February 08, 2017, 10:36 AM 
It is Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s 65th birthday this Friday, Feb. 10.
As there is no parliament sitting that day, the parliamentarians celebrated his birthday early, with Minister Tan Chuan-Jin capturing the event live on Facebook:
And that is also because PM Lee is working (again!) on his birthday (he will be attending the annual Chingay Festival).
In case you are wondering, the Workers' Party MPs were present too.
So everyone sang,
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to PM! Happy Birthday to you"
Source: Tan Chuan-Jin Facebook page.
PM Lee: Thank you very much. Thank you. In a spirit of inclusiveness, this is to all those birthdays in February.
Minister Grace Fu: Mr Gan! (Health Minister Gan Kim Yong whose birthday is tomorrow, Feb. 9)
Minister Gan Kim Yong: I'm not 65 years old, to laughters in the crowd (Gan is 57 years old this year)
Denise Phua: 64? (Sensitive enough to cut the cake, but not sensitive enough about one's age)
Fu: One day, we'll all be.
Speaker Halimah Yacob: What's your birthday wish, PM?
Female MPs: You don't say it!
PM Lee: All the ladies are gathered together! (As PM went around, thanking all the MPs).
Sun Xueling, MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency: Minister for Health, this (the cake) pass or not?
Cheng Li Hui, MP for Tampines GRC: It looks healthy.
Gan: Very healthy.
Cameraman Minister Tan Chuan-Jin: When's your birthday, Kim Yong?
Gan: 9 February. Akan datang (Malay for coming soon).
Tan Wu Meng, MP for Jurong GRC: Actually nearer to your birthday.
PM Lee: Hi hi, Happy Lunar New Year.
NMP Chia Yong Yong: Another 65 years!
PM Lee: No such chance!
As we view the birthday celebrations through the eyes of Tan, one cannot help but notice the sense of humour, easy banter the parliamentarians have with each other.
From Minister Chan Chun Sing speaking to Opposition MP Png Eng Huat,
Source: Tan Chuan-Jin Facebook page.
To WP Chief Low Thia Khiang congratulating Parliamentary Secretary Amrin Amin, who just got married last month. (Top left hand corner of the frame.)
Source: Tan Chuan-Jin Facebook page.
Hope we can see more such instances of humanity and graciousness in parliament in future.
Here's a little known trail in Singapore you should be checking out:
This free trail lets you jalan jalan through 20th century Serangoon in 40 minutes
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