Roy Ng Needs to Slow Down and Think

The saga involving Roy Ngerng reached another level with his dismissal from his patient coordinator job with Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). I believe he works at the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) which falls under TTSH's auspices. It nearly went through the roof when Ken Jeyaretnam speculated that Mr Ng could be facing arrest by the dreaded Internal Security Department, they who have powers to detain persons without trial for potential national security breaches. Ms Nicole Seah, the poster girl of the NSP, in her private capacity made the following post on Facebook (FB):

 

https://www.facebook.com/nicoleseahnsp/posts/682854508452290 

 

I agree with her analysis, it's hardly surprising since I have been saying the same things in my previous posts. The issue is not about speaking about the CPF, I may not agree entirely with Roy's take on it, but I agree in essence that changes must be made. The CPF Minimum Sum Scheme can be equated as - Cannot Pay Finish. The current issue is libel and the antics Roy did thereafter. The Looney Fringe is trying to make every issue as an 'us versus them (PAP)' scenario. This makes good reading for those who support the opposition to the hilt, but has anyone considered what effect it has on the swing or neutral voter? I have encountered many persons who are troubled by the actions Roy undertook after receiving the Letter of Demand (LoD).

 

 

 

Roy's supporters, have suggested that the $91,000 or so raised is a clear indication of widespread support for Roy. I disagree and many I spoke to also have the same conclusion - it's a waste of money and does not indicate anywhere close to widespread support. Only around 1,200 people (some from overseas) have donated. If 91,000 people donated $1, then that's widespread support, not 1,200 donating $91,000. You can massage the figures whichever way you want - Roy's supporters clearly have. Take for instance Ms Han Hui Hui saying 6,000 people attended last Saturday's protest. I attended the Population White Paper protest that garnered 5,000. I did not see last Saturday's crowd even close to that. It was in the thousands yes, 2 - 3 perhaps, 4 is a stretch, but certainly not 5 or 6.  

 

 

 

But let's put that aside for the moment and consider the latest development - his sacking. Here I have no doubt - I find the dismissal deplorable and unwarranted. For sure TTSH may have had grounds to dismiss him if they found his conduct wanting, but using office equipment for personal use? Who doesn't do that? Ok let's say they felt he was completely ignoring warnings given, an act of defiance. That is reasonable grounds but why add the part of defamation? Defamation is a civil matter, not criminal. Moreover this matter was with a 3rd party (even if he's the PM), who had no relation or bearing to TTSH. If Roy defamed the Minister of Health in relation to his duties and supervision of TTSH, perhaps that defamation could be said to be related, but certainly not this about misappropriation of CPF funds.

 

 

 

Perhaps the security guard who got sacked for using vulgarities on the PM on his FB wall, that we could stretch and say, he's a security guard - he's supposed to protect stuff, maybe even Govt buildings, so using vulgarities against the Head of Govt could be somehow related. But not Roy's defamation. He's not a priest, a teacher or someone who must always be seen to be morally upright. If supposing a person accuses his neighbour wrongly in a spat and gets sued for defamation, should it cost him his job?

 

Anyway what has happened has happened, it cannot be undone. Although reprehensible, I'm sure TTSH would have contacted their legal advisors before proceeding to terminate his contract. They must be sure they stand on firm legal grounds, since it's a foregone conclusion the matter will hit the headlines, with a chorus of protests and condemnations from those who support Roy.

 

 

 

So what next then for Roy Ng? Amongst other things I'm sure he knows that he was always at the lowest end of the totem pole in his job - a contract worker. Like many others who do contract work, they face serious risk of being terminated, if they do not meet the fancy of the firm that they have been contracted to. Normally firms hire contractors to provide contract workers, and if they don't like someone, they simply tell the contractor who really has little choice. If he ignores, his services may not be renewed, so better just to remove the worker in question. Contract workers face the worst possible job protection in Singapore. If not sudden dismissal, their contract can simply not be renewed or their job scopes taken away, hence the job itself.

 

So Roy now is out of a job, he's facing a lawsuit and certain bankruptcy, not to mention possible arrest, if he takes things too far. This is not the time to take things to another level by upping the ante like he did in the LoD. This is the time to take stock of the events and to think carefully about how to proceed from hereon. Thus far, it seems to me and many others that he's taking in poor advice or taking advice from only 1 source or like minded persons. He's also being egged on by supporters or those who really hate the PAP, fair enough, he and they have grounds for that, but the PAP is not some run of the mill, fly by night enemy you can simply disregard. They did not last so long in power by being dumb. Just look in contrast to what he has done as opposed to the PM. He has been the one going on raising the ruckus, issuing FB postings, videos, articles, publishing confidential correspondence between his lawyers and theirs, organising protests (Ms Han can claim to be sole organiser of the CPF protest, yeah if you expect people to believe that, you probably expect them to belief in the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and Santa Claus) and crowdfunding. The PM has said little except post a letter sent in support on his FB wall and share the ECHR's position on defamation. SC Singh has only responded in the legal manner expected of any lawyer. They have basically remained strangely tight lipped, letting him have as much rope as he wants in order to hang his case legally.

