Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu suspected to be driver of Audi in hit-and-run accident at Bukit Panjang
December 29th, 2009 | 
Author: Written by Our Correspondent
According to a report in Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao, the driver of the black colored Audi which knocked down four passengers in a double hit-and-run accident at Bukit Panjang in the early hours of 15 December 2009 is probably none other than Dr Silviu Ionescu, the Romanian charge d’affaires himself.
Dr Silviu had earlier told the Singapore police that his car was “stolen” at around 3am in the morning at the time of the accident, but records revealed that the report was only made 40 minutes after the accident took place.
One eye-witness of the accident claimed that he tried to hurl a stone at the car to stop the driver from escaping, but he just kept driving towards him and he had to run to the other side of the road to escape.
The car subsequently stopped and the driver lowered the window to shout at him. He had described the features of the driver to the Singapore police.
Dr Silviu has since left Singapore. His current whereabouts is unknown. There are no other updates from the Singapore police except that “investigations are still ongoing”.
One of the accident victims, 30 year old Mr Tong Kok Wai passed away a few days ago. His close friend Mr Bong who was also knocked down by the car, is still recuperating in hospital after two brain surgeries.
An earlier letter by Mr Sudesh Maniar from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had assured Singaporeans that “members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps must respect the laws and regulations of Singapore, despite their diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention and that “this immunity is intended to protect them only in the discharge of their duties.”
For some strange reason, the Singapore police did not treat Dr Silviu as the prime suspect of the case and confiscate his passport to prevent him from leaving the country.
It should be pretty obvious even to the layman that it is a near impossible task to steal a car from an embassy. Furthermore, the police report of the “theft” of the car was made by Dr Silviu only after the accident.
With eye-witnesses identifying the suspect, the police should have solved the case easily within a week instead of allowing the prime suspect to get away scot-free.
This is not the first time the Singapore police had allowed prime suspects of serious crime to escape from Singapore. Two years ago, murderer “One-eyed dragon” was given all the time in the world to drive from the crime scene at Serangoon to Malaysia. He was nabbed by the Malaysian police and extradicted to Singapore.
Dr Silviu is probably back home in Romania. There are no extradiction treaty between Singapore and Romania, an impoverished country in Eastern Europe.
Mr Tong’s mother said she wanted “justice” for her son. She will have better luck flying all the way to Romania to seek assistance from the Romanian police than depending on the Singapore police who are still “investigating” the case after two weeks with no results to show.
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michael vana, richard yong, mas selamat and the list goes on…
took leng how – huang na’s murderer
after questioning Took, police accompanied him home and to the police station again for a polygraph test. on the way, they stopped at a restaurant along pasir panjang road for a meal. while eating, took said he needed to go to the toilet, escaped, took a taxi to woodlands and sneaked across the causeway to malaysia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Huang_Na
well, it seems that the powers to be only know how to bully the local Singaporeans while they bow and kowtow to foreigners.
I wonder what is our brilliant and efficient police force doing now?
If he is found guilty, would he be sentenced to life inprisonment if not death?
would this not be frightening people?
would frightened people do silly thingies?
of course, its all if’s. for now.
One law for the rich, one law for the poor
Minister of Foreign Affair,
So what are you going to do about the Romanian Diplomat?
We want an answer!
Reminds me of the Animal Farm phrase: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
Enough said.
looks like another feather in the cap for WKS
I disagree that Romania is an “impoverished” state. Also, Romania is part of the European Union, thus should have a uniform extradition treaty with Singapore. Does Singapore not have an extradition treaty with EU?
Guys Guys
Lets be fair for once and not jumnp at every chance to slam the authorities.
IF the driver of the car was ACTUALLY a Romanian DIPLOMAT, then there is NOTHING ANYONE IN SINKAPORE CAN DO ABOUT IT, including the great great MM Lee or the President, for that matter.
EVEN IF the DIPLOMAT admitted to the act, there is STILL NOTHING ANYONE IN SINKAPORE CAN DO, legally!
My condolence to the family but SINKAPORE AUTHORITIES can really DO NOTHING, in this case unless Romania Gahment waived immunity.
Yes he is under diplomatic immunity but The least the authority or minister could do is to lodge a complaint to the Romanian government instead of keeping quiet…
A life has been lost here and another hanging by the thread…yes the police has no evidence but there were witnesses…btw why was the car returned to the embassy so quickly?
