N.KOREA CONDUCTS NUCLEAR TEST: Warns of more tests

May 25, 2009

N.KOREA CONDUCTS NUCLEAR TEST

Warns of more tests

		North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear complex near Pyongyang. -- PHOTO: KOREA HERALD

MOSCOW - NORTH Korea could carry out more nuclear tests if the United States continues attempts to intimidate Pyongyang, Itar-Tass news agency quoted an unidentified official in North Korea's embassy in Moscow as saying.

The source said new nuclear tests would take place 'if the United States and its allies continue the policy of intimidation against North Korea', Tass reported.

VIDEO N. Korea holds nuclear test (2:10) S.Korea military forms crisis team after nuke test report SEOUL - SOUTH Korea's military on Monday formed a 'crisis management' team of general-level officers after North Korea announced it had carried out a nuclear test, the defence ministry said. 'Top military officials led by the defence minister are holding an emergency meeting after forming a crisis management team,' a ministry spokesman said. ... more S.Korean markets hit SEOUL - SEOUL stocks fell sharply and the won slipped against the dollar on concerns North Korea's nuclear test early on Monday could sap investor confidence in the South Korean markets and economy. The main Seoul stock market's benchmark KOSPI fell 2.22 per cent by 0326 GMT (1126 Singapore time), although recouping much of its early more than 6 per cent dip. The won was down 1 per cent on the day at 1,259.9 per dollar. ... more

North Korea said it successfully conducted a nuclear test on Monday, a move certain to further isolate the prickly state, which argues it has no choice but to build an atomic arsenal to protect itself in a hostile world.

It also defiantly declared that it carried out a powerful underground nuclear test - a major provocation less than two months after launching a rocket widely believed to be a test of its long-range missile technology.

North Korea, incensed by UN Security Council condemnation of its April 5 rocket launch, had warned last month that it would restart it rogue nuclear programme, conduct an atomic test and carry out long-range missile tests.

On Monday, the country's official Korean Central News Agency said the regime 'successfully conducted one more underground nuclear test on May 25 as part of measures to bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defence'.

The regime boasted that the test was conducted 'on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology of its control' than one carried out in 2006.

Russia, which shares a short border with North Korea, confirmed its facilities detected a nuclear test in northeastern North Korea, the ITAR-Tass news agency said, citing an unnamed Russian Defense Ministry official.

In Washington, a US counter-proliferation official said there was reason to believe North Korea had conducted a nuclear test. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Monday's tests raise the stakes in the tense international standoff over North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.

'If North Korea carried out a nuclear test, it would clearly violate UN Security Council resolutions,' chief government spokesman Takeo Kawamura told reporters in Tokyo. 'We will definitely not tolerate it.'

Japan will request an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss North Korea, Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka said, according to the Kyodo news agency. -- AP

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N.KOREA CONDUCTS NUCLEAR TEST: Countries condemn test

May 25, 2009

N.KOREA CONDUCTS NUCLEAR TEST

Countries condemn test

		The reported nuclear test by North Korea is 'very, very worrying', EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said on Monday. -- PHOTO: AFP

THE international community strongly condemned North Korea's nuclear test on Monday. Many countries also voiced their concerns and worries regarding the issue.

The United States has begun consultations with its allies in a bid to establish facts about North Korea's claim that it had conducted a new nuclear test, a State Department official said late on Sunday.

Reaction to N.Korea's nuclear test FOLLOWING is reaction from the international community and political analysts to North Korea's nuclear test. UNITED STATES President Barack Obama said North Korea's nuclear and missile tests were a 'matter of grave concern to all nations' and warranted action by the international community. 'North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community. North Korea's behaviour increases tensions and undermines stability in Northeast Asia,' he said in a statement. ... more

'We are aware of the reports of a nuclear test by North Korea,' the official told reporters on condition of anonymity. 'We are consulting with our allies. Once we have established the facts, we will have more to say.'

The comments came after North Korea said it had staged a 'successful' underground nuclear test on Monday, which was more powerful than its previous test.

