TR's Turns on the Heat - An Open Letter to MINDEF and Phoney Tony

[Confuseous]

Dear Sirs

We refer to the various half-hearted clarifications on FaceBook and MSM on the “suspicious circumstances” surrounding Dr Patrick Tan Boon Ooi’s deferment and postings during his National Service.

Our readers and concerned Netizens have written to us hoping that we publish their request for answers from the respective departments and persons to the following questions:

1. When Dr Patrick Tan completed his studies at Harvard University in 1992, he should have returned to Singapore to serve his NS like other scholarship holders. Why was he allowed to disrupt a second time?

2. Are there any other scholars or Singaporeans who disrupted for such a lengthy period of time?

3. Since Dr Patrick Tan was combat-fit then, why didn’t he go through the Medical Officer Cadet Course (MOCC) to serve his NS as a SAF medical officer (MO) of which age should not be a problem since there are doctors more than 40 years of age who are specialists attending the course in the past.

4. Are there any other combat-fit NSFs who served their NS in DMERI like Dr Patrick Tan (no names required, a simple yes or no and a number will suffice)?

5. Where did Dr Patrick Tan do his in-camp training?

The above questions are worded fairly straight-forward and we trust that as respectable Gentlemen and departments, you should not have any problem providing a simple reply.

We trust that our readers would not have any difficulty in getting a straight-forward reply to their questions, be it on the FaceBook or MSM if you do not wish to engage our readers on our site, where your right of reply is GUARANTEED.

Thank you all for your time.

.

Pamela Tien, Editor

for Temasek Review Emeritus

http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/07/30/tres-open-letter-to-dr-tony-tan-dr-patrick-tan-and-mindef/

 

[saratogas]

I'm disappointed with MINDEF ever since they decided to give current batch of NSman $9k for their hard work & forget about the past lau peng's contributions...

 

[Confuseous]

I'm disappointed with MINDEF ever since they decided to give current batch of NSman $9k for their hard work & forget about the past lau peng's contributions...

But it all bounce back to TT and the PAP - the MINDEF guys are just a bunch of be-medalled generals who have never seen real war, dodged enemy fire and strut around like they are the god's gift to Singaporeans. Look at the performance and comments from the two boy soldies to date - they don't even have the basic commercial sense. A woman writing in to the ST had better sense that the so-called Minister in response to the latter's call to the young to get married even though the stars are not aligned. And the Marine Parade MP was more concerned about stray pussies (of the feline kind) than of the homeless with his callous remarks.

 

[hairylee]

Temasek Review Emeritus?
Is this related to Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
Which one choh boh lan?

 

[scroobal]

Dear TRE

The issue is not the questions. My son and I are more than happy to answer the questions. We however are upset by the tone and in the manner which they are raised. There are clear innuendos and the intention is to smear my reputation and that of my son. I have my stepped forward in order to serve my country and the desire to look after all Singaporeans. Let us not beat around the bush. Any reasonable person can see the level of obfuscation that is involved. I am disappointed and frankly badly bruised emotionally. I have always been a straight forward and forthright in all my dealings. Even my hair is straight. Lets get down to the details with the clear desire to set the record the straight.

Firstly Patrick sought disruption to pursue his studies leading to a medical degree with a focus on research. His picked Harvard for his pre-med and Stanford for Medicine. The US typically requires a basic degree in any field prior to undertaking a medical degree. A single disruption was sought and received. I did not intervene and I know that I did not have to intervene. If you recall, Ong Beng Seng gave the current PM a 12% discount for an apartment in Nassim Jade and more than twice the amount given to others at the soft launch. The Pm did not intervene or suggested a discount. Any allegation that I intervene is baseless and clearly designed to cast aspersions on my character.

Secondly on his return, my son was just walking to the nearby mama shop in our neighbourhood when someone in CMPB called him on his mobile and suggested that he help out by sharing his knowledge in the field of biowarfare. As you know, Singapore has become a concrete and urban jungle. The disease "M" as we call it is part of our classified programme but is declining within Singapore. It however may prove useful against the Malaysians. Frankly in my opinion the chap in CMPB was way off. Patrick only graduated as a medical doctor recently then and as fresh as they come. How he could have contributed to the programme was beside me. I suppose as the founding PM has told parliament during the Nassim Jade hearing - " I can't help it if the hawker puts 2 eggs in my Char Kway Teow". I suppose this was one instance where my Kway Teow had 2 eggs.