Michael vana, Richard Yong, Mas Selamat,Took leng how and the list goes on… Yup This wasn’t the 1st…Don’t think it will be the last.
It seems our law seems to be more interested in sending small fry drug mules to the gallows, than real criminals. If the SPF can’t ad 2 and 2 together, I worry for our fellow citizens.
>>EVEN IF the DIPLOMAT admitted to the act, there is STILL NOTHING ANYONE IN SINKAPORE CAN DO, legally!
Yes…but at least they can stop the wayang of still “investigating” and move on
Sorry guys pasted the wrong link
Could the site master remove my previous posting. Thanks!
This should be the actual link
http://www.sicci.com/admin/DynImages/ImageType/124688349623_P3260036.JPG
(3rd from the left)
From the following site:
http://www.sicci.com/Photogallery.php?year=2009&id=&page=2
@Mee Siam Mai Hum, I agree with you on that. This is a very straight forward case which would have taken the police only a few days to complete IF there were no complications from the TOP.
The police would have concluded WHO the driver was and taken the necessary action but in this instance, it is OUT of the POLICE’s Hands and only the AGC, MHA and MFA can deal with it.
The police, in this case have NO AUTHORITY to go any further without further instructions from the TOP since it involves a Foreign DIPLOMAT enjoying IMMUNITY.
The AGC, MHA or MFA should make an official announcement soonest so as to NOT prolong the sufferings of the deceased’s family and love ones.
BUT knowing how short a memory Sinkaporeans has and considering that GE is months away, I think that they (the relevant department/s) are just stalling for time and keeping their fingers crossed hoping that Sinkaporeans will eventually forget and move on.
This is HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS and surprisingly, its been VERY successful ALL THE TIME.
For example, I say Mas Selamat, you say WHO?
Well,
If the diplomat ran down MM Lee instead,
do you think they will let him go back to Romania?
Over my dead body!
Sinkapore,
If a diplomat kills a person or rape a person, also no guilty ? WTF !!He is like an emporer !!
@someone sad for singapore, for once I am afraid I will have to be ibjective and disagree with you.
A DIPLOMAT enjoying DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY is above the law technically. Even if he shoots someone POINT BLANK in Sinkapore and admit to it, there is NOTHING ANYONE IN SINKAPORE can do about it EXCEPT to report him to the country’s Foreign Affairs and then DEPORT the person responsible. The official’s home country can prosecute the offender according to their own country’s law if they want to, or waive immunity.
To charge the offender in Sinkapore’s court WITHOUT the offender’s home country agreeing to waive diplomatic immunity ‘CAN BE’ viewed as an ACT OF WAR.
Diplomatic Immunity is covered under INTERNATIONAL LAWS in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), which governs relationship between member countries and this is one instances where a country’s own LOCAL laws does not apply.
Diplomatic Immunity issues are very tricky and complicated and I only know a very little to be in a position to explain everything but it should suffice for this case, I stand corrected.
Having said that, maybe Sinkapore’s Law Millister can work something out as he has OPENLY clarified and place on record, that Sinkapore is ONLY A CITY and thus International Law on Diplomatic Immunity does not apply since it governs relationship between COUNTRIES and NOT CITIES.
DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY
Diplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity and a policy held between governments, which ensures that diplomats are given safe passage and are considered not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country’s laws (although they can be expelled). It was agreed as international law in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), though the concept and custom have a much longer history. Many principles of diplomatic immunity are now considered to be customary law. Diplomatic immunity as an institution developed to allow for the maintenance of government relations, including during periods of difficulties and even armed conflict. When receiving diplomats — who are, formally, representatives of the sovereign — the receiving head of state grants certain privileges and immunities to ensure that they may effectively carry out their duties, on the understanding that these will be provided on a reciprocal basis.
Originally, these privileges and immunities were granted on a bilateral, ad hoc basis, which led to misunderstandings and conflict, pressure on weaker states, and an inability for other states to judge which party was at fault. Various international agreements known as the Vienna Conventions codified the rules and agreements, providing standards and privileges to all states.
It is possible for the official’s home country to waive immunity; this tends to only happen when the individual has committed a serious crime, unconnected with their diplomatic role (as opposed to, say, allegations of spying), or has witnessed such a crime. Alternatively, the home country may prosecute the individual. Many countries refuse to waive immunity as a matter of course; individuals have no authority to waive their own immunity (except perhaps in cases of defection).
