Tirai-Tirai Kehidupan

Ms Beguia sparked a massive outcry among netizens by posting a series of derogatory comments belittling Singaporeans in her zeal to defend PAP Malaysian MP Penny Low who was under heavy criticisms herself for looking down at her handphone when the National Anthem was played during the National Day Parade.

In a short exchange with Singaporeans on Ms Low’s Facebook, Ms Beguia lectured Singaporean NSmen for lacking ‘morals, loyalty and patriotism’ and described Singaporeans who lost their jobs to foreigners as being ‘incompetent’:

An astute TRE reader Lim Meng Yong observed the presence of a “National Heart Center” logo in Ms Rachelle’s original Facebook profile photo and contacted NHC which confirmed that Ms Rachelle is working as a clerk in its Medical Records Office.

Following a flurry of angry responses from netizens and complaints to her employer, Ms Rachelle succumbed to public pressure and issued the apology in the same thread on Ms Low’s Facebook.

While Ms Rachelle’s rant at Singaporeans is uncalled for, it is shocking that she was able to find a job in Singapore as a clerk in a public hospital.

According to some NHC patients, a large number of the staff at the National Heart Center, including the non-nursing staff are foreigners.

We urge NHC to reveal the number of Singapore citizens and foreigners on its payroll to dispel the public perception that it is favoring foreigners over Singaporeans.

In the meantime, NHC has issued a public statement apologizing for Ms Rachelle’s remarks and promised to conduct an investigation into the matter. Read More

The National Heart Centre yesterday said on its Facebook page that it will conduct an official enquiry into the 'insensitive" comments made by Rachelle Ann Beguia on MP Penny Low's Facebook page.

Ms Beguia, a foreigner, described Singaporeans as "moronic" whose "loyalty" and "patriotism" will be dropped "at the first sign of trouble."

She added that Singaporean NSmen will "declare they are ready to pack up and run" when asked to fight a war.

She posted these comments in Ms Low's defence when the latter apologised for using her iPhone when the national anthem was being sung during the National Day Parade.

She had tried to urge Ms Low to ignore the angry comments made by some Singaporeans on the Facebook page by implying that the Singaporeans were too ignorant to comment on the situation.

Ms Beguia apologised for her comments at about 1pm yesterday afternoon on Ms Low's Facebook page.

"I am very sorry for the insensitive comments I have posted earlier. It was a lack of judgement. For those who have been hurt by those comments. I am very sorry once again."

Two hours later, The National Heart Centre said on their Facebook page:

"We sincerely regret the insensitive comments made by Ms Rachelle Ann Beguia.

"Although she posted those comments in her own capacity, National Heart Centre Singapore does not condone to such behaviour.

"We have always advocated to our staff that they should be respectful at all times, courteous and constructive when engaging in media platforms.

"An official enquiry will be conducted and appropriate actions will be taken accordingly." Read More