STOMPer John is appalled that embassy staff can get away with breaking laws in Singapore after spotting this embassy car parked in a bus lane near Funan Centre. Does diplomatic immunity cover this kind of illegal acts, the STOMPer asks.
The STOMPer said in an email:
"I have been following the case of the former Romanian Charge d’Affaires Dr. Silviu lonescu in extreme shock.
"What does diplomatic immunity actually mean?
"I seriously doubt it means that embassy staff and personnel are permitted to go about their daily lives, breaking laws under a name or umbrella of diplomatic immunity.
"Here is a recent incident that I have photographed.
"An embassy driver had parked or stopped in a bus lane on Saturday, 27 Feb, at about 5pm or later, in front of the Hill Street side of Funan Centre.
"He was having a smoke break while waiting for some embassy staff member to perhaps finish shopping.
"Indeed, I doubt that this stop was in the capacity of an official embassy mission, requiring the driver to break a minor Singapore traffic law.
"Does diplomatic immunity cover this kind of law breaking acts?
"I seriously doubt it but I have often seen many embassy drivers in Singapore crossing the line.
"They break minor traffic laws, under the notion, perhaps, that they are covered under a name or umbrella of diplomatic immunity.
"This should be examined a bit closer and stopped."
