Petition to demand apology from minister?

[Angelo]

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/vivianyogapology/

It is interesting to see how such petition will turn out to be. Well, I think it is a bit premature to call for such petition because we will never know whether there will be any other unfortunate but embarrassing incidents happening in the following days...


The Petition
We are Singaporeans who are dismayed, disappointed and disgusted with the performance of Singapore's Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in his handling of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) and are demanding a PUBLIC APOLOGY from him for the following:

1. Exceeding the initial YOG budget for more than three times:

The budget has ballooned from $107 million dollars to a shocking $387 million dollars. In contrast, Dr Vivian allocated a miserly $92 million dollars to help poor and needy Singaporeans in the same year. Till today, Dr Vivian has yet to account to Singaporeans as to what happened.

2. Failure to engage and consult Singaporeans before bidding for YOG:

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan did not bother to seek the views of Singaporeans before launching an official bid for the YOG in 2007. He simply went ahead and bid for it without conducting a study to assess the level of public support of it. As a result, the YOG is becoming "Your Own Game" instead of a genuine national event involving all Singaporeans.

3. Lack of enthusiasm and support among Singaporeans for YOG:

Dr Vivian has more than two years to publicize and promote the YOG among Singaporeans. Nearly $10 million dollars of taxpayers' monies are spent on giant YOG billboards and banners put up all over Singapore and yet few Singaporeans are remotely interested in it. In an online poll conducted by Channel News Asia two weeks ago, 88 percent of some 6,400 Singaporeans said they are "not interested in the YOG at all" while 4 percent has never heard about it despite the extensive coverage given by the Singapore media. The lack of interest from Singaporeans for the YOG is evidenced by the rows of empty seats at its games and events with the live band at Marina promontory playing to a non-existent audience for days.

4. Lack of interest and publicity from the international media:

Dr Vivian claimed that YOG is supposed to put Singapore on the world map, but interest from the international media has been scanty at best. Billed as Singapore's "biggest" show, the YOG opening ceremony did not even make the sports headines of major international papers with the limelight stolen by the English Premier League, PGA and Rogers Cup. News coverage of the YOG was relegated to inconspicuous corners of most foreign publications if they do appear at all. Other than the relatives and friends of the athletes, hardly anybody has heard of YOG outside Singapore.

5. Ticketing lapses:

This must be a first in an international sporting event - tickets are sold out but yet the seats are empty causing athletes to perform in near empty stadiums. It turns out that MOE and various state agencies have bought the tickets in advance for distribution to their students and staff, few of whom bother to attend the games, resulting in genuine fans not being able to watch them on the day of the competition.

6. Forcing students to attend YOG events:

Due to the lack of support from the people, Singapore students are being forced to attend YOG events with a primary school principal even asking the students to pay a $5 "deposit" to ensure they turn up. Another primary school coerced its students to stand in the rain for hours to welcome the YOG torch rally. Some are threatened with not being given their testimonials or corrective work order if they do not support the YOG.

7. Giving YOG volunteers substandard food while treating athletes like kings:

While athletes are given three daily buffet meals, YOG volunteers who have to work for long hours without rest are given substandard inadequate food not fit for human consumption. From the callous manner which the volunteers are being treated or rather mistreated, it is pretty obvious that Dr Vivian does not acknowledge, let alone appreciate their contributions at all. They are nothing more but mere "slaves" in his eyes to ensure that his YOG becomes a success, if ever.

8. Safety issues at YOG venues:

A roof canvas collapsed in a heavy downpour at a YOG venue *SCAPE. Fortunately, nobody was injured as there are few people around at the scene. A temporary platform collapsed injuring a journalist from China. These lapses in safety are almost unheard of in international sporting events.

9. Mass food poisoning outbreak at two YOG venues:

On 15 August 2010, 26 YOG volunteers came down with diarrhoea and abdominal pain after taking contaminated meals provided by the YOG food caterer. The volunteers and public were not informed of the mass food poisoning outbreak until three days later after the news was leaked and spreading like wildfire on the internet, suggesting of a cover-up by the organizers. In the first place, such a lapse in the food hygiene should not have happened at all. Instead of calling a press conference to explain the incident to concerned parents, Dr Vivian simply said during a side event that the investigations will take "some time".

