ERM World: “Singaporeans did not pay for Ris Low”
From our Correspondent
The embattled organizer of the Miss Singapore World pageant, ERM World has struck back at accusations from the public that it had been negligent in the screening of its candidates, claiming that it had no knowledge of her conviction for credit card fraud when Ris Low was crowned queen.
It said in a statement yesterday that it would now be seeking legal advice on whether to allow Miss Low to keep her crown.
When pressed last week for an answer by the state media due to the high level of public interest in the matter, ERM said: ‘Singaporeans did not pay for her.’
The revelation that Miss Low was convicted in May for credit card fraud had sparked a public backlash with many netizens calling for her to be stripped of her crown.
Miss Low claimed that she did not inform the organizers of her conviction when she signed up for the contest as they did not ask.
A check on the ERM World website showed that the criteria listed did not state explicitly that eligible contestants must not have a previous conviction:
The state media has been unusually harsh on Miss Low with extensive coverage on the controversy for the last few days while ignoring more pressing issues of national concerns such as the increasing number of foreigners working and living in Singapore and their impact on locals.
While some Singaporeans want Miss Low to be stripped of her crown, others were less adamant. The managing director of co-sponsor Pet Lovers Centre, Mr Ng Whay Hoe, said: “Whatever has happened is not good and not right. When somebody is already down, there is no need to press her down further.”
The media frenzy and witch-hunt on Miss Low is making a mockery of the government’s “Yellow Ribbon Campaign” to give offenders a second chance in life.
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Frontman on Tue, 29th Sep 2009 5:47 pm
When you use the term ‘represent SIngapore’, Singaporeans have a say in what you do regardless of whether they pay or not.
ERM also screw up in not getting this basics right.
Anonymous on Tue, 29th Sep 2009 5:58 pm
“The media frenzy and witch-hunt on Miss Low is making a mockery of the government’s “Yellow Ribbon Campaign” to give offenders a second chance in life.”
There’s something ironical about this statement, TR.
Sturmtruppen on Tue, 29th Sep 2009 6:03 pm
So the truth is out…it is the organizer’s fault for not stating it clear…
happy now to those netizens who did not get the facts fully right…
it is not her fault yet we blame her…
and now ruin her once chance at real dreams and aspirations to make a life and future for herself thru her own courage and hard work…
so MSM do a witch hunt for a “defenseless” girl but no which hunt when “limping” mas selamat escape from singapore or singapore so call “commercial” investment company loss billions of US dollars…
well done…
uniquely singapore.
rob on Tue, 29th Sep 2009 6:29 pm
“Singaporeans did not pay for her.” What kind of statement is that?
ERM sounds more messed up than Low.
ayu on Tue, 29th Sep 2009 6:39 pm
aiya.. I don’t care lah.. I have other things to think abt.. Now hear this, my maid has more money in her wallet than what i have in my wallet and my bank combined.. pathetic? Yes.. Desperate? Yes! I need to tink of a way to buy rice and eggs to eat till my payday..
jer on Tue, 29th Sep 2009 6:52 pm
What a cool name. ERM. Speaks a lot about the company.
errol on Wed, 30th Sep 2009 2:48 pm
courage and hard work… my $@#&*. She got in with her so-called “good looks”.Can’t speak english?, no problem.That’s why she got away with only probation for fraud.
Joseph on Wed, 30th Sep 2009 9:08 pm
“Singaporeans didn’t pay for someone who is to represent them.”
What a messed up reply. What are ERM. A bunch of gangsters? Give the task of running the pagent to people who honour Singapore and gives a damn please.
SebyHong on Fri, 2nd Oct 2009 11:17 pm
The yellow ribbon project? I don’t think she deserves a second chance for now. After her credit card fraud conviction, she show no remorse and was lying about her conviction and not coming clean during the pageant’s selection process, just 2 months later.
Having said that, I hope we can all let the matter rest and let Miss Ris Low get on with her life. Of course, everyone deserves a second chance. She did the right thing by resign the role. All the best, Ris!
For an organisation that hosts such a prestigious event, ERM is disappointing. Is obvious that they have no experience with the press and their “Singaporean did not pay for Ris” statement is definitely not working for their public image.
Roy on Sat, 3rd Oct 2009 5:33 pm
If Singaporeans didn’t pay for her, then the organisers jolly well not use the title to portray the false impression that she is endorsed by Singaporeans.
rendition on Sat, 3rd Oct 2009 8:07 pm
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Story/STIStory_436989.html
the backlash on the organisers begins