http://www.spp.org.sg/Zuraidah Ibrahim, Political Editor, Straits Times
cc. Alan Chan, SPH Chief Executive Officer
Patrick Daniel, Editor-In-Chief (English and Malay newspapers)
Dear Ms. Zuraidah,
Re: Complaint against Goh Chin Lian
I refer to the article titled "Chiam: Difficult to fulfill lift promise'' in the
Home section of the Straits Times dated 13/2/2007.
I would like to lodge a complaint against the above named journalist for his lack of
journalistic integrity.
I did tell Mr. Goh Chin Lian that Potong Pasir Town Council has enough funds for a
one for one replacement of all the old lifts. However, there might be a possibilty of a lack of funds should
we replace the lifts to stop at every floor.
I told him that I wanted to retract all that I told him about the lift upgrading at Potong Pasir because it was too early in the term and the situation is still not
certain yet.
Subsequently, I sent three (3) SMS messages to Mr. Goh on Friday 9 February 2007 to retract what I had told him about the lift upgrading at Potong Pasir. He did not
reply my SMSes.
The essence of my interview was to ask Mr. Goh to follow up with my question posed to Ms. Grace Foo in Parliament on whether she is willing to release the $80 million
for upgrading in Potong Pasir.
Despite my categorical instructions, "I want to retract what I said,'' he simply ignored my verbal instructions and SMSes.
Instead, he went ahead to publish it.
I regret that Mr. Goh showed no respect for me as a Member of Parliament for six terms.
Yours faithfully,
CHIAM SEE TONG
MP for Potong Pasir,
Chairman, Potong Pasir Town Council
