Liu Guo Dong: “Let the law resolve the issue if talks fail”
Translated from Lianhe Wanbao
Liu Guodong told reporters at his hotel this morning that he is still waiting for STTA to contact him and he does not want to talk much now.
He said the purpose of his trip was to obtain a clarification from Lee Bee Wah and he wants to meet her and nobody else. He will consider taking legal action against her if talks fail.
Liu claimed that he had no intention to create trouble for STTA as he has his own matters to attend to such as meeting the President of the Indonesia Table-Tennis association.
He demands STTA to clarify its statements about him in the press and is now waiting for them to give him a call. “They should take the initiative to contact me,” he said.
Liu Guodong said: “I was a staff of STTA in the past, but not now. I will not go and stand outside the association like a fool.”
STTA has expressed willingness to meet up with Liu if he is free tonight.
A STTA spokesperson told the media that they did not manage to contact Liu yet and they will meet him tomorrow if he is not available tonight. Lee Bee Wah will probably be present during the meeting.
Liu Guodong is confident that 80% of public opinion is on his side. He was elated reading about the level of support he had received from the public in the papers.
He revealed that he still harbored sentiments for Singapore: “The last 4 years in Singapore were my most successful 4 years. I do not clamor for fame. The previous STTA President asked me to train the women team which I readily accepted. I am still willing to return to the team in the future even if I am not paid a single cent.”
Lee Bee Wah remained uncontactable for the entire day. Both the journalists and Liu had tried calling her to no avail.
Source: Lianbe Wanbao
EDITORS’ NOTE:
Lee Bee Wah owes coach Liu Guodong and all Singaporeans an APOLOGY. Why is she keeping quiet now when she was the one who caused so much trouble by shooting off her mouth? Regardless of the outcome, Lee Bee Wah should resign to prevent dragging the good name of STTA through the mud. Can you imagine if Liu decides to sue her, how much negative publicity will STTA be subjected to? And how will this fracas affect the training and morale of the table-tennis players?
For those of you who haven’t signed the petition to call for Lee Bee Wah’s removal as STTA President, please do so here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/lbh/petition.html
Please also forward the above link to all your friends. ENOUGH is ENOUGH!
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people justice on Thu, 14th May 2009 7:19 pm
http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/ED…-LOH-KIAH-MUAN
Online Only – MP had no empathy
Letter from LAWRENCE LOH KIAH MUAN
Updated 10:07 PM May 13, 2009
It started with Member of Parliament (MP) Seng Han Thong being set on fire. Then came MP Denise Phua who was threatened by a rag-and-bone man. Recently, MP Cynthia Phua was subjected to a display of violence by a constituent.
Although these incidents are disturbing and a cause for concern, I wonder whether the constituents are solely to be blamed.
Allow me to relate my personal experience.
In February 2001, my older son died in a naval accident whilst serving National Service. In that year, my younger son was due for enlistment. A friend, a very active grassroots member, suggested that I approach my MP, for help in exploring the possibility of getting an exemption for my younger son. I was reluctant but he went ahead to fix an appointment for me at the Meet-The-People Session (MPS). I subsequently relented and he accompanied me there. It was in March 2001. That was my first appearance at a MPS, and it was to be my last.
I waited until midnight before I could meet the MP. Prior to this, he was given the case paper which detailed the objective of the meeting and the circumstances of my case.
When I entered the room, his first remark was “Yes, what can I do for you?”. There was no attempt at offering a word of sympathy or condolence. I then related my situation and said that both my wife and I were very traumatised.
His next remark “What traumatic, after two months, you won’t be traumatic?”. With that, I decided to end the meeting. And with that, my respect for him hit ground zero. I was too stunned and grief-stricken to react. Someone who was less-controlled and less-measured than me could have flown into a rage and become violent.
MPs are elected or appointed to serve the constituents. People who attend the MPS are those who have real problems and need help. In a lot of instances, they are stressed, distressed and troubled. What they need is a caring soul, a helping hand, a gentle voice, and words of hope and encouragement. To dispense these, MPs need good interpersonal skills and a high EQ. Arrogance, a patronizing, chiding and belittling attitude, aloofness and lack of empathy will only trigger acts of rashness and violence. Many of our politicians have a high IQ, some are scholars. However, a high IQ is not the only attribute needed in a political career. A high EQ is equally, if not more critical, especially when it comes to dealing with the constituents.
In my case, I would have felt good if my MP could have been a warm and caring person. If he could have been empathetic, consoling and helpful. All these qualities can only come from the heart, not from the mind.
How many of our MPs can stand up and be counted for this?
Jim on Thu, 14th May 2009 8:03 pm
Hi All,
How come an MP is allowed to be president of s sports association? How can his/her constituency members be sure that enough time will be allocated to helping them with their daily concerns? I believe LBW is not paid to be a president, but she is paid a good allowance as an MP.
Also can anyone explain why there is a need to appoint Mayors in Singapore? Isn’t what they do similar in essence to a MP’s portfolio, which is to help citizens within his/her constituency? Teo Ser Luck is going to become a Mayor. He already holds various appointments. This seems to be getting illogical even to me, a normal university gradute who is not stupid.
Lastly may I know how much is a Mayor’s allowance? Is this information withheld from the public?
Please pardon me for plain ignorance.
Amazing on Thu, 14th May 2009 8:37 pm
Lee Bee Wah remained uncontactable for the entire day. Both the journalists and Liu had tried calling her to no avail
….even the gods will not help this type of ungrateful person
joe on Thu, 14th May 2009 10:31 pm
She is in the “left you die, right you die” position now. The party leaders are in a jam. Both ways, they will lose face. They cannot use “special tactics” on this Chinese coach, they don’t want to “alert” the high level Chinese leaders of how our government handle FT’s disputes.