The diplomat might enjoy diplomatic immunity but for the PAP to keep quiet about it? Nope, the gov is not doing its job!
Shows that SPF is not reliable at all. Waste taxpayers’ money -.-
Moe Gan Thai said: If a diplomat kills a person or rape a person, also no guilty ? WTF !!He is like an emporer !!
Crudely speaking, YES! REGARDLESS of the gravity of the offence with guilt being a seperate issue (one can be guilty and not prosecuted). He can blow up the entire High Court and there is still NOTHING the host country can do about it, unless of course the host country wants to go into a Diplomatic War with the home country and get slammed by other member countries.
ONLY the home country can do something about it, ie: prosecute the offender in their own home country according to their own laws or waive Diplomatic Immunity and allow the host country to prosecute the offender but this seldom happens.
Of course the host country can assert political or economic pressure on the home country via ransom, threats or whatever but that is a different issue altogether.
@Micheal, whether the relevant agency is doing their job or not is an entirely different issue.
@no way, in all fairness, the police has NO JURISDICTION over this matter as it is beyond their level and powers. This case is clear cut 2 way, either Deport the offender (which they have already did by allowing the offender to leave) or press/convince/threaten the home country to waive immunity and extradict the offender back to Sinkapore to be tried.
To me, #1 option seems to be most feasible and appropriate since its only ‘drunk driving causing death by negligent act, rash act, whatever’ and NOT a SERIOUS offence.
“For some strange reason, the Singapore police did not treat Dr Silviu as the prime suspect of the case and confiscate his passport to prevent him from leaving the country.”
When it first appears on papers, it was reported that the report (of lost car) happened AROUND the same time of the accident.
Also, nothing was mentioned that the diplomat was the suspect driver.
I was thinking, WTF, what ‘around the same time’? before is before, after is after. Something must be fishy.
And my gut feel was right.
- The lost car report was made AFTER the accident.
- The diplomat is now labeled as SUSPECT.
- He has left the country, and will never return, ever.
So did the govt ‘allowed’ the diplomat to leave the country?
Your guess is as good as mine.
everything is this current world seems to be GLOBALISED.
I guess it’s time the UN globalised FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE?
This diplomatic immunity is truly a dinosaur more so than
that old uncle who once delivered the office mails?
Bruce W: For some strange reason, the Singapore police did not treat Dr Silviu as the prime suspect of the case and confiscate his passport to prevent him from leaving the country.
They CANNOT unless the home country agree to it, ALL DECISION lies with the home country. Laws of Sinkapore is NOT APPLICABLE to Diplomats. PERIOD.
Bruce W: I was thinking, WTF, what ‘around the same time’? before is before, after is after. Something must be fishy.
Remember the famous speech by MHA WKS? Mas Selamat is either in the country or not in the country and Temasek’s HC famous phrase ‘Negative Wealth Added’?
Sinkaporeans don’t pay their Millisters millions for nothing and the thought of these Million Dollar Elites is not something YOU Lesser Mortals can comprehend!
Bruce W: So did the govt ‘allowed’ the diplomat to leave the country?
No need to guess, they have to.
To SUM IT ALL UP, once the culprit is identified to be a Diplomat, how, when, why is NO LONGER of ANY RELEVANCE.
Siinnga.a.aaa.pppo…re P..ooooli…c…e fell asleep zzz.. .. zzz.zzz..
Since PAP suck up to ang mor, ang mor got better treatment. Guilty no problem, allow him to runaway.
If suspect is a Bangadesh, Nigerian, local, Malaysian sure die. Don’t believe read this http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=34118
The police said the investigation is ongoing so no comment. Ha…how to conclude investigation if a suspect in the case has left the country? Why is the investigation is taking so long when in other similar cases, the guilty driver is nabbed in hours. Don’t blame the man in blue because a powerful invincible hand is blocking them from doing their job and forcing them to forget their pledge to uphold the law.
The invincible hand has decided that pursuing the truth and upholding the law is beyond his ABILITY and also the pay he/she received. It’s just another common citizen and a PR or two only…very easy to replace since our foreign talent policy have easy criteria that a farmer can pass. Anyway you know Singaporeans so forgetful, sure forget after New Year celebration on 1 Jan. Better let the diplomat leave while investigation is still “ongoing” so no one can be blamed. Just said it is only after the diplomat left than realise he could be a suspect so no one is at fault for letting him leave lor.
if he is in malaysia, he might even be the PM…
well done singapore. Every Singaporean like our gov way of work
A man who supposedly threatened a PAP MP was arrested and charged in court within 2 days.