The Russian foreign ministry meanwhile, voiced 'concern' about North Korea's nuclear test but was still examining the situation, the RIA-Novosti state news agency reported.

'The information about the North Korean nuclear test evokes concern, but before reaching any final conclusions it must be carefully checked,' the ministry's press service was quoted as saying.

The reported nuclear test by North Korea is 'very, very worrying', EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said on Monday.

'I have not had it confirmed yet so I am very cautious still, but if this is so, it would certainly be very, very worrying and should be condemned,' Ms Ferrero-Waldner told reporters during a visit to Thailand. 'This is a very concerning moment,' she added.

Britain called the nuclear test 'clear breach' of UN resolution. 'I think we need to send a very clear message to North Korea that they need to re-engage with the six-party process,' British junior foreign minister Bill Rammell said in Hanoi on the sidelines of a meeting of Asian and European foreign ministers.

'It's again a very clear breach,' Mr Rammell said, adding that Britain was 'very concerned' about the development. -- AFP

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China opposes nuke tests

May 25, 2009

N.Korea conducts nuclear tests

China opposes nuke tests

		As the test has angered China, it is unlikely to back stronger sanctions as part of any new UN Security Council resolution. --PHOTO: AFP

BEIJING - CHINA'S government says it is 'resolutely opposed' to the nuclear weapons test carried out by communist neighbour and ally North Korea.

A Foreign Ministry statement says the North carried out Monday's test in defiance of the international community and its own commitments to denuclearise the Korean peninsula.

Japan vows 'stern action' TOKYO - JAPAN on Monday vowed 'stern action' against communist North Korea over its latest nuclear test and said it would seek an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. 'If North Korea conducted a nuclear test, it is a clear violation of UN resolutions,' said top government spokesman Takeo Kawamura as Prime Minister Taro Aso set up a special crisis task force. ... more

The statement on the ministry's website says Pyongyang should avoid actions that would sharpen tensions and return to the six-nation process to dismantle its nuclear programmes.

China is the North's main source of diplomatic support and opposed additional United Nations' sanctions after Pyongyang tested a long-range missile earlier this year. It also provides food and fuel aid to North Korea.

While the test has angered China, it is unlikely to back stronger sanctions as part of any new UN Security Council resolution, Chinese analysts said on Monday.

As a permanent member of the council, China has the power to veto any such resolution. But it is likely to face pressure from Washington and other regional capitals to support measures punishing the North for its test.

Pressure was already building on China to take a firmer stand as host of the now-stalled six-party talks among regional powers that aim to dismantle North Korea's nuclear programme.

Beijing condemned North Korea's first nuclear test blast in 2006 as a 'brazen' slap in the face for Chinese leaders, who give the North crucial economic and diplomatic protection.

This time, China's leaders will probably be more careful to balance their anger against worries that Pyongyang could make the six-party nuclear disarmament talks unsalvageable, said Xu Guangyu, a nuclear expert at the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association. Already, however, pressure is building on Beijing.

'The Chinese must use their influence to help bring North Korea to the table for the six-party talks,' US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was visiting China, said in a statement issued through the US Embassy in Beijing.

Ms Pelosi was in Shanghai. 'Today's announcement makes that need all the more urgent.' -- AP, REUTERS

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North Korea: 3 missiles test-fired

May 25, 2009

N.KOREA CONDUCTS NUCLEAR TEST

3 missiles test-fired

		This Jan 5, 2009 photo shows a missile-firing drill in North Korea. North Korea seems to have test-fired a short-range missile on Monday. -- PHOTO: AFP

SEOUL - NORTH Korea test-fired three short-range missiles on Monday, the same day it conducted an underground nuclear test, South Korea's military said.

'North Korea (test)fired a short-range missile from Musudan at around 12pm (11am Singapore time) and two more short-range missiles from Wonsan at around 5pm,' a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff told AFP. He gave no more details.

