Singaporeans sceptical of Dr Vivian’s calls for a ‘fair and dignified’ outcome in the 2nd STTA fiasco
Three weeks after the eruption of the 2nd ping pong controversy which was sparked by STTA President Lee Bee Wah’s remarks about ex-coach Liu Guodong lacking “professionalism and integrity”, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has finally revealed his stance on the matter.
While there were calls for him to intervene to resolve the matter like what happened last year, Dr Vivian ruled out intervention by his ministry. He urged all sides involved to aim for a ‘fair and dignified’ outcome.
The ministry’s Senior Parliamentary Secretary Teo Ser Luck also said he was happy with progress made so far and hoped the dispute would not end in legal action.
The ministry’s half-hearted and lacklustre replies did not come down well with ordinary Singaporeans who continue to clamor for Lee Bee Wah’s resignation.
In less a day, the online petition set up to call for Lee’s removal from STTA saw an increase of almost 200 signatures lampooning Lee as well as Dr Vivian and Teo Ser Luck.
Singaporeans are adamant that Lee Bee Wah apologized to the coach.
Wrote Lim Chai Ju:
| Lim Chai Ju | By calling for dignified outcome, does Dr VB mean to ask the Singaporeans be less opposing, compromise and settle somewhere in between, therefore not insisting for an apology from LBW? So that she can continue to flex her wings again in the future? |
Tan Kien Tung was sceptical of Dr Vivian’s definition of a “dignified” outcome:
| Tan Kien Tung | Dignified could simply mean to settle without asking the STTA president to apologise nor admit anything wrong doing (give chance lah!), then just move on and close the file, this is what is implied. Too simplistic really, you see, Singaporeans are being treated like fools, time and again |
Patrick Tong felt it was Lee who treated Liu unfairly in the first place.
| Patrick Tong | Doc is urging all sides involved to aim for a “fair and dignified” outcome, so what is fair and dignified? Was here any fairness when LBW made Liu to leave last year, and not nominating him this year, is this so-called fairnss? What has Doc said? |
Tan Boon Liong was equally scathing in his remarks:
| Tan Boon Liong | What is dignity to STTA? Scheming a concerted effort to push someone off the cliff to satisfy one single person, the power that be? |
Yong Siew Look took issue with Teo Ser Luck’s response:
| Yong Siew Look | I think Teo SL has different definition of happiness. He said he was happy with the progress, but not sure if he is happy with LBW, actually happy can mean so many things in life, just like some students say they are happy with their test result of 15 marks, fail badly yet happy? May be. |
Another netizen lambasted Dr Vivian’s comment that the profile of the sports was raised by the saga:
| Profile raised.. | ” the fact that ppl can be bothered, that ppl are worked up, shows ppl are paying interest and care . …. that reflects the fact that the profile of sport has been raised…” SO are u saying it is good thing afterall …..THAT COACH LGD ’s BEEN FORCED OUT OF SPORE, REPUTATION TARNISHED WHILE LEEBWAH WENT INTO HIDING WHEN CONFRONTED BY LGD?! AND TIS RAISES THE PROFILE OF LITTLE RED DOT? GEE , U SURE HAVE A WEIRD SENSE OF HUMOUR ! |
From the comments posted on the petition, it appeared that Singaporeans are really peeved off with the way Lee Bee Wah and STTA had conducted themselves.
Despite attempts by the media to play down the dispute and salvage the reputation of the embattled Lee, Singaporeans remained sceptical about the “fair and dignified” outcome hoped for by Dr Vivian.
The public fury shows no signs of abating and to some Singaporeans, nothing less than Lee’s departure will placate them.
Though Lee had now expressed willingness to meet Liu in person, Liu is unable to come to Singapore in the near future due to work committments.
How long more will this fiasco rumble on? Will Singaporeans still remember it after two months? What “deal” will STTA make with Liu Guodong under the table to save the “face” for Lee Bee Wah?
Besides Dr Vivian and Teo, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and ex-STTA President Yeo Guat Kwang had also commented on the saga. Goh felt the matter was not handled properly while Yeo called on STTA to account to the public as soon as possible.
In spite of increasing public pressure for STTA to explain its actions, it has wilfully refused to do so. Perhaps in the eyes of STTA, a “fair and dignified” outcome means ensuring its President get away scot-free for her words without needing to substantiate them while keeping Liu as far away as possible from Singapore and quietly praying that Singaporeans will soon forget about the entire episode altogether.
Regardless of the outcome, Lee Bee Wah has lost all moral authority to remain as President of STTA.
Please 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.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=28588.74
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