Contrast it with this case, which is a very serious crime.
Well if it is any consolation, the news has caught on to Europe and hopefully, we will depend on anyone other then SPF to deliver the suspect back to Singapore for justice.
http://www.replicaonline.ro/diplomatul_silviu_ionescu_suspectat_de_producerea_unui_accident_in_singapore_10454.html
Well… The fact is that singapore like many small countries have to shallow their pride when it comes with dealing with big countries…. (in this case, romania is part of EU which singapore can never offend). Do you think singapore stand a chance in front of all the powerful countries? 10 years back when i’m still schooling, i saw the case on michael fay and thought that singapore is not fair when it comes with the dealing with the ang mor. Fast forward 10 years…, i would say.. what can we do? kick their ass, while they kick us even harder?! although it’s sad for her parents.. but that’s the cruel and ugly truth of world politics.
Which bring us to this question…what will the punishment be for the perpetrator if a diplomat was a victim of a hit and run???
The MHA/MFA will announce:
“The suspect has left the country. Or, the suspect is still in Singapore.”
The world should revisit the Vienna Convention agreement on diplomatic immunity. Time has changed. Individual moral and value standards had changed over the years. Perhaps , singapore should take the initiative to hold the next convention. Alternatively, Singapore should start the ball rolling by having bilateral agreements. For example, should any diplomat commits a crime or kills someone outside his normal duties, he should be charged as ordinary person by the law of the country without political immunity.
I would suggest that MM Lee can take the lead in this.
Cheers
The Singapore Police probably solved this case already… They are just waiting for instructions from the government before publishing their report. And as you know the gahmen are on holiday now (paid for by us) so I think we will get a response when they come back…
Romania is part of the EU but other EU countries couldn’t care less if a small time diplomat is convicted. I think they might even chuckle at the thought. Romania’s reputation is already bad in Europe and they are set to ruin it in South-East Asia too!
The only way to keep the pressure up is to keep the topic in the news and continue commenting our outrage online until it is resolved.
MFA can pressure Romania to waive the culprit’s immunity if the investigation shows that he is indeed the driver.
Even if Romania refuses they will be put in a bad light & that is the least MFA can do!
But by doing nothing is amounting to surrender and that is not acceptable!
From what I’ve read about such cases, if the Charge d’Affaires were still in Singapore, Singapore has a few choices:
1) Ask the Romanian government to waive immunity so that it can charge the person in the Singapore courts;
2) The Romanian government can refuse to waive immunity, but recall the person back to Romania and charge him in its own courts.
Now that the person has escaped back to his home country there’s very little Singapore can do. Which leads to the question posed by the article – why the hell did the police let him off to begin with.
Maybe (and this I’m not sure) the police doesn’t have the authority to detain him?
Anyway, I like the hypothetical scenario where some foreign diplomat runs over Harry Lee. Ooooh that would be so fun to watch.
I couldn’t have agreed more. The delicate sense of political concern is only delicate when it is of no issue concerning human lives. Now, a man had died as a result of the reckless driving by this irresponsible Romania official. And with eye witnesses, loopholes in the official’s story, Singapore police could actually just STILL investigating. What is there to further investigate when the facts are staring you in the face?
A life is taken and i don’t believe that Diplomats immunity means you could kill someone and walk away scot-free. Plus, the driver obviously had no sense of regret or remorse for his actions. He walked calmly away from the car cos he knew he had the bull immunity covering him.
Honestly, i wonder, how efficient our local force are cos it seems to me they are really inefficient. Not to mention the injustice that the poor victims suffered. What’s the use of having the police investigate for such long period when civilians or readers could actually suspect and piece together faster than the police.
If the police cannot solve this case asap and right the wrongs this poor dead guy suffered, really, don’t bother expecting further respect from the public.
Note: The quickest thing our local force does, is to swoop down on piracy, illegal parkings and whoever made a comment disrespectful to the Power. These little what nots paled in comparisons to the seriousness of the Romanian hit-and-run. How efficient the Singapore police are.