VIDEO N. Korea holds nuclear test (2:10) N.Korean test near 2006 test site VIENNA - THE 'event' North Korea says was a nuclear test on Monday measured 4.5 on the Richter scale. It was also within a couple of kilometres of a previous test in October 2006, a UN-backed group said on Monday. ... more SEOUL - THE following is the full text of the report released on Monday by Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It was released after what the North said was its second nuclear weapons test. ... more

Yonhap news agency quoted sources as saying the North fired three ground-to-air missiles with a range of 130km.

MSingapore, Singapore Kopitiam, sunkopitiam, Singapore Forum, Singapurakini, missile test, nuclear test, North Koreausudan-ri on the northeast coast is where the North fired a long-range Taepodong-2 rocket on April 5. Wonsan is a city on the southeast coast, where another missile base is located.

Yonhap quoted one official as saying the North may have been trying to deter US aerial surveillance efforts following the nuclear test.

Japan's coast guard said last week the communist state was warning ships not to pass through waters within a 130km radius of the town of Kimchaek on its northeast coast.

The North says its April 5 launch put a satellite into orbit but other nations said it staged a disguised missile test. The UN Security Council condemned the launch and tightened sanctions on Pyongyang firms.

In response the North threatened more nuclear and missile tests. It announced on Monday it had conducted a second nuclear test, more powerful than the first in October 2006. The test was conducted in the Kilju region not far from Musudan-ri.

Countries around the world condemned the tests, with some saying they are considering imposing sanctions against Pyongyang. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said on Monday he was 'deeply disturbed' by North Korea's nuclear test and was closely following events.

The UN chief called on Pyongyang to respect UN Security Council resolution 1718, which demands that North Korea refrain from nuclear testing. The resolution was passed afte the regime's first nuclear test in 2006. -- AFP

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We're too mollycoddled

May 25, 2009

We're too mollycoddled

		Mr Sam Tan, MP for Marine Parade GRC, is worried that Singaporeans might have been so mollycoddled by the Government that they have become so used to what he calls 'recession cushion'. -- ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI

MANY Singaporeans see Government help as an entitlement, something they would tap on as a first port of call rather than as a last resort, said a backbencher in Parliament on Monday.

Recession? What recession? DESPITE all the gloom and doom coming out of the United States and other countries, it seems 'business as usual' for Singaporeans, who are still spending freely and as cheerful as ever, an MP has noted. Mr Sam Tan, MP of Tanjong Pagar GRC, wondered if this 'buoyant optimism' is the Government's fault. ... more RELATED LINKS SPEECH BY MP SAM TAN

Mr Sam Tan, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, is worried that Singaporeans might have been so mollycoddled by the Government that they have become 'practised at the craft of recession cushioning', and so accustomed to the government largesse.

'Each time the economy shows signs of slowing down, we've the NTUC and the e2i coming out to the forefront to job match, provide training, reduce retrenchment,' he said in his speech on the President's address.

'We've Ministry of National Development pump-priming with infrastructure projects. We've, of course, the Ministry of Communications, Youth and Sports and its numerous help schemes.'

Making clear that he is 'not diminishing the efforts' of civil servants and unionists, Mr Tan added: 'I am, however, wondering what the true impact of all these efforts are.

'Suppose you're the father of an eight-year-old boy who wants to learn how to cycle. Do you line the streets with cushions so that he would not hurt himself if he loses his balance?

'Do you brace his knees, and every conceivable part of his exposedbody with padding? You might, if you were an extremely protective father. But a commonsensical approach would be to let the boy have a go at it himself, and take the knocks and spills as they come.

'A boy who's mollycoddled is a very different person from the one who is physically tough and take the spills without fear, and whining. The latter, I think could be the approach that we take towards helping Singaporeans during tough times.'

Citing an example to back his point, Mr Tan said recently he has seen many residents, especially the elderly, come and see him at meet-the-people sessions.

'The difference is that while in the past, many of them would be hesitant to do so, and would rely on their children first. Today, many see the government help as an entitlement, something that they should tap on as a first port of call, rather than a last resort.

