Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Fight for the weak

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Fight for the weak

Some journalists asked, "Mr. Tan, what is your motivation to help the investors?"

I wonder why it is necesary for the journalists to ask this question. Should any action be subject to this type of suspicion? Are we such a selfish society that everyone can only work for their self interest and for personal gains?

I replied, "I see so many people who have lost their hard earned savings, and their life savings, in financial products that are not suitable for them. The financial institution who recommended and sold these products should come forward and bear some of the loss. They cannot keep the gains that they have made, and just said, 'Let's move on'.

I hope that, in the future, more Singaporeans will come forward and fight for the weak, and for people who are the victims of wrong doing. We cannot just stand back and watch idly, while other people suffer. We should not be so selfish, that we can only think of our personal interest. "

A reader of my blog, posting under the name of SiewKhim, even asked this question in an insulting way, implying that I am acting dishonourably. I refused to publish his comment due to its defamatory nature. Anyway, SiewKhim has been creating trouble for me many times before.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...: I agree with you.

The moral fibre of Singapore's society has been weakened by the policies and our news media.

Please do not use the word journalist. There are no journalist in Singapore. Only reporters who report to their superiors.; October 12, 2008 9:19 AM
Anonymous said...: why not ask PM why he entered politics?
Siew Khim, why do you change? you were condemning whole life products, why do you turn against MR. Tan?
Why do you suspect MR. Tan's motive?
You already see his good work.
Do you have a suspicious mind? or you are feeling frustrated because your problem with ntuc is not solved yet.; October 12, 2008 9:32 AM
Anonymous said...: Dear Mr Tan

You are so kind to help us small investors who are non-related to you at all. Your unconditional help and time and effort are very much appreciated.
I do not think your motives should be questioned at all.

If you did not step out to lead us, I would have been so 'lost' and do not know how to seek recourse for my losses! Through your blogs, I find a glimmer of hope. Also, together with the other victims, we can seek recourse collectively.

Thank you once again for giving so much of your time and your effort in reaching out to us.

Regards
Bessie; October 12, 2008 9:56 AM
C H Yak said...: Dear Mr. Tan

I know you will not be discouraged by such questions and comments. Simply, I would say these people may not know your principles well and doubt your motivation to help others without any "returns" just for a simple cause.

I think it has got to do with the "culture" these people have have been brought up or are living and working in where material gain has overwhelmed anything else and their own personal inclination be it corporate or personal.

In simple terms, these people would equate and take "motivation to help" as "motives to help". But the simple English langauge already explains it all.

You have helped and advised many others in many other circumstances and very often in double quick time.

I believe your deed is certainly more honorable than the summation of values of all the Minibonds purchased by the affected "investors".

I think it would be miserable if people would just only remain as quiet spectators even though they are parties with direct interest, less to say come forward to fight for a fair and noble cause; without any material gains personally.; October 12, 2008 10:32 AM
Anonymous said...: Mr Tan,

The journalists who ask you that question obviously does not occur to them that there are people who are extraordinary (Mr Tan, you are one), whether in thinking, conviction and selfless action for a good public cause.

These journalists should take a course in statistics to realise that there are exceptions to a normal trend. And the normal trend here, to put it in Hokien is kiasu (scared lose), kiasi (scared die) and bochap (indifferent or every man for himself). And I am partly guilty of this trend because I am ordinary.; October 12, 2008 12:42 PM
Richard Goh said...: Dear Mr Tan,

I saw and heard what you said yesterday at Hong Lim Green.

I am very impressed that you have unselfishly stepped forward to render your invaluable service to these innocent victims of very ugly financial transactions.

I pity the "uncles and aunties" who are illiterate and who now see in you their saviour in their times of helplessness.

Please do not be disheartened by any difficulties coming your way, be it words or actions.

The majority are honest citizens who appreciate your noble cause.

Keep going!; October 12, 2008 1:03 PM
Anonymous said...: To SiewKhim
I wished u were at the Speaker's Corner (or probably u were there)
last nite . Looking at the percentage of old people there who had invested in those minibonds already saddened me. After speaking to them , many of them had lost big % of their life savings saddened me even further .

