Originally posted by iveco:
I think some of you should read the 5th reply in this thread (posted by dragg). Then only you will get
a better catch of this debate.
If we could rely on witness statements, many bloggers who have
read Chen's blog didn't think Chen was making any false defamatory
statements. From the letter written by Chen to CNA journalist
Valerie Tan regarding his alleged defamatory statements, he didn't
sound like he made any malicious comment to defame A*STAR either.
It sounded more like the blog just contained his opinions about the
grade requirement system. However, since the blog has been taken
down, it is impossible to verify if the contents were indeed
defamatory.
Anyway, just came across this open letter by Chen Jiahao's friend
to Philip Yeo on one of the Singapore blogs. According to the blog
site, the open letter was copied to the Prime Minister's Office
(PMO), Straits Times, and TODAY as well. For the sake of interested
readers, I'm reproducing it without the author's permission, but it
is an open letter, anyway, so I hope he wouldn't mind. Apologies to
Ng Yong Kuan if he is reading this.
-----cover-----
Dear Mr. Yeo,
Please find attached an open letter to yourself.
In this letter, I express my disappointment at A*Star's handling of
the Acidflask saga.
Please regard it as comment and feedback.
This open letter is carbon-copied to the PMO, Straits Times forum,
Today and a small number of online journals I consider to be less
reactive about the issue.
Yours sincerely,
NG Yong Kuan
-----actual letter-----
To: Mr. Philip Yeo, Chairman A*Star
Date: 5/16/2005 9:30 AM (EDT -0400)
Dear Sir,
In recent weeks, A*Star has threatened legal action against Mr.
Chen Jiahao over remarks on his blog that are allegedly defamatory
to yourself and A*Star. A result has been obtained: Mr. Chen has
apologised and retracted the remarks; but it is the ugliness and
ease with which A*Star threatened to sue that is causing much
furore on the Internet.
As A*Star and yourself have not specified the allegedly defamatory
remarks in question (upon the legal advice you received), I cannot
comment on this aspect of the drama.
However, I can comment on the manner in which A*Star handled the
matter. I personally believe that A*Star and yourself have acted
with integrity in performing necessary and important work for the
benefit of Singapore. When A*Star discovered the allegedly
defamatory material in Mr. Chen blog, it could have tried to
convince Mr. Chen that his remarks were untrue and hence correct
his blog, or refuted the remarks in a public forum. Either course
of action could have scored A*Star a public relations coup by
assuring the world of its integrity, performance and human
touch.
Instead, A*Star and yourself as Chairman of A*Star, threatened
legal action in order to obtain a retraction and to remove the
remarks from the Internet and any other media. This action to limit
discourse to A*Star's terms is unsavoury and unbecoming of the
public institution A*Star aspires to be.
Mr. Yeo, this heavy-handed approach may have quickly settled the
matter to your satisfaction, but it appears to have bought much bad
press and ill-feeling in the local internet community. A*Star has
placed itself in a bad light, appearing to be quick to pull out the
legal stick to silence criticism. Such an image cannot help A*Star
attract research talent who challenge assumptions and question
critically. In the bigger picture, you have also reinforced the
mentality that is is better to play it safe and hide in the crowd,
to be the grey man who takes no action so that he draws no
attention to himself. Such a mentality will be a millstone around
all our necks as we compete internationally in whatever field we
choose.
Mr. Yeo, you have been quick and firm in upholding the reputation
of A*Star, but the conduct of it may hurt Singapore for years.
Substance is important, but so is style.
Yours sincerely,
NG Yong Kuan, Singaporean
-----end-----
Source: "From A Singapore Angle" blog