What is Romania? Some european country with werewolf legends which is not even one of the top 10 economies and never will be. I say we can afford to offend them.
Anyway did you even read today’s The New Paper? Replies from the Romanian Ambassador smacks of contempt and disrespect – standard pompous angmoh behaviour towards Asians.
The SPF should announce to the public their conclusion as to who the actual pepetrator is ASAP, regardless of whether that killer driver has diplomatic immunity or not.
You see, besides civil law, there is another set of natural law that all humans operate under – karma. No one can escape from the law of cause and effect.
We might not be able to help the deceased seek justice under our common law, but that doesnt mean that the deceased cannot get his fair share of justice. Oftentimes, the ‘justice’ that is ‘paid back’ by the deceased is way worse than that the punishment that is issued legally by our courts.
When someone dies of violent death, especially when there is great unfairness involved, the deceased becomes an especially powerful roaming spirit (怨魂). The are stuck in a ‘limbo’ state between dimensions for eternity. These spirits have been known to cause great distress to their assailants.
These spirits often roam within the vicinity of where they were killed, or their familiar areas (like their homes). Unfortunately, in this accident, the deceased would probably not have had a good look at who the driver was so it will be stuck in this dimension until it figures out how to ‘return justice’ to his killer.
Once the true identity of the driver has been ascertained, the family or friends can do the deceased a favor by :
1. burning the newspaper article (with a picture of the driver) at the place of the accident for the deceased. The deceased spirit will then know who his killer is.
2. get assistance from a Taoist priest as to how to guide the spirit to get from Sg to Romania to look for his killer. There are simple DIY ways of doing it, but for best results, seek the experts’ guidance.
3. take pictures of that ceremony that the priest conducts.
4. send the newspaper article stating who the killer is, the pictures of the deceased and the pictures of the ceremony to the killer’s home and office addresses.
5. Let nature to take it’s due course.
Once the deceased spirit has done what it feels it needs to do in order to get his ‘justice’, it will then be able to get closure and move on, instead of being stuck in its current ‘limbo’ dimension for eternity and haunting the location where the accident was.
I hope friends or family members of the deceased will pass this message on to them.
One very important point – make sure they are very sure who the driver/killer is. Otherwise, they might cause get distress to an very innocent person.
let’s see…maybe the opposition could recruit some third world
lowly-paid DIMPLOMATS to speak on their behalf?…afterall,they
have got “immunity”?…so that Janet Wee has no grounds to voice out for the eloquent Harry LEE?
I would rather the SPF says that they have suspected the diplomat all along but can’t do anything cos of diplomatic immunity than to say the matter is still under “investigation” 2 weeks into the hit and run,when the words “guilty” is tattoo in the diplomat forehead…
To keep saying that the case is still under investigation only put them in a bad light…It has become a joke ever since Mas Selamat case.
WHY DO DEFAULTERS RUN AWAY?
SIMPLE,MY AH BEND CAMP-MATE ONCE TOLD ME THAT “THEY FEEL
GUILTY!”…THAT MAKES THE JUDGE’S JOB RATHER EASY…WHY ARE WE
WAITING?
Actually, to be fair, I think this case is a nightmare for the police. I don’t think the police would have been legally able to impound the diplomat’s passport even if he was a clear suspect to begin with. Now that he’s gone back… Sigh, I feel bad for the victims’ families..
Whether the police can do anything to the diplomat is 1 thing. But hiding the truth from the public is another thing.
@Skywalker, you are NOT wrong.
When it comes to Diplomat, the SPF, including their CP is powerless. Once it has been determined that the culprit is a diplomat, the matter HAS TO BE referred to the AGC for further action. In this case, AGC inform PMO and PMO inform you know who.
Only when the AGC gives further instructions to the Police, then they the police can act. Just FYI, the police CANNOT even enter the Romanian Embassy and arrest ANYONE in the Embassy without Romania’s permission, be it a stray cat or dogs.
Now I totally understand why there were terrorism. If things can’t be solve legally then it will be solve by anger citizen. This tell you why foreigner embassy always bombed. Addition, why a country must have strong opposition parties, whatever govt not dare to do they will be the right choice.
IF govt cant give a proper answer to the victim family, OPPOSITION parties PLEASE do something.
to 冤有头，债有主,
i don’t think it is a good idea to let the ghost haunt the culprit, afterall the culprit should feel a prick in his conscience and has to live with nightmares (unless he is 铁石心肠 like LKY)
instead,the ghost should be 超度 to be reborn.冤冤相报何时了!
