Kenneth Tiong apologises to Chee Hong Tat over ‘stupid question’ comment in Parliament
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Workers' Party MP Kenneth Tiong had made his comment during an exchange about family offices and sanctioned entities.
PHOTO: MDDI
Follow topic:
- WP's Kenneth Tiong called Minister Chee Hong Tat's question "stupid" during a parliamentary debate on financial system risks.
- Speaker Seah Kian Peng said he was disappointed, reminding MPs to maintain decorum in Parliament.
- Mr Tiong apologised to Mr Chee, who accepted, expressing hope for future respectful discussions in Parliament after the incident.
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SINGAPORE - Workers’ Party MP Kenneth Tiong apologised to National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat on Nov 5 for calling his question “stupid” in Parliament.
Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng said he was disappointed in Mr Tiong’s conduct, and reminded all MPs to maintain dignity and decorum.
Mr Tiong (Aljunied GRC) then apologised, with Mr Chee accepting his apology.
The MP had made his comment during an exchange with the minister about family offices and sanctioned entities
Asked by Mr Chee to clarify if the WP’s position was that Singapore should take a zero-risk approach to preventing bad actors from accessing its financial system, Mr Tiong said there was a pattern of ministers and political office-holders asking rhetorical questions.
Mr Seah interjected to tell him to respond to the question.
Mr Tiong then said: “The answer is no, and I don’t think it is the minister’s point of view that you should, in fact, have a zero-risk approach, because it’s impossible. So he’s asking a stupid question.”
Mr Chee replied: “I think it is not quite appropriate for Mr Tiong to use the word ‘stupid’ when we are having a discussion in this House.”
He asked Mr Tiong to withdraw his comment and apologise.
Mr Tiong withdrew the comment, but added: “I will maintain that that question is not a meaningful question.”
Responding, Mr Chee said: “I am disappointed that Mr Tiong chose to conduct this discussion in this manner. I only wanted to clarify the position so that I can give him a considered response.”
Mr Chee then brought up how Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh had previously said the WP would be a responsible opposition party, and said he hoped Mr Tiong would “bear that in mind in our future discourse”.
He went on to address Mr Tiong’s question on Singapore’s approach.
After Mr Chee had answered several other questions relating to the topic, Mr Seah rose to chide Mr Tiong over his conduct.
The Speaker read out a standing order that states it is out of order to use offensive and insulting language about MPs.
Addressing Mr Tiong, Mr Seah said: “I consider what you had said just now to be quite insulting and is beneath the dignity of this House to use such language.
“You have withdrawn that comment, which is obviously correct. I would have expected an apology, but I accept that you did not. You just withdrew that comment.”
Mr Tiong then tried to speak, but was stopped by Mr Seah who reminded MPs: “We want to maintain dignity and decorum in this House, and the use of such language about a fellow Member of Parliament is not par for the course.”
Mr Tiong began to apologise while seated, to which Mr Seah said: “Kindly stand up, when you speak.”
The WP MP then stood up to apologise.
Accepting his apology, Mr Chee said: “I hope that we can, in future, have such discussions in a civilised and polite manner, respectful manner.”
