Melvyn Tan is leaving Singapore
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on a side note, i suspect there are quite some white horses/ undercover ppl posting here. Some of these ppl do not even post on other forums, but whenever a controversial topic is posted, these ppl will make comments in favour of the PAP ruling.
And altho i think women shouldn't be conscripted as well as the men since National Slavery is lame to me, to indirectly say women are not able to defend singapore means you look down on women. It defies the logic of equality for women and stinks of male chauvinism. -
One very disturbing thing about Melvyn's case is that Minister for Defence gave his view about need to tighten legislation about NS defaulters. Why wait until now?
The few cases that happened yearly should prompt government to review & revise legislations to remain current many years ago.
Such delay seem strange for a government that always boast about being far-sighted.
Must people make known their displeasures and views before government will act?
Or people must take to the streets in future when abuses are uncover? Because the government turn a deaf ear or in slumber.. -
about the sending him to jail part.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Something can be done and has been done. The whole world knows what a coward he is and the government will tighten laws to prevent such recurrences in future...that is good. Now that we know what he has done, we can boycott his performance, his CDs etc....who says nothing can be done?
and oh he doesn't need to rely on you to earn his $ really. it still does nothing, and since he has paid the fine, he is free to enter singapore as and when he likes from now on. -
sorry what loophole? its not as tho he did not go unpunish. u should be ranting at the person who decided he should only pay a fine then.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Just because you see a loophole to cheat does not mean you should cheat
Why is there no mention of who presided over the case in the media? Who is being cast in front of the public as a sacrificial lamb and who's being protected when he really deserves the stick then? -
Don't waste time converting them.We all have our way of life, it's not worth all the stress.Originally posted by HENG@:about the sending him to jail part.
and oh he doesn't need to rely on you to earn his $ really. it still does nothing, and since he has paid the fine, he is free to enter singapore as and when he likes from now on.
That's why it's so easy to be cynical these days.People really are "jiak ba boh tai chi zou"
It's alright to feel disenchanted, but to even take it so far and narrowmindedly for those fellows, I really have nothing to say, but take one look at my old uniform and realise that some people are not that worth the 2.5 yrs served. -
because people like u are treating gays like criminals on the pretext of religion. Individualy there can never be equality, but there can be almost equality based on larger demographics such as race, sexuality and gender. At least stop treating people like criminals because of their sexuality. Thats really no better than the Confederate during the Civil War. The blacks must be slaves. Oh the bible says its ok to own slaves too.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:If there is no such thing as equality why have you been trying to fight for equal treatment of gays? It smacks of hypocrisy to want equal treatment for one small minority group when the majority of law-abiding citizens have the short end of the stick. -
according to someone else here, lots of people get a fine only too.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:According to newspaper reports, others have been jailed for similar offences. Soldiers have been jailed at Detention Barracks for far minor offences. The court did not impose a custodial sentence as the law does provide for but gave a light slap on the wrist. That is unfair.
His punishment was not commensurate with the severity of his crime, as provided for under the law.
Sodomy is usually punished with a fine or short imprisonment, whilst the law provides for life imprisonment if the court feels the offence is severe enough to merit it.
In this case, the crime is severe enough for a custodial sentence, which was not imposed...even the Minister thinks so.
There are lots for people to kpkb about indeed...
hey then what about all those others who only get a fine? How come u all never kpkb about them? -
wheres our grace as a society then?Originally posted by oxford mushroom:His punishment was not commensurate with his offence. He was given a far more lenient sentence than the law provided for. The Public Prosecutor should have appealed to the High Court for a more severe sentence.
It is definitely not understandable but the majority of Singaporeans or there would not have been this outcry..
Enough stick just because every law-abiding citizen has been calling him a criminal and coward over the past 2 months? Just ask those same law-abiding citizens who gave up more than two years of their youth, along with the opportunities they had to serve NS.
like i said, is it that hard to forget and forgive? -
Many do not realise that laws and forgiveness can co-exist.Originally posted by HENG@:wheres our grace as a society then?
like i said, is it that hard to forget and forgive?
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thats true i suppose.Originally posted by dragg:after reading the above he might seriously consider leaving singapore for good.
singaporeans are so hard to please.
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this letter expresses my sentiments exactly.Originally posted by dragg:extracted from ST forum.
Uproar over NS defaulter reflects badly on society
I am saddened and dismayed to learn that pianist Melvyn Tan has decided to cancel his concert and will not judge a national piano and violin competition.
However, I understand his decision and I am embarrassed by the behaviour of my fellow Singaporeans.
Economically, we may be a First World nation, but culturally, we are still in the dark ages. There are some of us who appreciate Mr Tan's desire to contribute to the growth of the local arts scene.
I am touched by his willingness to risk a jail term to see his parents, as filial piety has become somewhat of a rare commodity in our modern society.
I myself have lived abroad for many years, and I will be returning to Singapore next year. The recent events have caused me a great deal of distress, as it reflects badly on the kind of society we have become.
I apologise for the anguish that this furore must have caused Mr Tanand his family. I am, however, optimistic that we will eventually become a more gracious society.
If and when that day comes, I hope Mr Tan will be able to leave this unfortunate turn of events behind him and return to give a recital. I look forward to attending his concert someday.
Ben Leong -
I believe it wasn't under the juridstiction of the PP. It was tried in a military courtroom.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:His punishment was not commensurate with his offence. He was given a far more lenient sentence than the law provided for. The Public Prosecutor should have appealed to the High Court for a more severe sentence.
It is definitely not understandable but the majority of Singaporeans or there would not have been this outcry..