'I want to spare my children the burden of caring for me', they tell me. I am frankly astonished and dismayed, for my traditional Confucius values tell me that it is the natural obligation for children to look after their parents, and for the parents to be cared for by their children when they grow old.

'I would sometimes tell them 'You should let the children care for you, not the state, not because this is a good public policy (although it is), not because society expects it (although it might), but because it is the right thing to do.

'It is filial piety, one of the most fundamental values of the human race.'

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Petition to DPM Teo Chee Hean to give a special award to Liu Guodong

Petition to DPM Teo Chee Hean to give a special award to Liu Guodong

35 Signatures

Published by Eugene on May 24, 2009

Category: Sports

Region: Singapore

Target: Singaporeans

Web site: http://www.wayangparty.com

Background (Preamble):

Petition to DPM Teo Chee Hean to give a special award to Liu Guodong in recognition of his contributions to the Singapore Table Tennis team winning a silver medal in the Beijing Olympics

Ex-Singapore Table Tennis coach won an Olympic Silver medal in the Beijing Olympics games in 2008 for Singapore, but was never recognized for his contributions.

[A petition drive will be held on 6 June 2009 (Sat), 5pm at Hong Lim Park]

Petition:

We are signing this petition to request Singapore National Olympic Council to give a special award to the ex-coach of the Singapore Table-Tennis Team Mr Liu Guodong in recognition of his achievement in winning a silver medal for Singapore during the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

An Olympic medal is the pinnacle of all sporting achievements and is the most prestigious award that all sportsmen and women can dream of. Some spent their entire lives aiming to win a medal at the Olympics held every four years.

The importance, fame and pride attached to an Olympic medal is why winning athletes and coaches are accorded the highest accolade, honor and rewards everywhere in the world.

Unfortunately in Singapore which prides itself on meritocracy, an Olympic medal winning coach does not even qualified to be nominated for the "Coach of the Year" award which devalues the medal and make a mockery out of the award given out yearly by SNOC.

We feel strongly that Mr Liu Guodong is the only coach who deserves the "Coach of the Year" award for 2009. By not giving out the award this year, SNOC has indicated that it also share the same views as us.

The winner of last year award is Mr Radojko Avramovic and the year before, Mr Zhang Yong Qiang. With due respect to them, none of them won an Olympic medal before. In fact, none of the coaches who won the award since it was inaugurated in 1970 had ever won a medal in the Olympics games.

Singapore has spent millions of dollars on its Foreign Sports Talent Scheme is a scheme used by sports officials and organisations in Singapore to scout, identity and facilitate the migration of non-Singaporeans deemed to possess sports talent to play in Singapore colours in sporting events.

The aim of this scheme is to win medals for Singapore and Mr Liu has achieved this remarkable feat by leading the Singapore Table Tennis team to win a first Olympic silver medal for Singapore as an independent nation.

If winning an Olympic medal does not qualify a coach to win the "Coach of the year" award, what message will we be sending to other foreign coaches who are interested to offer their services in Singapore? Will the best coaches in the world be attracted here knowing that his performance will not be judged by the results he achieved in the sports?

Mr Liu Guodong was appointed coach of the Singapore Table Tennis team in 2006. He worked hard to bring the team up the international rankings which culminated in an Olympic medal.

Feng Tianwei, who played a pivotal role in Singapore's victory over South Korea in the semi-finals of the Beijing Olympics, was talent spotted by Mr Liu while playing in the Japan professional league in 2006.

All these occurred before Ms Lee Bee Wah took over as STTA President in 2008 3 weeks before the team's departure for Beijing.

Without Mr Liu's stewardship, it is unlikely that Singapore will win a medal in the Beijing Olympics. We should express our gratitude and appreciation for his efforts by giving him the coveted "Coach of the year" award.

Since STTA has refused to nominate Mr Liu for the award and SNOC has decided to not to give the award to another less deserving coach, we would like to request SNOC to give a special award to Mr Liu instead.

The SNOC Special Award is only given on two occasions in 2004 to the National Water Polo Teams from 1965 to 2003 for maintaining a 40 year winning streak in the SEA games and in 2005 to swimmer Joscelin Yeo for winning 9 gold medals in the SEA games since 1993.

