Finance Minister Refutes Hottest Mic Claims
Think someone else stirred up the hot‑mic frenzy in Parliament? That’s a “no‑no” from Finance Minister Lawrence Wong.
How it all unfolded
- Wong was live on Facebook discussing jobs and livelihoods on September 22.
- A curious netizen asked: “Did you actually make the ‘lousy school’ comment in Parliament?”
- Only hours later, the minister clarified: I did NOT make those comments.
So, for those still asking, it’s all clear: Wong’s hand was firmly in his own pocket. No extra voices in Parliament—just the good old official Minister at work.
Oops! A Minor Parliamentary Blunder
When a mic picks up words you didn’t mean to say
On September 15, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan slipped up during a lively debate about jobs and foreign‑worker policies. A handful of viewers – all tuned in via YouTube – heard a harsh remark that didn’t belong: “He’s illiterate.” The offending line came from NCMP Leong Mun Wai, who was questioning Manpower Minister Tan See Leng about a data set.
The audio clip was a bit of a melodrama, with the minister shuffled around like a neatly dressed audience member and Dr. Tan flanked to the right. Even the presence of other dignitaries didn’t mask the awkward moment.
Why this sounds like a sitcom scene
- Saying “He’s illiterate”: Leong called out a question, and something slipped through the mic. Bad choice of words, for sure.
- Adding “Seriously, how did he get into RI?” – Raffles Institution got mentioned, followed by a jab about the school’s quality.
- Every great story demands a confession. Balakrishnan stepped into the spotlight and offered a heartfelt apology.
Balakrishnan’s heartfelt Facebook note
Moral of the story: Missed words can stick around longer than a passing breeze. In a quick Facebook post, the Minister admitted:
“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. Mr. Leong has accepted my apology.”
The incident reminds us that even the high‑ranking officials aren’t immune to the perilous intersections of public speaking and specially wired microphones. A little “Oops” can lead to a public “Sorry” and, in this case, a win for accountability.
Read more about how dropout stories and normal school streams have made big differences – because being “elite” isn’t the only path to success.
