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Ho Ching’s lengthy Facebook post highlights ‘womanizer’ and ‘minority’ candidate, among other things

Former CEO of Temasek Holdings and wife of Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, Mdm Ho Ching, in a detailed 2199-word Facebook post on Tuesday, delves into diverse topics surrounding the Presidential Election, including AWARE’s critique of Tan Kin Lian, ‘minority candidate’ selection, and insights on late President Ong Teng Cheong.

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SINGAPORE: Former NTUC Income chief Mr Tan Kin Lian, who has successfully been nominated as Singapore Presidential Candidate on Tuesday (22 Aug), had earlier entangled in a heated online debate related to his past social media posts.

The spark for this recent controversy was a TikTok video, which spotlighted Mr Tan’s Facebook posts commenting on “pretty” girls.

The Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE), responding to the widespread attention, made a statement on its Facebook page condemning Mr Tan’s consistent online behaviour.

Their statement pointed out the dangers of objectifying women through casual posts and comments.

Mr Tan on late Monday took to Facebook to defend his actions and reputation.

“I have been happily married to my loving wife for nearly 50 years… I made those social media posts openly and I invite the public to judge for themselves,” Mr Tan expressed in his detailed response.

On Tuesday, in a statement published on his campaign website, Mr Tan claimed that he has been a target of a smear campaign over the past few days.

Ho Ching: not PEC’s role for scouring internet for candidates’ online activity

Even Mdm Ho Ching, the former CEO of Temasek Holdings and wife of Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, has joined the social media discourse.

On Tuesday (22 Aug),  Ho Ching took to social media with a comprehensive 2199-word Facebook post, addressing various aspects of the recent Presidential Election, including AWARE’s critique of Presidential Candidate Tan Kin Lian, the selection of a ‘minority candidate,’ and reflections on the late President Ong Teng Cheong, among other topics.

Addressing recent AWARE’s statement, Ho Ching reminded that the eligibility of candidates should be scrutinized by writing to the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) before their applications are reviewed.

She emphasized that the PEC’s role is distinct from internet searches for candidate posts, and whether the PEC treats certain factors as veto-worthy relies on circumstances and the PEC’s prerogative.

“It is not the PEC’s job to go search the internet for this or that posts that the candidates may have done. ”

Notably, she agreed that character references are essential for potential candidates, supporting their character and integrity, along with evidence to back their eligibility claims.

“For their eligibility submission, they don’t just submit docs for their claims on eligibility under various routes like public service or private sector experience or track record. ”

“They must also have character references, whose names would need to be submitted to the PEC. These character references would vouch for the character of the potential candidates. ”

She emphasized that when nominations are open and a potential flaw is identified, that’s the time to communicate with the PEC, rather than complaining after the review is complete.

She provided a hypothetical scenario where a candidate commits a serious crime after the review, suggesting that the PEC might reconsider.

“But otherwise, the job of the PEC is done, and the choice is then up to the voters. ”

Ho Ching clarified that the PEC’s endorsement doesn’t proclaim a person’s honesty or goodness. Its role is to evaluate clear evidence of misconduct within legal boundaries, not from moral or religious perspectives.

Mdm Ho Ching also underscores that in the case of a “womanizer candidate,” the decision on the candidate’s suitability ultimately rests with the voters through the act of voting.

Hence, she emphasizes the importance of motivating all eligible, credible candidates to seriously consider candidacy. Otherwise, Singaporeans might “end up having to choose from among the inadequate and the insufferable, or from among the immoral and shady, as has happened in other countries.”

The success of such commendable, politically unaffiliated candidates can inspire more high-quality individuals to step forward, sacrificing their privacy to serve the nation and offer genuine choices.

A victory for a minority candidate would also encourage other qualified minority candidates to come forward, irrespective of the majority’s candidates, Ho Ching added.

