- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
- Messages
- 12,730
- Points
- 113
I feel surprised and disappointed that NUS did not disclose the punishment it has meted out to Alvin Tan. NUS should disclose the punishment to the Singapore public for 5 reasons:
1. Disclosure completes the Punishment
NUS has wanted to punish Alvin Tan but what is a punishment without disclosing to the public what the punishment meted out to Alvin Tan is? With litterbugs, perpetuators of crimes and offences as well as some scholars who did not fulfil the moral obligations of their bonds, we have always published on the media the punishment we have given to them. In Alvin’s case where his sex videos are also offensive to conservative Singaporeans in general, evidenced by the online backlash; NUS should disclose the punishment to the public unless NUS thinks too lightly of public’s sentiments towards this case.
2. For consistency
In a similar case, NUS has disclosed to the public the punishment it meted out to Sun Xu, a blogger who has made offensive remarks about Singaporeans. Seen in this light, why the inconsistency of NUS in this Alvin’s case?
3. Accountability to Taxpayers
Alvin is a Malaysian who has obtained a scholarship from the Singapore government for his ASEAN/MOE scholarship. Alvin’s education here in National University of Singapore is funded by the taxpayers of Singapore. Although quite a number of Singapore taxpayers are rich, a large number of them including I are not rich and we work hard every day. Imagine our hard-earned monies go to support the education of someone who before he is able to contribute to Singapore’s policy, gave us sex videos! I feel very disappointed especially when Alvin Tan’s case is not the first, remember Sun Xu is a NUS scholar too!
4. May be deemed as a precedent & encourage similar cases in future
By not disclosing the punishment of Alvin to the public, it may be deemed as a precedent to young NUS undergraduates, scholars or not, who, for the purpose of becoming famous like Alvin, may also want to post offensive photos and videos in the future. They may think that they will not be shamed publicly as their punishment will not be disclosed to the public too and will feel happy once they achieve their objectives of being famous.
5. To maintain the reputation of NUS & Singapore
NUS has come a long way to becoming a reputable university in the world today. By not disclosing the punishment meted out to Alvin, I think a certain degree of transparency is compromised. It seems to me and maybe many that by not disclosing the punishment, NUS seems to be cordoning what Alvin did. We must not forget Alvin Tan’s case has not only jolted Singapore but also the world in an interconnected world we have today through technology. Singapore and the world was waiting for NUS to disclose the punishment to Alvin but with NUS not doing so, I believe our management to this case is a job not done well and this will affect reputation of NUS and Singapore.
To NUS, please disclose the punishment of Alvin for the sake of yourself, Singapore & Singaporeans!
- http://singaporeshortstories.blogspot.sg/2012/11/ALVIN-TAN.html
1. Disclosure completes the Punishment
NUS has wanted to punish Alvin Tan but what is a punishment without disclosing to the public what the punishment meted out to Alvin Tan is? With litterbugs, perpetuators of crimes and offences as well as some scholars who did not fulfil the moral obligations of their bonds, we have always published on the media the punishment we have given to them. In Alvin’s case where his sex videos are also offensive to conservative Singaporeans in general, evidenced by the online backlash; NUS should disclose the punishment to the public unless NUS thinks too lightly of public’s sentiments towards this case.
2. For consistency
In a similar case, NUS has disclosed to the public the punishment it meted out to Sun Xu, a blogger who has made offensive remarks about Singaporeans. Seen in this light, why the inconsistency of NUS in this Alvin’s case?
3. Accountability to Taxpayers
Alvin is a Malaysian who has obtained a scholarship from the Singapore government for his ASEAN/MOE scholarship. Alvin’s education here in National University of Singapore is funded by the taxpayers of Singapore. Although quite a number of Singapore taxpayers are rich, a large number of them including I are not rich and we work hard every day. Imagine our hard-earned monies go to support the education of someone who before he is able to contribute to Singapore’s policy, gave us sex videos! I feel very disappointed especially when Alvin Tan’s case is not the first, remember Sun Xu is a NUS scholar too!
4. May be deemed as a precedent & encourage similar cases in future
By not disclosing the punishment of Alvin to the public, it may be deemed as a precedent to young NUS undergraduates, scholars or not, who, for the purpose of becoming famous like Alvin, may also want to post offensive photos and videos in the future. They may think that they will not be shamed publicly as their punishment will not be disclosed to the public too and will feel happy once they achieve their objectives of being famous.
5. To maintain the reputation of NUS & Singapore
NUS has come a long way to becoming a reputable university in the world today. By not disclosing the punishment meted out to Alvin, I think a certain degree of transparency is compromised. It seems to me and maybe many that by not disclosing the punishment, NUS seems to be cordoning what Alvin did. We must not forget Alvin Tan’s case has not only jolted Singapore but also the world in an interconnected world we have today through technology. Singapore and the world was waiting for NUS to disclose the punishment to Alvin but with NUS not doing so, I believe our management to this case is a job not done well and this will affect reputation of NUS and Singapore.
To NUS, please disclose the punishment of Alvin for the sake of yourself, Singapore & Singaporeans!
- http://singaporeshortstories.blogspot.sg/2012/11/ALVIN-TAN.html
