[h=2]Massive outcry against DPM Teo arranging ‘special’ meeting with Reuben Wang and his parents[/h]Posted by temasektimes on June 9, 2012
A massive outcry has erupted in cyberspace against Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean’s unprecedented move of arranging a special meeting with Saint Andrew Junior College student Reuben Wang and his parents during office hours after which the teenager apologized profusely for hurting his feelings in a blog post publicly.
Reuben had ranted at DPM Teo for not dodging the questions posed by students during the recently held Pre-University seminar:
“The participants made it extremely clear they were dissatisfied with DPM Teo- and when we asked about our concerns which we do not know what can be done to solved, he will give the fucking ridiculous reply “What do you think (can be done)?”.
Though Reuben was only expressing his personal opinion on his personal blog, the state media soon picked it up, smearing him as a ‘keyboard thug’ to save the ‘face’ of DPM Teo who seemed pleased that he had won an apology from the student:
“I am glad he has taken the time to reflect, and recognises that what he said, as well as the way he said it, were wrong.”
Reuben’s sudden capitulation and public apology caught many by surprise with some speculating that he was pressurized to do so by his school or by other ‘agencies’.
Many Singaporeans were outraged at the way DPM Teo and the state media bullied a JC student into submission to extract an obviously forced ‘apology’ from him.
Jerry Hwang was absolutely disgusted:
“DPM is pathetic. Picking on a kid n his parents. Look, it is the general sentiment of the population. We were born free, free to roam n free to speak. When Low Thia Khiang spoke up, he got criticised. When the JC student vented his frustration, he get reprimanded. – there is talk he may be expelled? it is sad to see freedom of speech deprived in a 1st world country like SG. PAP should reflect on the culture they are inducing on the population. do you want thinkers or “shut up n conform” workers. if u can’t handle criticisms, u r not fit to lead.”
Bennett Teo posted on Facebook
“It’s an easy prey for him and thus he rather prey on a jc students (he has no choice becos his studies is a stake) then on the millions who scold him in media. What a “great” attitude he has shown, it’s equivalent to 下贱, lowly behavior. Trying to use a vulnerable student life to show his “greatness”.”
While some agreed that Reuben may be rude, they don’t think it is a big deal as Toh Tai Hoe wrote:
“Agree. It is rude but I think no big deal. They are behaving like olden days china where peasants gets beheaded if they dare to behave rudely to the emperor. Pap leaders are forever so obnoxious.”
When Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak gave a speech in London recently, he was heckled throughout by Malaysian protesters who hurled profanities at him, embarrassing him greatly in front of an international audience.
We are living in the internet age now. We have every right to express our views freely even if they may sound rude, there is no absolute right or wrong. Nobody has a monopoly to the truth and nobody has the right to impose their views on us.
A massive outcry has erupted in cyberspace against Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean’s unprecedented move of arranging a special meeting with Saint Andrew Junior College student Reuben Wang and his parents during office hours after which the teenager apologized profusely for hurting his feelings in a blog post publicly.
Reuben had ranted at DPM Teo for not dodging the questions posed by students during the recently held Pre-University seminar:
“The participants made it extremely clear they were dissatisfied with DPM Teo- and when we asked about our concerns which we do not know what can be done to solved, he will give the fucking ridiculous reply “What do you think (can be done)?”.
Though Reuben was only expressing his personal opinion on his personal blog, the state media soon picked it up, smearing him as a ‘keyboard thug’ to save the ‘face’ of DPM Teo who seemed pleased that he had won an apology from the student:
“I am glad he has taken the time to reflect, and recognises that what he said, as well as the way he said it, were wrong.”
Reuben’s sudden capitulation and public apology caught many by surprise with some speculating that he was pressurized to do so by his school or by other ‘agencies’.
Many Singaporeans were outraged at the way DPM Teo and the state media bullied a JC student into submission to extract an obviously forced ‘apology’ from him.
Jerry Hwang was absolutely disgusted:
“DPM is pathetic. Picking on a kid n his parents. Look, it is the general sentiment of the population. We were born free, free to roam n free to speak. When Low Thia Khiang spoke up, he got criticised. When the JC student vented his frustration, he get reprimanded. – there is talk he may be expelled? it is sad to see freedom of speech deprived in a 1st world country like SG. PAP should reflect on the culture they are inducing on the population. do you want thinkers or “shut up n conform” workers. if u can’t handle criticisms, u r not fit to lead.”
Bennett Teo posted on Facebook
“It’s an easy prey for him and thus he rather prey on a jc students (he has no choice becos his studies is a stake) then on the millions who scold him in media. What a “great” attitude he has shown, it’s equivalent to 下贱, lowly behavior. Trying to use a vulnerable student life to show his “greatness”.”
While some agreed that Reuben may be rude, they don’t think it is a big deal as Toh Tai Hoe wrote:
“Agree. It is rude but I think no big deal. They are behaving like olden days china where peasants gets beheaded if they dare to behave rudely to the emperor. Pap leaders are forever so obnoxious.”
When Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak gave a speech in London recently, he was heckled throughout by Malaysian protesters who hurled profanities at him, embarrassing him greatly in front of an international audience.
We are living in the internet age now. We have every right to express our views freely even if they may sound rude, there is no absolute right or wrong. Nobody has a monopoly to the truth and nobody has the right to impose their views on us.
