Second Complaint by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Mr Leong Mun Wai

11.36 am

Mr Speaker: Order. I also wish to inform hon Members that on 16 August 2023, I received a second written complaint from the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, Mr Leong Mun Wai.

This second complaint is in respect of certain off-mike remarks made by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, about Mr Leong, during the simultaneous debate on the Motions on Securing Singaporeans’ Jobs and Livelihoods and Foreign Talent Policy on 14 September 2021. So, that is two years ago.

On 15 September 2021, in a telephone call to Mr Leong, Minister Vivian Balakrishnan had apologised for those remarks and Mr Leong had acknowledged and accepted the apology on the same date. The apology and acceptance of the apology were published on both Members’ Facebook pages, and this was reported in the media.

Two years after the event, Mr Leong now wishes to have Minister Vivian Balakrishnan come to the House to formally withdraw his remarks and put his apology on record in the Hansard, either in writing or through a Personal Explanation at this Sitting of Parliament.

A copy of Mr Leong’s complaint was forwarded to Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who responded through a letter on 5 September 2023. Both documents will also be distributed to Members after my announcement.

In my opinion, the complaint is out of time by reason of the long passage of time. It was not made at the earliest opportunity as required under Standing Order 100(7)(c) after the Member had notice of the alleged remark.

In my view, there is no formal action for me to take in this complaint. The matter having been taken to its conclusion with the Minister’s apology and Mr Leong’s acceptance of the apology almost two years ago, is now closed.

I note that in Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s letter of 5 September this year, he accepts, quite rightly, that his private comments were inappropriate and he stands by his previous apology to Mr Leong. His letter to me will be published in Hansard and therefore his position will also be on the Parliamentary record.

I will now ask the Clerks to distribute Mr Leong’s complaint and Minister’s response to Members. I have directed both documents to be published in Hansard. [Handouts were distributed to hon Members. Please refer to Annex 2.]

Again, I will give Members some time to look through the documents.

Let me repeat – I have directed both documents that Members are receiving now to be published in Hansard.

I wish to remind hon Members that the use of unparliamentary, offensive or insulting language about Members will not be condoned by the Chair. There must be mutual respect among Members and debates must be conducted in a manner that maintains the highest standards of decorum and conduct befitting of Parliament. Any breach will be summarily dealt with by me or referred to the Committee of Privileges.

I will continue to safeguard the dignity and decorum of this Chamber. Besides the use of unparliamentary language, Members should not persistently and wilfully obstruct the business of Parliament and abuse the rules of Parliament, for example, by making frequent interruptions or disregarding the authority of the Chair. This is considered disorderly conduct under Standing Orders 58 and 59, and may result in the suspension of a Member.

I advise Members to refer to the Leader of the House’s handout on "Upholding Proper Conduct In and Out of Parliament" which was distributed at the Sitting on 18 April this year and also, my recent advisory on the rules of Parliament that was circulated to all Members on 14 August this year.

Hon Member Mr Leong Mun Wai raised his hand.

Mr Speaker: Mr Leong, again, I have informed you – and for that matter, all Members – that under Standing Order 56, my decision on any complaint is final and is not open to appeal. Earlier on, I allowed you one clarification. I do not intend to allow further clarifications because I do not want to make the exception a norm, of allowing clarifications for any letter of complaint that I receive from any Member of the House.

Order. Questions for Oral Answer.