Mr Liu Guodong had won Singapore numerous medals during his tenure as coach of the Table Tennis team. Based on these achievements, he truly deserves a special award from SNOC.

We implore SNOC to show the world that Singaporeans are appreciative, gracious and magnanimous enough to recognize the immense contributions of ex-coach Liu Guodong even after he has left the team.

For your kind consideration, please.

A group of concerned Singaporeans

http://www.gopetition.com/online/28011.html

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Let's have a code to ensure transparency of societies

Let's have a code to ensure transparency of societies

THE AWARE saga suggests the usefulness of instituting a "code for takeovers" for registered charities and registered societies, similar to the code which applies primarily to listed public companies and listed registered business trusts.

Charities and registered societies play a vital role in supporting a flourishing civil polity by delivering aid to the needy, providing advocacy on behalf of marginalised groups and serving as an intermediary between the state and the people.

If the boards and trustees of charities and registered societies are protected from challengers, they would tend to become complacent, if not negligent, and society would lose out.

What is crucial is transparency.

- First, the slate of candidates (both incumbent and newcomers) for the board or executive committee of a charity or registered society should be made known to the members at least one month prior to an election.

- Second, candidates should disclose whether, and with whom, they are "acting in concert".

- Third, candidates should disclose their intentions concerning the organisation and whether they plan to make any major changes to its direction or programmes.

The members of the charity or registered society can then make an informed decision at the election, and the crisis of legitimacy as was faced by the "new guard" at the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) will be less likely to occur.

Joseph Wong Kok Sen

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Why teaching youth about condoms is important

Why teaching youth about condoms is important

I REFER to last Wednesday's Forum Online letter, "Useful programme except for condom excerpt" by Mr Steven Tan, in which he argues that teaching youth about condom use will "confuse" them into unprotected sexual activity.

Last November, it was reported in the media that one in four sexually active women does not use birth control.

A 2002 profile of women going for abortions at the National University Hospital found that 75.5 per cent were married and a large proportion did not use birth control regularly.

According to Ministry of Health statistics, most women in Singapore who contracted the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are married.

It is clear from the above�that many sexually active people in Singapore, including those who are married,�are not adequately informed�about the importance of using condoms.

The message of sexual abstinence�is not sufficient - young people must be taught about condoms so that they are�adequately prepared�when they do become sexually active.

The claim that teaching condom use "confuses" young people is the�same argument that persuaded Uganda�to abandon its strategy of�encouraging condom use in favour of "abstinence-only" education. After the change in strategy in 2001, HIV infection rates shot up.� About 130,000 new infections were identified in 2005, in comparison to 70,000 in 2002.

The World Health Organisation, Doctors Without Borders, and UNAids (a joint programme among several United Nations bodies) all take the position that the promotion of condom use is vital to securing public health.

The Health Promotion Board is right to teach our youth about condoms in accordance with�international expert medical consensus.�

We should not allow our discomfort with sensitive topics prevent us from protecting the health of our nation.

Jolene Tan Siyu (Ms)

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Two to quit STTA

May 24, 2009

Two to quit STTA

By Terrence Voon
		The latest turn of events comes just weeks after the association hit the headlines when it refused to nominate ex-national head coach Liu Guodong for this year's Singapore Sports Awards, which many believed he would be a shoo-in to win. -- PHOTO: NP

In another blow to the already embattled Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA), a high-ranking official is set to leave the organisation, with another possibly following suit.

The Sunday Times understands that the high-ranking official - who is in the association's senior management - will be leaving his post after less than a year on the job.

It is believed that candidates have already been interviewed to fill the post.

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STTA blow: Top official to quit, another may leave

STTA blow: Top official to quit, another may leave

By Terrence Voon from The Straits Times

In another blow to the already embattled Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA), a high-ranking official is set to leave the organisation, with another possibly following suit.

The Sunday Times understands that the high-ranking official - who is in the association’s senior management - will be leaving his post after less than a year on the job.

