Alvin Tan calls out Jamus Lim for omitting facts, creating ‘unwarranted’ impression that AVS was not thorough

“I also hope that you are willing to accept that the route of appealing to the authorities is effectively closed, unless you are able to provide material new information to prompt them to reopen the case,” Assoc Prof Lim wrote.

In his speech in April, Assoc Prof Lim said that he was not insinuating that there were any lapses in the resident’s case.

However, Mr Tan said his speech implied that AVS had not conducted its investigations on his resident’s complaint fairly, effectively and independently because he juxtaposed the resident’s allegations alongside his statement that “public trust and confidence in procedure is important”.

Mr Tan called this a “serious allegation”.

He also noted that in his speech, Assoc Prof Lim had referred to the experience of “at least one” resident, which implies that there could be more than one case.

Assoc Prof Lim has since confirmed that he was referring to just one resident, Mr Tan said.

In his response to Mr Tan’s clarification, Assoc Prof Lim thanked Mr Tan for the update and said he did not dispute the accounting with him. He added that he would convey the information to the resident.

“Still, I believe, as I did then, and I still do now, that it’s my role to raise the concerns of the lived experience of my residents. Prior to the delivery of that speech, I had checked to see that I was faithfully representing a case, and I believe I did so.

“This is my job. I’m sure that the (Minister of State) will do the same for his residents,” he said.

Mr Tan responded that what is said and omitted in parliament is important.

“And if what was presented to parliament and in fact to the public, leaves an impression that unfairly, that the public officers had not done their job and they undermined the credibility and professionalism of public officers, then we ought to take care of what we say and also take care with what we do not say,” he said.