“This is dishonourable, and a contempt of Parliament, and breaches the Parliament Privileges, Immunities and Powers Act.” – Deputy Leader of the House Zaqy Mohammed.
NCMP Leong Mun Wai has been given until the close of Parliament today to unreservedly apologise for his actions on 7 March 2022 where he had alleged that he was unfairly treated by the Speaker of Parliament. He was also asked to withdraw his comments and delete the offending posts.
At the end of question time on 8 March 2022, the Deputy Leader of the House, Zaqy Mohammed, took Leong to task for his “misleading” Facebook publications. These publications relate to an incident involving Leong and the Speaker of Parliament just before guillotine time for the COS debate on MOM on 7 March 2020.
https://www.tiktok.com/@wakeupsingapore/video/7072602322353802497?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id7060692362225518082
The Offending Facebook Posts
In the afternoon and evening of 7 March 2022, Leong Mun Wai posted a series of Facebook posts and comments. In the first set of comments, Leong Mun Wai alleged that the Speaker of Parliament did not give him the chance to make clarifications. He also called the state of affairs “completely ridiculous“.
As of 1.00pm on 8 March 2022, it appears that these comments have been deleted from Leong’s page. However, the caption accompanying the video, that the Deputy Leader took issue with, still remains up on Leong’s Facebook Page.
The rest of the caption consisted of clarifications that Leong sought in relation to job creation for PMETs and it ended with Leong stating that “Singaporeans deserve better”.
In the comments section of the post, Leong reminded users to refrain from personal attacks. To which, one user alleged that it was Leong who was being personal with reference to his earlier comment which stated “completely ridiculous“.
Leong said that he was sharing more about his parliamentary experience this year as he has become more accustomed to the processes after more than a year in the chamber. He also expressed his eagerness to shed light on the “true state of affairs in Parliament“.
In a comment published on the morning of 8 March 2022, Leong called the Speaker the “Boss of Parliament” and repeated some of the allegations from the previous day.
In the midst of his tirade, Leong shared a witty remark he received.
Let us hope that Leong does not have the privilege of testing the COP’s time-limits, amongst other limits, in time to come.
Misleading Misrepresentations
Both yesterday and today, the Speaker of Parliament, Tan Chuan Jin, made clear that there was no truth in Leong’s assertions that he was singled out.
The Speaker made reference to Leong’s Facebook comments and reminded MPs that cut-off times, which are called guillotine times in the Parliamentary vernacular, are made known to MPs in well in advance. He also noted that prior to Mr Leong’s intervention, time had been allocated to 5 PAP MPs, 4 WP MPs and 1 NMP (5 Government MPs and 5 Non-Government MPs).
He said that Leong was not the only one who wanted to speak but could not do so due to guillotine time. Others who wanted to speak include MPs Leon Perera, Edward Chia, Louis Ng, Janet Ang, Melvin Yong and Yeo Wan Ling.
The Deputy Speaker said that Leong’s posts were misleading, contained several misrepresentations, and omitted important information. These omissions include, amongst other things, the fact that Leong would have been able to follow up on the red herring comments during question time in future sessions of Parliament, and the fact that other MPs who wanted to speak also could not speak.
Apologise, Withdraw & Delete
In light of the Speaker’s clarifications on 7 March 2022 and 8 March 2022, the Deputy Leader of the House asked Leong to unreservedly apologise in a manner prescribed by him. He read out a template apology in Parliament that he wanted Leong to adopt. He also asked Leong to withdraw his statements and delete the Facebook posts before the end of Parliament on 8 March 2022.
Depending on how Leong responds, the Deputy Speaker said that Parliament can decide what further action, if any, should be taken in respect of Leong.
As Leong was not present in Parliament during the time of his address, the Deputy Leader said that he would bring his address to Leong’s attention.
This is not Leong’s first brush with potential breaches of parliamentary privilege. Just last month, he was admonished by the Leader of the House for “grandstanding” in Parliament. It remains to be seen if a COP would be convened in respect of Leong’s actions.
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