Straits Times twisting facts to save the ass of Lee Bee Wah!!!
Not only did the “Jamban virus” inflict Shin Min Daily, even the Straits Times has fallen victim to it too! In the span of two weeks, the truth about the Liu Guodong fiasco has been distorted beyond recognition by the Singapore state media which is truly deserving of its 141st position on the World Press Freedom Index conducted by international media watchdog Reporters without borders.
In response to a question by MP Seah Kian Peng, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan called on all parties embroiled in the STTA dispute to settle the matter ‘in a dignified and fair manner’
Instead of reporting the case based entirely on facts, the Straits Times felt fit to twist the story in order to leave its chief culprit Lee Bee Wah out of the picture:
Myth#1: STTA had said Liu was not worthy of the award
FACT: Since when did STTA say that? STTA did not issue any official statement on the reasons why Liu Guodong was not nominated for the award. Can the Straits Times please substantiate its claims?
Myth #2: Liu Guodong was unhappy that he was not nominated for the “Coach of the year” award.
FACT: Liu Guodong had stated categorically that winning the award is of little significance to him as long his contributions are recognized by Singaporeans. In a recent interview by Lianhe Wanbao, Liu thanked netizens for starting a petition to SNOC on this matter. He said he is very happy regardless of whether he gets any honor in the end because he did not waste his 3 years stay in Singapore.
Myth #3: Liu Guodong flew to Singapore to demand an explanation from STTA on why he was not nominated for the award.
FACT: Liu Guodong was infuriated by STTA President Lee Bee Wah’s remarks to the media insinuating that he lacked “professionalism and integrity.” He flew to Singapore to seek clarification from Lee Bee Wah in person. Lee did not meet him and despatch two STTA officials to cajole Liu to sign a document in English which he did not understand to absolve her from all liabilities. The saga has nothing to do with STTA in the first place since it had never issued any official statement explaining why Liu was not nominated.
Myth #4: Liu Guodong does not deserve the award as he neglected the men’s team:
FACT: Liu Guodong had to manage both the man and woman’s team. Given the severe constraints he faced, he is perfectly justified to devote more time and resources to the woman team. His decision was vindicated when the woman team won the coveted Olympic silver medal. That was the reason why he was recruited by STTA: to win medals for Singapore. Had he spent equitable time with both teams, Singapore may not be able to win any medals at the Olympics. If STTA disapprove of Liu’s coaching style, why did it bother to renew his contract last year?
The mainstream will be publishing more hogwash in the next few weeks to salvage the battered image of Lee Bee Wah.
Singaporeans must never forget the folllowing facts:
1. Lee Bee Wah was SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for this fracas, not STTA.
2. Lee Bee Wah has DISGRACED Singaporeans with her handling of the fiasco. This is not the manner to treat an Olympic medal winning coach.
3. Lee Bee Wah owed Singaporeans an APOLOGY for the hurt, distress and agony she had caused us regardless of the outcome.
Now it is the time to send a strong and unmistakable message to her.
Sign on the two online petitions if you haven’t done so:
1. Petition to DPM Teo Chee Hean to give special award to Liu Guodong
2. Petition to remove Lee Bee Wah as STTA President
Turn up at Hong Lim Park on 6 June 2009 between 5pm to 6.30pm to sign the petition calling for her removal as STTA President.
We will have a reporter on standby to interview you. Tell us why you want Lee Bee Wah to step down from STTA. (we can have your face blurred or simply record your voice). We will compile the video interviews, upload them on youtube and forward it to all the PAP MPs in Parliament.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=28588.72
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