Thursday, June 27, 2013

How To Apologize

Apologizing for a mistake might seem like an impossible task, but if executed correctly, the expression of contriteness can win the respect of all parties concerned. Did President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono undertake the correct steps?

Determine what went wrong -
Forest fires in his country, set by farmers to clear fields, created air pollution problems for neighboring countries Malaysia and Singapore. He wasn't beating around the bush about this one.

Take full responsibility -
The fact is the haze originates from Indonesia, there're no ifs and buts, "so we take responsibility" was the clear commitment conveyed to the press. Hence the "massive handling, deploying more officers" initiated by him personally in the past two to three days.

Choosing the right time to apologise -
The "megaphone diplomacy" - kicked off by one Singapore minister's posturing Facebook post - was getting out of hand. Of his "one statement (about dining out options) which will haunt me for my entire political life", Vivian Balakrishnan had admitted, "unfortunately for me, I'm one of those ministers who likes to speak without notes and sometimes I make mistakes" (still does). Fortunately for us, President Yudhoyono averted World War III.

Speak softly and carry a big stick -
Make no mistake, the leader of the fourth largest country on earth (behind just China, India, and the US) is no push over. He made it clear that there will be no impact on Indonesia's bargaining position, namely on the territorial disputes with Malaysia or the return of ill-gotten assets of corrupt Indonesians living it up in Singapore. On subject of a mutually respectful Asean spirit, he put on record his personal feeling that Singapore media reporting on the haze issue has been "excessive" and "put Indonesia's image in a bad light globally."

Now compare it to the other guy's apology, "we’re sorry we didn’t get it exactly right, but I hope you’ll understand and bear with us, because we’re trying our best to fix the problems." And they are still trying to get it right - housing affordability, hospital shortages, train disruptions, over congestion, cost of living, etc - and the only light in the tunnel is still hazed over.

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24 comments:

  1. Not Accepted Yet6/27/2013 10:59 AM

    //Now compare it to the other guy's apology..//

    That's why he 'accepted' them 'graciously" lah.
    But the 'acceptance' from the people are not so forthcoming leh.
    Guess he will see either 'lightness' or 'darkness' in 2016.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6/27/2013 2:13 PM

      How about this other guy's apology, or even proposal that "Haze knows no boundaries"? Does he know that corruption also knows no boundaries? Might as well tell South Korea to pay Kim to stop his nuclear pollution. Or US to pay BP for the gulf spill. Once again, he is on the wrong side of the issue.

      http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/malaysia-singapore-should-cough-up-cash-to-indonesia-to-curb-haze-sun-xi

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6/27/2013 5:50 PM

      Sun Xi has no clue what he's talking about. Utterly out of his depth. If he bothers to do his homework, he will know Norway has given Indonesia $1billion to so-called "reduce deforestation". But the truth is not what it always seems to be.

      http://www.redd-monitor.org/2010/05/28/norway-indonesia-forest-deal-us1-billion-dollars-worth-of-continued-deforestation/

      http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2010/05/27/norway_gives_indonesia_one_billion_dollars_for_forests/

      Delete
  2. BK6/27/2013 11:36 AM

    Lee also stressed permanent solution is required.

    Projection is a good thing. When the people demand a permanent solution, you simply demand the same thing to your counterpart.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous6/27/2013 11:55 AM

    Meanwhile, a different apology is being dished out to the Head of State. Are we on a slippery slope to installing a modern day lese majeste for a minority royalty because a blogger disagrees with his version of 月亮代表我的心? Looks like a supermoon is not a guaranteed replacement for a normal moon that truly represents the people's hearts, especially when it came too little too late.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6/27/2013 12:16 PM

      Is not ok to diss TT, but is ok for ang-mo Ramsay to come and foul-mouth to our local hawkers. Of the 12 contenders, me hope the hokkien mee king should not be too shy to greet him with our own version of hokkien expletives if need be, although he has that tame look. Otherwise, my hope is on the roast meat hawker, she looks very steady pon pee pee. Whatever vulgarism comes out of that hell kitchen, let's hope our contesters give him as good as he gives them!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6/27/2013 12:58 PM

      Wah..if all the farking words would fly, the show will just beep beep beep all the way to the finish line man!!

      Delete
  4. Anonymous6/27/2013 12:55 PM

    This haze is too thick to ignore. No wonder there was a voluntary disclosure requested by "SGX" earlier. No apology is over until the real perpetrators are brought to trials. Not talking about the poor farmers, but the big players.

    http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/out-of-the-haze-a-singapore-spring/646/

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous6/27/2013 12:56 PM

    Yes, President Yudohono has the stature and has earned respect from all quarters for what he has said and done.

    No if's & but's... distinctively a leader and statesman.