Choosing a ‘minority candidate’ signals Singapore’s advancement toward a truly inclusive society, says Ho Ching

Regarding the concept of electing the Singaporean President, Ho Ching underscores that the Presidential Election isn’t a battle for the next government of Singapore, but rather about selecting individuals who can best embody the aspirations and dreams of Singaporeans, and a President who can effectively safeguard our reserves and uphold the integrity of our public service.

Ho Ching’s insight extends to the selection of a ‘minority candidate,’ noting that such a choice signals Singapore’s progress towards becoming a truly multiracial society, transcending the confines of racial divisions.

While Ho Ching did not explicitly name the ‘minority candidate,’ readers might naturally associate this with the nomination of 66-year-old former People’s Action Party senior minister, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was put forward as one of the three Presidential candidates on Tuesday (22 Aug).

Ho Ching further elaborates that choosing a candidate with no prior political affiliations indicates a broader perspective on the presidential role beyond mere political allegiances.

Without mentioning any names, Ho Ching then said If Singaporeans voted for “a candidate who enjoys ogling at girls, we also say something about ourselves to ourselves and to the world too.”

Ho Ching acknowledges that AWARE can voice their opinions in the same channels where they encountered offensive posts, advising against complaints about the PEC’s moral standards.

Ho Ching says Ong Teng Cheong’s suggestion insufficient for Singapore’s needs amid inflation and GDP growth

Ho Ching’s extensive post further emphasizes the emergence of open campaigning for or against specific candidates. She urges maintaining a respectful and considerate approach during this Presidential Election, drawing an analogy to a “beauty contest” where each contestant holds equal merit.

Speaking about the late President Ong Teng Cheong, who is fondly remembered as the ‘People’s President’, Ho Ching appreciates his query regarding spending returns or saving for the future.

However, she asserts that saving only half isn’t sufficient to address Singapore’s needs due to inflation and GDP growth.

“As it turned out, it wasn’t an excessively prudent move to use up to half and save the other half. ”

“This barely enables our reserves to keep pace with inflation and the growth of our GDP. “

Ho Ching’s post also underscores the distinct and evolving nature of the elected President (EP) role in Singapore, and advocates for profound contemplation on systems that ensure sustainable and equitable politics.

She perceives the EP institution as a collective venture to uplift Singapore’s future and acknowledges the challenges tied to the EP role, cautioning against potential pitfalls such as inflated egos arising from ceremonial aspects.

Wrapping up her lengthy post, Ho Ching reiterates that the Presidential Election transcends mere selection of the next government; rather, it’s an opportunity for citizens to shape the institution.

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LHL’s 15-minute visit to Dr Lee Wei Ling’s wake raises eyebrows among Singaporeans

On the evening of 10 October, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, Ho Ching, attended Dr Lee Wei Ling’s wake, staying for about 10-15 minutes. This brief visit sparked online discussions about the custom of family members remaining throughout the day at funerals.

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5 hours ago

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11 October 2024

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On Thursday evening (10 October), Singapore’s mainstream media, stationed outside Singapore Casket where Dr Lee Wei Ling’s wake was held, reported the arrival of Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, Ho Ching, to attend his sister’s funeral.

Dr Lee, the daughter of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, passed away on 9 October at the age of 69, at her family home at 38 Oxley Road.

Her wake is being held at Singapore Casket from 10 October to 12 October.

According to Lianhe Zaobao, SM Lee and Mdm Ho arrived outside Singapore Casket at around 8.30 pm.

They reportedly stayed at the wake for about 10 minutes and did not provide any comments to the media.

In contrast, the South China Morning Post reported that SM Lee and Mdm Ho stayed for approximately 15 minutes before leaving.

A member of the public who paid respects to Dr Lee shared with TOC that SM Lee had written a simple “RIP” in the condolences book.

Mr Li Yipeng, the eldest son of Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, also attended Dr Lee’s wake earlier.

Observing comments on social media, some users questioned the brevity of SM Lee’s visit to his sister’s wake.

One user remarked that even attending a friend’s funeral typically lasts at least 30 minutes, asking, “Where can you find a brother who attends his sister’s funeral for just 15 minutes?”

