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The Gore-Mess Affair (According to Channel News Asia) On April 26, Mr Gomez went to the Elections Department and spoke to its staff Ricky Tan to enquire about his minority certificate. Mr Gomez claimed he had submitted an application for the certificate two days earlier. After checking, the department’s staff informed Mr Gomez that he had not done so. But the Workers’ Party candidate insisted he had filled the form and handed it over to Mr Tan, and demanded he checked again. Mr Gomez then warned Mr Tan of the consequences and left his mobile phone number behind, asking that he be informed before lunch. At 1pm the same day, Ms Florence Tan, another official of the department, called Mr Gomez. In the telephone transcript, Ms Tan says: “Actually according to our CCTV, you did not submit the application form for the Indian and other minorities.” Ms Tan also told Mr Gomez that the security camera recording showed him filling up the minority certificate form. But he kept it in his bag and went off for an interview. When he returned to the counter, he did not take out the form and then left with a lady colleague. Upon hearing this, Mr Gomez immediately abandoned his original account of what had happened. In a telephone transcript with an official of the Elections Department, Mr Gomez says: “Oh I see, I’m very happy to hear your version of the story. I will just go back and check my bag because I’m outside now. I’m dealing with the administrative part. If there’s any further information or if I need some information, I’ll get back to you.” The official says: “But I have to let you know that the application for this certificate closed on Monday.” Mr Gomez says: “Yeah, yeah, of course. I’m very well (aware) on that. That’s not a problem.” The official says: “Okay?” Mr Gomez says: “Yeah, that’s not a problem. Don’t worry.” *** End of Story *** |
Duh! So this was all to what the entire hoo-hah is all about?
Let’s have a look at what a mess has snowballed from this:
- Accoutability. Gomez has left a doubt in the public’s mind as to whether he had been straight in his dealings with the department.
- Gomez could be out to tarnish the name of the Elections Department. It is a dastardly trick to discredit the Elections Department and the gover-min.
- Singapore’s international standing will suffer if the Gomez issue is not handled properly.
- Singapore cannot afford to have dishonest characters as MPs and ministers, and urged the WP to withdraw Gomez from the elections.
- Gomez had described the incident at the Elections Department as a ‘wayang’
- Gomez has been called a liar.
What do I have to say about this?
可能只有 “大长今” 那部韩剧才比这更拖泥带水吧？不过我还是比较喜欢 “大长今”。
[Translation: Maybe only that Korean TV drama ‘Dae Jang Geum’ is more lengthly and long winded than this. But still, I like ‘Dae Jang Geum’ more.]
* YAWN *