SQ pilots under political pressure (merged)
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Gladiator
I think you probably mean oligarchists suck.
OED defines:
oligarchy n. government, State governed, by small group of persons; members of such government.
The present oligarchy, whilst sharing totalitarian methodology with past and present examples of communist rule, does not share the Marxist theory of dialectic materialism and common ownership. Rather the cult of personality (guess whose) and meritocracy (some are born with enough merit to emerge into the country’s leadership, others attain it in time honored fashion) combine with a raw capitalism and a tacit deal with the proletariat that gives them material comforts in exchange for political quiescence.
I think you probably mean oligarchists suck.
OED defines:
oligarchy n. government, State governed, by small group of persons; members of such government.
The present oligarchy, whilst sharing totalitarian methodology with past and present examples of communist rule, does not share the Marxist theory of dialectic materialism and common ownership. Rather the cult of personality (guess whose) and meritocracy (some are born with enough merit to emerge into the country’s leadership, others attain it in time honored fashion) combine with a raw capitalism and a tacit deal with the proletariat that gives them material comforts in exchange for political quiescence.
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SIA public affairs chief Rick Clements resigns
Even Professional Spin Artists Have Their Limits
http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/s...14747,00.html?
or
http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/s...14747,00.html?
Business Times - 24 Apr 2004
SIA public affairs chief Rick Clements resigns
(SINGAPORE) Singapore Airlines communications chief Rick Clements is leaving the company. Mr Clements, who is in his 50s, submitted his resignation this week. The reasons or circumstances are not known, and he could not be contacted last night.
Mr Clements, a Briton who is a Singapore permanent resident, has been with SIA for almost two decades. His gentle manner of handling the media and public, whether SIA faced a crisis or was merely announcing another award, has won him huge respect in the company and from the media.
The most enduring image of Mr Clements is a photograph of him comforting a grieving relative of the ill-fated SQ006 in November 2000. His graciousness saved the day when the distressed and agitated man barged into a news briefing and demanded 'first-hand news'. As a live television audience watched, Mr Clements urged a policeman who tried to pull Tan Yin Leong out of the room to let him stay.
Mr Clements also took a leading role in explaining SIA's position in the face of a potential union mutiny after it cut wages to ride out the slump brought on by Sars last year. His resignation follows that of his deputy, Australian Innes Willox, earlier this year, and another colleague, Karen Leow, this month.
This has depleted SIA's public affairs department. But the company's Australia-based spokesman Stephen Forshaw is expected to join the Singapore team soon, and could possibly replace Mr Clements.
Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/s...14747,00.html?
or
http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/s...14747,00.html?
Business Times - 24 Apr 2004
SIA public affairs chief Rick Clements resigns
(SINGAPORE) Singapore Airlines communications chief Rick Clements is leaving the company. Mr Clements, who is in his 50s, submitted his resignation this week. The reasons or circumstances are not known, and he could not be contacted last night.
Mr Clements, a Briton who is a Singapore permanent resident, has been with SIA for almost two decades. His gentle manner of handling the media and public, whether SIA faced a crisis or was merely announcing another award, has won him huge respect in the company and from the media.
The most enduring image of Mr Clements is a photograph of him comforting a grieving relative of the ill-fated SQ006 in November 2000. His graciousness saved the day when the distressed and agitated man barged into a news briefing and demanded 'first-hand news'. As a live television audience watched, Mr Clements urged a policeman who tried to pull Tan Yin Leong out of the room to let him stay.
Mr Clements also took a leading role in explaining SIA's position in the face of a potential union mutiny after it cut wages to ride out the slump brought on by Sars last year. His resignation follows that of his deputy, Australian Innes Willox, earlier this year, and another colleague, Karen Leow, this month.
This has depleted SIA's public affairs department. But the company's Australia-based spokesman Stephen Forshaw is expected to join the Singapore team soon, and could possibly replace Mr Clements.
Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Yes, losing 1 PR Spinner might just be unfortunate, but 3 in a short space of time suggests something more "interesting" going on.
Perhaps even these hardened "truth manipulators" couldn't swallow the pill that was being forced down their throat from events recently.
I wonder when the book will come out ?
DG
Perhaps even these hardened "truth manipulators" couldn't swallow the pill that was being forced down their throat from events recently.
I wonder when the book will come out ?
DG
Probably find that Mr Clements has been very well informed that should he make any public statement he will be following a one Mr Ryan Goh - hope that he has moved all his assets out of the land. An interesting state of affairs in SQ at the moment.
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Straits Times, Monday, 26 April 2004
Public face of SIA resigns to freelance
After 24 years with SIA, Mr Clements plans to do consulting work here.
By Chang Ai-Lien
AFTER 13 years as the public face of Singapore Airlines (SIA), Mr Rick Clements is spreading his wings.
SIA's vice-president of public affairs is ending a 24-year career at the company to go freelance.
'I have reached a point in my life where I can afford to be more adventurous and pursue other career options,' the 57-year-old told The Straits Times.
'If I didn't make the move soon, it would be too late, and if I missed my chance I'm sure I'd regret it later.'
He plans to do public relations consulting in Singapore, something which will offer him more freedom, both in choosing projects and working hours.
An industry veteran, Mr Clements has been the company's front man over many storms, including its two major tragedies - the SQ006 crash in Taiwan almost four years ago which caused 83 deaths, and SilkAir's MI185 crash, which killed all 104 on board when the plane plunged into the murky Musi River in Indonesia.
Of the hundreds of press conferences he has given, the consummate public relations man perhaps stands out most for the time he threw bureaucracy out the window and showed a compassionate side.
That was back in November 2000, when he was chairing a press conference on the SQ006 crash.
The distraught brother of one of the crash victims barged into a room full of stunned journalists and demanded 'the truth'.
Instead of letting police escort the grieving man out, Mr Clements gave him the time he needed to vent his emotions. Then he walked over, put his arms around him and said: 'I'm very sorry.'
His action earned him praise from both hardened journalists and members of the public, who saw the incident as it was beamed live on air.
'There have been many special times, as well as some very bad ones, but there's never been a dull moment,' he said.
Trained as an IT professional, the British national spent his first 11 years at SIA working in computer services before moving to public affairs in 1991.
He dismissed any speculation that he was jumping ship because of unhappiness due to the company's major restructuring and cost-cutting efforts, its recent management reorganisation, or strife over soured ties between management and the pilots' union.
He also stressed that the resignation of a public affairs senior manager and executive - both left this month - were 'simply unfortunate timing'.
In fact, the decision to move on had been made well before he tendered his resignation on April 20 - he told SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng about his plans more than 18 months ago.
'Originally, I had planned to resign last year, but because of the Sars crisis and the financial problems it created, it wasn't a good time.
'So I put my plans on hold for a while.'
As to who will fill his shoes, SIA said no decision has been made yet.
When he leaves in about three months' time, the self-confessed workaholic, who spends at least 11 hours in the office every day, says his first order of business is to spend some time touring Britain.
'I've lived abroad since my mid-twenties, so I've never really seen much of it,' he said.
Public face of SIA resigns to freelance
After 24 years with SIA, Mr Clements plans to do consulting work here.
By Chang Ai-Lien
AFTER 13 years as the public face of Singapore Airlines (SIA), Mr Rick Clements is spreading his wings.
SIA's vice-president of public affairs is ending a 24-year career at the company to go freelance.
'I have reached a point in my life where I can afford to be more adventurous and pursue other career options,' the 57-year-old told The Straits Times.
'If I didn't make the move soon, it would be too late, and if I missed my chance I'm sure I'd regret it later.'
He plans to do public relations consulting in Singapore, something which will offer him more freedom, both in choosing projects and working hours.