Unless, they want to use money to quiet things down again.
Lee Ah Kong on Thu, 14th May 2009 10:38 pm
Why is LBW contactable the entire day?
Is she so busy that her mobile phone is switched off and her office phone has no one to answer or relay calls to her?
Or is she too proud to answer Coach Liu’s call?
Or is she trying to avoid the reporters?
Whatever it is, this “disappearing act” does not speak well of her behaviour.
Even President Obama of the United States has time to answer to non-official calls!
Lee Ah Kong on Thu, 14th May 2009 10:40 pm
Errata: The first sentence should read:
“Why is LBW uncontactable the entire day?”
luck ser teo on Thu, 14th May 2009 10:54 pm
I watched this ah teo being interviewed on this matter. OMG, the way he responded was so amateurish and further more he is holding a “senior” post…what a joke. Singapore is hopeless…
kuching on Thu, 14th May 2009 11:04 pm
Why everyone so concerns of this ” China ” sportman issues all over again??? A total waste of everyone time…Wayang Party should dwelt on BIG issues concerning our Singaporean..example Banks cheating our people of their hard earned money. The Banks are not not willingly to compromise toward a win -win situation..why wayang party not raising hell on such big issue???instead of this chinese soap opera?? which mainky for housewives that got nothinh else to do at home!
reader on Thu, 14th May 2009 11:21 pm
@ people justice (7:19pm):
I tried to click on the link posted but i get a page saying “bad request”.
I believe the correct link should be
http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC090513-0000097/Online-Only—MP-had-no-empathy
I am surprised that Todayonline is willing to publish such a letter. But unfortunately, with the turnover of the Voices page, not enough Singaporeans will get to read it. Perhaps wayangparty can expand the contents of this letter into a full article on this site to further raise awareness.
It really makes one’s blood boil to hear these lack of empathy of the MPs. Although Mr Loh probably won’t see this, I’ll still like to offer my condolences and sympathies here.
rvian on Thu, 14th May 2009 11:28 pm
Hi Jim (Jim on Thu, 14th May 2009 8:03 pm),
It has been a practice all along to have MP’s occupying the helm of sports associations though I am not sure if it is for all associations. Do not be too surprised by this fact. BUT, if you are, then you are in for more surprises. Take a look at the STTA website, there are 5 other MP’s sitting in the board – all as advisors to STTA.
go to http://www.stta.org.sg/about/committee.html
Scroll down, the list of board members listed clearly the who’s who. By the look of this high powered line-ups, we can assume that STTA is well placed in terms of ‘quality leadership’. And yet, the president of the association behave in such an unacceptable manner. Perhaps she was not properly advised.
This is a very ‘tragic’ event for all of us in Singapore. Frankly, it is very difficult to face up to foreign friends on this issue, it is very embarassing that our leadership actually behave such. Those in the sports fraternity who are supposed to speak up are keeping mum about this matter.
joe on Thu, 14th May 2009 11:47 pm
On TV, Ah Teo said that this event should not affect the morale of the current team of sports persons. Well, he should have told Ah Bee to shut up and sit down in the first place and all this will not happen.
And yes, Ah Teo looked really real raw. Remind me of what Darkness said about this guy.
xISD Tay on Fri, 15th May 2009 12:54 am
“Lee Bee Wah owes coach Liu Guodong and all Singaporeans an APOLOGY. ”
You have got to be joking! Members of teh famiLEE don’t apologise, they are never wrong, it was an honest mistake!
“Why is she keeping quiet now when she was the one who caused so much trouble by shooting off her mouth?”
Members of the famiLEE will talk as and when they feel like it, who are you to tell her when she should or should not open her mouth?
“Regardless of the outcome, Lee Bee Wah should resign to prevent dragging the good name of STTA through the mud.”
My toes are laughing now, being a member of the famiLEE, tell me WHO can sack her? Millisters, who got the balls?
“Can you imagine if Liu decides to sue her, how much negative publicity will STTA be subjected to?
Liu suing member of the famiLEE, you got to be joking again rite? Which Kangaroo in Sinkapore Courts will rule against her?
“And how will this fracas affect the training and morale of the table-tennis players?”
You think the famiLEE cares, just go to China and buy the world’s no.4 or no.5 like usual, whats the big deal?
Rainnix on Fri, 15th May 2009 3:57 am
Tipoff: http://forums.delphiforums.com/3in1kopitiam/messages?msg=13380.1
Wayangparty and egenquirer can pick this up?
manfred on Fri, 15th May 2009 9:50 am
To the Editor : While I agree with your comments regarding the behaviour of LBW, I take objection to your statement about
LBW being a Malaysian women disgracing our nation. There are thousands of Malaysian men and women who are now citizens of S’pore. It is an affront to them. Kindly exercise caution in your selection of words especially when you are the Editor.
Amazing on Fri, 15th May 2009 10:15 pm
Lui train the women team for 4 years and this kampong charbo, took all the credit when the girls team won the silver.
Classic example of somebody claiming other hard work. What a shameful display of lacking in manners.
Najip senior on Sun, 24th May 2009 4:06 pm
i agreed with mannfed, whether LBW was a malaysian or a singaporean born is irrelevant.there is no need for the editor to mention that, what was e editor trying to imply? I have came across singaporean born that are just as rude and grateful as LBW but does it means that all Singaporean are rude and grateful?