10. Daily inconveniences for Singaporeans:

Ordinary Singaporeans struggling to make a living have to put up with many unexpected inconveniences caused by an over-zealous administration under the charge of Dr Vivian desperate to make itself look good in the eyes of the world. Motorists are told repeatedly to give way to YOG vehicles in YOG-designated lanes or fined $130. Bus routes are diverted with little warning and commuters have to walk long distances to reach their destinations. NTU has been turned into a "high security prison" with many road blocks and diversions. School examinations were re-scheduled so that the students can support the YOG. Parents have to stay up late to wait for their children to return home after their volunteer stint. The list goes on.

Conclusion

The YOG has no tangible benefits for Singaporeans and is nothing more but a $387 million dollar "vanity fair" of Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. If he still has any sense of shame left in him, he should apologize to Singaporeans unreservedly and explain and clarify the lingering doubts about the handling of the YOG on our minds.

Haahhahahahha befuddled Old Fool. What would an apology from these scums achieve? more lip services?

U think politics is like kids playing masak?

heres an advice for you old quack, tay at home and let the men handle the politics

 

[ChaoAhBeng]

its hard to be a minister here. 90% of us dun even bother bout this big event. but when one screw up, suddenly 90% of ppl will appear to blame them.

 

[Velma]

I put up this thread with a question mark at the back.

i.e. This petition isn't start by me. Capitalizing on Temasek Review? Nah. I see things by merits.

I read the petition and it has touched on many valid points. But whether it is "wise" or "alright" or "workable| to demand apology from VV, is totally another matter.

Goh Meng Seng

This petition is similar to a banzai charge, brave, gallant, noble but ultimately, wasted.

These people should consolidate all the proof of dirty tricks during YOG and use it against PAP next General Election.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

This petition is similar to a banzai charge, brave, gallant, noble but ultimately, wasted.

These people should consolidate all the proof of dirty tricks during YOG and use it against PAP next General Election.

In a way, I agree with you. TSL and VV are going to be our best campaigners for future GE. Imagine, students from 15 years old to 18 years old will become voters in 4 to 7 years time. They may become the key to future political Tsunami. We must keep them in PAP and in time to come, they will become our best campaigners.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[Ramseth]

In a way, I agree with you. TSL and VV are going to be our best campaigners for future GE. Imagine, students from 15 years old to 18 years old will become voters in 4 to 7 years time. They may become the key to future political Tsunami. We must keep them in PAP and in time to come, they will become our best campaigners.

The girls would have gotten cushy jobs and forgotten about it.

The guys would have to go NS and learn what's intimidation and subordination.

Cpt. Goh and the type always teach NSmen these things well and experientially unforgettable.

Those that ran way (AWOL) Cpt. Goh would call provost and police.

Once we caught them, their fate at that moment was even worse.

After the whole experience, they always vote PAP.

They'd never believe they couldn't be arrested again if they vote otherwise.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

Once we caught them, their fate at that moment was even worse.

After the whole experience, they always vote PAP.

They'd never believe they couldn't be arrested again if they vote otherwise.

It cuts both ways. They either become docile or more angry to vote against PAP.


Goh Meng Seng

 

[myfoot123]

its hard to be a minister here. 90% of us dun even bother bout this big event. but when one screw up, suddenly 90% of ppl will appear to blame them.

[COLOR="_______"]For a million dollars salary, we can't expect anything less, can we? Otherwise how to justify LKY's own word of "competence". Besides, Vivian is a well known hypocrite, capitalised on our tax monies, for his own credit. If there is no one to assess on his performances, who will? We are here to spur him in the hide without much appreciation from him. [/COLOR]

 

[Green Light]

In a way, I agree with you. TSL and VV are going to be our best campaigners for future GE. Imagine, students from 15 years old to 18 years old will become voters in 4 to 7 years time. They may become the key to future political Tsunami. We must keep them in PAP and in time to come, they will become our best campaigners.

Goh Meng Seng

Are you reading all the sentiments from the internet or on the ground? Have you go to the ground to asked those youth volunteers or you are taking it all from TR? I would suggest you do your own investigation rather then blindly follow the post from the internet, 1 good example is the YOG concert at MB and you really think the volunteers complaint about the food as what TR claimed?

 

[Green Light]

It cuts both ways. They either become docile or more angry to vote against PAP.


Goh Meng Seng

I hope you didn't under estimate our youth, you should be worry if they vote base on their emotions, is that Y you guys keep string negative sentiment and make as many ppl angry as possible? You think this strategy can work?