It is believed that candidates have already been interviewed to fill the post.

The second official, who holds an honorary post, may also leave the association.

Sources say he has stopped attending association meetings and is said to be disillusioned with the direction the STTA is heading in.

The latest turn of events comes just weeks after the association hit the headlines when it refused to nominate ex-national head coach Liu Guodong for this year’s Singapore Sports Awards, which many believed he would be a shoo-in to win. It said then that Liu was not worthy of the award.

Angered by what he saw as a slight on his character and integrity, Liu demanded an explanation and flew to Singapore to seek a resolution to the argument.

However, after two meetings with STTA officials, he left in a huff, saying nothing had been resolved.

Liu, 35, left the association last year after leading the women’s table tennis team to a historic silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.

But he also made the news for his controversial management style. He was accused of neglecting the men’s team and then-Singapore No. 1 Wang Yuegu in the build-up to the Olympics.

Efforts to contact the association for clarification over Liu’s comments have been

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Most unpleasant saga

Most unpleasant saga

Singaporeans had largely forgotten the episode and put it behind them. Last August, jubilation that the women’s table tennis team had won silver at the Beijing Olympic Games was dampened by a very public spat. This occurred after the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) blamed team manager Anthony Lee and head coach Liu Guodong for the early elimination of top male player Gao Ning.

The disagreeable squabble was a long-running saga, with many angry members of the public writing to The Straits Times to complain of the STTA’s ill-timed attacks on Lee and Liu. Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan had to intervene to resolve the matter.

This month, memories of the unpleasant episode were stirred up again when the Singapore National Olympic Council announced that there would be no winner for the Coach of the Year category in the annual sports awards.

The nominees were passed over whereas Liu, considered a sure thing, had not been nominated by the STTA. Its reasons: he lacked integrity and was unable to command the respect of his players. The STTA did not explain what this meant. An indignant Liu, who had left Singapore for a coaching job in Indonesia, returned to seek clarification from the STTA. But last Monday, he left an angry man after five days here without the matter being concluded.

This is just so much needless unpleasantness. The outcome of the whole saga is the worst of all possible outcomes for the STTA. It may have good reason not to make public its problems with Liu. In that case, it could have conducted itself better, such as not making charges it would not substantiate publicly. Chinese netizens have flamed the STTA and Singapore, after Liu spoke to the Chinese media.

As Singapore wants to be a sports nation of some standing and foreign talent will continue to be drawn here even as local ones are groomed, sports bodies will have to learn to act sensibly and with decorum.

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NHG's employee joined Lee Bee Wah in brisk walk at Nee Soon South!!!

BREAKING: wayangparty joined Lee Bee Wah in brisk walk at Nee Soon South!!!

Photo Gallery:

Field report:

ER Lee Bee Wah has been missing in action for over a week since she made the remarks about ex-Table Tennis coach Liu Guodong’s speech in the media. Liu flew to Singapore in person to ask for clarifications, but Lee refused to meet him and send two STTA officials to con him to sign a document in English absolving her from all liabilities instead.

Lee Bee Wah also seem oblivious to the widespread public fury against her as well as the existence of our online petition calling her to step down as STTA President which has garnered over 4,800 signatures so far.

We were tipped off by a Khatib resident that Lee Bee Wah will be attending a grassroots event on the morning of 24 May 2009 and as such we sent 2 field reporters there with the hope of meeting her and submitting our letter and petition.

The event was a brisk walk cum free breakfast organized by the Nee Soon Zone ‘F’ RC. We were taken aback by the participants, most of whom are silver-haired. We are the only young people in the group. The session began with a warm-up exercise followed by a brisk walk around the estate along Yishun Street 81. Lee Bee Wah only joined us much later.

During our interaction with the Khatib residents, we tried to dig out more information about Lee’s recent activities. They are unwilling to talk about the table tennis saga. Most feign ignorance or simply wave their hands to brush us away.

