Friday, February 26, 2010
MFA finds Ionescu’s comments "puzzling"
Channel NewsAsia
Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, February 27
[MFA finds Ionescu’s comments ] MFA finds Ionescu’s comments "puzzling"
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has said it is puzzled by comments made to the media by the former Romanian Charge d’Affaires linked to a hit—and—run case here.
Dr Silviu Ionescu had said that prosecutors in Singapore were accusing him long before they had the right to do so.
The Ministry said this in response to Dr Ionescu’s remark that there should be a preliminary inquiry first and that this was clearly a sign that he should not return to the island—state.
In a statement released Friday, MFA said no charges have been made and no judgement has been passed on Dr Ionescu.
"As Singapore has made clear, the Coroner’s Inquiry to be held from 3 to 10 March 2010 into the death of Mr Tong Kok Wai is not a criminal trial. The Coroner’s Inquiry is simply to ascertain the facts and circumstances of the death," MFA said.
It reiterated that police investigations have revealed that the driver of the vehicle at the time of the two accidents was Dr Silviu Ionescu.
It noted that Dr Ionescu has denied this.
"As we have said many times, if Dr Ionescu was not the driver as he claims, then he should take the opportunity to attend the Inquiry to give his account of the events and pose questions to the witnesses, in order that the true circumstances surrounding the accidents may be determined," MFA said.
"Singapore’s legal system is well—known internationally for its integrity and transparency. The Coroner will make a finding based on the evidence presented before him."
There is a Coroner’s Inquiry next Wednesday into the death of Tong Kok Wai.
MFA has sought the assistance of the Romanian Embassy to request Dr Ionescu to return to Singapore to attend the Coroner’s Inquiry as an "interested person" and not as a potential defendant.
It said that the Public Prosecutor has not decided whether it is appropriate to charge Dr Ionescu for any offences.
It added that the decision will be taken only after all the facts have been clarified at the Coroner’s Inquiry.
"If the Coroner rules that Dr Ionescu was not the driver, no charges against him will be made. For this reason, it is in Dr Ionescu’s interest to return to Singapore to put his version before the Coroner or to appoint a lawyer in Singapore to do so on his behalf," MFA said.
It also said found another comment made by Dr Ionescu "shocking".
Dr Ionescu had reportedly said: "Someone died. It’s not something solitary, but happens all over the world. There are bigger stories out there".
"We trust the Romanian authorities do not share Dr Ionescu’s irresponsible and callous attitude," MFA said.
— CNA/yb
I've been following with this new recently. Something fishy here. I'm so glad our government made a firm stand on this gruesome car accident that result in 1 death 2 seriously injured.
It all seemed to glaringly suspicious for someone who claimed not to be guilty of the incident through the response that he gave.
Well, it doesn't mean if you are someone with authority with power or some social influence means you won't do things wrong. After all the greatest revelation that we are all human beings who are far from imperfection. lol!
But if someone who just want to shrug off responsibility and start pointing fingers at others, that's very irresponsible and disqualify himself from leadership.
Isn't it true? I'm not saying that Dr Ionesu is wrong, but I'm saying that if anyone has done anything wrong, it's so hard at times to humble themselves to say that "I'm wrong, I'm sorry" and show fruits of repentance. This is even more humbling when you are someone with authority, influence status and power.
Guess we all need Jesus, we are far far far FAR from perfection. In the process of refining us, God sometimes make us go through many process of humbling as there will be certain prides stubbornness in our lives that God wants to deal with.
What goes around comes around. What you sow, you will reap.
Hence the higher you climbed in whatever social status, the greater the responsibility and greater humility is needed.
We should all walk circumspectly having the fear of the Lord! Someone up there is watching! Lol!
Channel NewsAsia
Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, February 27
[MFA finds Ionescu’s comments ] MFA finds Ionescu’s comments "puzzling"
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has said it is puzzled by comments made to the media by the former Romanian Charge d’Affaires linked to a hit—and—run case here.
Dr Silviu Ionescu had said that prosecutors in Singapore were accusing him long before they had the right to do so.
The Ministry said this in response to Dr Ionescu’s remark that there should be a preliminary inquiry first and that this was clearly a sign that he should not return to the island—state.
In a statement released Friday, MFA said no charges have been made and no judgement has been passed on Dr Ionescu.
"As Singapore has made clear, the Coroner’s Inquiry to be held from 3 to 10 March 2010 into the death of Mr Tong Kok Wai is not a criminal trial. The Coroner’s Inquiry is simply to ascertain the facts and circumstances of the death," MFA said.
It reiterated that police investigations have revealed that the driver of the vehicle at the time of the two accidents was Dr Silviu Ionescu.
It noted that Dr Ionescu has denied this.
"As we have said many times, if Dr Ionescu was not the driver as he claims, then he should take the opportunity to attend the Inquiry to give his account of the events and pose questions to the witnesses, in order that the true circumstances surrounding the accidents may be determined," MFA said.
"Singapore’s legal system is well—known internationally for its integrity and transparency. The Coroner will make a finding based on the evidence presented before him."
There is a Coroner’s Inquiry next Wednesday into the death of Tong Kok Wai.
MFA has sought the assistance of the Romanian Embassy to request Dr Ionescu to return to Singapore to attend the Coroner’s Inquiry as an "interested person" and not as a potential defendant.
It said that the Public Prosecutor has not decided whether it is appropriate to charge Dr Ionescu for any offences.
It added that the decision will be taken only after all the facts have been clarified at the Coroner’s Inquiry.
"If the Coroner rules that Dr Ionescu was not the driver, no charges against him will be made. For this reason, it is in Dr Ionescu’s interest to return to Singapore to put his version before the Coroner or to appoint a lawyer in Singapore to do so on his behalf," MFA said.
It also said found another comment made by Dr Ionescu "shocking".
Dr Ionescu had reportedly said: "Someone died. It’s not something solitary, but happens all over the world. There are bigger stories out there".
"We trust the Romanian authorities do not share Dr Ionescu’s irresponsible and callous attitude," MFA said.
— CNA/yb
I've been following with this new recently. Something fishy here. I'm so glad our government made a firm stand on this gruesome car accident that result in 1 death 2 seriously injured.
It all seemed to glaringly suspicious for someone who claimed not to be guilty of the incident through the response that he gave.
Well, it doesn't mean if you are someone with authority with power or some social influence means you won't do things wrong. After all the greatest revelation that we are all human beings who are far from imperfection. lol!
But if someone who just want to shrug off responsibility and start pointing fingers at others, that's very irresponsible and disqualify himself from leadership.
Isn't it true? I'm not saying that Dr Ionesu is wrong, but I'm saying that if anyone has done anything wrong, it's so hard at times to humble themselves to say that "I'm wrong, I'm sorry" and show fruits of repentance. This is even more humbling when you are someone with authority, influence status and power.
Guess we all need Jesus, we are far far far FAR from perfection. In the process of refining us, God sometimes make us go through many process of humbling as there will be certain prides stubbornness in our lives that God wants to deal with.
What goes around comes around. What you sow, you will reap.
Hence the higher you climbed in whatever social status, the greater the responsibility and greater humility is needed.
We should all walk circumspectly having the fear of the Lord! Someone up there is watching! Lol!
Linying Sign off, 7:14 PM.
