Workers Party MP He Ting Ru ended her rousing speech in Parliament with a call to action:-
“After s377A is repealed, life will go on. Families and spouses who love and value each other and their children will continue to do so. Love and hope can still triumph over anger and mistrust, and we will still open our doors and hearts to our neighbours in the community who need an extra helping hand, like the countless stories of neighbourhood group chats stepping in during the pandemic, the students in our Sengkang schools who came together to make gift cards to show their appreciation for our healthcare heroes in our healthcare facilities and vaccination centres.
This is what makes us as a nation, as one nation, and I hope we never lose sight of this, nor stop fighting to keep this as our shared future.”
Almost immediately after her call to action, Pritam Singh thumped his armrest loudly in support of Ms He’s speech before briskly walking out of Parliament to answer a different call.
Pritam Singh thumped his arm rest
As explained in this video by Mothership, MPs thump their armrests as a sign of support for the person speaking.
However, as Pritam Singh himself noticed, his thump was so loud that it started some MPs around him.
Answering nature’s call
Pritam also explained that he had to answer nature’s call following Ms He’s speech. That was why he hurriedly left the chamber following Ms He’s speech.
The entire sequence may be viewed in this video below.
@sgviralvids Pritam Singh thumped the arm rest in support of He Ting Ru #sgtiktok🇸🇬 #singapore #singaporeelections #workersparty #pritamsingh #Singaporepolitics
Fake news on TikTok
Following the event, several TikTok pages, including Gong Simi SG and FUYOHHsg, falsely insinuated that Pritam Singh was angry at something. The former even attributed Pritam Singh’s non-existent anger to Ms He’s speech.
Although these baseless assertions have been put to rest by Mr Pritam Singh’s clarification, the 2 impugned videos remain accessible as of 12.40am on 30 November 2022.
If anything, more attention should have been focused on Ms He’s brilliant speech than non-consequential events. In fact, at the end of the video, Mr Singh is spotted giving a thumbs-up to Ms He.
In her speech on the repeal of s377A of the Penal Code, and the proposed amendments to the Constitution, Ms. He highlighted the need for greater respect, empathy and open dialogue between Singaporeans who may hold opposing views. Supporting the repeal of 377A on the grounds that the law entrenches discrimination against a segment of the community, she also added that the repeal does not stop parents from imparting values to their children. Finally, she also shared her concerns about proposed amendments to the Constitution, which appear to functionally shield the section from judicial review.
Ms He’s full speech may be viewed at this link.
“To be generous, to love our neighbour, to be merciful.” – Read Pritam Singh’s full speech on 377A
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