According to one grassroots leader we spoke to, Lee Bee Wah is cutting down on her public appearances lately though she still attend the Thursday Meet-the-People session. He praised Lee as a good MP and claimed that most Khatib residents support her.

Lee Bee Wah was dressed in a white polo T-shirt and black colored slacks. She walked around from table to table shaking hands with the residents. She wore a smile on the face all the time and appeared friendly, approachable and cheerful. It does not seem she is bothered by the STTA controversy.

The residents spoke to Lee Bee Wah at length on a variety of municipal issues such as the estate cleanliness, lack of table tennis table, insufficient carpark lots for the disabled, presence of crows and magpies and the noise from the upgrading. Lee was very obliging to their concerns and even took down notes. We listened earnestly, but nobody brought up the table tennis fracas.

The two of us took turns to talk to Lee Bee Wah separately so as not to arouse the suspicion of others. To be fair, Lee does sound genuinely sincere and concerned about our ’problems’ in spite of her much vilified image in public. She is definitely not as aloof and stuck up as some other PAP MPs.

Perhaps Lee should just focus on her job as a MP. She has proven herself to be too inexperienced and inept as STTA President.

We are supposed to tell Lee Bee Wah straight in the face the following:

“ER Lee Bee Wah, this is a present from 4,500 Singaporeans. We are unanimous in our view that you are UNFIT to be STTA President and we would submitting this petition to express our disgust, anger and disappointment with you. We sincerely implore you to step down as STTA President.”

Unfortunately, Andrew was tongue-tied and did not complete the full sentence. Lee Bee Wah really think the envelope is a “gift” to her. She will be SHOCKED when she read the content of the letter and 4,500 comments on the petition!

This is only the beginning of the show. We will step up our public campaign to exert increasing pressure on Lee Bee Wah to resign and on the PAP to take action. Even if she still refuse to do so, they will be severely humiliated to such an extent that they will lose whatever dignity and credibility left of them.

Please help us by telling everybody you know to sign on the petition to remove Lee Bee Wah as STTA President!

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NHG's employee submits letter and petition with 4,500 signatures asking Lee Bee Wah to resign as STTA President to her IN PERSON

BREAKING: wayangparty submits letter and petition with 4,500 signatures asking Lee Bee Wah to resign as STTA President to her IN PERSON!!!

Photo Gallery:

Click on the link below to listen to our field reporter submitting the letter and petition to Lee Bee Wah:

Conversation with Lee Bee Wah

Letter submitted to Lee Bee Wah in person on behalf of fellow bloggers, netizens and Singaporeans:

ER Lee Bee Wah
President
Singapore Table Tennis Association
Member of Parliament
Nee Soon South Constituency

Dear ER Lee,

RE: ONLINE PETITION REQUESTING YOU TO STEP DOWN AS STTA PRESIDENT

I am Eugene Yeo, Chief Editor of socio-political blog wayangparty.com.

A week ago, I started an online petition calling for your removal as president of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA).

The reasons for me doing so are as follows:

1. This is the second time you have brought STTA into disrepute with your careless and senseless remarks which has demonstrated clearly your ineptitude for the job.

2. You have displayed an utter lack of leadership, emotional intelligence and common sense in the handling of your relationship with Coach Liu Guodong where a little tact and diplomacy on your part would have averted this PR disaster in the first place.

3. As the STTA President, you should step forward to clarify your statements to resolve the issue instead of hiding behind the organization and passing the baton to your subordinates to clear up the mess on your behalf.

4. The public has lost faith and trust in your abilities to bring STTA and the sports forward.

5. Your name has become synonymous with disgust, cowardice and anger following your two major screw-ups. Unless you stepped down, public support for table-tennis is likely to dwindle with you at the helm of STTA.

May I ask you if STTA is funded by taxpayers’ monies or you?

First and foremost, STTA has to account to the public to continue to bring the sports to a higher level to justify the annual funding it receives from the Singapore Sports Council.

While outsiders may have little say in the nomination of Liu Guodong for the ‘Coach of the year’ award, STTA has to be transparent and explain its decision not to nominate him clearly and concisely.

