Daily Lessons from Life 13 February 2010

"Sat, Feb 13, 2010 The Straits Times - Romania lifts embassy driver's immunity

ROMANIA responded swiftly yesterday to a request from Singapore, lifting immunity for an embassy staff member here and distancing itself from remarks made by its former charge d'affaires over a fatal car accident last year.

It said that since former charge d'affaires Silviu Ionescu has been suspended from his diplomatic job, it will be up to him to decide whether to return to Singapore for a coroner's inquiry next month."

The local forum writers were pretty negative that the Romanian government will respond positively to Singapore MFA's request. The swift and encouraging response by the Romania government proved that the skeptics are perpahs too negative and pessimistic!

Lessons for me are:

1. it is dangerous to 'jump to conclusion' as one may end up 'jumping to concussion' based on emotional responses! e.g. that the Romanians are not responsible and that they are wicked, etc. Those allegations by local writers simply cannot be rational and all correct!!;

2. as a leader, the ability to respond swiftly when in a difficult situation and make the right decision is difficult. Those that stepped up to the plate and delivered are true leaders! The Romanian authority had shown the hallmark of good leadership by distancing itself from the 'over the board' remarks by Dr. Ionescu as those remarks were wild allegations by a man who might have committed the 'hit and run fatal accident' trying desperately to save his own skin at the risk of damaging the relationship between two friendly countries!;

3. Dr. Ionescu, as a responsible intellect should now reign in his emotional outburst and the fear of failing and gather the courage to take responsibility for what he might had committed. Come back to Singapore to face the inquiry and trial and clear his own name. If he is found guilty as charged after a publicly followed trial by international media and competent lawyers, he should just take the responsibility and bear with the judgement and punishment meted out. If he is cleared, he got back his reputation and can take actions against the prosecutors for wrongly accusing him of the said crime!

May Romania and Singapore continued to be on friendly term while Dr. Ionescu takes the stand in court and may justice be served for him and one of the victims who passed away from the injury and the two others who were injured!