Speaker says WP’s Kenneth Tiong’s ‘stupid question’ comment is not ‘par for the course’ in Parliament, Tiong apologises

Workers' Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) Kenneth Tiong was admonished by Speaker of the House Seah Kian Peng in Parliament on Nov. 5, after calling Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat's question a "stupid question".

Seah said he considered Tiong's choice of words to be "quite insulting", and that "it is beneath the dignity of this House to use such language".

Why did Tiong say "stupid"?

Chee and Tiong were initially discussing Tiong's parliamentary question about how the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) prevents criminal networks from exploiting Singapore's family office regime.

Chee asserted that Singapore should take a risk-proportionate rather than a zero-risk approach, to set high regulatory standards while also maintaining the efficiency and competitiveness of its financial system.

After Tiong replied and posed a supplementary question, Chee asked him to clarify if he agreed that Singapore should adopt a risk-proportionate approach.

"Speaker, before I answer the questions, may I ask Mr Tiong to clarify if the Workers' Party's position is that we should adopt a zero risk approach, or would he agree with me that we should adopt a risk proportionate approach, set high standards, but also maintain the efficiency and competitiveness of our financial system?"

Tiong responded by saying, "There’s a pattern of ministers and political office-holders asking...rhetorical questions, which have no meaning."

Seah then interjected to ask him to answer Chee's question, and Tiong replied, "I don't think it is the minister's point of view that you should, in fact, have a zero risk approach, because it's impossible. So he's asking a stupid question."

Not appropriate

Chee responded immediately, saying, "I think it is not quite appropriate for Mr Tiong to use the word 'stupid' in this House."

"I respectfully ask him to withdraw that comment and to apologise."

Tiong withdrew the comment, but maintained that Chee's question was not a meaningful one.

Chee expressed that he was "disappointed" that Tiong chose to conduct the discussion in this manner.

"Earlier, some of his other colleagues, including Mr Pritam Singh, Leader of the Opposition, said that Workers' Party will be a responsible opposition party, and I hope Mr Tiong bears that in mind in our future discourse," Chee added.

Apologised

Before moving on to the next question for discussion, Seah returned to Tiong's words and asked him to apologise for them.

"I would have expected an apology, but I accept that you did not," Seah said. "You just withdrew that comment."

Tiong then tried to interject, but Seah stopped him, and reminded everyone in Parliament to maintain dignity and decorum in this House.

"The use of such language about a fellow Member of Parliament is not par for the course," he said.

When Tiong attempted to apologise from his seat, Seah told Tiong to stand up before giving the apology.

On his feet, Tiong apologised to Chee for his comment on Chee's question.

Chee thanked him for his apology.

"I accept it, and I hope that we can, in future, we have such discussions in a civilised and polite manner — a respectful manner," he said.

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