Singapore – After scrutinizing the video of the Parliament sitting on Tuesday (Sept 14), members from the online community highlighted that it was Finance Minister Lawrence Wong that allegedly made the “lousy school” comment targeted at Leong Mun Wai.
During the sitting, ministers were caught making private comments heard over the microphone criticizing Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai and questioning how he got into Raffles Institution (RI).
After Mr. Leong had spoken on jobs and livelihoods, a voice was heard saying “he’s illiterate” towards the Progress Singapore Party NCMP.
At a later exchange between Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and Mr. Leong, another voice was heard over the microphone saying, “Seriously, how did he get into RI?… Must have been a lousy school.”
It was initially understood that the comments were made by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who has since apologized to Mr. Leong through Facebook.
“I called Mr. Leong Mun Wai today to apologize for my private comments to a colleague in Parliament yesterday.
“I disagree with him on the issue, but I should not have said what I said. Mr. Leong has accepted my apology,” said Dr. Balakrishnan.
The comments have since sparked an online backlash, with netizens demanding a public apology to RI students and alumni.
Netizens have also scrutinized the video, and it appears that another minister made the “lousy school” comment.
On Saturday (Sept 18), the Facebook page Wake Up, Singapore posted screenshots of individuals who had a closer look at the video and shared their findings.
“Was it Vivian Balakrishnan who said, ‘It must have been a lousy school’ or was it someone else?” asked one Andrew Loh.
He noted that turning up the volume would let the listener hear the voices more distinctly.
Mr. Loh also referred to Mr. Leong’s statement on Dr. Balakrishnan’s apology wherein the NCMP wondered who the other persons were making the comments.
“Though I am also curious to know who are the other persons who were involved in the conversation and the reason why they held the institution that I attended in contempt, we must focus on the task at hand: improving the jobs and livelihoods of our people. This is what the people entrusted us to do,” wrote Mr. Leong in his acceptance of the apology.
“He used the word ‘persons,’ plural,” added Mr Loh.
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Another netizen, Imran Becks, observed that it wasn’t Dr Balakrishnan who made the comment.
“Watch the video, time index 9:49:17, and you’ll see that the one that said ‘lousy school’ is actually Lawrence Wong, who was seated to the left of Vivian,” the netizen said.
“If anything, Lawrence Wong is the one that should apologize for saying that.”
Mr. Imran explained how the incident happened, based on the video and audio:
Dr Balakrishnan said, “He’s illiterate.” He went on to say, “How did he go to RI.”
Mr. Wong then turned to his right and responded, “Lousy school.”
Then Dr. Tan said to him, “I went to Monks Hill.”
“It’s all very clear and obvious in the video as to who said what actually. Right down to Lawrence Wong’s voice, which we have all heard this past year with Covid-19 when he talks, so it’s very distinguishable,” added Mr Imran.
Regardless of the person who made the comment, netizens wondered if further disciplinary action would be taken against those involved.
“There is no such thing dunno who commented it. If videos can capture whose eyes are closed in the Parliament for sure, it’s not difficult to narrow down who are those involved,” said Facebook user Vincent Phang.
Read related: Did Vivian Balakrishnan forget Lee Kuan Yew also came from RI? Netizens demand an apology from RI students and alumni
In a subsequent Facebook post, Minister Lawrence Wong denied having said that and went on to say that he has been respectful of all members of parliament.
/TISG