 

 

 

So to you Roy Ng: Firstly you need a job. Yes your sacking was unfair and possibly politically motivated, but that's beside the point - you still need a job, most probably in the same sector or something similar. Obviously you will prefer to look at the private sector, but prospective employers will also need to take a hard look at your actions over this past months. You have a tendency to publish everything in your life (or get Ms Han and other friends to do it). Your next employer will most probably not like the idea of you running around publishing stuff that may lead back to them - by virtue of you being their employee. Plus TTSH has said they had warned you but you ignored it, which you also admitted in your 1st FB post about your sacking - admitting that events outside were taking a toll on job performance. This does not make you an attractive potential employee. Finally they might also worry that should they similarly find you not up to the job, they too will be accused of similar acts of treachery if they decide to sack you. So it's really very important that you place your priorities right - you want to be an activist or worker? If you want to do both, the latter must always take precedence.

 

Next is the lawsuit - so you have raised $91,000 with possibly more to come, the question is how much more do you want? Do you want the public to bankroll you all the way, including damages and costs? I think you need to make that clear, if you really want to be open and transparent. Plus you said in your offer, that you could come out with $5,000. How come that $5,000 is not figured in your calculations? You mean with crowdfunding, you don't expect to pay even $1 out of your own pocket?

 

 

 

Next it's time you cut out the 'bullshit' about the PM insisting on suing you. It was you who asked to be served with the lawsuit and cut out further communication, refusing to offer beyond $5,000. The full scale of damages and costs will only be determined at the final stages of the court case, not as it's now at the early part. Mr Ravi's fees at the moment certainly hasn't crossed the $70,000 figure you gave. And you have conveniently left out 1 crucial part of the process that's yet to come and must be crossed first, before the case makes it way to the courtroom - an out of court settlement offer or counter-offer.

 

 

 

The Courts will always try to get both parties to mediate and reach some sort of settlement. Court cases take time and resources, which the public has to bear. They will surely pose the question in chambers why you didn't make a further offer, or they might ask SC Singh to state what figure he's comfortable with? You can't run and say that the PM is adamant on suing you, if you do not make a further offer or reject SC Singh's offer, because whichever way it's looked at, it's will still be far cheaper than going the whole way. There's still time to resolve this matter and despite your antics, you still can walk away from this with claiming some kind of moral victory. I doubt SC Singh, aware of your crowdfunding, is going to ask for the sky and moon. He'll probably come somewhere in between or you could offer say anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000, maybe even get away with $15,000. It will not look good on the PM suing a jobless person who has raised $91,000 for any sum beyond that. This is your last chance to extract yourself from this case and move on with your life.

 

You have already admitted it's taking a toll, so why not put a stop to it while you still can? You've already admitted it's a losing case, why would you want to lose more money? After all you have a duty to those 1,200 who donated to you, to use the money in the best and most productive way. You've played the sympathy card, you've gotten your attention and even managed to bring the CPF issue to the fore-front, it's time to slow down and start to think in a more calm manner.

 

 

 

In fact there's 1 issue there's been bugging me about this saga. Since you have talked so much about the CPF and how unfair it is, why haven't you done the most obvious thing? That is - the 71 year old man arrested for vandalism for spraying anti-CPF graffiti on a bus-stop. Why haven't you done any crowdfunding for him, or pledged to use your monies to help him? Why hasn't Ravi taken on that case? Surely the guy has some really issues with the CPF scheme for him to do that, almost certainly as a consequence to your on-going saga. He, more than you needs legal help, his is a criminal matter, yours is just civil. He can go to jail, you will only be declared bankrupt, if you don't pay. No jail time, still have liberty to move about, only certain things you have declare in relation to your assets and some other general inconveniences. But it's bearable and better than jail for sure, we have thousands of bankrupts still living happily in Singapore, you will be just another statistic.

 

Mr Roy Ng, the time has come for you to make a stand. It's time to end this drama - you may be a hero to some, but have you considered whether this has any real effect if your intention as Ms Han has so often said, is to further opposition cause? Ms Nicole Seah has expressed that view quite clearly and she cannot be accused as some have said of me - a PAP supporter. We are not PAP supporters, this issue revolving around you is not about the PAP - instead you have become the issue. When the elections come, the issue will not be about you, it will be about policies that affect us, I doubt anyone will really be bothered about your plight then. It'll be about the PAP and what the opposition parties raise. Are you wise enough to realise this? That surely is the question, you must ask yourself.