Seah Kian Peng on Leong Mun Wai’s complaint against Vivian Balakrishnan on private remarks caught on live mic

In Parliament on Monday (Sep 18), Speaker Seah Kian Peng dealt with a complaint filed by NCMP Leong Mun Wai on Aug 16 against Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan over private remarks picked up on live mic during the debate on securing Singaporeans' jobs and livelihoods and foreign talent policy on Sep 14 two years ago. Dr Balakrishnan had apologised for those remarks in a telephone call to Mr Leong the next day. Mr Leong acknowledged and accepted the apology on the same day. Two years on, Mr Leong wants Dr Balakrishnan to formally withdraw his remarks in the House and put his apology on record in the Hansard. Mr Seah said the complaint is “out of time” due to the “long passage of time”. It was not made at the earliest opportunity as required under the Standing Order after the NCMP knew of the alleged remarks, he said. Mr Seah said there is no formal action to be taken and the matter is now closed. He also noted Dr Balakrishnan’s letter of Sep 5 this year stating that his private remarks were inappropriate and that he stands by his previous apology to Mr Leong. This letter will be published in the Hansard and his position will be on Parliamentary record, said Mr Seah.