According to Singapore's "Lianhe Zaobao" and Channel News Asia (CNA), an internal regulatory report released by the Office of the Inspector General of the United States on March 1 showed that Jonathan Kaplan, the US ambassador to Singapore, misbehaved, not only intimidated staff and wasted public money, but also failed to promote the interests of the United States. Kaplan had no political experience before becoming ambassador to the United States, but he donated $100,000 to the Democratic Party.
U.S. Ambassador to Singapore Kaplan, Photo: U.S. Embassy in Singapore**.
According to the report, U.S. Embassy personnel interviewed during the routine review revealed that they feared reprisals from Kaplan, and in some cases were even directly threatened. U.S. embassy staff also alleged that Kaplan had "spoken contemptuously about U.S. **employees and (U.S. ***)."
Kaplan is reported to have poor relations with some of Singapore's leading ministries and is often unprepared for some topics. "The Office of the Inspector General found that the ambassador failed to establish integrity and strategic planning, cooperation or communication," the report said. "This has hampered progress in U.S. relations with Singapore, a strategically important country.
Kaplan was supposed to hold more meetings with the Singapore side, but Kaplan told the Office that such meetings were "fruitless, just an exchange of topics, no real discussions," the report said.
In addition, the monitor found that the ambassador had very limited contact with Singapore's heritage**, and that he held only two press conferences during his tenure as ambassador. In response, Kaplan explained that he doesn't have to deal with Singapore's traditional **, and he prefers to use social **.
The report also alleges that Kaplan failed to follow the management principles and procedures of *** and violated ***'s regulations regarding the receipt of funds and gifts.
It alleges, for example, that Kaplan did not comply with many of the travel policies of ***, did not use travel agencies with contracts with the United States**, and did not comply with the requirement to use the services of American Airlines.
"The Office of the Inspector General found that there are still approximately $48,000 worth of outstanding travel expenses since December 2021; They either did not submit a claim or did not provide sufficient supporting documentation for the authorities to process the travel claim. ”
The embassy is also accused of spending more than $27,000 on the American amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island for a party, including placing a grand piano on deck and having a professional pianist who is a friend of Kaplan's friends.
Kaplan once hosted a party on the US amphibious assault ship Makin Island, photo: US Navy.
The cost has led to "the embassy reducing funding for other public diplomacy programs that may be more effective in advancing U.S. interests in Singapore," the report said.
The Office urged the U.S. to assess Kaplan's leadership and management capabilities and "take corrective action" in a timely manner.
White House committee spokesman Kirby said that Biden takes the report very seriously.
Kaplan said in a statement to the report that while he had a difficult transition at the beginning of his tenure, the morale of the team had improved under his leadership and he was confident that he would earn the trust of the staff.
He also said that he would take full responsibility for resolving the issues and recommendations raised in the report expeditiously.
Bloomberg reported that this report by the United States has brought the traditional practice of appointing ambassadors abroad into the spotlight again.
Historically** U.S. ambassadors have typically chosen campaign donors and political allies with no diplomatic experience.
Originally an entrepreneur, Kaplan was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Singapore in late 2021. He invented pocket-sized cameras and ran a restaurant business, but never held a ** position.
According to the Campaign Legal Center, Kaplan donated $100,000 to the Democratic Party in the 10 years before he became ambassador.
This article is an exclusive manuscript of the Observer.com, and it is not allowed to be unauthorized and shall not be allowed.