18 July 2007

To blow or not to blow...

*ahem*

ok, now that I've got your attention, let's talk about the whistle blowing of 2Lt Li Hongyi.

A quick background:

This PSC government overseas scholar bound for MIT in the USA, was serving out his National Service as a Platoon Commander when he came across an alleged situation of favouritism in the military. Officer Commanding covering for another Platoon Commander in an alleged case of AWOL (basically, disappearing without anyone knowing where you are or when you will be back).

Usually, such offences are quite servere in the military and are punishable with a decent stay at the Hilton hotel (and you believed me?). Actually, it's the Detention Barracks or the military prison.

2Lt Li got peeved (perhaps this was not the first time he had observed such incidents) and decided to take matters into his own hands. After allegedly going through the proper channels, he decided to air his grievances in an email to the Defence Minister, cc Chief of Defence Forces. Chief of Army, etc.

Oh yes, one more thing -- 2Lt Li is the son of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

This debate has been flying through cyberspace faster than a speeding bullet. Was 2Lt Li right in blowing the whistle? Was this approach appropriate? Was he trying to abuse his position? Or was he just doing the right thing?

You decide for yourself. Read the email found at the link below:

http://tomorrow.sg/comment/view/6468283

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