PAP New Face Ivan Lim Responds to Online Criticisms Via a Statement by His Party

Do you know how difficult it is to be hated by your fellow company mates during ICT?

Two words: extremely difficult.

ICT is often described as a “paid chalet” since people from all walks of life come back together to catch up on old times and train together. You might even forget the rank of the dude you’ve smoked with two days ago, only to realise during the Ops Parade that he’s an LTC and he’s your CO, when you yourself are an LCP. Damn, he even lit your cigarette for you and complained about his wife’s cooking.

You’d understand if you’ve watched Ah Boys to Men 4, a movie that portrays the lives of NSmen so realistically, we wonder why it could even be screened.

Or you can watch this video we’ve done, when we list down what life in the army is really like (also, do subscribe to our YouTube channel for more informative videos!):

So when online allegations that a potential new candidate in the ruling party could’ve been showing elitist traits surfaced?

You can bet we all go, “Seriously? Of all places, in ICT?”

And the man himself has responded.

Kind of.

PAP New Face Ivan Lim Responds to Online Criticism Via a Statement by His Party

In one of the most unconventional responses to any allegations, the man in question, 42-year-old Ivan Lim, has responded not via social media or a press conference.

Instead, it’s a statement from the PAP headquarters sent on behalf for him.

The statement addressed the allegations made online, and boy, I’d have to admit that all I’ve read online were his actions in NS and weren’t aware of so many criticisms.

Just so you know, his introduction video in PAP’s Facebook Page has one of the highest view counts, so that speaks a lot:

Firstly, he said that he has to address this as his family has been affected, in particular his mother.

Regarding the first allegation, whereby he was alleged to have been involved in some bribery case in Brazil, he said that is “completely baseless and untrue”.

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And next: the allegation of how he treated his people during ICT.

One of the allegations is that he was harsh in getting the soldiers to book in at 2200 instead of the usual 2359. He said in the statement that “on that occasion the men had a move out time early the next morning at 5am. It was important to ensure, and the rules required, that the men get enough rest. As such, I asked them to come back at 2200 hours and not 2359 hours.

“As the story notes, I came back earlier myself as well. I set high standards for the unit as a CO (commanding officer). I believe in working together and I did not ask the men to do something I was not prepared to do myself.”

Of course, you’d have read online about other allegations, which he said, “As to the stories about the army incidents, people can have different perspectives of the same incident.”

Reader Bao: Actually, I would like to know the stories behind the other incidents instead of this.

IKR.

He then moved on to the allegation about his work attitude in Keppel. Erm, no much new info is mentioned lah except that the “shipyard industry is a tough and exacting one.”

Interestingly enough, there’s an allegation about him not smiling at his neighbour.

Wait, simi, this one also can criticise?

He responded, “Regarding the post about not smiling at my neighbour, I do not recall a specific incident. However, like many others who live in apartments, I know some neighbours better than others and interact with some more than others.”

Note to all potential candidates: remember to smile at everyone who lives near you, even the community cats.

He then ended with this: “When I agreed to enter politics I expected that it would be tough. This test has come sooner than I expected. I wish to say that I am determined to stay the course and to serve if I am elected. I accept that I can always do better and I am willing to learn. I will take this experience to heart and do my best to prove myself to voters and all Singaporeans.”

Maybe he should…watch more political drama?

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