TR EMERITUS

By Fang Zhi Yuan, Senior writer

The recent Tan Yong Soon fiasco has drawn polarizing opinions from two different camps. While the majority of netizens lampooned and condemned Tan for being insensitive and callous in flaunting his wealth in a national paper, some defended his travelogue as an innocuous sharing of one’s unique holiday experience.

Even before the dust has settled, a MP – Charles Chong of Pasir Ris – Punggol GRC unwittingly added oil to fire by alluding Tan’s critics as “lesser mortals” who are simply envious of him. Though he subsequently tried to limit the damage by offering an ambiguous clarification to queries by a blogger, many remained unconvinced at his half-hearted attempts to appease his critics.

There were many calls for the two protagonists to issue a public apology for their indiscretion. In spite of the head of civil service, Peter Ho expressing his regrets about Tan’s untimely article, the latter has remained defiantly silent so far. Neither did Charles Chong issue any public statements about his remarks.

It appears that both Tan Yong Soon and Charles Chong do not think they have made a mistake and therefore there is no need for them to explain themselves further.

Short of an outright apology, the very least they can do is to acknowledge the furore their remarks have caused and expressed regrets over them.

Let me draft a sample template for them to follow:

Tan Yong Soon:

“When Straits Times approached me to write a travelogue for their Life section, I thought it would be a good idea to share with the readers my unique experiences at Le Cordon Beu. It was never my intention to flaunt my wealth or to belittle anybody. Nevertheless, I do acknowledge that some feelings may be hurt and I would like to express my sincere regrets to those Singaporeans who do not take kindly to the words I have used.”

Charles Chong:

“When TODAY called me up for a phone interview about the Tan Yong Soon fiasco, I told the journalist that Tan’s article left me with the impression that he was a bit boastful and maybe insensitive to (us) lesser mortals. This may naturally lead to unhappiness and even envy especially during difficult times. However, the way my words were phrased in TODAY gave the wrong impression to unsuspecting readers that I am denigrating Tan’s critics as “lesser mortals” which was never my intention in the first place. I have since clarified my stance with the journalist and I would like to express my regrets over this unfortunate misunderstanding which has caused unhappiness among some quarters.”

Tan and Chong could have brought the matter to a proper closure by a simple acknowledgement of the furore their remarks have caused in public unless they feel it is not worth their efforts to account to those whose feelings are hurt by their off the tangent remarks.

During the 2006 General Elections, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong offered an unreserved apology the next day after he made his infamous “fix the opposition” gaffe at a lunchtime rally. Tan and Chong should learn some basic humility and graciousness from the Prime Minister.

In other Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, it is common to see political leaders and holders of public office apologizing or expressing regrets over their gaffes to soothe frayed nerves.

Our leaders and civil servants see themselves as the “master” of the people they are purported to serve and regard public apologies as tantamount to a tacit admission of their shortcomings and subsequent loss of “face”. It is time to remind them the meaning behind the titles of “public servants” to hold them to greater accountability and transparency.

Though the storm caused by their careless remarks will soon fade away, it will remain forever etched in the memory of aggrieved netizens who will revive it at the next earliest opportunity

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