To cy,
> the ghost should be 超度 to be reborn.冤冤相报何时了!
In normal cicumstances, I’d agree with this procedure.
But if the culprit has the guile to escape using legal loopholes, should he be spared of his crime so easily?
In Taiwan, there have been numerous instances where killers could not stand the constant mental tortune of the hauntings by their victims. Some finally turned up at their police station to OWN UP to their crime. They felt it it would be easier to have physical punishment (enacted by law) than supernatural hauntings.
Without the victim’s hauntings, is it likely that the killer would own up? The killer might feel guilty, but will that guilt be sufficient by itself the killer to own up?
I strongly believe that justice should be made. It is beyond my capacity to comment how. There were similar cases of hit-and-run in the streets of Bucharest by other representatives of diplomatic missions and the most prominent case is the one of an artist, Teofil Peter, run-down and killed by a member of the American Embassy in Bucharest on 3rd December 2004 around 4:30am on Polona Street. The 31 year-old marine shooter was “extracted” immediately based on “diplomatic immunity”. HOWEVER, I appeal to all parties involved to refrain from making comments about the country or its citizens.
I am a romanian and i want to pay respect to the family of the victim and to the people of Singapore. It is very unhappy moment for all of us. Respect.
Hi John,
We will need your assistance to invoke Count Dracula to help track down this guy!
Within 24 hrs, the SPF should have solved the case already since they have eye witnesses and the entire “CSI” team behind them.
What MHA and MFA can do without contravening the Act is
1) Condone off the Romanian embassy ground locking all the people inside
2) Cut off electricity, water & food supply to the embassy
3) Pressure the Romanian gov to waive immunity & hand over the culprit
4) Charge the culprit
Even now, we can still apply the above since there are still Romanian staffs inside the compound!
I am sure the above will be sufficient to bring the matter to a satisfactory closure.
Of course, someone will say it will lead to war! So, we are known as the 3G Army, ok!
3G Army dares to go for War of Justice!
I wellkome you in Transylvania to find the killer, if you dare……
1) should be :
1) Cordon off the Romanian embassy ground locking all the people inside
To Mariella Chen: No one here has spoken ill of any Romanian here and what’s the point of citing the accident at Romania. Are you suggesting that what had happened there makes it perfectly fine for it to happen here as well? IMHO, all Singaporeans should be ashame of the lack of response from our government’s silence and lack of response making me feel like we are idiots. The government should at least summon the Romanian ambassador who is based in Japan to MFA to lodge a protest even if nothing much can be done. Our government is sending a message to all diplomats here that they can do anything here as they please including rape and murder.
Would you keep silence if anyone threaten or do harm to you loved ones. I’m sure it’s no if they you care about them unless you are cold blooded.
Whatever happened, whether guity or not, the Romanian Government should at least say something or take their own iniciative to investigate.
Don’t forget, the Diplomat is regarded as a respectable person sent by Romanian Government and they represent the Romanian Government.
As a layman I would think that the action and character of any State Representative reflects on the Country they represents.
to inflaTABLE boat on Thu, 31st Dec 2009 9:06 am: “Romania Impoverished country”, “bad reputation”, “Count Darcula”, just to mention a few. It is CORRECT to bring other examples that were swept under the carpet according to political interests.
JT on Thu, 31st Dec 2009 10:36 am “As a layman I would think that the action and character of any State Representative reflects on the Country they represents.”
I agree with you there: reference to the American killers in various countries where THE COUNTRY had no explanation or excuses to offer for many long years.
I also know of a case of “suicide” of a Mongolian woman who happened to be my student here in S’pore. It was a case similar to the one in Malayesia. Yet the papers did not even whisper about it.It happened two years ago. Who was involved…What does it say about “character”?
So Mariella thinks it is alright for Sin Gov to keep quiet in this case too.
Very good, let’s all applaud for her! Clap, Clap!
It all boils down to the fact that even the Developed Countries are making us of a so called Agreement from Historical Times to give immunity to this group of Special People to commit murder and other crimes without purnishment.
I think its time for the world leaders to get together to review this out dated agreement for the sake of humanity and civilisation.
it’s 2010..the sound of silence..
