Chitchat WP Perera Gets Butthurt When Chee Hong Ask Him To Declare Conflict of Interest With Big Tobacco

[JohnTan]

SINGAPORE: Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Leon Perera of the opposition Workers’ Party and Senior Minister of State for Health Chee Hong Tat had an exchange of words in Parliament on Tuesday (Nov 7) over a tobacco bill amendment passed earlier in the day.

In the debate about the bill, Mr Perera had asked to “allow confirmed smokers access to e-cigarettes, at least for a certain period of time, as part of their efforts to quit smoking or reduce consumption”.

Later, Mr Chee said: “During the debate, Mr Perera, in his speech, supported the use of e-cigarettes, which is also what tobacco companies have advocated.”

“I’d like to seek clarification from Mr Perera, that I understand he’s the CEO of Spire Group which is a research and consulting company. I wanted to ask and confirm if the Member has any interest he wishes to declare.”

Mr Perera replied: “My comments are not in any way motivated by any prospect of financial gain.”








“As a general matter of policy, the work my company does, does not pertain to
tobacco business at all. And that’s a position we have taken historically, so I do not serve tobacco clients in my private capacity in the work that I do for this company.


“I take very strong objection to any implication that the opinions that I’ve expressed in my speech for the Tobacco Bill was motivated by commercial considerations in any way,” he added. “They were motivated purely on matters of principle and matters of opinion.”

Mr Chee then said: “I had only asked the Member if he had any interest to declare. Can I also ask Mr Perera if Henkel, a key manufacturer of adhesives for cigarettes, is a client of the Spire group of which Mr Perera is CEO?”

Mr Perera responded: “Henkel, I believe, has been a very small past client. But as I mentioned earlier, we don’t support tobacco companies. We don’t work with tobacco companies as clients … and therefore there is no commercial motivation in the comments I’ve made.”

He then appeared to move away from the speaking rostrum, before returning to reiterate: “And I want to register my very strong objection to any insinuation that there is any commercial motivation to the comments that I’ve made.”

“They are matters of principle … matters of my own opinion and they are not motivated by any prospect of financial gain or commercial gain,” Mr Perera added.

“So I want to register a very strong objection to that.”

Source: CNA/jo

Read more at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...insinuations-of-commercial-motivation-9384310

 

[shittypore]

both talk through their arses, better ban the sale of tobacco and cigs in Sinkieland than lets see who the big lossers are, Tobacco Cos or the Gahman. There more impt issues to table in Parleement for the sake of Sinkies.

 

[glockman]

Well, there goes any chance of a friendship between those two. Chee Hong anyhow shot from the hips, trying to imply conflict of interest? That is laughable.

 

[jw5]

It can be argued that Chee Hong in trying to establish that link is also doing it for personal gain - to show his boss he is good at "fixing" and a promotion to Ministar!

Well, there goes any chance of a friendship between those two. Chee Hong anyhow shot from the hips, trying to imply conflict of interest? That is laughable.

 

[winnipegjets]

Chee Hong made to look like a fool. And it is on record. Is Chee Hong going to throw books at his research staff?

 

[eatshitndie]

the use of traditional cigs by children has declined over the past decade but the use of e-cigs anong children has risen spectacularly as they are marketed falsely as “harmless” compared to conventional cigs. only 1% of e-cig new users “vape” without nicotine. it’s an alternative method to introducing nicotine-addiction to children and youths masked as a “healthier and safer” way of smoking. complete bs. it should be regulated as tightly as conventional cigs. this perera needs to be schooled with facts than be allowed to spew garbage in parliament.

 

[Seee3]

Didn't know that public is concerned about e-cigs. Or is he pledging loyalty to succeed Ltk?

 

[mojito]

Very shocking revelations! I am glad we have honest politicians like Chee in the PAP as bulwark against devious, conflict ridden opposition like WP!

 

[JohnTan]

Chee Hong made to look like a fool. And it is on record. Is Chee Hong going to throw books at his research staff?

How so? That Not-My-Mp Perera admitted that some tobacco companies were formerly his clients. Chee Hong exposed the hypocrisy of that oppie in parliament. WP's credibility has gone down yet another notch.

 

[borom]

If they really care about your health they can ban the sale of cigarettes in singapore-like what they did for chewing gum.
What conflict -its the PAP that is talking cock-ban cigarettes sale in singapore-if not shut-up.

 

[glockman]

PAP should ban all cigarettes. So I don't need to smoke 40 sticks a day. Fuck PAP

 

[KuanTi01]

It can be argued that Chee Hong in trying to establish that link is also doing it for personal gain - to show his boss he is good at "fixing" and a promotion to Ministar!

