Heart Centre investigates staff who insulted Singaporeans
Ms Beguia had described Singaporeans as "moronic" whose "loyalty" and "patriotism" will be dropped "at the first sign of trouble." -AsiaOne
Fri, Aug 12, 2011
AsiaOne
The National Heart Centre yesterday said on its Facebook page that it will conduct an official enquiry into the 'insensitive" comments made by Rachelle Ann Beguia on MP Penny Low's Facebook page.
Ms Beguia, a foreigner, described Singaporeans as "moronic" whose "loyalty" and "patriotism" will be dropped "at the first sign of trouble."
She added that Singaporean NSmen will "declare they are ready to pack up and run" when asked to fight a war.
She posted these comments in Ms Low's defence when the latter apologised for using her iPhone when the national anthem was being sung during the National Day Parade.
She had tried to urge Ms Low to ignore the angry comments made by some Singaporeans on the Facebook page by implying that the Singaporeans were too ignorant to comment on the situation.
Ms Beguia apologised for her comments at about 1pm yesterday afternoon on Ms Low's Facebook page.
"I am very sorry for the insensitive comments I have posted earlier. It was a lack of judgement. For those who have been hurt by those comments. I am very sorry once again."
Two hours later, The National Heart Centre said on their Facebook page:
"We sincerely regret the insensitive comments made by Ms Rachelle Ann Beguia.
"Although she posted those comments in her own capacity, National Heart Centre Singapore does not condone to such behaviour.
"We have always advocated to our staff that they should be respectful at all times, courteous and constructive when engaging in media platforms.
"An official enquiry will be conducted and appropriate actions will be taken accordingly."
Netizens react
Netizens are angered by Ms Beguia's comments stating that foreigners should not comment on national issues and some seem to take her comments on National Service as a personal insult.
AsiaOne forum user 'bpye8' said, "Our previous National Sevicemen, myself included, do not take lightly to such poor comments on or national service!"
'Bomerang111' believes that as a foreigner in Singapore, Ms Beguia does not have the right to pass comments on national issues like National service or the National Anthem.
"You got the cheek to insult not one but hundreds of thousands of servicemen who had gone through National Service since 1967."
Another reader IcemanV said, "Obviously she does not respect the people and the country that is feeding her."
"Honkypong' said pointed out that while many Singaporeans complain and whine, they love their homeland, are proud to be Singaporeans and have served NS, including yearly reservist call ups which are both disruptive and inconvenient till age 50 years .
"But can you say the same for yourself and your country when you left the shores of your own birthplace? We whine here but we are quick to shoot down anyone who is a deserter from NS or an enlistment dodger."
"NS has bonded the many races here into a brotherhood."
Other netizens say Ms Beguia's comments have some truth in them.
"Whatcanisay" said, "I must say that the gist of her comments was not really that far wrong. Too many Singaporean, myself included, have a tendency to point fingers, complain and condemn others."
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