SG Talk

March 2, 202411:10 AM GMT+8Updated 20 hours ago


WASHINGTON, March 1 (Reuters) - The White House on Friday said the U.S. government was taking seriously an internal watchdog report that the U.S. ambassador to Singapore threatened his staff and failed to submit about US$48,000 in travel expenses on time or with proper documentation.

Ambassador Jonathan Kaplan, a political appointee, had poor relations with some Singaporean ministries and was often unprepared on issues

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The report faulted Kaplan, an entrepreneur, for failing to follow procedures in hiring consultants who submitted bills of US$5,650 for "a furniture research project" and of US$4,250 to redesign the embassy's cafeteria.

The report found Kaplan did not follow many of the State Department's travel policies, failing to use a travel agency under contract with the U.S. government and to comply with a U.S. law requiring the use of U.S. carriers.

"OIG found approximately US$48,000 worth of outstanding travel obligations extending back to December 2021 that either were not submitted for reimbursement or lacked sufficient supporting documentation to pay the travel claim," it said.


https://www.reuters.com/world/us-says-it...024-03-02/

Bhagyashree Garekar
US Bureau Chief
UPDATED MAR 03, 2024, 05:46 AM


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The report also found that the ambassador had limited contact with Singapore’s traditional media.

He had held only two press events since his arrival in Singapore, one of which was off the record, the report said.

“The ambassador told OIG there was no need for him to deal with Singapore’s traditional media, and he preferred to use social media,” it said.

He appeared indifferent to the embassy’s social media priorities and focused instead on the number of followers on his official Instagram account, which, as at March 2023, had 825 followers, it added.

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In other findings, the report said the ambassador spent almost US$10,000 on unauthorised consulting expenditures, US$48,000 on outstanding travel fees and US$27,000 on securing a piano for his acquaintance to play for an event on board a visiting US Navy ship.

It also said the ambassador “did not model integrity, plan strategically, collaborate or communicate”.

An example cited was his idea to show the 2022 Super Bowl for free to outdoor public audiences, despite Singapore’s limitations on outdoor events because of Covid-19, the lack of popularity of American football in Singapore and the cost to the embassy to put on the event. He blamed the staff when the event could not be arranged.


https://www.straitstimes.com/world/unite...s-watchdog

     
I think this ambassador also bully and threaten Singapore such as to stand on US side.  

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OMG!

Obviously, he's reading too much in Sgtalk forums..

Must be more informative than traditional media.

Does he mean Sammyboy when referring to social media?😂

(03-03-2024, 07:05 AM)webinarian Wrote: [ -> ]     
I think this ambassador also bully and threaten Singapore such as to stand on US side.  

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Pulling Singapore happiest world's  ranking down

No respect for anyone

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He wasn't informed of Taylor Swift coming to Singapore.

He missed the concert

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Clearly, he's upset with Singapore hot 35C and 95 humidity weather

Cannot go to the beach

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Over the years, he could have written to President Biden reported Singapore is an authoritarian nation, and that's why Singapore is not invited by Biden to US Democracy meetings in White House consecutively for 2 years.

Is Singapore an authoritarian nation is questionable..

I think he is a member in Sgtalk promoting US interest and propagating fake news on China here.  He also knew we dislike chow angmo. That could be the reason for his misbehaviour.    

More of the same if Donald Trump the egoistic maniac is elected as POTUS 2024