I agree! All ministers are doing their jobs for their personal gain and may I add; personal glory! If not for personal gain and glory, then how does one explain their huge financial gains, perks and other privileges. As for personal glory, one has already put his hands up for the post of PM. He basically keechiu and choped the post of PM!

 

[JohnTan]

I agree! All ministers are doing their jobs for their personal gain and may I add; personal glory! If not for personal gain and glory, then how does one explain their huge financial gains, perks and other privileges. As for personal glory, one has already put his hands up for the post of PM. He basically keechiu and choped the post of PM!

You have made a defamatory statement.

All PAP Ministers and MPs join politics because of their patriotism to Singapore. Everyone knows that PAP politicians take a huge paycut when they volunteer to serve sinkies. Even grassroots leaders like myself spend many hours each week on voluntary grassroots activities without financial gain.

 

[KuanTi01]

It's a matter of public record that the world's highest paid politicians are all PAP ministers occupying all the top positions. It's self-serving and unverifiable to talk of huge pay cuts to serve the public.As for volunteering to serve, true volunteers are a plenty and they don't ask for anything! Patriotism is not the exclusive reserve of your beloved PAP. I think the average HDB uncle and aunty are just as patriotic if not more so. There is no need to join politics to show off one's patriotism. What defamatory statement? I speak the truth.

 

[jw5]

It is only those chosen by LHL and his old man who are like that. Those former ministars who joined LKY's team, despite their shortcomings, were more altruistic and concerned about ordinary citizens.

I agree! All ministers are doing their jobs for their personal gain and may I add; personal glory! If not for personal gain and glory, then how does one explain their huge financial gains, perks and other privileges. As for personal glory, one has already put his hands up for the post of PM. He basically keechiu and choped the post of PM!

 

[JohnTan]

It's a matter of public record that the world's highest paid politicians are all PAP ministers occupying all the top positions. It's self-serving and unverifiable to talk of huge pay cuts to serve the public.As for volunteering to serve, true volunteers are a plenty and they don't ask for anything! Patriotism is not the exclusive reserve of your beloved PAP. I think the average HDB uncle and aunty are just as patriotic if not more so. There is no need to join politics to show off one's patriotism. What defamatory statement? I speak the truth.

PAP ministers' salaries are paid out open and above board. There's nothing illegal or shameful about it.

You should spend more time investigating lowly paid politicians who takes a lot of bribes. Those politicians enjoy a lifestyle that is grossly disproportionate to their public service pay. Try Najib, Putin, Winnie jinping for starters.

 

[sweetiepie]

my uncle say this is a lppl debate . He say if garmen approve e-cig the same tax will apply. garmen wlll not allow oversea purchase and the gadget and the liquid will have sdpe-c.

 

[sweetiepie]

my uncle say there is a possibility that the debate was rehearsed and displayed. Just in case is real, Mr Perara is stupid and should just ask chee "talk so much, you just want tax is it ?"
my uncle say the only way to stop all this clown act is to vote them out.

 

[KuanTi01]

PAP ministers' salaries are paid out open and above board. There's nothing illegal or shameful about it.

You should spend more time investigating lowly paid politicians who takes a lot of bribes. Those politicians enjoy a lifestyle that is grossly disproportionate to their public service pay. Try Najib, Putin, Winnie jinping for starters.

Well, from your late ah gong, I know about this transparency thing in paying ministers' high salaries bench-marked or comparable to the top echelons of several chosen professions or else the theory goes that they may be susceptible to corruption like in other 3rd world countries. So the perks and high salaries are the real motivation to serve in politics. Patriotism comes at a very high price indeed! All this talk of volunteerism and making sacrifices is nothing but hogwash! Ah! I recalled what Grace Fu said not so long ago.

 

[JohnTan]

Well, from your late ah gong, I know about this transparency thing in paying ministers' high salaries bench-marked or comparable to the top echelons of several chosen professions or else the theory goes that they may be susceptible to corruption like in other 3rd world countries. So the perks and high salaries are the real motivation to serve in politics. Patriotism comes at a very high price indeed! All this talk of volunteerism and making sacrifices is nothing but hogwash! Ah! I recalled what Grace Fu said not so long ago.

All talk about patriotism and sacrifices is hogwash including from the likes of Chee Soon Juan.

He is acting like a martyr because he has no other pathways to being a successful politician.

Nearly every politician on your ranking list that takes a low pay is corrupted and probably a multi millionaire several times over by now thanks to their political connections. You need to wake the fuck up.