Before more people misunderstood "KVETCH" as a person name, perhaps I should explain the meaning a little.
Kvetch actaully meant to complain and whine. This blog named "Kvetch Haven" so that I can complain a little, whine a little about life. Of course, this blog will not be solely on constant whinning and complain.
NKF Saga: Court Case Day 2 (continue)
whispered @ Wednesday, July 13, 2005 by stardusz
Note: a Petition was set up and over 400 people has voiced their unhappiness over the NKF saga
Petition on NKF saga
CEO 'wanted to raise as much money for patients' future'
[Extracted from The Straits Times on 13 July 2005]
ALL along, the NKF had maintained that its reserve funds would last only three years.
A different picture emerged in court yesterday when Senior Counsel Davinder Singh took Mr T.T. Durai through the charity's accounts.
Counsel also brought up the Straits Times article by senior correspondent Susan Long, which quoted NKF chairman Richard Yong saying he was worried that if the NKF did not have enough funds, he would end up having to decide which patients would live, and which would be left to die.
Counsel said that was a false statement, and as he proceeded to question Mr Durai, he read out parts of the article. This is an excerpt of their exchange:
Davinder Singh: The purpose of putting out that false statement was to give the public the impression that NKF continued to be in dire need of funds for those poor patients. True?
T.T. Durai: Yes, NKF required funds to support the patients, yes.
Davinder Singh: So that the donors will ignorantly donate more and more, true?
T.T. Durai: The donors will donate, yes.
Davinder Singh: And the more they donate, the more your performance ranking goes up, the more your bonus, true?
T.T. Durai: No.
Davinder Singh: Because yesterday you said you got your bonus based on your performance, so you have a vested interest in publishing untruths to inflate the donations so that, ultimately, you inflate your bonus?
T.T. Durai: No, I did it for the interests of the people of Singapore, to build more and more programmes, go from dialysis to prevention to cancer, to taking care of children.
Davinder Singh: This is not the only place where the false statement was made about three years ago, is that not right? You have also made that false statement in these proceedings, do you agree?
T.T. Durai: Can you confirm that?
Davinder Singh: Sure. Before I take you to that reply, I want you to look at the article itself. (There) is a photo of a very anxious Mr Richard Yong, with a caption which reads: 'I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat. Who were we to play God?' Do you see that?
T.T. Durai: Yes.
Davinder Singh: Then below it is reported: 'NKF chairman Richard Yong on how the foundation ran dry in 1986 and had to choose among its 32 patients who should continue with dialysis, and who would have to be sent home with morphine to die. It hit home then. It was important to have 'healthy reserves that can withstand even the most dire economic times'.'
Implicit in that message was: 'Some years ago, we ran out of money.' Right?
T.T. Durai: Yes.
Davinder Singh: There were people lying down in the beds and we had to choose who to give that money to and who had to go home. Right?
T.T. Durai: Yes.
Davinder Singh: And, therefore, we need the comfort of health reserves?
T.T. Durai: Yes.
Davinder Singh: So that that situation will not arise again?
T.T. Durai: Yes.
Davinder Singh: In other words, the reserves will be there for the patients who need the money?
T.T. Durai: Yes.
Davinder Singh: Not for fundraising, right?
T.T. Durai: Yes.
Davinder Singh (quoting from the article): 'I couldn't sleep; I couldn't eat. Who were we to play God?' It hit home then: It was important to have 'healthy reserves that can withstand even the most dire economic times', and self-generated income 'so that we can be independent, instead of on our knees, poor and begging for life'.
In other words, without any more donations, we can't keep these patients alive?
T.T. Durai: Yes.
Davinder Singh: Yet, the suggestion was made that (the NKF reserves could last) only for three years. That is another false suggestion, is it not?
T.T. Durai: Not an accurate suggestion.
Davinder Singh: Sorry?
T.T. Durai: Not correct.
Davinder Singh: I used the word 'false'. Do you agree with me?
T.T. Durai: It is a matter of opinion.
Davinder Singh: Is there a difference, in your view?
T.T. Durai: No, it is not a correct comment.
Davinder Singh: Is it true?
T.T. Durai: It is inaccurate.
Davinder Singh: > Answer my question, sir, please. Is it true or false?
T.T. Durai: 'False' implies an intent to deceive. I cannot comment on that.
Davinder Singh: You can, actually, because...
T.T. Durai: I do not think there was any intent to deceive.
Davinder Singh: After what we have heard, after what we have seen from the accounts, you still say that there is no intent to deceive?
T.T. Durai: No. I mean, we honestly believed that we should raise as much money to help the patients for the future. That is the way my colleagues and I work in the foundation.
Davinder Singh: Are you prepared to take out an advertisement in tomorrow's papers, apologising to Singaporeans to say: 'We did not intend to deceive but, unfortunately, you have been deceived. The money is not going to last merely three years, it will last between 30 and 40 years.' Are you prepared to do that?
T.T. Durai: No, I am not. I am not prepared to do that. I am just saying that we wanted to raise as much money for the patients' future.
Justice Tan Lee Meng: Mr Durai, it will help if you answer the question.
T.T. Durai: No.
Davinder Singh: Why? Why are you not prepared to come clean? We already know that, to use your word, there was an 'inaccuracy'. Why are you not prepared to come clean? This is people's money, you know.
T.T. Durai: It is for the people.
Davinder Singh: These are people who earn so little, giving. Why are you not prepared to tell them the truth?
T.T. Durai: The money is for the people.
Davinder Singh: And your taps.
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