Dare to face the truth.

FORMER Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu is unlikely to return to Singapore for a coroner's inquiry into the death of Mr Tong Kok Wai, which begins on Wednesday.

In his first comments to the Singapore media since leaving the country on Dec 18, three days after Mr Tong was killed in a hit-and-run accident involving a Romanian Embassy car in Bukit Panjang, Dr Ionescu said his failing health was the main reason he may not return.

He claimed that he could die as a result of his illness, believed to be diabetes.

Dr Ionescu also said reports that police investigations showed he had been the driver of the car factored into his decision.

But he firmly denied having anything to do with the accident that killed Mr Tong, or another later that day that left two people injured.

The Romanian has been at the centre of a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent weeks. Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) summoned his country's ambassador to the Republic two weeks ago to request that Dr Ionescu be asked to attend the coroner's inquiry. -Strait Times 26 Feb