An industry veteran, Mr Clements has been the company's front man over many storms, including its two major tragedies - the SQ006 crash in Taiwan almost four years ago which caused 83 deaths, and SilkAir's MI185 crash, which killed all 104 on board when the plane plunged into the murky Musi River in Indonesia.
Of the hundreds of press conferences he has given, the consummate public relations man perhaps stands out most for the time he threw bureaucracy out the window and showed a compassionate side.
That was back in November 2000, when he was chairing a press conference on the SQ006 crash.
The distraught brother of one of the crash victims barged into a room full of stunned journalists and demanded 'the truth'.
Instead of letting police escort the grieving man out, Mr Clements gave him the time he needed to vent his emotions. Then he walked over, put his arms around him and said: 'I'm very sorry.'
His action earned him praise from both hardened journalists and members of the public, who saw the incident as it was beamed live on air.
'There have been many special times, as well as some very bad ones, but there's never been a dull moment,' he said.
Trained as an IT professional, the British national spent his first 11 years at SIA working in computer services before moving to public affairs in 1991.
He dismissed any speculation that he was jumping ship because of unhappiness due to the company's major restructuring and cost-cutting efforts, its recent management reorganisation, or strife over soured ties between management and the pilots' union.
He also stressed that the resignation of a public affairs senior manager and executive - both left this month - were 'simply unfortunate timing'.
In fact, the decision to move on had been made well before he tendered his resignation on April 20 - he told SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng about his plans more than 18 months ago.
'Originally, I had planned to resign last year, but because of the Sars crisis and the financial problems it created, it wasn't a good time.
'So I put my plans on hold for a while.'
As to who will fill his shoes, SIA said no decision has been made yet.
When he leaves in about three months' time, the self-confessed workaholic, who spends at least 11 hours in the office every day, says his first order of business is to spend some time touring Britain.
'I've lived abroad since my mid-twenties, so I've never really seen much of it,' he said.
god speed
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Capt Ryan Goh calls it a day
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/18359print.asp
Capt Ryan Goh calls it a day
After settling loose ends here, ex-SIA union official heads for Australia
Friday • April 30, 2004
Derrick A Paulo
[email protected]
AT a farewell dinner at East Coast Parkway, five men sat at a table, their mugs of beer half empty. There was little to distinguish them from the other diners, except that among them was an "undesirable immigrant".
Capt Ryan Goh told Today he did not know what made someone an undesirable immigrant and why he had been called one. He reckoned he was probably seen as "controversial" and admitted he would "push hard" for the rights of his fellow pilots.
On Wednesday night, the former Airline Pilots Association — Singapore (Alpa-S) union leader seemed relaxed and at ease as he chatted and joked with his friends, all pilots, over dinner.
Two months ago, he had cut a different figure when he sat across from Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Istana. Mr Lee had strong words for Capt Goh for being behind the ouster of the previous Alpa-S executive committee.
But that chapter is closed, said the Malaysian who had spent the last 26 years in Singapore. For the authorities, he reckoned, more "closure" would come when he flies off tomorrow.
In early March, Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng had declared Capt Goh an undesirable immigrant and revoked his permanent resident status.
Capt Goh had appealed to the Controller of Immigration but his appeal was unsuccessful.
He had then appealed to Mr Wong. "I was hoping that they might show more compassion. I came here when I was an 18-year-old lad. I established not only my career, but my roots and my relationships," he said.
That appeal was turned down four weeks ago and since then he had been preparing for his and his daughter's departure to Australia, where his wife and other children are waiting.
As he settled the loose ends of his life in Singapore, Capt Goh found it ironic that it was not the authorities that had been difficult but the banks.
"They had taken away more than my umbrella. The local banks recalled all my loans. One of them demanded my children's trust fund. Can you believe that? They knew the money was for my children," he said, adding that he would manage. He was thankful that one of the banks remained reasonable.