Enough stick just because every law-abiding citizen has been calling him a criminal and coward over the past 2 months? Just ask those same law-abiding citizens who gave up more than two years of their youth, along with the opportunities they had to serve NS. -
Yeah.It's the SAF Act, so it's a military courtroom.That's why the all the media spin is all smoke.The Act covers for a jail option already.Originally posted by HENG@:I believe it wasn't under the juridstiction of the PP. It was tried in a military courtroom.
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because some of you people are absolutely nasty. Its the principle of the matter, not just the individual im protecting. If u need to get personal thenit shows u haven't got very much logic to begin with doesn't it?Originally posted by MRMUSICPRODUCER:Heng? he gave u a gd bonk is it? why u protect him so much?
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neither is behaving like rabid bloodhounds the approach towards a more gracious and better society.Originally posted by look_see:people are saying that those who are speaking up against Melvyn Tan to be myopic in that we should look at larger picture.
so by putting self before country/community is the way we should be heading? so this is the approach towards a more gracious and better society?
I am not advocating that we should throw him behind the bars or to kick his parents out of the country. I am just apalled that he does not seem sorry for what he had done.
people have discussed that we should let the past go. but how can we do that when he does not even show the slightest hint of remorse? -
*3Originally posted by vito_corleone:i bet those who bitched so much here would also skip ns if given the chance, no? you'd be a farkin liar if you said no. i know i would. -
*2Originally posted by depressed:*2. Anyway i am too lazy to write a detailed post and make a reply to every post than condemns Melvyn Tan. Besides, now that Teo Chee Hean has made a statement, more comments is pointless. Sometimes I wonder what has Melvyn Tan done in his past life to deserve such hate to the point that they wanted his family dead.
If only Singaporeans bothered to speak up for alimony cases and the poor dude who got jailed 11 yrs for shoplifting
there are more worthwhile things for people here to whine about. no. they decide to pick on the most trivial, most pointless thing to whine about. to bay for blood. to curse people to death.
it makes me wonder sometimes, if the people in singapore still have a heart. -
urgh. So much for a gracious society I suppose. One guy who got off light gets savaged. What about the rest who didn't make the news? Its so ridiculous I can't even begin to describe it. I mean, u know me. U know how many reasons I actually have, personally, to dislike Melvyn for getting off lightly don't u? At least 4, possibly more.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Don't waste time converting them.We all have our way of life, it's not worth all the stress.
That's why it's so easy to be cynical these days.People really are "jiak ba boh tai chi zou"
It's alright to feel disenchanted, but to even take it so far and narrowmindedly for those fellows, I really have nothing to say, but take one look at my old uniform and realise that some people are not that worth the 2.5 yrs served. -
Guess so.Originally posted by HENG@:urgh. So much for a gracious society I suppose. One guy who got off light gets savaged. What about the rest who didn't make the news? Its so ridiculous I can't even begin to describe it. I mean, u know me. U know how many reasons I actually have, personally, to dislike Melvyn for getting off lightly don't u? At least 4, possibly more. -
NOWHERE in pianist Melvyn Tan's open letter to Singaporeans regarding the furore over his national-service evasion did he mention how he felt about dodging conscription - was he contrite? Unrepentant?
It would have been more palatable had he expressed some tinge of remorse or regret for failing to do his national duty, so as to appease those who sacrificed a good part of their youth serving the nation and who felt that Tan got away too lightly.
He surrendered to the authorities not because he was sorry for what he did or that he wanted to make amends by contributing to the art scene here but more for a less selfless personal reason.
It appears the sole reason for his homecoming was to see his aged parents who are in their 80s rather than due to any residual fond memories of Singapore or nationalistic fervour to serve the country he was born in. After all, he has renounced his citizenship and is now a British citizen.
Is it pure coincidence that the pianist surrendered himself only after the age where he cannot be made to pay back national-service time not done?
However, Tan has got one thing right - keeping a low public profile and cancelling local public engagements for the time being.
(Straits Times, Dec 6, 2005)
Contrite? He is too much of a coward to apologize. Arrogant and cowardly, he should pack his bag and get out on the next flight. -
It shows making a hue and cry over this matter has worked!Originally posted by 3Rabbits:One very disturbing thing about Melvyn's case is that Minister for Defence gave his view about need to tighten legislation about NS defaulters. Why wait until now?
The few cases that happened yearly should prompt government to review & revise legislations to remain current many years ago.
Such delay seem strange for a government that always boast about being far-sighted.
Must people make known their displeasures and views before government will act?
Or people must take to the streets in future when abuses are uncover? Because the government turn a deaf ear or in slumber.. -
He will never earn a cent from me and until he shows some contrition, his name is mud wherever he goes. He can never perform in a concert without worrying that protests will greet him everywhere he goes..Originally posted by HENG@:about the sending him to jail part.
and oh he doesn't need to rely on you to earn his $ really. it still does nothing, and since he has paid the fine, he is free to enter singapore as and when he likes from now on. -
They knew we would make a hue and cry.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:It shows making a hue and cry over this matter has worked!
Question is, who's benefiting from it. -
Get a bunch of chaps and protest at the London Philharmonic and rest assured we will appear in the weird pages of national and state dailies again.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:He will never earn a cent from me and until he shows some contrition, his name is mud wherever he goes. He can never perform in a concert without worrying that protests will greet him everywhere he goes.. -
i doubt it is that serious.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:He will never earn a cent from me and until he shows some contrition, his name is mud wherever he goes. He can never perform in a concert without worrying that protests will greet him everywhere he goes..
he can consider coming back next year as singaporeans have a short memory.