The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) issued an apology on Thursday evening for videos and Facebook posts concerning parliamentary discussions on Ridout Road. The opposition party posted the apology on its Facebook page and promptly took down the objectionable content shortly before the 10 pm deadline set by Leader of the House, Indranee Rajah.
This came after the PSP uploaded a new, edited video and amended Facebook post on Thursday morning, in an effort to address concerns about an original clip that was posted on Tuesday and brought to attention by Ms. Indranee on Wednesday.
PSP, in its apology, acknowledged that both the original and edited videos had "created a misleading impression about the proceedings in parliament on July 3, 2023, regarding the ministerial statements on the Ridout Road matter."
During Monday's parliamentary session, Ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan discussed the rental of state properties on Ridout Road for six hours.
PSP also admitted that its Members of Parliament could have further debated the matter by filing a motion, but failed to do so. They acknowledged that Deputy Speaker Christopher De Souza assured Mr. Leong that he would have the opportunity to ask all his questions, and indeed, Mr. Leong did ask all the questions he intended.
"We accept that through our two videos, we have given the impression that no debate was allowed (even though it was we who did not file a motion for debate). We also accept that this is misleading," stated PSP.
"Our two videos are also misleading because they give the impression that Mr. Leong was not given the time to ask the questions that he wanted to, when in fact he was given the time to ask all his questions, and he did ask all his questions."
Earlier on Thursday, during the parliamentary session, Ms. Indranee informed Mr. Leong, a Non-Constituency MP, that the PSP's edited video still conveyed a misleading impression that issues could not be discussed in the House.
The segment of the parliamentary proceedings showcased in the video was intended to "cast aspersions on the manner in which parliamentary proceedings were conducted and to suggest that the deputy speaker was not carrying out his duties neutrally, or fairly or in a proper manner," she said.
Ms. Indranee revealed that she had formally requested the PSP, through a letter, to remove the revised Facebook post and edited video published on Thursday morning. Additionally, she required the party to post an apology on all social media platforms where the video had appeared by 10 pm the same day. Failure to comply would result in her having "no choice" but to refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges, according to Ms. Indranee.
During the parliamentary session, Mr. Leong attempted to present his case by pointing out that the PSP had rectified inaccuracies regarding the time spent on clarifications. He also reiterated that Ms. Indranee misunderstood the target of the "sia suay" phrase in the video's caption.
"Sia suay" is a Hokkien expression indicating embarrassment or disgrace.
The edited post read: "In what some online commenters are calling another 'sia suay' moment by our NCMP Leong Mun Wai –
"Our NCMP Leong Mun Wai was informed by the deputy speaker that members were allowed to seek clarification but not debate about the ministerial statements concerning the Ridout Road incident.
"The PSP's Leong Mun Wai & Hazel Poa Koon Koon are here to do whatever it takes to ensure that the voice of the people is heard.
"This short video is an excerpt taken from the full parliamentary session and is not to be taken as a representation of the entire discussion that took place in the House on Jul 3, 2023."
In response, Mr. Leong stated in the House on Thursday, "We should be entitled to a different view ... We should not be forced to present only the view that you want to present. This is a democratic parliament, not a rubber-stamp parliament."
He also asked Ms. Indranee to confirm whether an apology was necessary if PSP took down the video since the party did not "impugn" anyone, and he believed there was no requirement to apologize.
Mr. Leong further suggested posting an open letter to express their regret regarding the matter.
Ms. Indranee firmly stated that an apology was necessary. "The reason is this: The parliamentary privileges, the conduct of parliament are important things. They underpin our democracy."
She added that for a democracy to function properly, it must operate on the basis that MPs and their political parties will truthfully communicate with the public and provide accurate representations of what transpired in parliament.
"Because that determines the kind of society we are, and if you have a political party that has misrepresented what has happened in parliament, which is a direct strike at the values that underpin this parliament, you should apologize because it's not the right thing to do."
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