SINGAPORE: Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has responded to the allegations made by disgraced former chief executive officer of China Aviation Oil Chen Jiulin.
In a recent interview with Hong Kong's Phoenix TV, Mr Chen spoke about the alleged mistreatment of inmates in Singapore's prisons.
Mr Chen, a Chinese national, was sentenced by a Singapore court in 2006 to four years and three months in jail and fined S$335,000 for his part in one of Singapore's biggest corporate scandals which led to China Aviation Oil's loss of US$550 million.
In response to the interview on Phoenix TV, Singapore's Consul-General in Hong Kong Jacky Foo said Mr Chen's allegations about the Singapore Prison Service were "entirely false, and without basis."
He added that the Singapore Prison Service is committed to ensuring the safe custody of inmates and security in the prisons, and that Justices of the Peace from the Board of Visiting Justices - who are respected community leaders - visit the prisons monthly to ensure the care and well-being of inmates is satisfactory.
Chin Harn Tong, member of the Board of Visiting Justices and the Board of Inspection, said: "It was a few years ago that I visited Changi Prison, and I met Chen Jiulin, and asked him whether he has any complaints, or any comments or suggestions.
“He told me that he had nothing (of the sort), and I also asked him about the life there, and he said everything was okay. But he told me he will be released from (prison) soon and (he) would be going back to China. And I wished him well and also all the best to him.
“And I've never heard of any complaints or any other views from him. But instead, I saw in the press a report that he has mentioned some of the inmates became victims in the Changi Prison.
“I'm very surprised to hear all this. How is it that when I met him, he had not mentioned this, and a few years later he raised the same issue again?"
In his letter, Singapore's Consul-General in Hong Kong Jacky Foo added that Phoenix TV should not have publicised and perpetuated falsehoods without establishing the facts with the relevant authority.
In response to media queries, the Singapore Prison Service also said that the regime of incarceration is strict, with a strong emphasis on discipline, and fair and equal treatment for all inmates.
It added: "Mr Chen Jiulin's allegations are without basis and he did not raise any such concerns during his period of imprisonment. He has served his sentence for his conviction and since returned to China. We wish him well.”
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mfa-responds-to/945904.html
In a recent interview with Hong Kong's Phoenix TV, Mr Chen spoke about the alleged mistreatment of inmates in Singapore's prisons.
Mr Chen, a Chinese national, was sentenced by a Singapore court in 2006 to four years and three months in jail and fined S$335,000 for his part in one of Singapore's biggest corporate scandals which led to China Aviation Oil's loss of US$550 million.
In response to the interview on Phoenix TV, Singapore's Consul-General in Hong Kong Jacky Foo said Mr Chen's allegations about the Singapore Prison Service were "entirely false, and without basis."
He added that the Singapore Prison Service is committed to ensuring the safe custody of inmates and security in the prisons, and that Justices of the Peace from the Board of Visiting Justices - who are respected community leaders - visit the prisons monthly to ensure the care and well-being of inmates is satisfactory.
Chin Harn Tong, member of the Board of Visiting Justices and the Board of Inspection, said: "It was a few years ago that I visited Changi Prison, and I met Chen Jiulin, and asked him whether he has any complaints, or any comments or suggestions.
“He told me that he had nothing (of the sort), and I also asked him about the life there, and he said everything was okay. But he told me he will be released from (prison) soon and (he) would be going back to China. And I wished him well and also all the best to him.
“And I've never heard of any complaints or any other views from him. But instead, I saw in the press a report that he has mentioned some of the inmates became victims in the Changi Prison.
“I'm very surprised to hear all this. How is it that when I met him, he had not mentioned this, and a few years later he raised the same issue again?"
In his letter, Singapore's Consul-General in Hong Kong Jacky Foo added that Phoenix TV should not have publicised and perpetuated falsehoods without establishing the facts with the relevant authority.
In response to media queries, the Singapore Prison Service also said that the regime of incarceration is strict, with a strong emphasis on discipline, and fair and equal treatment for all inmates.
It added: "Mr Chen Jiulin's allegations are without basis and he did not raise any such concerns during his period of imprisonment. He has served his sentence for his conviction and since returned to China. We wish him well.”
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mfa-responds-to/945904.html