Your explanation that Coach Liu lacked “professionalism, integrity and respect of the players” is completely unacceptable and is a testament of your sheer ignorance of sports management.

If this is indeed so, why did STTA offer to renew contract last year? And why did you even try to persuade him to stay on?

A coach should be judged solely on his results and not by his popularity with the players. Coach Liu has delivered the goods and that is enough for him to win the “Coach of the year” award.

The best coaches in the world are seldom well-liked by the players. Take for example Alex Ferguson which is undoubtably the most successful coach in English football today, but he is definitely not a likeable figure. Just ask David Beckham.

It is impossible for STTA to placate public fury and disappointment without answering the questions below:

1. What are the criteria to determine the coach’s eligibility to be nominated for the ’Coach of the year’ award?

2. Who are the assesors/judges and what is the process involved?

3. What was Liu’s performance in the last 3 years under ex-STTA President Zhu Weiqiang before you took over?

4. If Liu lacks “professionalism and integrity”, why did STTA offer him an improved contract last year?

5. Do all STTA officials share the same sentiment as you about Liu?

Singaporeans have a right to know what is going on and STTA has an obligation to its supporters to reveal as much as possible.

As of 24 May 2009, more than 4,800 Singaporeans have penned their signatures down on the petition requesting for your removal as STTA President

I have attached here a printed copy of the first 4,500 signatures. Please read the comments posted by Singaporeans thoroughly.

You can read the full petition here:

http://www.petitiononline.com/lbh/petition.html

Public opinion is clearly on the side of coach Liu Guodong. Many Singaporeans are perturbed that Liu was not even nominated for the award after winning an Olympic Silver medal for us, an unremarkable feat which is unlikely to be repeated any time sooner.

We were incensed at the treatment you have dished out to him. Even if you really think he does not deserve the award, you should at least show some respect and appreciation for the coach who had made immense contributions to bring the sports to where it is today.

STTA did not make the offensive statements. It was you who made the allegations about Liu’s professionalism and integrity and you alone have to answer for your own words instead of using STTA as a shield to save your skin.

If you are unable to substantiate her claims, you should retract your statements and apologize to Liu in the papers.

STTA should not be dragged into the mudslinging in what is an essentially personal conflict between Lee and Liu.

What will the international community think of the shabby treatment STTA is dishing out to its ex-coach who have contributed tremendously to the sporting fraternity in Singapore?

On behalf of my fellow citizens, I implore you seriously consider resigning as President of STTA for the sake of the association, the sports and the nation.

Please do the right thing and stop clinging on to a position which you have lost all moral authority to be in.

RESIGN FROM STTA NOW!

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NHG's employee posting Flyers with Lee Bee Wah’s face printed on toilet bowl pasted at BBQ pit outside Nee Soon South RC!!!

BREAKING: Flyers with Lee Bee Wah’s face printed on toilet bowl pasted at BBQ pit outside Nee Soon South RC!!!

We were tipped off by a Khatib resident that Lee Bee Wah will be attending a grassroots event on the morning of 24 May 2009 and as such we sent 2 field reporters there with the hope of meeting her and submitting our letter and petition.

The event was a brisk walk cum free breakfast organized by the Nee Soon Zone ‘F’ RC. We arrived at the venue 10 minutes earlier and noticed flyers pasted on the seats at the BBQ pits and pillars:

The grassroots leaders came and began removing the flyers frentically. It is not known who the culprit is. He/she is most likely a resident staying in the vicinity who is familiar with where the RC usually conducts its warm-up exercises cum brisk walk. The flyers were probably put there to draw the attention of Lee Bee Wah.

A grassroots leader took a few photos of the flyers. We overheard him later telling another grassroots leader to keep the matter from Lee Bee Wah and not to alert the police.

Despite her not commenting further on the fiasco, the controversy enshrouding her just simply refuse to go away. Lee Bee Wah’s continued silence is fueling more public anger and disgust at her reticence and now dragging STTA into the mudslinging in order to save her skin.

Photo Gallery:

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