Catherine Lim - A Follow-up on the letter to PM Lee

[flinger]

This article carries a lot of half truths as usual.

This statement is an example of that :

"Mr Ngerng complied with all the demands – but Mr Lee dismissed them and on 30 May commenced legal action."

Anyone who has seriously followed the events..and has read the chronology in VB specific by spec and others will know that sentence is just totally untrue.

[CityFarmer]

Is trust in the government really necessary in the first place? I elect someone to do a job and measure him by the outcomes. His highlighting of the statistics seems to be counter productive because one can argue it precisely proofs this point. A measurement like trust doesn't proof or disproof anything.

Is trust in the government really necessary in the first place? I reckon the answer is a resounding YES.

Thailand has abundant of resources, and no lacking of local political talents. One of the key reasons for the recent crisis is the "lacking of trust".

[Freenasi]

Catherine Lim is trying to hint to the PAP leadership to hear the message. This is the ground message. To do things in a more sensible way.
Like instead of suing Roy Ngerng. Lay out the facts and invite a group of pp, including Roy, to explain and telecast it openly. THE APPROACH MATTERS.

Unfortunately the Consul uses data to reply. Which completely misses her point.

That, is the CRUX of the current leadership. Even if Inderjit singh fail to awake them, I doubt Catherine Lim can achieve much.

They only know how to shoot themselves in their own foot...

If they r being transparent with the numbers and activities inside, it may invite further scrutinity and maybe "interesting" things revealed. So it's a suicidal move. On the hand, they w earn many trust if they do that. Now people can only speculate when there is lack of info.

[touzi]

I shall use the format of a hypothetical interview based on a brisk Q and A, as this will make for quick and easy reading.
I am a celebrated author, I answer my own questions.

Q: Has the PM replied to your letter to him?
I don't want a reply, I want an audience. See next question.

Q: Why did you use this Open Letter format, a marked departure from your usual, formal-essay type commentaries?
As one of "Asia's most iconic personalities in Literature", my status is on par with the PM, and at the same time I deserve a bigger audience. An open letter is the most appropriate.

Q: Was the Roy Ngerng defamation suit the direct cause of your writing the letter?
No, the last time I got so much attention was 20 years ago, the public need to be reminded of my importance. *flicks hair*

Q: Some people are saying that in describing the present situation as a ‘crisis’, you’re being too alarmist since it involves only a minority.
Of coz it is a crisis, a whole generation has grown up forgotten about me, ...despite the government introducing my books to the schools.

Q: Do you fear any reprisal from the top for this letter?
I’ve been doing this sort of thing for twenty years now but have been upstaged by new comers like Roy Ngerng recently. Tell me what can be worse?

Q: Surely people are more concerned about bread-and-butter issues, than the human rights of the political detainees you mentioned.
There are still people in Singapore with bread-and-butter issues? Geez..never meet them before.

Q: A few readers have complained about your use of ‘flowery’ words.
You mean Singaporeans don't understand flowery words? Come'on, I understand the ground. The people I interacted with all understand flowery words....Anyway it is not meant for those who don't have an "A" in Literature. I am a celebrated author you know..*flicks hair*

Q: Isn’t your letter just a bit too long?
Let me tell you dearie, everybody that I have met, read books by the likes of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. You think they became famous by writing short stories?

Q: How would you answer those who ask you to get into politics?
You want me to spend my time listening to some folks in their fractured English talking about their problem...that will put me to sleep. It is a waste of my talent. *flicks hair*

[chialc88]

... I am a celebrated author....
Q: How would you answer those who ask you to get into politics?
You want me to spend my time listening to some folks in their fractured English talking about their problem...that will put me to sleep. It is a waste of my talent. *flicks hair*

touzi,
you so funny.
you sure deserved to be a celebrity author.
making joke on such a serious matters!

LC



Earth day - save the world everyday.

[specuvestor]

This article carries a lot of half truths as usual.

This statement is an example of that :

"Mr Ngerng complied with all the demands – but Mr Lee dismissed them and on 30 May commenced legal action."

Anyone who has seriously followed the events..and has read the chronology in VB specific by spec and others will know that sentence is just totally untrue.

This is the latest sequence updated by egghead:

1) Roy Accusing PM of stealing.
1.1 PM threatened to sue
1.2 Roy admit cannot substantiate what he said
1a Roy took down post and apologized. Asked for more time to offer damage and was granted
1b Instead posted summary of what he posted before and made a video (?)
Received further demand to remove postings and video or face aggravated damage. Pretend to comply but instead circulated postings and videos to international media.

1c Offered $5k compensation
2) PM suing of Roy

Forumers with better memory of the sequence of events or important details can update us on the chronology of facts. Without establishing the chronology it is all a lot of gibberish about what has happened and accusations with no understanding.

[GPD]

This article carries a lot of half truths as usual.

This statement is an example of that :

"Mr Ngerng complied with all the demands – but Mr Lee dismissed them and on 30 May commenced legal action."

Anyone who has seriously followed the events..and has read the chronology in VB specific by spec and others will know that sentence is just totally untrue.

This is the latest sequence updated by egghead:

1) Roy Accusing PM of stealing.
1.1 PM threatened to sue
1.2 Roy admit cannot substantiate what he said
1a Roy took down post and apologized. Asked for more time to offer damage and was granted
1b Instead posted summary of what he posted before and made a video (?)
Received further demand to remove postings and video or face aggravated damage. Pretend to comply but instead circulated postings and videos to international media.

1c Offered $5k compensation
2) PM suing of Roy

Forumers with better memory of the sequence of events or important details can update us on the chronology of facts. Without establishing the chronology it is all a lot of gibberish about what has happened and accusations with no understanding.

Thanks. Was thinking of asking VB who has followed closely to post chronicle of events.

Indeed, it will be inappropriate for PM Lee to anyhow suka suka sue.

I really wonder if Roy started off knowing he will risk ending up in this situation.

[Lancelot]

This article carries a lot of half truths as usual.

This statement is an example of that :

"Mr Ngerng complied with all the demands – but Mr Lee dismissed them and on 30 May commenced legal action."

Anyone who has seriously followed the events..and has read the chronology in VB specific by spec and others will know that sentence is just totally untrue.

This is the latest sequence updated by egghead:

1) Roy Accusing PM of stealing.
1.1 PM threatened to sue
1.2 Roy admit cannot substantiate what he said
1a Roy took down post and apologized. Asked for more time to offer damage and was granted
1b Instead posted summary of what he posted before and made a video (?)
Received further demand to remove postings and video or face aggravated damage. Pretend to comply but instead circulated postings and videos to international media.

1c Offered $5k compensation
2) PM suing of Roy

Forumers with better memory of the sequence of events or important details can update us on the chronology of facts. Without establishing the chronology it is all a lot of gibberish about what has happened and accusations with no understanding.

Hi specuvestor,

If Catherine Lim made untrue statement , PM Lee should sue her to clear his name. Let's see whether PM Lee has ground to sue her .

[specuvestor]

^^ hi I think u misunderstood Flinger was not referring to CL

I have posted my opinion on CL article in another thread. In summary I think it is rhetorical with no actionables. Strong words but nonetheless opinions. I don't see anything defamation content IMHO.

OTOH those older might remember Goh's response to CL comment on Goh talking about gracious society.

[tanjm]

I read, with amusement, CL's overblown rhetoric which begins with "We are in the midst of a crisis in which the people no longer trust their government".

Then I see this in the news. The contrast is highly amusing.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia...90692.html