Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s wife, Ho Ching’s “sloppy” styling at the White House, is under the lens yet again, marking a recurrent event in what has come to be known as the Singapore PM’s wife sandals controversy. Wearing casual sandals, she was accompanying her husband on his official visit to the United States of America this week to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House.
PM Lee, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran and his wife, Singapore’s Ambassador to the US Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, and Mirpuri’s wife can all be seen dressed sharply, in the photo above. In contrast, Ho Ching stands out with her choice of footwear – a repeat instance of Ho Ching’s dressing critique US visit.
The picture, which was posted on Minister Ong’s Facebook page, was taken outside Blair House, the official guest house of President Trump:
This is not the first time the PM’s wife has been spotted wearing such footwear during official visits. Netizens have questioned her drab dressing at official functions, over the years.
In early August last year, netizens were quick to point out the difference in dressing between former US President Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle Obama and Ho Ching, when Pm Lee and his wife were invited to a state dinner at the White House.
https://www.facebook.com/siew.tw/posts/10154077743459093
Among others who criticised Ho Ching then, aesthetics doctor and Save our Street Dogs founder, Dr Siew Tuck Wah commented:
“Its a historic occasion for Singapore Prime minister Lee and wife Ho Ching to be invited to the White House. But while first lady Michelle Obama made headlines with a Naeen Khan bright yellow floral dress, Ho Ching really could have chose something, well, more cheery.”
“We need to get a stylist for her please,” he added.
https://www.facebook.com/bruce.w.wee/posts/10209329536768572
The netizen above, Bruce Wee, shared a screenshot of Ho Ching’s footwear during her official visit to the US last year and commented, “Not again? Sibeh Sia Suay!”
He was referring to Ho Ching’s decision to wear sandals for an official meeting in Malaysia, in July 2016. Facebook user 黄建齊 was one among many others online who felt that it was sloppy of her to do so.
As the Singapore PM’s wife sandals controversy continues, this episode underscores the intense scrutiny faced by public figures, even in their choice of attire. Ho Ching’s casual dressing has become a talking point for netizens, leading to ongoing debates about appropriateness and style in the public domain.
https://theindependent.sg.sg/netizens-question-ho-chings-drab-dressing-at-white-house-state-dinner/
https://theindependent.sg.sg/ho-ching-didnt-dress-as-shabbily-when-she-met-japanese-emperor-and-his-wife/
https://www.facebook.com/ongyekung/photos/a.920603904620879.1073741828.916503765030893/1856989030982357/?type=3