As he strolled away, he talked briefly about his future. He had not secured another job but said that pilots put "their heart and soul" into flying. If he had to move on from the industry, he said he might consider law school.
"I've always been interested in law. A law firm here has told me that if I get a law degree, there's a job waiting for me," he said.
Briefly, the unionist fire that was drowned in the beer and conversation flickered.
He recalled the time he had been featured in the news for his role in "rallying for the release of the three pilots" in the SQ006 crash in Taiwan.
Then the self-professed "true-blue unionist" got into the car and took off, as he will tomorrow, on Labour Day, flying Singapore Airlines.
Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/18359print.asp
Capt Ryan Goh calls it a day
After settling loose ends here, ex-SIA union official heads for Australia
Friday • April 30, 2004
Derrick A Paulo
[email protected]
AT a farewell dinner at East Coast Parkway, five men sat at a table, their mugs of beer half empty. There was little to distinguish them from the other diners, except that among them was an "undesirable immigrant".
Capt Ryan Goh told Today he did not know what made someone an undesirable immigrant and why he had been called one. He reckoned he was probably seen as "controversial" and admitted he would "push hard" for the rights of his fellow pilots.
On Wednesday night, the former Airline Pilots Association — Singapore (Alpa-S) union leader seemed relaxed and at ease as he chatted and joked with his friends, all pilots, over dinner.
Two months ago, he had cut a different figure when he sat across from Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Istana. Mr Lee had strong words for Capt Goh for being behind the ouster of the previous Alpa-S executive committee.
But that chapter is closed, said the Malaysian who had spent the last 26 years in Singapore. For the authorities, he reckoned, more "closure" would come when he flies off tomorrow.
In early March, Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng had declared Capt Goh an undesirable immigrant and revoked his permanent resident status.
Capt Goh had appealed to the Controller of Immigration but his appeal was unsuccessful.
He had then appealed to Mr Wong. "I was hoping that they might show more compassion. I came here when I was an 18-year-old lad. I established not only my career, but my roots and my relationships," he said.
That appeal was turned down four weeks ago and since then he had been preparing for his and his daughter's departure to Australia, where his wife and other children are waiting.
As he settled the loose ends of his life in Singapore, Capt Goh found it ironic that it was not the authorities that had been difficult but the banks.
"They had taken away more than my umbrella. The local banks recalled all my loans. One of them demanded my children's trust fund. Can you believe that? They knew the money was for my children," he said, adding that he would manage. He was thankful that one of the banks remained reasonable.
As he strolled away, he talked briefly about his future. He had not secured another job but said that pilots put "their heart and soul" into flying. If he had to move on from the industry, he said he might consider law school.
"I've always been interested in law. A law firm here has told me that if I get a law degree, there's a job waiting for me," he said.
Briefly, the unionist fire that was drowned in the beer and conversation flickered.
He recalled the time he had been featured in the news for his role in "rallying for the release of the three pilots" in the SQ006 crash in Taiwan.
Then the self-professed "true-blue unionist" got into the car and took off, as he will tomorrow, on Labour Day, flying Singapore Airlines.
Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.
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The Sunday Straitened Times of May 2 carries a story on Ryan Goh's departure from Changi. In it, Goh is quoted as saying he would like to remain an airline pilot and had applied to several international airlines. However, he is also quoted as saying he had to sort out with the Singapore authorities his "rights to come into Singapore as a flight crew".
Whatever does that mean?
Rockhound
Whatever does that mean?
Rockhound
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I think it means that, if he were to work for, say, China Airlines, EVA etc. etc. he would need to know that he could either transit or layover in Singapore as a crew member working for another airline.
Having been declared "undesirable" by the Singapore Government he may forsee a problem.
Having been declared "undesirable" by the Singapore Government he may forsee a problem.
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BlueEagle,
That thought had occurred to me, as well, but I dismissed it pretty quickly. Surely "undesirable" refers to Goh's status as a permanent resident of or immigrant to Singapore, not as short-term visitor. Or am I being my usual pathetically naive self?