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

Are you reading all the sentiments from the internet or on the ground? Have you go to the ground to asked those youth volunteers or you are taking it all from TR? I would suggest you do your own investigation rather then blindly follow the post from the internet, 1 good example is the YOG concert at MB and you really think the volunteers complaint about the food as what TR claimed?

Put it bluntly, if the situation is not that bad, do you think the minister will hold a press conference right in the middle of the game?

Goh Meng Seng

 

[Green Light]

Put it bluntly, if the situation is not that bad, do you think the minister will hold a press conference right in the middle of the game?

Goh Meng Seng

You need to differentiate the virtual world and real life, talk to the volunteers and gather the info on your own and not by guessing. If you think you keep preesing on the negative issue here will do you good for gathering more support and votes then I will shut up my mouth from now

 

[Velma]

In a way, I agree with you. TSL and VV are going to be our best campaigners for future GE. Imagine, students from 15 years old to 18 years old will become voters in 4 to 7 years time. They may become the key to future political Tsunami. We must keep them in PAP and in time to come, they will become our best campaigners.

Goh Meng Seng

Ironically, the refusal of the ministers to resign might lead to the downfall of the PAP, since the figure of hate is going to pull the popularity of the party down with him. Same reason why Japanese politicians keep resigning. One, a sense of responsibility. Two, so as not to make the party more unpopular.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

You need to differentiate the virtual world and real life, talk to the volunteers and gather the info on your own and not by guessing. If you think you keep preesing on the negative issue here will do you good for gathering more support and votes then I will shut up my mouth from now

Why do you assume that I did not talk to volunteers?

There will be people who like it, there will be people who dislike or even hate it. That is pretty normal. The key is which group of people is the majority.

Anyway, I enjoyed my younger life when I volunteer for quite a number of events but I am not in opposition politics.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[Ramseth]

There will be people who like it, there will be people who dislike or even hate it. That is pretty normal. The key is which group of people is the majority.

Minister talking a group of volunteers : How's things? Everything's OK?

Volunteers : OK, it's alright.

Opposition talking to same group of volunteers : How's things? Everything's OK?

Volunteers : Wah lan eh! The work kan na slave the food kan na shit!

 

[Angelo]

Hahahahaha. 2 losers here talking to each other about politics.

One is an old scumbag nobody gives a damn about, the other is a castrated ex poodle who sucks dick for a living.

Hahahahahahahahahhahaa

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

Ironically, the refusal of the ministers to resign might lead to the downfall of the PAP, since the figure of hate is going to pull the popularity of the party down with him. Same reason why Japanese politicians keep resigning. One, a sense of responsibility. Two, so as not to make the party more unpopular.

I think "figure of hate" is just too strong a phrase. I have to agree with some people here that many of these problems are actually "small" or "localized". eg. The dog food problem only applies to certain area (I believe the catering contracts are given out based on area). The bigger problem lies with the organizing philosophy. There was one article which I read on Yawning Bread, very accurate about the sentiments. PAP is just too used to using "soft coercion" to get what it wants. Thus you get civil servants sending vile threats to students and such.

The killing part lies here, the way things are done in YOG has unwittingly exploded the philosophical mindset of management of PAP. Most importantly, it puts many people off, from students to parents. The more than half empty seats are just subtle protests by parents and students.

This is the key to the political awakening, not so much of dog food or poison food. It will make people think of whether they still want such political environment or not. In the past, things are not so acute but here, it is all bombed into one single event, YOG. That is why it has turned ugly.

Of course, VV and TSL are on the front line of fire. It seems that the new generations of Singaporeans will no longer take kind of crappy arrogant and autocratic management style from a dominant ruling party anymore.

Well, may not be VV and TSL faults as this is their SOP after all, but they just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[Angelo]

I think "figure of hate" is just too strong a phrase. I have to agree with some people here that many of these problems are actually "small" or "localized". eg. The dog food problem only applies to certain area (I believe the catering contracts are given out based on area). The bigger problem lies with the organizing philosophy. There was one article which I read on Yawning Bread, very accurate about the sentiments. PAP is just too used to using "soft coercion" to get what it wants. Thus you get civil servants sending vile threats to students and such.

The killing part lies here, the way things are done in YOG has unwittingly exploded the philosophical mindset of management of PAP. Most importantly, it puts many people off, from students to parents. The more than half empty seats are just subtle protests by parents and students.

