PM criticises Chee for 'completely hypocritical' remarks on ex-Bukit Batok MP David Ong
PM Lee joined Mr Murali Pillai for a walkabout at Bukit Batok starting around 7.30am on Saturday (April 30). Photo: Ooi Boon Keong/TODAY
SINGAPORE — Calling Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan "hypocritical", Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong observed on Saturday (Apr 30) that even though the Opposition figure presented himself as a changed man, he remained the same person who was not contrite about his past antics.
Speaking to reporters after a two-and-a-half hour walkabout in Bukit Batok, Mr Lee said the SDP speakers at their rally on Friday night had hit out at the constituency’s former Member of Parliament David Ong – who resigned on March 12 over an alleged affair – even though Dr Chee said he would not pick on someone when he is down.
"All the speakers fired away at Mr David Ong, and then came Chee Soon Juan at the end and (he) said 'No, you must not kick somebody who is down. That is very bad'," said Mr Lee, who is also the secretary general of the People’s Action Party (PAP).
"That is completely hypocritical, to get your guys to say all the bad things (then) you come along and look magisterial and benign and say 'you must not hit somebody', having caused all your lieutenants to hit him as hard as they can," he added.
While wrapping up Friday night’s rally, Dr Chee had said there was “no honour” in kicking a man when he is down. He added: “For all I know, David Ong is a good guy, but sometimes good guys make bad mistakes. Who hasn’t?”
Dr Chee also said that he did not want to capitalise on the ruling party’s “weakest point” and said that people should leave Mr Ong alone to let his family heal and for him to “find his life again”.
However, several SDP speakers including party member Sadasivam Veriyah, who ran in Bukit Batok in last year's General Election, took aim at Mr Ong. "As a politician, if you are standing for election, your concentration should be to serve residents. Not about personal life. If you have got other interests, other commitments, you should not be standing for election," Mr Sadasivam said. Fellow SDP member Damanhuri Abas also accused the PAP of not being upfront over estate upgrading plans and claimed that the party was "caught like David Ong with his pants down".
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Mr Lee also questioned the way Dr Chee presented himself as a changed man. Referring to an interview with Dr Chee published by Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao, Mr Lee said that he was “saddened but not surprised” to read that Dr Chee was “not sorry for anything he did” and was “proud of his crazy history”. “And yet, when he comes today, he presents himself as a changed man,” he said. “In this case, if nothing has gone wrong, there’s nothing to put right, then how can you have changed?”
Mr Lee added that he would be concerned if Dr Chee was elected. “It would mean that somebody is being elected, who is able to just gloss over bad things which have been done, which he has not come to terms with or acknowledged. He is now presenting himself as a new man, reinvented and yet unchanged, unregretful and unrepentant,” he said.
During the GE last year, Mr Lee noted that Dr Chee was “absolutely right” in saying that character never changes. Referring to his speech last year, Mr Lee said: “Of all people, (Dr Chee) should know that best.”
On Dr Chee’s recent comments that he would be a “full-time MP” to the Bukit Batok residents should he be elected, Mr Lee said the issue has to be looked at in totality. He referred to Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu’s comments at the PAP rally on Friday night that voters should look at what the candidate can bring in terms of his abilities, experience, track record as well as character and commitment.
“Chee Soon Juan, actually, I’ve known him for a long time also. He has not been working full time, (and) now he says I’m going to work full-time for you. It’s easy to say, but what do you bring, which you will be able to contribute and show that you can do for the voters?” Mr Lee said. He added: “And it's partly your record, it's partly your ability but it's also your character."
Speaking to reporters separately, Mr Murali said he had nothing further to add to what Mr Lee said on Dr Chee. Reiterating that he takes this by-election very seriously, he said: “The by-election effect is real and I’ll fight as hard as I can to win the hearts and minds of our Bukit Batok residents." He stressed that the residents are best taken care of with a team. “It is a group approach that has been beneficial to Bukit Batok, particularly because Bukit Batok is part of the Jurong family,” he added.