■Michael on Thu, 31st Dec 2009 4:23 pm
I think you need some qualified help to understand things, dear. Till then do refrain from writing!
To John on Wed, 30th Dec 2009 8:37 pm Please allow me to support your very (if not the only) sensible statement, whoever you are! Respect to you too!
To Mariella Chen,
A man is dead! I hope you understand what that means! I think you should be the one to refrain from writing until you understand the meaning of death!
I hope they waive his diplomatic immunity, extradite that SOB back here and charge this bugger and make sure he don’t ever see the light of day again from changi prison.
It’s ironic how some Romanians have made a name for themselves in Singapore over the past few weeks.
First those ATM fraudsters and now this diplomat (within a few days).
All in all I bear no grudge against romanians and don’t associate all of them as criminals. I just think that because this man is a diplomat (and the highest ranking at that), it’ll be a sticky situation bringing him to justice. It all hinges on our government’s pressure on the Wallachian, I mean Romanian government to leverage and smoke the rabbit out of his hole.
More ironic how a former voivode of Wallachia is deeply and highly respected as a tough justice figure even till today in parts of Romania. His name is Vlad Dracul if you guys are wondering. And perhaps he will impale Ionescu!
In many other countries, if such a thing happened, you would see a protest crowd outside the embassy. Apparently not in Singapore.
We seem to be capable of only online tirades and commentary, which IMHO, is not effective one bit.
Can I request a poll of people who might be interested in getting involved in a PEACEFUL protest to the Romanian Embassy here in Singapore?
In other words, use Action not just Words
One wonders whether the powers above are afraid to send a negative message to foreigners, esp the rich and famous. With the IRs opening, the last thing you want is to send a high profile foreigner to prison. So one or two lives lost is no matter. More impt is to protect Sg’s reputation as a playground to the rich and famous
The law should be fair to everyone,but unfortunately is not like this all the tume. Irregardless whetther is diplomat, infulential figure it should be treated the same.
It sadden me to agreed of the above comments the law protect other side, “JUSTICE” still exist is a big ?. My deepest condolence to the victim family.
Bravo! Another “feather in the cap” for our great police force!… letting the “man” leave our shore right under their noses!
When I read the first report about the accident, I’ve already have a “suspect in mind.” The story of the stolen car simply has too many “flaws.” This was followed by his sudden departure back to his country AND which decent man would just leave his poor wife behind to spend the festive season alone in a foreign country??? This story will definitely flop at the box office…
Enough said! Let’s see some justice.
(My condolence to the victim’s family and those injured. To those guys who provided evidence / information… you guys, rocks!)
Dear Supporters,
Thank you for your supports ! Please assist to help my buddy Tong Kok Wai & the other 2 injured victims by inputting your names and the last 4 digit of your NRIC number at the following web:
http://www.petitiononline.com/romsgacc/petition.html
MANY MANY THANKS & HAPPY 2010!
Hi Emily,
Will the families be keen to share their ordeal with Singaporeans?
It will help raise public awareness of the case and exert greater pressure on the Singapore police to apprehend the culprit.
We can be contacted at:
temasekreview@gmail.com
Easiest way to solve this – US$2000 is all it takes in his gypsy nation to send the bastard on his way and another US$3000 to send both his children along as well.
My condolence to Kok Wai and the injured victims. Everyone of us should support the petition and both Singapore Police and Romanian Government should bring the Dr — back Singapore to bring the incident to light. DO NOT let the matter rest just like this and DO NOT let the murderer go free. MOST importantly, DO NOT LET the PEOPLE down, my dear Singapore Government. Once faith is lost, it gone forever.
Happened to see the headlines of tdy’s chinese pprs? my chinese is not good but according to the pprs there was a woman involved? can smeone confirm?
Reading some of these posts have been entertaining. Sinkapore is correct, Diplomats have, for years, enjoyed immunity from prosecution. To arrest a diplomat for any crime, breaches their privledge, whether guilty or not. The home nation,Romania, has to either charge Dr Silviu themselves, which the may not do, or hand him over to the authorities her, which they wont do.
As someone else has said, this is not a serious crime. Yes, someone died, Was it murder…No. It was manslaughter at the worst, diminished responsibility at the least. The country, and his embassy, have already removed him office. He wont be back.
What will happen next? Nothing probably. Political to-and-froing will continue, with neither budging. Singapore has no extradition laws with Romania. Even though it is in the EU, there is is still no extradition laws between Romania and Singapore.