Thirdly if you check his service record, he drew a NSman's salary, did his time and met his obligation under the Act. If he received any exception or privilege during his time in NS it was his good fortune and we should not begrudge him.

Fourthly I only found out that he was the only one doing his NS as a defence scientist while others were drawing market rates. I feel that CMPB had taken advantage of him. As the years have passed, I do not wish to pursue this and let sleeping dogs lie.

Finally let me assure your readers that it has not been easy for me and for my family. We are quite by nature and where good things have come our way, we have accepted it. My family has never looked a gift horse in its mouth and do no intend to start doing so now. As you see I have no hesitation in showing my cards as I have nothing to hide. I know that people behind my back call me "Tancho" but have you seen me grumble. Lets take life as it presents itself. Some of us have the smarts to meander our way thru the obstacles while others struggle. Equity is an aspiration. The faster we learn that, the easier life will be for all.

Warm regards
TT

 

[Windsor]

Lol Scroo, that was insanely funny. His march towards the presidency is taking a beating.

 

[SalahParking]

very well wriiten. just wondering if he was drawing a research stipend on top of NSF rank pay. Maybe he cant help it of they want to put 3 or 4 eggs in the char kwayteow.

 

[scroobal]

Patrick was a millionaire the day he was born. Money is not a factor. What he got was a 2 year head start in his career. He effectively evaded NS as he was in his civilian, it was not an army camp but because of his qualification he must have been accorded the respect that equates to that. I am sure some of his his colleagues might not have been aware of his NS status.

This reeks to high heaven. TT should withdraw his candidacy.

very well wriiten. just wondering if he was drawing a research stipend on top of NSF rank pay. Maybe he cant help it of they want to put 3 or 4 eggs in the char kwayteow.

 

[Windsor]

Patrick was a millionaire the day he was born. Money is not a factor. What he got was a 2 year head start in his career. He effectively evaded NS as he was in his civilian, it was not an army camp but because of his qualification he must have been accorded the respect that equates to that. I am sure some of his his colleagues might not have been aware of his NS status.

This reeks to high heaven. TT should withdraw his candidacy.

I understand his Pre-U cohorts had better reults than his 3 A's. So what gives that he gets Scholarships? In fact being a millionaire, he and his Dad should pay for his studies and the Scholarships given to poor families. They want the cake and eat it too. Is that not greed?

 

[scroobal]

I am sure that he did well in A if not he would not have been a President scholar. Contrary to popular belief, there is no bond. He did not take any govt scholarship and therefore is not bonded. Those President scholar who are bonded were the result of other scholarship that they picked up such as OMS / SAF etc. This is also why this stinks to high heaven. Disruption is given to scholars to do certain things but not available to others.

 

[Confuseous]

Dear TRE,

I really don't know why you all are making such a ruckus over the way Patrick did his NS obligations. The issue really is that he DID fulfill his obligations. Okay, so he did it in only two and a half years, instead of the 10 that some foreign Indian doctor did (the one who became an MP, remember?). Yes, my beloved Patrick did take a 12-year break but again, he did complete his obligations, at normal pay.

Please, so give us a break. I am trying to run a presidential campaign here with the help of my former employers SPH. I have also told them to stop putting me on the front page of the SPH stable - page three or the front page of HOME SECTION will be fine. The timing of the launch of the iPad application offering free copies of Straits Times is something that is purely co-incidental. I mean, even I don't know when is the Election Date, let alone the deadline of the closing. You see, the more candidates there are, the better my winning chances, as all PAP haters will keep spreading the votes.

TT

 

[konstandy]

Dear TRE

I have my stepped forward in order to serve my country and the desire to look after all Singaporeans.

Warm regards
TT

LAN CHEOW he serve the country!all these elites want is to earn the high pay!! if u really want to "serve" singaporeans he should have go work in a charity & take a pay cut!! PUI!!

i really lose respect for TT!!

