Baey Yam Keng: I have ‘reflected’ myself, but netizens remain unconvinced

Baey Yam Keng: I have ‘reflected’ myself, but netizens remain unconvinced

Posted by temasektimes on March 3, 2012

Embattled PAP MP for Tampines GRC may have ‘apologized’ to Singaporeans for hurting their feelings by speaking up for NUS PRC scholar Sun Xu,  but many netizens remain unconvinced and continue to lampoon him on Facebook.

A final year student in Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Singapore, Sun Xu sparked nationwide outrage with his now infamous remarks on there ‘being more dogs than humans in Singapore’, prompting many to call for his scholarship to be revoked.

Instead of condemning him outright, Mr Baey called on Singaporeans to ‘reflect’ on their own behavior, triggering a public backlash over his remarks.

Speaking in parliament two days ago, Mr Baey offered a half-baked apology to those who felt offended by his words:

[Source: Baey Yam Keng's Facebook]

“I have reflected myself and this is my learning. I do not think we can just treat all the negative sentiments against foreigners as noise and expect that people will just learn or have to be rational…,” he said.

Without minutes of posting his ‘reflection’ on Facebook, it was overwhelmed by comments from angry readers.

Kelvin Tan didn’t understand why foreigners are treated better than Singaporeans:

“I don’t understand, WE ARE BORN IN THIS COUNTRY. Why do we have to fight for the things we deserve? So much for Singaporeans 1st.  Singaporeans are the only one that will stay and fight for the country, not those foreigners. We should be considered 1st for universities seats, 1st in jobs, 1st in buying houses. Thats the way it should be. Get this into your head!”

Min Chew wanted concrete action instead of empty talk:

“So?? On a bigger picture scheme of things, what do you think you can contribute to do proactively to ease and even eradicate the problem as an elected and paid people’s representative? There is no point to regurgitate what “noise” of sentiments you have heard from the ground. The main thing is to initiative action! Doing something about it will be most helpful.”

Jac Tan pressed Mr Baey for a response on Sun Xu:

“Feelings? Are you sure only feelings? We have JC students being suspend or expelled IMMEDIATELY after their kissing prank was exposed and here we have a Government Scholar INSULTING Singaporean in INTERNET and NUS has to drag their feet not knowing what to do with this “FT”? Why I did not see you speaking up for those local JC students? Can you tell us what is the appropriate discipline action for this Sun Xu?”

Nearly two weeks have passed and the Sun Xu fiasco still shows no signs of abating as netizens continue to vent their frustrations at the hapless PRC scholar whose fate will be decided at a disciplinary hearing convened on 13 March.

Read all articles about Sun Xu here

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