Singapore’s prime minister is believed to be the world’s best paid leader, earning about $1.76 million a year. Meanwhile, Ngerng makes around $3,000 a month — or he used to, before he was fired from his job two weeks ago. His employers said he had “misused company time and resources” and called his conduct “incompatible with the values and standards expected of employees.” Ngerng, for his part, believes the decision was “politically motivated.” The Ministry of Health issued a public statement supporting the dismissal, a move Phil Robertson calls “absolutely outrageous.” “The case hasn’t even reached the court. Innocent until proven guilty should apply here,” he says. If Prime Minister Lee hoped to quell critics by suing Ngerng, however, somewhat predictably it has had the opposite effect. The author of “The Heart Truths” has received massive support on his blog and Facebook page, as well as financially. Crowd-funding his defense, he exceeded his target of 70,000 Singaporean dollars in four days. He’s also spoken at a protest against the pension system organized earlier this month, and written plenty more on the subject. He says the support he receives shows the people of Singapore want a “voice” and more transparency on the issue. Last week, the Prime Minister’s press secretary Chang Li Lin wrote to British weekly The Economist to criticize its coverage of the case. “You referred to an “alleged ‘serious libel’” by Roy Ngerng. This is not an allegation. Mr Ngerng has publicly admitted accusing Lee Hsien Loong, the prime minister, of criminal misappropriation of pension funds, falsely and completely without foundation,” he wrote. When we contacted the Prime Minister’s office, the same Chang Li Lin told us he wouldn’t comment as the matter was before court. The pre-trial is scheduled for July 4.
Posted on: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 06:38:15 +0000
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