers and condemn everything the government does just because you don’t like it or certain individuals in it.
I want to thank many people; the people in the government, yes, government, for daring to scale new heights and make us grow in confidence, but more so, the volunteers, especially those who sacrficed their vacation to lend the nation a helping hand.
For the armchair critics, get up and get involved.
@Traveller, 30 August 2010
.
Then why aren’t you ashamed that two $2.3m ministers spending $387m taxpayers monies must have their “event” rescued by largely unpaid volunteers?(How much that dog food provided to them really cost?). You have absolutely no concept on leadership and it entrails.
.
Yes, the volunteers were the unsung heroes – without them Singapore really no face this time. So, Singaporeans (including armchair critics) are paying ministers big bucks AND must be ready to jump up to rescue them when they screwed things up????? What else must we do? Polish their asses and vote for them next? That would be nice, wouldn’t it – best jobs in the whole world. Like that PVTs can fight any war, no need for generals.
Traveller, 30 August 2010
volunteers should be paid for their time & effort. the catered food should be seen as an additional morale booster.
what big picture are you talking about? if small picture also cannot handle (lack of spectator support), near empty concert venues.
want to scale new heights dun come crying for help when dangling in mid-air & blame others for the lack of support. who ask you go scale?
I have always maintained he is a rat,just looking busy, scurrying and accomplishing nothing. Making excuses for YOG financial overruns. How can anyone go that far wrong. In the corporate world you’ll get fired.Then giving that lame reply that we got that in media mileage. Bullshit, what is the retention and impression value, that is the true test of media effectiveness, anyone can tell you that. No one remembers by now I bet.
Why was there this huge delay on rebuilding the Stadium. Kicking it off now at a time when construction cost is at its highest.It is definately lower 3 years ago.
Why are there poor old people starving and have no money to eat or pay for their utilities and why is there an overdependance on charities. The whole team at MCYS should be removed. Idiots dont question idiots. Mr Balakrishnan would serve his purpose better going back as a doctor or debater. he is less likely to cause more damage to us.