 

[zeddy]

<a href="http://s1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb440/zeddy9/?action=view&amp;current=3488852456_7ef47eea70_z.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb440/zeddy9/3488852456_7ef47eea70_z.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Hmm... Haven't yet become President, but I kena bombard jialat jialat already...

 

[Forvendet]

Patrick was a millionaire the day he was born. Money is not a factor. What he got was a 2 year head start in his career. He effectively evaded NS as he was in his civilian, it was not an army camp but because of his qualification he must have been accorded the respect that equates to that. I am sure some of his his colleagues might not have been aware of his NS status.

This reeks to high heaven. TT should withdraw his candidacy.

TT himself was also millionnaire the day he was born. That was an era when millionnaire meant something much more than today after inflation. Why should he bother with MP, minister or president? Why should he withdraw he presidential candidacy if he really wants to serve? Just because his son wasn't assigned to combat-fit MO duty in NS? Just because his son was disrupted 12 years from NS? Good grief. Even if he was defence minister, anybody sane should know that his son was disrupted and assigned according to proper laws and channels. Amybody thinking otherwise, please go and lodge a police report.

 

[BusNo64]

TT himself was also millionnaire the day he was born. That was an era when millionnaire meant something much more than today after inflation. Why should he bother with MP, minister or president? Why should he withdraw he presidential candidacy if he really wants to serve? Just because his son wasn't assigned to combat-fit MO duty in NS? Just because his son was disrupted 12 years from NS? Good grief. Even if he was defence minister, anybody sane should know that his son was disrupted and assigned according to proper laws and channels. Amybody thinking otherwise, please go and lodge a police report.

of coz he shouldn't withdraw...he got porlumpars like you and kukubird rooting for him, why should he withdraw.....make police report?...did anyone say he committed a crime? :oIo:...why donch u go make police report dat i call u a pappy porlumpars :oIo:

 

[steffychun]

I think TR is way too much. They are worse than gutter journalism--this is crap journalism. Fine. He didn't become and MO. So what? MO's get higher paid and rank than 3rd Sergeant--did you want Patrick Tan to be a Recruit through out his NS life is it? So he never served ICT--so most of the time you TR editors are female--you never served a day of freaking NS! Do you expect every combat fit medical student to be a MO? Then the estb (military term for position) in every unit would be at least two freaking MOs!!! And you complain he was allowed to disrupt twice: to get a medical PhD researching on diseases that affects soldiers! So you wanted what?Him to never defect, not get a degree at Harvard and Stanford? I know opposite cases: NSFs who serve with pride as non-officers, and go on to read at Harvard or Oxbridge and return to still serve ICT.

Yes, I also disagree with the harping on Tony Tan. But thee way TR places it is is no better than those in the American far right or Tea Party blasting Obama as a socialist, non-American etc etc. If this is freedom and democracy, I wouldn't what any TR person leading Singapore.

 

[BusNo64]

Phoney Tan must really be feeling the heat liao....all his dogs here are beginning to show their tails liao to defend their master

 

[BusNo64]

phoney tan precious son keng NS...no problem wat...he did his NS in some laboratory created by his father specially for him...okay wat....phoney tan not wrong wat donch know why TR want to dig so much on phoney tan... . so clever to divert blame....now it becomes TR and peasant sinkies fault for making a mountain out of molehill...phoney tan and his scion got no fault....keng NS no fault...LANJIAO!!!! ..:oIo:

 

[Forvendet]

of coz he shouldn't withdraw...he got porlumpars like you and kukubird rooting for him, why should he withdraw.....make police report?...did anyone say he committed a crime? :oIo:...why donch u go make police report dat i call u a pappy porlumpars :oIo:

Nobody says he committed a crime? Nothing wrong then? That settles it.

 

[BusNo64]

Nobody says he committed a crime? Nothing wrong then? That settles it.

Father help son to keng NS is okay... ... Father pull string to get son to work in lab..okay? Father pull string for son to disrupt for 12yrs...okay? well, dats why i say porlumpar is porlumpar...no need to deny lah