Singapore is classed as a City/State.It has a government, its own currency,its own diplomats, its own everything…technically its still a country and should respect diplomatic laws……if a singaporean had commited the same offence overseas, would the singaporean public/authorities be bleating on the same thing…..DONT THINK SO!!!
Reading some of these posts have been entertaining. Sinkapore is correct, Diplomats have, for years, enjoyed immunity from prosecution. To arrest a diplomat for any crime, breaches their privledge, whether guilty or not. The home nation,Romania, has to either charge Dr Silviu themselves, which the may not do, or hand him over to the authorities here, which they wont do.
As someone else has said, this is not a serious crime. Yes, someone died, Was it murder…No. It was manslaughter at the worst, diminished responsibility at the least. The country, and his embassy, have already removed him office. He wont be back.
What will happen next? Nothing probably. Political to-and-froing will continue, with neither budging. Singapore has no extradition laws with Romania. Even though it is in the EU, there is is still no extradition laws between Romania and Singapore.
Singapore is classed as a City/State.It has a government, its own currency,its own diplomats, its own everything…technically its still a country and should respect diplomatic laws……if a singaporean had commited the same offence overseas, would the singaporean public/authorities be bleating on the same thing…..DONT THINK SO!!!
Reading some of these posts have been entertaining. Sinkapore is correct, Diplomats have, for years, enjoyed immunity from prosecution. To arrest a diplomat for any crime, breaches their privledge, whether guilty or not. The home nation,Romania, has to either charge Dr Silviu themselves, which the may not do, or hand him over to the authorities here, which they wont do.
As someone else has said, this is not a serious crime. Yes, someone died, Was it murder…No. It was manslaughter at the worst, diminished responsibility at the least. The country, and his embassy, have already removed him office. He wont be back.
What will happen next? Nothing probably. Political to-and-froing will continue, with neither budging. Singapore has no extradition laws with Romania. Even though it is in the EU, there is is still no extradition laws between Romania and Singapore.
Singapore is classed as a City/State.It has a government, its own currency,its own diplomats, its own everything…technically its still a country and should respect diplomatic laws……if a singaporean had commited the same offence overseas, would the singaporean public/authorities be bleating on the same thing…..DONT THINK SO!!!
@ Michael on Wed, 30th Dec 2009 11:30 pm
@ 1) Condone off the Romanian embassy ground locking all the people inside
@ 2) Cut off electricity, water & food supply to the embassy
-> Yeah, let’s do that, I’m sure the world at large would applaud the initiative. Very well thought, my friend, props to you.
Sorry… there’s been so much information passed around… I may have missed some stuff. Could you please help?
1. There’s a report of two eye-witnesses at the site of the accident who could identify the driver. Has their description of the driver been made public?
2. Is the identity of the female companion known?
Thanks in advance…
My deepest condolences and sympathies to the families and loved ones of the deceased and the other the victim still hospitalized.
I hope Singaporeans and those with a kind heart will help the families to seek JUSTICE through strong joint pressure to the relevant authorities to get them to WAKE UP AND ACT FAST, DON’T ZZZZZY ANYMORE !!!
I see in the web a petition is out for the Romanian government, and the Singapore government to act in the Dr Silviu case……Come on people, this is not the way. Grow Up…as i said, if it was a singaporean diplomat, would you stupid bastards worry…no. Just cos its a white guy, you must persecute.
A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED?…YES….MURDER?…NO,The most jail time he will get is 5 to 6 years, but it wont ever come to court…why, cos the government and the romainians wont allow it to go that far. As for “Bloodforbloods” post, typical singaporean attitude. Get a grip you fool. why should his family suffer cos of him. What he did was bad, but to say his family should die…..your an asshole.
I see in the web a petition is out for the Romanian government, and the Singapore government to act in the Dr Silviu case……Come on people, this is not the way. Grow Up…as i said, if it was a singaporean diplomat, would you stupid bastards worry…no. Just cos its a white guy, you must persecute.
A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED?…YES….MURDER?…NO,The most jail time he will get is 5 to 6 years, but it wont ever come to court…why, cos the government and the romainians wont allow it to go that far. As for “Bloodforbloods” post, typical singaporean attitude. Get a grip you fool. why should his family suffer cos of him. What he did was bad, but to say his family should die…..your an asshole.