This is the key to the political awakening, not so much of dog food or poison food. It will make people think of whether they still want such political environment or not. In the past, things are not so acute but here, it is all bombed into one single event, YOG. That is why it has turned ugly.

Of course, VV and TSL are on the front line of fire. It seems that the new generations of Singaporeans will no longer take kind of crappy arrogant and autocratic management style from a dominant ruling party anymore.

Well, may not be VV and TSL faults as this is their SOP after all, but they just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Goh Meng Seng

Still want to make a fool of yourself?

 

[Velma]

I think "figure of hate" is just too strong a phrase. I have to agree with some people here that many of these problems are actually "small" or "localized". eg. The dog food problem only applies to certain area (I believe the catering contracts are given out based on area). The bigger problem lies with the organizing philosophy. There was one article which I read on Yawning Bread, very accurate about the sentiments. PAP is just too used to using "soft coercion" to get what it wants. Thus you get civil servants sending vile threats to students and such.

The killing part lies here, the way things are done in YOG has unwittingly exploded the philosophical mindset of management of PAP. Most importantly, it puts many people off, from students to parents. The more than half empty seats are just subtle protests by parents and students.

This is the key to the political awakening, not so much of dog food or poison food. It will make people think of whether they still want such political environment or not. In the past, things are not so acute but here, it is all bombed into one single event, YOG. That is why it has turned ugly.

Of course, VV and TSL are on the front line of fire. It seems that the new generations of Singaporeans will no longer take kind of crappy arrogant and autocratic management style from a dominant ruling party anymore.

Well, may not be VV and TSL faults as this is their SOP after all, but they just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Goh Meng Seng

"Soft coercion" has never been much of an issue in Singapore. Singaporeans of all races have been coerced in primary and secondary schools. Your teacher will "volunteer" any unlucky bastard to be class monitor if nobody volunteers. Your school will volunteer students for as volunteers for sports events, whether they like it or not.

During the good old days, being volunteered and doing the job means getting benefits. As a class monitor, you can report your classmates who did wrong and your words will carry much more weight to the teacher. As a volunteer for sports events in your school, you get access to food and beverages of decent quality first. There was a sense of basic respect towards volunteers then.

Singaporeans are aggrieved that nowadays, being volunteered and doing the job means the head honchos can treat you like dogs. The YOG volunteers were "volunteered", given horrible food, some got poisoned and now they have to contend with maggots. Everybody will be upset under these circumstances. The volunteers are not angry about being volunteered (they are used to it) but the lack of basic respect towards them. Athletes and performers are given high-quality food but the volunteers, who did quite a lot of work, are given poor-quality food. What the volunteers want, is equality.

Equality to have the same quality food as the athletes and equality to be respected. If Ng Ser Miang had given fast food coupons and free flow of Coke to the volunteers, there will barely be a whimper of complaint.

 

[aurvandil]

In a way, I agree with you. TSL and VV are going to be our best campaigners for future GE. Imagine, students from 15 years old to 18 years old will become voters in 4 to 7 years time. They may become the key to future political Tsunami. We must keep them in PAP and in time to come, they will become our best campaigners.

Goh Meng Seng

If you are serious about using this strategy, then PLEASE STOP DRILLING THEM. We need them to survive. We don't want them to be be eaten by an angry old lion. Most importantly we don't want them to be replaced people who can actually carry the youth vote.

 

[jw5]

Put it bluntly, if the situation is not that bad, do you think the minister will hold a press conference right in the middle of the game?

Goh Meng Seng

There are 2 things that the opposition should get from him. Firstly, an item by item account of how the $387 Million was spent. Secondly, a firm timeline on when the food poisoning cases will be investigated and resolved.

The other things, he will simply reply that it's part and parcel of holding a "prestigous" event in SG, a "price" that we will have to pay for bringing in more "investments and tourism". This would include inconveniences to motorists, time spent for volunteers and students, etc etc.

An apology? Don't think it's going to happen, unless he gets an order from above, which is as unlikely as solving the flood problem by next week. He already said that he would have spent more if necessary, he's not going to backtrack and apologise now.

In any case, some damage control has already started. I was unfortunate enough to catch the last part of an interview with VB on tv, where in a voice filled with emotion, he praised the volunteers and their valuable contribution.