    Think I rather follow him rather than someone else.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The6/27/2013 5:44 PM

      Aiyah, say too soon. Now, Whyoudontknow is back-peddling a bit and accusing Singapore of excessive reporting.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous6/27/2013 1:07 PM

    Apologies; mind You oso got differences one, sincere versus wayang and acceptance of culpability,responsibility and intent and preparation to repent and or make amend.
    Some made use of apologies as a strategem just to get the best out of the worst situation with neither sincerity or an intent to make amend or repent. Worse is whence such a fake apology maker gets his\her way, he/she will scheme more in future. Leopards dont change their spots.
    Anyway, reality is such that those sincere may not be appreciated while the Fakers tend to be convincing and Sinkies just like actors. Funny!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lye Khuen Way6/27/2013 1:18 PM

    Strange, but I can honestly accept the Indonesian President's apology as his actions since spoke louder that our very own PM's.

    I get this image that our PM is now cornered with the Indonesian President's apologies and actions.
    The ball as they said is now in our court with regards to those ill-gotten gains parked with banks here and extradition processes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6/27/2013 6:15 PM

      "Ill gotten gains" come in many shapes and forms.

      Would you consider Neste Oil, who has a singapore-based refinery here, and contracts Indo Palm Oil companies a culpable culprits too? Should they pay more liability tax for indirectly polluting our air through other 3rd party intermediaries while they executives are living up to their cushy life in this first world nation?

      http://www.greenpeace.org/finland/en/What-we-do/Neste-Oil--driving-rainforest-destruction/Neste-Oils-palm-oil-suppliers/

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw9w4idrIFg

      http://www.greenpeace.org/finland/en/What-we-do/Neste-Oil--driving-rainforest-destruction/

      They should also get a knock on their doors.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous6/27/2013 1:35 PM

    Some OJTs get slapped when boss is not happy not to mention their university side with the zombie company and pays the interns zilt. On the other hand, OJTs from the MIW and their OJTs Perm Secs (who prefer to hide behind diplomatic letters) of the civil service get paid several millions when they screw up. This is Singapore's version of "static meritocracy" - ht Today.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous6/27/2013 3:38 PM

    Just wondering where you got the information :"the leader of the fourth largest country on earth (behind just China, India, and the US)" from? Aren't Russia and Canada bigger than China and India? Did you mean fourth most populated country on earth? That, I believe.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous6/27/2013 5:10 PM

    All the hazing, hailing and hacking patterns are applied. The only thing missing to haul the culprits to justice.

    Now let's see the leaders of those countries put their tax-payers money where their big mouths are. According to 2012 media release, every parties did such a fantastic job patting on their own backsides, it remains a mystery why there is still plenty of smoke and fire, without the fire-starters. So where is the "Rat" in the "ratifications"?

    http://haze.asean.org/?p=280

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous6/27/2013 5:37 PM

    If the haze problem persists, is he going to apologize again? Apology should be accepted only if it doesn't occur again. Otherwise apology is cheap or fake.

    Same as in our case. How sincere is THAT apology if they they can't even stand criticism from critics, cartoonists, film makers, blooggers, etc ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6/27/2013 5:57 PM

      Same time next year, the whole wayang will start again.
      Didn't he already tell you all "Haze is just an inconvenience, life carries-on"?

      Far better to just ask him pointedly if he intends to waive all the air-conditioner bill, supply free masks annually, give $10 clinic visits to everyone, issue SWO if PSI went up to 400 for 3 months out of a year for the next decade. That way, his team will jump work on a cost-analysis to fund it, by hook or by crook!

      PAP will rather pay you to shorten 5 years of your life than to help you extend another 5 years to add to their "silver tsunami"!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6/27/2013 7:31 PM

      Come on!.. we gave our own more than 30 years to get it... and each time we say to ourselves... "wait & see.. next election maybe they mean it"

      We take our own at face value.. we should do the same with Indonesia... anyway.. 2014 he will not be there anymore.. new president akan datang

      Delete
  12. Anonymous6/27/2013 8:01 PM

    Anyone know of any leader, past or present, who got things EXACTLY RIGHT? His apology sounds more like this statement, "You can't expect me to be perfect." Of course, being a daft non-scholar, I could be way off base about Mr Pinky.

    "we’re sorry we didn’t get it exactly right, but I hope you’ll understand and bear with us, because we’re trying our best to fix the problems."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6/27/2013 9:16 PM

      The good for nothing son of LKY has no farking idea how to be a leader, so don't expect him to fix the problems. The first step is for him to look in the mirror and admit that he is the biggest problem to Singapore. Perhaps there will be some hope then.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous6/28/2013 8:50 PM

    We have leaders who thought they are so full of 'godlike immortality' that they do not deem it right to apologise.

    I have never heard a single word of apology from our leaders in more than four decades, until after the last GE. So do not blame them for not having mastered the art of apologising. It is a relatively new begining for them in learning to be humble. If that is truly a new beginning!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous7/03/2013 10:07 AM

    Promoting Responsible Palm Oil Consumption and Investment for a Haze-free Southeast Asia
    By SUN Xi


    How about this? Guys

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous9/05/2013 4:26 PM

    The big haze - Southeast Asia Globe Magazine | Southeast Asia ...



    sea-globe.com/southeast-asia-haze-pollution/

    ReplyDelete

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