Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Turnout at 22 August Gathering

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Turnout at 22 August Gathering

An estimated 200 people turned up at the Gathering in Hong Lim Park. This was somewhat smaller that I had expected. Someone observed that the camera at Hong Lim Park was responsible for the low attendance.

We were blessed with good weather. BBC and CNBC were present. The major newspapers and Channel NewsAsia did not cover the event, in spite of two letters of invitation.

34 comments:

Anonymous said...: I noticed Mediacorp ran a show with a financial consultant who recommended people to buy insurance to cover their old age. In the past they also ran shows to publicise NKF, Ren Ci, some Clemen guy who later turned out to be using fake Phd. I wonder why Mediacorp is so keen on using its expertise to help publicise events that later turn out to be taking advantage of Singaporeans but chose to ignore those events like yours that really help people.; August 22, 2009 9:15 PM
Anonymous said...: The local papers might have been warned. Why put MAS in the spot? same same people, lah.; August 22, 2009 9:52 PM
Anonymous said...: yes, i think its time to give up as no one cares inc the investors; August 22, 2009 9:57 PM
Anonymous said...: I don't think it was the cameras, Mr. Tan. These people are afraid. I saw many refused to sign the petition. They are not helping the cause but why are you doing it for these people? They don't deserve. You and some have toiled very hard but some invesors are not supporting you.
I thought I could see thousands today but I was disappointed.
I suggest that you give up. You have done enough but these people are not helping themselves.; August 22, 2009 10:12 PM
Anonymous said...: What a poor & lame turnout & support with only 200 or 27% of 734 people who signed the petition turnout. This will not send a strong signal or protest to the garmen, F.Is, MAS, FIDREC as compare to H.K with thousands of protestors. Only the foreign news media CNBC & BBC covering the news while Channelnewasia & all other major S'pore news media stay away to avoid trouble with garmen. Well looks like the only way or solution is to fight it out in court.; August 22, 2009 10:15 PM
Anonymous said...: I was there. Just because of the camera, 534 people disappeared.

What the!!!!

People, this is not a way to support TKL. He was under the sun, delayed for half an hour to 5:30 pm. If this is the mentality, then don't sign petition. Let's close shop and move on.

TOTALLY NO SUPPORT AT ALL FROM THE 734.....; August 22, 2009 10:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Mr. Tan your leadership in this area in very much appreciated.

Nail NN; August 22, 2009 11:37 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Mr Tan,

I guess it's also partially because of the Invest Fair 2009.; August 23, 2009 4:26 AM
Anonymous said...: 200-300 people at HLP shows that the gathering is a success. I believe the gathering will give people ideas on how to reclaim their investments. HN5 and minibond class actions are the result of these gatherings.; August 23, 2009 8:02 AM
Anonymous said...: There may be many tired and afraid souls, but these people still felt victimised and hurt by the minibond and they still appreciate the work done by Mr Tan Kin Lian, irrespective of outcome. Similarly, while silent now, their support of government and financial institutions have now evaporated.; August 23, 2009 8:41 AM
Anonymous said...: Somehow peple are just reluctant to show up at Hong Lim. In early days I was helping to organize my group. many signed up and responded in emails and on-line discussions but each week only less than one-third would show up at Hong Lim, while others continue to give excuses why they cannot make it. I guess our people are really living in fear and selfishness. Sad; August 23, 2009 8:52 AM
Anonymous said...: It is eye-opener.
Now we understand these people better.; August 23, 2009 9:06 AM
Anonymous said...: Dear Mr Tan
It is time to make the investors accountable for their actions.

These investors have their voices in parliament in the form of their Members of Parliament.

These investors chose and voted for their Members of Parliament in a free election.

Their Members of Parliament may or may not have spoken on this subject.

Nonetheless, these MPs are the preferred choice of the investors in a freely contested election.

So it's now time for the investors to accept the consequences of their choice of investments and Members of Parliament.

We reap what we sow.

It's time now to go back and focus on making money. The stockmarket and property market is booming. Memories will be short in such a rosy environment.

Are Singaporeans worth the trouble? The answer should be crystal clear. MM Lee truly understands the Singaporean mind.

As it was in China many years ago:
10,000 years! 10,000 years! 10,000 years; August 23, 2009 10:01 AM
Anonymous said...: Mr Tan, I signed the online petition and was there yestderday. Want to thank you for taking your time and lead in our cause.

