On July 20th, Yuxin Mei Wang was released from jail in Los Angeles. She immediately went to the hearing in Family Court. Accompanying her was a Singapore consular officer named Chin who flew down from San Francisco. He introduced himself to the Minor's Counsel and my attorney. I reminded Mr. Chin that if the Singapore Consulate had better controls over passport issuance, we would not be here today. He walked away. I guess I would have too if I were him. How embarrassing that Lea Chan from the Consulate did not know for 5 days that her office had issued passports for my children back in July 2009.
I also want to remind Mr. Chin that back in 1994, US-Singapore relations was at its lowest point because Singapore rejected President Clinton's and 24 US Senators' appeal to spare the caning Michael Faye. At that time, which was very well reported in the Straits Times, Singapore asked the US to respect the laws of Singapore. The US does not have to agree with the laws of Singapore but it should respect it. Prof Chan should know this well.
Fast forward 15 years to 2009, same can be said the other way around Mr. Chin. Singapore does not have to agree with the US that kidnapping of a child is a crime, but it should respect the US law that it is a crime. Wang was arrested and sentenced to jail because kidnapping is a crime in the US. No need to agree, but please respect our laws and not provide safe-haven to an internationally wanted criminal.
Now, Wang's sister June Wong is complaining about court judgement issued in Singapore. Go figure.
Singapore Court to June Wong
Friday, 19 August 2011
Monday, 8 August 2011
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