Vivian Balakrishnan apologises to Leong Mun Wai over his 'private comments' in Parliament

SINGAPORE — Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Wednesday evening said he had apologised to Progress Singapore Party's Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai for his "private comments to a colleague" in Parliament the day before.

"I called Mr Leong Mun Wai today to apologise 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," wrote Dr Balakrishnan in aHe added that Leong has accepted his apology for the comments, but did not specify what he said during the parliamentary sitting., Leong confirmed that he had received and accepted Dr Balakrishnan's apology.

"Let’s put our time to better use for Singapore and Singaporeans. 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," he said. Dr Balakrishnan's apology comes hours after Tuesday's 13.5-hour debate on the motion tabled by Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on securing Singaporeans’ jobs and livelihood, and a separate motion by Leong and fellow PSP NCMP Hazel Poa on foreign talent policy.

A portion of the marathon session, streamed live on YouTube, had gone viral due to disparaging comments about an individual's educational background that were made on the sideline and caught on a hot mic.

Yes, a mistake was made. BUT, would we want only the best or mediocre to run a country? Too often we see “elitism” as an issue and problem. If a country fails (as we see all round), who do we blame? The people who hated elitism, who chose mediocrity or a mediocre government?

So well educated n yet pass such remarks....wat has sin politic come down too....to the gutter. Shameful to hold such position n yet stood so low..... y attack the person for his view on ceca.....just his views n plse dont turn this into a racial slurr.

Should've made a public apology and not hide behind social media like a wuss.

Hargh ptooi!

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