Chinese Embassy expresses regret over fatal car crash between a Ferrari and a taxi in Rochor Road

It expresses sorrow over car crash and tells citizens to abide by laws

By Bryna Sim, The Straits Times, 17 May 2012

IN A rare move, the Chinese Embassy has issued a letter telling its citizens living in Singapore to be conscious of their conduct and abide by the laws here.

The letter, which was sent to The Straits Times yesterday, comes in the wake of a fatal Ferrari crash on Saturday that has claimed three lives.

In it, the embassy expressed sadness and regret over the accident. 'We offer our sincere and deep condolences to the victims and their families.

'We hope that Chinese citizens living in Singapore will respect life, value the safety of themselves and others, abide by its laws and regulations, and live responsibly and gracefully,' said the letter written in Chinese.

'We hope that such tragic and unfortunate incidents will not recur.'

In the accident, Chinese national Ma Chi, 31, had crashed his limited-edition Ferrari into a taxi, which then hit a motorcycle near Bugis Junction at about 4am on Saturday. Mr Ma, a financial investor from Sichuan, died at the scene.

The female passenger in the Ferrari survived with a fractured leg.

Cabby Cheng Teck Hock, 52, and his Japanese passenger Shigemi Ito, 41, died in hospital.

Mr Ma's car appeared to be travelling at high speed when the accident happened, according to footage captured by a dashboard-mounted camera of a nearby taxi.

The accident has sparked an uproar, with some netizens - both in Singapore and China - blaming Mr Ma for the accident. Some have described him as a spoilt, rich brat and a disgrace to China.

Others claimed that Mr Ma's behaviour suggests that rich Chinese nationals assume that their wealth and connections would allow them to do as they please, such as ignoring the law or bribing their way out of trouble.

Mr Tony Du, president of the Tian Fu Club for new immigrants from China, said the embassy's letter was 'timely and appropriate'.

'There are a lot of Chinese nationals here, be it as visitors, those on work passes, or PRs. We do need to respect Singapore's culture, practices and regulations,' said Mr Du, 56.

'The traffic accident has brought much unhappiness and hurt to Singaporeans and all others involved.

'While it is an accident, it is a reminder for us to all be careful and to carefully reflect upon what has happened,' added Mr Du, who attended Mr Cheng's wake last night.

When contacted, Mr Cheng's family declined to comment, saying they want to focus on the funeral today.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) Chairman for Defence and Foreign Affairs, also welcomed the letter.

'The call for Chinese nationals living in Singapore to abide by laws and regulations and pay attention to self-image is made, likely due to the public reaction arising from the accident,' he said.

Agreeing, MP Ellen Lee said the statement 'seems to be a rare move'.

'The way it is worded is in response to comments and criticisms about Chinese nationals here. One unfortunate accident sparks a whole range of other sentiments,' said Ms Lee, who is deputy chairman of the GPC.

But she cautioned: 'We don't know the real reasons that led to what happened. It still has to be investigated.'

Respect Singapore laws: Chinese Embassy 

THE Consular Department of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore has been informed that a serious traffic accident which occurred in the early hours of last Saturday in downtown Singapore resulted in the deaths of a Chinese car owner, a Singaporean taxi driver and a Japanese taxi passenger. Two others were hurt.

We are saddened and regret this unfortunate accident.

We offer our sincere and deep condolences to the victims and their families.

We hope that Chinese citizens living in Singapore will respect life, value the safety of themselves and others, abide by its laws and regulations, and live responsibly and gracefully.

We hope that such tragic and unfortunate incidents will not recur. 

Wen Penghui 

First Secretary

Consular DepartmentEmbassy of the People's Republic of China in Singapore 

ST Forum, 17 May 2012"

Get tough on speeding, reckless driving: DPM Teo
By Jalelah Abu Baker, The Straits Times, 17 May 2012

DEPUTY Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said in a Facebook post yesterday that he has directed the Traffic Police (TP) to get tough with errant motorists who speed or drive recklessly.

He also offered his condolences to the victims of the horrific accident on Saturday that has claimed three lives, but added that people should not be too quick to assign blame.

'I've told TP to be tougher on speeding/reckless driving, but (we) shouldn't blame all foreigners for this. Good that many Singaporeans and foreigners expressed sadness and gave support to families, in a common bond of humanity,' he said.

In an update on the case yesterday, the police said they are looking for a man seen stealing from the accident scene at the junction of Victoria Street and Rochor Road on Saturday morning.

The suspect, dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, was apparently spotted by a cleaner stealing about $300 from one of the victims in the accident involving a Ferrari, a taxi and a motorcycle.

Chinese national Ma Chi, 31, who was behind the wheel of the Ferrari, died at the scene. ComfortDelGro cabby Cheng Teck Hock, 52, and his Japanese passenger, Ms Shigemi Ito, 41, died later in hospital. Two others - Mr Ma's female passenger and a motorcyclist - were injured.

A video recording of the accident has since gone viral online. The owner of the footage, cabby Yeo Kim Cheng, 50, has submitted the video to the police. He, along with 22 others, had been interviewed about the incident, the police said. So far, 11 witnesses have given their statements to the police.

Footage from the Land Transport Authority's surveillance cameras has also been viewed and seized for the investigation. The police will be obtaining a toxicology report on the late Mr Ma. These reports usually help to establish if a driver is drunk.

Other eye-witnesses who have yet to come forward can do so by contacting the Traffic Police on 1800-547-1818.

All information will be kept strictly confidential, said the police.

Witnesses to the alleged theft are also encouraged to come forward, said the police. Anyone who has information may call the police hotline on 1800-255-0000.

Online views: Let's not take the xenophobic road
I AM absolutely dismayed by how some Singaporeans and local residents have reacted to last Saturday's tragic accident, which claimed the lives of three people and injured two others, by fuelling anti-foreigner sentiments online ('2 dead, 3 injured in three-way Bugis crash'; Sunday).

I hope the authorities and all major political parties can come together to condemn these negative remarks as well as content providers who condone such postings. Singapore needs citizens and foreign talent to work hand in hand.

Local misgivings about the surge of immigrants over the past five years ought to be discussed in a constructive manner.

I urge the Government and parliamentarians to meet these detractors on a more regular basis and address the root of their angst, from the perception that some foreign managers continue to discriminate against Singaporeans in favour of their fellow nationals, to the influx of foreign workers who add little value to our economy.

We must act decisively against xenophobic ultras who ruin the hard work of the greater majority in fostering social cohesion and harmony in this country.

Toh Cheng Seong
ST Forum, 17 May 2012

Speeding, not driver nationality, caused accident
I CAN understand why fellow Singaporeans are venting their anger at Chinese nationals, but I also appeal for rationality in evaluating the situation ('Chinese netizens slam driver as 'spoilt brat''; yesterday).

Speeding, not driver nationality, caused the accident.

Speed limiters should be installed in supercars. This will address the root of the problem and help curb supercar drivers' need for speed. On the congested streets of Singapore, how fast can a car go anyway?

I urge all Singaporeans to remember what our forefathers went through in adjusting to the different races in our early years as a country.

We have to do the same now for our country to progress. I am sure that new residents and citizens will remember the saying: 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.'

Suzy Egan (Mrs)
ST Forum, 17 May 2012