Put urself in their shoes or if u r having dinner with ur parents tonite , ask them how they will feel if they had put their life savings into these minibonds and lost them eventually ???? !!!!!....

Mr.Tan ( for whatever reason u had thought) is so far the only guy in Singapore who have the guts to stand up for the affected ones.
He is so far the only shoulder that all these people can lean on.
Tell us, where elase , or who else we can turn to for help at this present moment?? Governemnet?? MAS?? Financial Institutions???

Hope this will change ur views about Mr.Tan .
If u love creating troubles, why not create troubles for a good cause?? "SPEAK UP FOR US AGAINST INJUSTICE". I m sure many people will be grateful to you !! Think about it , u can always work hand-in -hand with Mr.Tan for a very good cause !!!; October 12, 2008 1:59 PM
Anonymous said...: Dear Mr Tan
I would like to thank you for you sincere advice given to us during one of those "Financial Management Seminar " organised by MOE for retiring teachers. It was through you that I realised the risk of buying the structured products from our banks and Finance Companies and from that day onwards, I stopped buying any of such products and I even advised some of my good friends and family members regarding such risk.
As a result, my loss is negigible. That "gain" I owed it to your sincere advice given. In fact, I have been advising my niece and nephews a.w.a my good friend to visit your blog. There is just so much a man with high integrity can share with the public.Is it possible for you to nominate yourself to be the next president of Singapore ? I will surely vote for you.; October 12, 2008 4:34 PM
Anonymous said...: I do not blame those reporters as they have grown up in a society which taught them - 'NOT IS FOR FREE'. In Singapore - if you do something good for free - you would probably be branded - STUPID. Otherwise, they will doubt you thinking you have a hidden motive.
That is why Mr Tan's good deed is in doubt. Man are not suppose to judge man. GOD knows. Mr Tan will reap what he sows. Mr Tan keep up with your good work. I am very sure not only the affected investors appreciate your good cause but others who have been watching this whole saga will come to know you as a righteous man.; October 12, 2008 5:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Dear Mr Tan,
I nearly bought the minibonds a few months ago, till I read your advise in the blog.
I want to say a big "thank you" to you.; October 12, 2008 8:32 PM
Anonymous said...: Sorry, typo error in anonymous said at 5:00pm - 'NOT IS FOR FREE' should read 'NOTHING IS FOR FREE'; October 12, 2008 9:07 PM
Anonymous said...: Siew Khim, plse do not create any more trouble for Mr Tan. Let him concentrate on helping those affected by the recent saga if u still hv a heart. I can testify his character as an ntuc income policy holder. Ask yourself how easy or difficult to get a response from a CEO of a big reputable company? U can try complain to MAS or FI, and see whether anyone give you a response or give u a damn? In my case, not only did Mr Tan responded within 30minutes but also with a fair compensation and suggestion to fix the problem. I'm not the only case, many policy holders had testified before if you checked the archieve of ntuc income. S'pore will become hopeless if every top guy behave like some Tau Pei Kong sitting in their own temple, despite all the cries from the ground for help ! This is an extra ordinary man. Channel your energy into helping the society plse.; October 13, 2008 11:01 PM
Anonymous said...: Guys who is Siew Khim??; October 15, 2008 5:55 PM
Tan Kin Lian said...: SiewKhim is someone who has a grudge against me. He said that he was disappointed that I did not lodge the Collective Protest against NTUC Income in May.

I asked him to contact me for a discussion. He refused to reply to my request on a few occasions. I suspect that he has some ulterior motives and is not willing to meet me in person.

Since then, he has been creating a lot of trouble for me in this blog. He continues to attack me in his postings with scarcastic and rude remarks. I have decided to block all of his postings.

It is already quite a burden for me to manage the large number of retail investors that need guidance. I now have to waste time to be distracted by this nuisance.; October 15, 2008 7:04 PM