Call for Public Inquiry - some views

Anonymous said...
There should be a PUBLIC INQUIRY held which should be initiated by the Govt on this matter. Do not let them sweep this matter 'under the carpet'.

Issues include:
1. MAS role as a regulator in this matter. Why there was an oversight over this matter? Who was the head of the division who oversaw this?

2. Why MAS did not further investigate when complaints as far back as 2003/04 began regarding mis-selling of structured products? How many complaints of mis-selling had been brought to MAS attention?

3. Can the Finance Ministry also look into their role to provide a higher level overview over MAS responsibilities?

4. Can those who bought structured investment products sold by Lehman/Merrill Lynch via local banks go to their MP and raise the issue with them. Go every day or week - go pester them as much as possible! They should be working for you - Spore citizens & not the govt! Go in a collective group but behave yourselves first! Agitate for a PUBLIC INQUIRY via a petition! A govt cannot refuse the public's request!

5. Organize collective groups to go to the MAS & Banks to protest & demand a PUBLIC INQUIRY. Do not fear the riot police squad because it's your money that is at risk. There is a fine line between political protest & personal protest. If you keep quiet & don't agitate, then you won't see your money! Better to go to jail than not see your money! What can they do to you as a collective group? It is not a time to be passive. Assert your rights as citizens to be heard!
2:01 PM

Donald said...
I agree with 2.01 pm. A PUBLIC INQUIRY is definitely required. If MAS failed in their role, they people responsible should be removed. FIs being the 'main mastermind' if found guilty should be penalised. Very sad, hard to find independance in Singapore. I am not surprised the minibond issue will drag to 2009, as FIs need their books to look good for 2008 to justify their bonuses.

Anonymous said...
From the way MAS is handling this issue, it is obvious to me that it is trying to side-step responsibility.

I suspect that there could be wrong-doings or careless decisions being made by MAS when they "registered" (which is as good as giving consent) for such dubious toxic entrapping products to be sold by the Financial Institutions.

Therefore, I fully agree and support the call for a Commission of Inquiry to be conducted by an independent neutral body convened by the Govt. Either the PM or the Finance Minister should initiate the Commission of Inquiry to address likely injustice, fraudulent dealings, breaches of regulations, cunning manipulations of the laws as well as to draw lessons from such a fiasco so that MAS and FIs would be put into their proper shoes in order to bring confidence back to Singapore as a financial centre.

by Neutral Observer, 24 Oct 2008.
2:43 AM