The garmen can continue to ignore us and pay lip-service. But I am sure that a big group of people who vote otherwise in the next GE.

This whole saga has open my eyes; a hard-core supporter of current garmen, I am no longer convince that the current garmen is best when it comes to protecting citizens. Though my financial position has improve tremendously compare to the lowest point in the crisis, I will never forget how our elected establishment chose to side-step and ignore the very fact that the FIs had indeed sold some very complicated/toxic product that few, perhaps including the FIs could understand. The very fact that HK and Taiwan FIs settle the toxic products is a clear testimony and yet our financial regulator continues the wayang!

Let the coming GE do the talking.; August 23, 2009 10:33 AM
Anonymous said...: It is hard to understand the mind of people. It is hard to understand what they think.
Even Churchhill could loss the election after he won the 2nd world war.

why Investors are not interested?
It could be bec they can afford. It is a small amt to them. Or they could easily earn back the money.
It could be bec of fear.
It could be bec they do not know their rights.
It could be bec they are smart or selfish.
There are many reasons.
Unless they speak for themselves, it is hard to understand. If u know their profiles, it may be easier to understand.
One danger may be they keep their anger & frustrations insdie, and blame the govt unfairly.
The govt may want to help more if they are really in need of help. But since they keep quite, it is better to channel the effort to more productive areas.
They may misread one another.; August 23, 2009 10:45 AM
Anonymous said...: Dun think even MAS understood the product, so why should these products even sold?; August 23, 2009 10:50 AM
Anonymous said...: I don't think the no of people attending the protest show in HLP is insignificant. The point is whether we the victims had shown our anger to the nation or not.
Now we should think of some more effective way to spread our dissatisfaction to other part of the world.
I suggest the following ways:
1.Send our petition letter to news media in HK,GB,US,Jap.Aus,NZ,etc. so that the matter of unjustice and the lopsided attitude of SG govt be known to the whole world.
2.Compile the relevant materials, like MAS report,selected views from the internets,and the HK investigation experience and accross the board compensation model,etc.into book form.Investors can contribute for publication cost.The book can be purchased in the open market.
3.Send the HK SFC investigation reports and their dealing with FIs and Lehman B documents as attach in the petition letter to PM so that he can understand what is justice and fairness with
open eyes.; August 23, 2009 12:17 PM
Anonymous said...: The petition should now be sent out to PM and let him know the voices of the people.; August 23, 2009 3:03 PM
Anonymous said...: good suggestion. can 12.17pm organise that or u expect Mr.Tan to do it for u?; August 23, 2009 3:16 PM
Anonymous said...: MR TAN
I salute your work. It will never go in vain. I believe in justice and divine intervention.

I guess people who did not attend also have decided that
** Govt is not going to do anything
** FI is not going to do anything
** The cheated will remain in silent pain
** The Mess Media will continue the good story
** Who has the heart to rule

They saddened people are probably quietly recovering from this shock by spending time with family on self-reflection.

We are all dust in the expense of time and space. We all will meet our day hopefully in joy and pride.; August 23, 2009 4:12 PM
Anonymous said...: S'poreans r typically kiasi & kiasu people(afraid to die & afraid to lose) as mentioned by GCT during one of his speeches so garmen knows S'poreans' minds; talks only but no actions. People have been giving suggestions here & there but dare not take the leads. Overtime, they forgotten everythings & still vote for the garmen when election comes with promises of more goodies, more good years, etc.....; August 23, 2009 5:41 PM
Anonymous said...: May be what the papers say is right.
sporean are rich & they have a lot of assets.
So the loss to them is "small feat".

It is hard to understand them unless the speak for themselves.; August 23, 2009 7:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Relax Men!
Though the turn-out is not as big as wished, that was exactly because deep down, people have given up already...on pursuing the matter (Reality shows CLEARLY that the Goven is not going to her own people)...And DEEP down in their heart (the silent MASS) they hv also already given up on their TRUST & RESPECT to the goven...[[when people still shout n quarell with u, they still love u, when they turn silence finally, u have lost them]]...; August 23, 2009 9:12 PM
Anonymous said...: The silent "majority".??!!; August 23, 2009 11:05 PM
Anonymous said...: Many years ago, the business canteen of a local U was controlled by a single canteen operator...the boss would just sit there and shout out the prices of the food. Quality was so so and prices were dictated by the whims and fancies of the boss. students have little choice as the next canteen is quite a distance away. One day, the students decided to boycott the canteen due to lack of variety and incresing prices..also when they compare other canteens, they realise that other students are paying lesser for the same type of so-so food. worse, there were some food that were tastier and cost less in other canteens...

the operator was forced out of business and multiple individual stores began to mushroom in the canteen..each offering better tasting food at reasonable prices...