Rockhound
That thought had occurred to me, as well, but I dismissed it pretty quickly. Surely "undesirable" refers to Goh's status as a permanent resident of or immigrant to Singapore, not as short-term visitor. Or am I being my usual pathetically naive self?
Rockhound
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Dear Ryan,
Luck has it that 744 of CAL & EVA doesn't
go to Sin that often.
So, no reason to apply again to do so.
All the best...
WEST - ROCK in Seoul we shall meet
again, buddy
go to Sin that often.
So, no reason to apply again to do so.
All the best...
WEST - ROCK in Seoul we shall meet
again, buddy
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just from the singapore rumour mill: it is rumoured that the director of cabin crew and the cabin crew perf. manager have also joined the ranks of SIA departures. creation of a 'mega-division' under LG bey consisting of flt ops, cabin crew, marketing, and engineering apparently a key factor in the dapertures. (ie they couldn't get on with the 'mega-leader'.
morale is still low and the SAS pilots have arrived.
cheers
morale is still low and the SAS pilots have arrived.
cheers
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Readers from outside Singapore may be interested in the following snippet, as it illustrates the fate of opposition politicians (must be about three of these brave souls left in Singapore) when they become too vocal and too effective in their castigation of LKY's totalitarian Peoples' Action Party (PAP). Once bankrupt, of course, they can no longer be MP’s. Contentious figures lower down the pecking order will also be effectively removed from public prominence by any of a multitude of well-honed procedures, including termination of Permanent Residency (PR).
Opposition politician Jeyaretnam to appeal bankruptcy decision.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../83019/1/.html
SINGAPORE : Opposition politician J.B. Jeyaretnam said on Monday he would appeal a court's rejection of his bid to be discharged from bankruptcy.
Jeyaretnam owes S$600,000 after a series of defamation suits, centering around a 1995 article which the courts ruled defamed leaders of the People's Action Party.
The High Court last week turned down the 79-year-old's application after lawyers for PAP members rejected his offer to pay 20 percent of the debt.
"I am planning to appeal against the decision of the assistant registrar to a judge of the High Court," Jeyaretnam said.
Mr Jeyaretnam was declared a bankrupt three years ago after he lost two defamation cases.
In 1998, the High Court ordered Jeyaretnam to pay damages of S$100,000 for defamatory remarks he made at an election rally.
He was ordered to pay another S$200,000 to the Tamil Language Week Committee in another defamation case.
He lost his seat in Parliament after being declared bankrupt. - CNA
Opposition politician Jeyaretnam to appeal bankruptcy decision.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../83019/1/.html
SINGAPORE : Opposition politician J.B. Jeyaretnam said on Monday he would appeal a court's rejection of his bid to be discharged from bankruptcy.
Jeyaretnam owes S$600,000 after a series of defamation suits, centering around a 1995 article which the courts ruled defamed leaders of the People's Action Party.
The High Court last week turned down the 79-year-old's application after lawyers for PAP members rejected his offer to pay 20 percent of the debt.
"I am planning to appeal against the decision of the assistant registrar to a judge of the High Court," Jeyaretnam said.
Mr Jeyaretnam was declared a bankrupt three years ago after he lost two defamation cases.
In 1998, the High Court ordered Jeyaretnam to pay damages of S$100,000 for defamatory remarks he made at an election rally.
He was ordered to pay another S$200,000 to the Tamil Language Week Committee in another defamation case.
He lost his seat in Parliament after being declared bankrupt. - CNA
Just wonder if the SAS crew did thier research into the cost of setting up here. What with the bond, 3 months rent, advance school fee payment of one term plus a terms fees plus entrance fee (per child!) the pleasure of buying a car for 3 times its normal price, the cost of moving here ( SQ help to about S$500- so generous). There well may be a few dissapointed recruits. Good luck.