http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/403473/1/.html
Civil servant rapped over cooking holiday
Posted: 19 January 2009 1754 hrs
Le Cordon Bleu in Paris
SINGAPORE - A senior Singaporean civil servant has been reprimanded for publicising his family's vacation at a top French cooking school when his country is suffering from a recession, a minister said Monday.
"It struck a discordant note during the current difficult economic circumstances when it is especially important to show solidarity and empathy for Singaporeans who are facing uncertainties and hardship," Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said in parliament.
The civil servant, Tan Yong Soon, wrote early this month in a local newspaper about his family's experience learning to cook at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.
He said he attended with his wife and son.Tan, permanent secretary at the ministry of environment and water resources, showed "a lack of sensitivity" and poor judgement, the minister said.
The head of the civil service has already spoken to Tan about the matter, the minister added.
"What the civil servant in question, Mr Tan, does during his vacation leave, this is (a) private decision," said Teo, who is also minister in charge of the civil service.
"However, I was disappointed with what he wrote in to The Straits Times."
According to the newspaper, a basic cuisine course at Le Cordon Bleu costs S$15,500. - AFP/vm
Civil servant rapped over cooking holiday
Posted: 19 January 2009 1754 hrs
Le Cordon Bleu in Paris
SINGAPORE - A senior Singaporean civil servant has been reprimanded for publicising his family's vacation at a top French cooking school when his country is suffering from a recession, a minister said Monday.
"It struck a discordant note during the current difficult economic circumstances when it is especially important to show solidarity and empathy for Singaporeans who are facing uncertainties and hardship," Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said in parliament.
The civil servant, Tan Yong Soon, wrote early this month in a local newspaper about his family's experience learning to cook at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.
He said he attended with his wife and son.Tan, permanent secretary at the ministry of environment and water resources, showed "a lack of sensitivity" and poor judgement, the minister said.
The head of the civil service has already spoken to Tan about the matter, the minister added.
"What the civil servant in question, Mr Tan, does during his vacation leave, this is (a) private decision," said Teo, who is also minister in charge of the civil service.
"However, I was disappointed with what he wrote in to The Straits Times."
According to the newspaper, a basic cuisine course at Le Cordon Bleu costs S$15,500. - AFP/vm