FRESH evidence has surfaced to put the Romanian embassy's charge d'affaires in the Sungei Kadut area where the embassy's car - which was involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident - was found abandoned later that morning.

A cabby yesterday told The Straits Times that he had picked up Dr Silviu Ionescu, the highest ranking Romanian embassy official in Singapore, at 3am-3.30am on Dec 15 in the Sungei Kadut area, after Dr Ionescu had flagged him down.

The industrial area is about 5km from Bukit Panjang, where the embassy's Audi A6 car hit three pedestrians at about 3.10am. One victim, who suffered severe brain damage, has since died.

The taxi driver who picked up Dr Ionescu told The Straits Times he had seen a Caucasian man wearing a jacket at the junction of Sungei Kadut Avenue and Woodlands Road and had slowed to a halt. He later told the police that his passenger was Dr Ionescu.

Upon entering the cab, Dr Ionescu told the driver to head to Bukit Timah. But when they reached Bukit Timah, the cabby was told to head to Cluny Park Road.

About 10 minutes into the cab ride, Dr Ionescu asked the cabby how he could contact the police. The cabby said he told him to call 999.

1.30am: Dr Silviu Ionescu parks his car in front of his embassy, off Farrer Road, he says, after returning to work from a karaoke session with some businessmen in Peace Centre.

About 3am: He leaves the embassy, he claims, only to find his car missing from where he parked it.

About 3.10am: The Audi hits three men in Bukit Panjang before speeding off. One man has since died.

A CAR believed to be from a foreign embassy was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Bukit Panjang Road early on Tuesday, hitting three people at two different traffic junctions.

Police said that the car first hit two pedestrians who were crossing the junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Bangkit Road at about 3am.

Mr Tong Kok Wai, 30, and Mr Bong Hwee Haw, 24, suffered head injuries and were taken to the National University Hospital (NUH). Mr Tong is in the intensive care unit while Mr Bong is in a surgical high dependency ward.

Instead of stopping, the car continued on its path of destruction. Witnesses said it beat another red light 100m ahead at the cross-junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Pending Road.

There, it hit another pedestrian, Mr Muhamad Haris Abu Talib, 18, before speeding off.

Mr Haris was also taken to NUH with leg pain.


http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_467195.html

Nothing much we can do now...
Left to MHA and MFA to do for us now.

We will see what our Govt intend to do now.

Romanian Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires says he will return to S’pore in late Jan

SINGAPORE: The Romanian embassy’s charge d’affaires, who’s suspected to be involved in a tragic hit—and—run accident, could be back to his post in Singapore in late January.

Dr Silviu Ionescu told a Romanian news website that he returned to Bucharest after the incident for some medical examinations which had been scheduled in advance.

The 49—year—old diplomat also stressed he had no connection with the accident, and hopes the perpetrator is found as soon as possible.

On 15 December 2009, the embassy’s car, a black Audi A6, hit three pedestrians at about 3.10 am in Bukit Panjang.

At 3.50am, Dr Ionescu filed a police report saying his vehicle had been stolen.

One victim, 30—year—old Tong Kok Wai, suffered severe brain damage and died on Christmas day.

His friend, 24—year—old Bong Hwee Haw is still recovering in hospital, while the third victim who suffered leg and neck injuries has been discharged.

Police said investigations are still ongoing and would not rule out any suspect in the course of its investigations. — CNA/vm

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20100102/tap-182-romanian-embassys-charge-daffair-231650b.html

Online petition for hit-and-run accident

AN ONLINE petition has been set up calling on the Romanian government and its embassy here to cooperate with the Singapore authorities to investigate a recent hit-and-run accident which left one man dead.

The petition also called for payouts to be made to the families of the three victims of the Dec 15 incident. There were 269 signatures at press time last night.

Research engineer William Teo, 31, who was the fifth person to sign the petition, told The Sunday Times: 'There is a need for the common Singaporean to express outrage at the entire incident to put pressure on parties on both sides. At times, things can get too clinical if we leave it merely to the respective governments.'



http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100102-189288.html

I heard from a friend previously that ambassadors and embassy staff have immunity. That is, they cannot be sued. How true is it ?

Posted By flipper on 05 Jan 2010 06:15 PM
I heard from a friend previously that ambassadors and embassy staff have immunity. That is, they cannot be sued. How true is it ?

flipper:  Yes it's true.  Confirmed in the Straits Times and other papers too.  It will be up to his/her country to decide whether to deport the person back to the country s/he committed the offence.  Sometimes the country would sentence the person with its own judiciary law.

And wat makes it worst is that the embassy's car is not insured... which means the victim cant file any claims against them. :(

Posted By animelover on 05 Jan 2010 08:54 PM

Posted By flipper on 05 Jan 2010 06:15 PM
I heard from a friend previously that ambassadors and embassy staff have immunity. That is, they cannot be sued. How true is it ?

flipper:  Yes it's true.  Confirmed in the Straits Times and other papers too.  It will be up to his/her country to decide whether to deport the person back to the country s/he committed the offence.  Sometimes the country would sentence the person with its own judiciary law.

Posted By flipper on 05 Jan 2010 06:15 PM
I heard from a friend previously that ambassadors and embassy staff have immunity. That is, they cannot be sued. How true is it ?

there's some truth in that... coz a law suit affect bilateral ties...

Our lousy govt only react after the public raised concerns. Just because he's an ambassador? If we dun speak up that means the govt is not going to do anything about it? Wat the hell?? If another commoner hit and run I dun think it will take the police so long to react.

It is evident right from the start that Dr. Silviu Ionescu, the highest ranking Romanian embassy official in Singapore is the key culprit who knocked down the victims.

The action taken by the Singapore government will set a precedent for similar cases in future.

Posted By flipper on 06 Jan 2010 08:57 AM

Posted By animelover on 05 Jan 2010 08:54 PM

Posted By flipper on 05 Jan 2010 06:15 PM
I heard from a friend previously that ambassadors and embassy staff have immunity. That is, they cannot be sued. How true is it ?

flipper:  Yes it's true.  Confirmed in the Straits Times and other papers too.  It will be up to his/her country to decide whether to deport the person back to the country s/he committed the offence.  Sometimes the country would sentence the person with its own judiciary law.

That's quite sad and unfair.  Is that a common law internationally ?

 

Next time must stay clear of "SD" cars ! 

It should be cars with registration no.s ending with the 'CD' refix to be exact.

That embassy really cho bo liao one. Just pai swee nia where got things to do te? Come here and stir shit oni.

haha... Singapore President also same - cho bo liao one. Just pai swee nia where got things to do te?

Well,  at least president is our own people and he dun stir shit.

the case will close under table. when time passby, no one will remember the incident.