As an undergraduate in this U then, we already realised that if there is no competition, prices of food will keep on going up and quality stays the same or become worse.

The govt is also aware of this...therefore they introduce competition to singaporeans in the form of more 'foregin talent' and new immigrants..so that singaporeans will work harder and do not become complacent..

i think its time to let them taste their own medicine..then they realise how bitter it is.; August 23, 2009 11:11 PM
Anonymous said...: Thank you Mr Tan for your tireless work in fighting for us, and for justice!

Thank you for helping us to keep this in the media so that people will know things are not what they seem.

We must continue to fight till the FI who sold the HN5 and minibonds are compensate us.

CC; August 24, 2009 9:51 AM
Anonymous said...: CC, can you suggest how to fight?

Organized HLP, majority of petitioners didn't turn up due to HLP CCTV camera or busy with Investors Fair or don't dare to come.

I tell you, sooner or later TKL will give up. Unless this group of petitioners wake up and show TKL resounding support else it is just empty petition signing exercise.; August 24, 2009 11:04 AM
Anonymous said...: I really had wished to attend last sat talk but I suppose my personal stuff to attend to.

Nevertheless i am tired-out by the silence of the our Government and relevant authority to step out to return our hard-earned $. It's just disappointing to have to go to the mile to address what's clearly misrepresentation to the public.

I still hope for some return but I guess this is the lesson we got to learn living in Spore.

Every lesson is an expensive one living in Singapore.; August 24, 2009 12:02 PM
Anonymous said...: 1) Lower birth rate : No Solution

2) Taxi choosey & hiding: No Solution

3) High PMET unemployment: No Solution

4) Minibond victimized by FIs: No Solution

5) High cost of living in Sgp: No Solution

So if no solutions, then at least $128,000 per month [excluding bonus] is for what?

It is for telling Minibond victims not to worry but must look forward and fight your own battle.....; August 24, 2009 6:18 PM
Anonymous said...: To investors who have suffered losses because you were sold a products but told half the truth:
Nothing more can be done for you now, you have the right to show the banks/brokers your anger, vote with your feet and move your business elsewhere. They said No one is stopping you.; August 24, 2009 9:58 PM
Anonymous said...: Agree with Aug 23 11.11 PM

The very least victims could do now is to stop trading through these FIs. If the FI already make us lose so much, would u still trust them with your other trades?

I think most of us will take years before the trading commission the FI can earn from us surpasses the amount they cheat from us but this is the least that we could do. The wonderful thing is, kiasu and kiasi ppl can also do this. Don't have to worry about being taken by camera at HLP, losing your job or breaking any laws!

If each rally enough friends to support the cause, FI will feel the pinch, and really realise their mistakes for ignoring the victims.

It may be difficult for some to asks friends to support :( because some are worried friends may laugh at them and say "aiyo. This type of product u also buy. Some may not want others to know they are victimised because they may stand to lose more.

One solution may be to start some sought of a "campaign" and rally support for this campaign. Then we just need to tell ppl we r supporting this campaign to help the victims.; August 24, 2009 11:32 PM
Anonymous said...: What a shame !
Out of the 10,000 victims, only 200-300 showed up at HLP.

Selfish & faceless people so comfortably stayed away and expect TKL and sympathizers to continue champion on their behalf .... free of charge ?

My father so correctly classified these selfish people "chap pey kou bu".; August 25, 2009 12:18 AM
Anonymous said...: These ungrateful kiasi, kiasu + innately selfish people do NOT deserve Mr TanKL's help.; August 27, 2009 2:42 AM
Anonymous said...: current situation

1) Best brains work for FI

2) Best lawyers also work for FI

No matter how we educate, best brains with unwholly intentions will always come out with new ways to con investors.

When things go wrong, they have best lawyers. Other lawyers will think thrice about representing the cheated lot as the FIs may be their biggest customers.

Coupled with a regulator like that......

Haiyo.......; September 01, 2009 12:32 AM

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Turnout at 22 August Gathering

34 comments:

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