TR EMERITUS

PAP MP for Joo Chiat Chan Soo Sen has downplayed the significance of the callous remarks made by YPAP and Joo Chiat grassroots leader Jack Lin Xinli and refused to condemn him for it. Mr Lin, who is the General Secretary of Joo Chiat Youth Executive Committee, sparked an outcry among netizens by calling Singaporeans "3rd class citizens" on the YPAP Facebook, prompting a netizen Kojakbt to write an email complaint to Mr Chan. Mr Lin has since made a public apology for his offending statements. (Mr Jack Lin became the 1st YPAP leader to apologise to Singaporeans for making offensive remarks about them, TR - 28th July 2010) In his first reply to Kojakbt, Mr Chan appeared nonchalant about the incident and chided him for associating the remarks with YPAP: According to Mr Chan's reasoning, the remarks are made in the personal capacity of Jack Lin and therefore they should not be associated with the YEC or YPAP never mind the fact that Mr Lin is an important appointment holder of both organizations. Kojakbt asked Mr Chan if he considered it "appropriate" for Mr Lin to behave in this manner. Mr Chan did not answer the question directly except that he has "communicated" with Jack who has expressed his "regret" in making the statement on the YPAP Facebook. "It was not his (Jack Lin's) intention to make these statements as a Joo Chiat grassroots leader and youth activist, or as a member of PAP Joo Chiat Branch and YP Joo Chiat Branch. He regretted his use of the PAP Facebook to make the statement, as this made it difficult for others to dissociate him from his status as a grassroots leader and party member," Mr Chan wrote. This is not the first time a YPAP leader has gotten into trouble by making disparaging and humiliating comments about Singaporeans on its official Facebook. In March this year, another YPAP leader and new citizen from India, Mr Sinha Shekhar, who was ironically awarded an “Outstanding Contributor award” by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for his “regular” postings on REACH Facebook, caused a stir when he called Singapore NSmen “DOGS” on the YPAP Facebook. [Source: YPAP Facebook] Mr Sinha Shekhar did not serve a SINGLE day of NS. He later promised to “clarify” the matter in the media, but has yet to do so. He was not reprimanded for his comments. Singaporeans are still waiting for a public apology from Mr Sinha Shekar, if ever.     Related articles: >> Jack Lin Xinli became the 1st YPAP leader to apologise to Singaporeans for making offensive remarks about them >> YPAP leader Jack Lin Xinli clarified his "3rd class citizen" remarks on CNA >> Massive outcry at YPAP leader Jack Lin’s remarks >> YPAP leader Jack Lin: We are free to fix the opposition >> Complaint letter on YPAP leader Jack Lin   Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. Please use our online web form to contact us.  Read More →

Embattled YPAP leader and Secretary of Joo Chiat Youth Executive Committee Mr Jack Lin Xinli has issued a public apology to Singaporeans for the distress caused to them by his offensive remarks made on the YPAP Facebook. Mr Lin caused a massive outcry on cyberspace recently with his infamous “3rd class citizen” remarks,  referring to Singaporeans in general.   [Source: YPAP Facebook] Besides insulting Singaporeans, Mr Lin also made defamatory remarks on opposition MP Mr Chiam See Tong in the same exchange. He insinuated that Mr Chiam “bought” his ‘O’ levels from a degree mill, prompting one angry netizen to write a complaint letter about him to his MP Chan Soo Sen. Mr Lin’s remarks remain posted on the YPAP Facebook suggesting that the entire YPAP including its Chairman Teo Ser Luck endorsed them. Replying to the complaint, both MP Chan Soo Sen and YPAP Vice-Chairman dismissed Mr Lin's remarks as personal views not representing the party and declined to take any further action. The PAP and its agencies or leaders have never apologise nor been accountable for any mistakes or nasty remarks made but in a dramatic turn of events, Mr Lin became the 1st YPAP leader to apologise for making offending statements when he contacted Temasek Review today requesting for an apology letter he drafted to be publish, which we obliged as follows:   To: Letters for Publication From: Jack Lin Message: Dear all,   I come here to apologize for several comments I made online. I am referring particularly to a statement that I have made on a website of Singaporeans as being 3rd class citizens. This was not accurate, I am a Singaporean, so are my friends and family, and my intended meaning have been clarified to the press but I am not here to argue about this. I am here to apologize.   Even if there was any misinterpretation, it is solely my blame for not making it clear. I would like to take the chance to apologize to those who are offended and I will be more careful with my choice of words.   It was not my intention to make these statements as a Joo Chiat grassroots leader and youth activist. I regretted the use of the PAP Facebook page to make the statement, as this made it difficult for others to dissociate me from my affiliations as a grassroots leader and party member.   Though I do not expect everyone to interpret this statement in the positive way as it is intended, I will still thank everyone for this learning experience. Once again, I apologize for the distress caused to everyone. Please accept my humblest apologies.   As I take time to draft a statement, I apologize for the time delayed and thank everyone for their patience.   Jack Lin 28th July 2010   Editor's Note: Message is reproduced in full without editing, with the exception of his email address removed to respect his privacy. Mr Lin had earlier 'clarified' his remarks in an interview with CNA. (YPAP leader Jack Lin Xinli clarified his “3rd class citizen” remarks on CNA, TR - 28th July 2010)     Related articles: >> Massive outcry at YPAP leader Jack Lin’s remarks >> YPAP leader Jack Lin: We are free to fix the opposition >> Complaint letter on YPAP leader Jack Lin   Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. Please use our online web form to contact us.  Read More →

from Jack Lin to [email protected] cc [email protected] date Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 9:19 PM subject Subject: Re: Is this the way your YPAP behaves? mailed-by gmail.com signed-by gmail.com hide details 9:19 PM (22 minutes ago) 28th July 2010 Dear all, I come here to apologize for several comments I made online. I am referring particularly to a statement that I have made on a website of Singaporeans as being 3rd class citizens. This was not accurate, I am a Singaporean, so are my friends and family, and my intended meaning have been clarified to the press but I am not here to argue about this. I am here to apologize. Even if there was any misinterpretation, it is solely my blame for not making it clear. I would like to take the chance to apologize to those who are offended and I will be more careful with my choice of words. It was not my intention to make these statements as a Joo Chiat grassroots leader and youth activist. I regretted the use of the PAP Facebook page to make the statement, as this made it difficult for others to dissociate me from my affiliations as a grassroots leader and party member. Though I do not expect everyone to interpret this statement in the positive way as it is intended, I will still thank everyone for this learning experience. Once again, I apologize for the distress caused to everyone. Please accept my humblest apologies. As I take time to draft a statement, I apologize for the time delayed and thank everyone for their patience.   Jack Lin  Read More →