SM Goh: Facebook comment was ‘tongue-in-cheek’
"Young Pei Ling has been traumatized. Saw her yesterday with trauma specialist, Fatimah. While doc examined her, I observed. Her initial hurt n pain have subsided. Gave her clean of health. In the process, discovered steel in her. She will grow in strength. --- Goh Chok Tong"
Call it a belated April Fool's joke that didn't go down too well.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong posted the above comment on his Facebook page, MParader, on Saturday evening, leading to a flurry of comments from netizens and the media.
In his post, he "announced" that the People's Action Party's (PAP) youngest new candidate, Tin Pei Ling, was "traumatised" and had been examined by "trauma specialist" and Member of Parliament Fatimah Lateef. Dr Fatimah is currently a consultant with the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Singapore General Hospital.
The 27-year-old Tin has been the subject of much online controversy in the last week after her personal life was picked apart by various blogs and websites.
So SM Goh posted what he said was a "tongue-in-cheek" message about her "condition". However, within minutes, it appeared media took his message seriously and called Pei Ling to ask for clarification.
An hour later, however, Goh posted again on the page:
"Pei Ling just called. Media wants her comments on my post. They have failed to appreciate my tongue-in cheek post. True, she has been thru baptism of fire. My use of medical metaphor is becos Fatimah is a trauma specialist. No need for media to chase PL for comments. She is strong n working hard."
The Sunday Times also reported that Ms Tin was laughing and telling the paper she is "physically fine".
MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Vivian Balakrishnan told the media on Saturday, "A key challenge for any candidate is how you deal with the challenges and the criticisms and whether you are able to keep your cool, maintain your dignity and not allow this to deter your willingness and your enthusiasm to serve."
"As a young person, she (Tin) will have to prove it through her actions and what is able to do for the residents."
