News
'Lawrence boy!': PM Wong meets woman, 89, an ex-clerk from the primary school he attended
The woman is a retired school clerk from Haig Boys' School.
October 05, 2026, 04:37 PM
Photo from Lawrence Wong Facebook
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong reunited with an 89-year-old former staff from his primary school during a walkabout in Marine Parade on Saturday, Oct. 3.
A video posted on his social media on Sunday showed the prime minister bumping into Mary, a retired school clerk from Haig Boys' School.
PM Wong attended the primary school, where his mother also taught at.
The elderly woman spotted Singapore's 53-year-old leader and called out: "Lawrence boy!"
PM Wong proceeded to shake hands with her at Marine Terrace Market and Hawker Centre during his meet-and-greet with vendors and residents, alongside Senior Minister of State Goh Pei Ming.
PM Wong and the woman sat down and he asked for her name.
"Mary," she replied.
"Haig Boys. I was a school clerk," she added.
PM Wong said he remembered her from his time there as a student.
"You were the clerk for the principal, Mr Soh, throughout, right? For a long time," he said.
The principal at Haig Boys' Primary School from 1964 to 1979 was David Soh Biow Chee.
PM Wong and Mary then posed for a photo.
Send her regards to PM Wong's mother
"Send my regards to your mother," Mary said.
"Of course," PM Wong responded. "I'm sure she will remember you."
Mary then asked if he was certain.
PM Wong said: "I do remember you, so how can she not?"
Mary then approached PM Wong when he was leaving the hawker centre and said: "I want to tell you. I am very happy for you, okay? See you from young until now."
PM Wong noted that Mary was as energetic and cheerful as before and called the reunion a "lovely encounter".