Others pointed out that it is customary for family members to stay the entire day at a funeral, particularly the eldest brother, who usually greets visitors and offers hospitality, such as refreshments.

“That’s what family members do,” one user noted.

A netizen lamented that instead of receiving guests at his sister’s wake, LHL appeared as a VIP guest accompanied by bodyguards.

Another user expressed sadness over the situation, noting that the eldest brother was attending the wake like any other outsider.

The comment highlighted that Lee Hsien Yang, the younger brother, was organizing the funeral remotely and could not return.

This led to a broader question among netizens: Would LHL attend his own brother’s funeral if he were to pass first?

Some netizens disagreed with the criticism of LHL’s attendance at his sister’s wake, arguing that, regardless of public sentiment towards the government, this is a personal matter.

One comment emphasised the need for objectivity, stating that people cannot judge LHL solely based on appearances or media reports.

He questioned what LHL might have done for his sister behind the scenes and pointed out that even if he had stayed longer, some would still find fault with his actions.

A comment on Reddit expressed that while LHL doesn’t necessarily need to be invited, his absence from receiving mourners as the eldest family member suggests he was not asked or instructed to participate in the funeral proceedings at all.

A netizen lamented that family disputes deeply affect one’s soul, particularly when reconciliation with a sibling is impossible, even in death.

The Reddit comment emphasised the emotional pain that arises from being reminded of happy childhood moments during such difficult times.

 

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Netizens: Was Ho Ching smirking before entering Dr Lee Wei Ling’s funeral?

On 10 October at around 8.30 PM, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, Ho Ching, were spotted arriving at Dr Lee Wei Ling’s funeral. While Singaporeans mourned Dr Lee’s passing, some netizens, after viewing media footage, questioned whether Mdm Ho was smirking before entering the funeral.

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9 hours ago

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11 October 2024

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Dr Lee Wei Ling, the daughter of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, passed away on 9 October at the age of 69, at her family home at 38 Oxley Road.

Lee Hsien Yang (LHY), Dr Lee’s brother, announced her passing on social media, and had earlier requested that the wake and funeral remain a private affair.

He also noted that respects could be paid on a strict queue basis, adding, “There will be no exceptions, not even for VIPs,” to ensure that everyone is treated equally during the visitation period.

The wake is being held at the Pearl & Sapphire Hall of Singapore Casket, located at 131 Lavender Street, Singapore. Public visitation is open from 2 PM to 10 PM on 10 October, and from 10 AM to 10 PM on 11 October. The final visitation period is scheduled for 10 AM to 1 PM on 12 October.

Despite the request for privacy, mainstream media (MSM) representatives have gathered outside the Singapore Casket building.

MSM reporters are focused on whether Dr Lee’s elder brother, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, will attend her funeral.

On Thursday (10 October ) at around 8.30pm, MSM spotted Senior Minister Lee and his wife, Ho Ching, entering Singapore Casket.

SM Lee and His Wife Attended the Wake for Approximately 10 Minutes

According to Lianhe Zaobao, SM Lee and his wife stayed at the wake for about 10 minutes and did not provide any comments to the media.

Comments on social media pages of various media outlets show Singaporeans pouring in with condolence messages, remembering Dr Lee’s contributions to Singapore’s medical field.

They praised her as a low-profile and modest woman, despite being a President’s Scholar and the Head of the Neurology Department.

Many noted how much she resembled her mother, who also shunned the limelight, even at their funerals.

However, some netizens, after viewing videos and photos taken by mainstream media, questioned whether Mdm Ho Ching was smirking before entering Dr Lee’s funeral.

Netizens Urge Media and Public to Give Grieving Family Space

Some netizens disagreed with the speculation surrounding Mdm Ho Ching’s expression in the media footage, urging others to refrain from making unfounded assumptions.

They called for compassion, emphasizing the need to give the grieving family some space.

Some netizens also recalled the Lee family feud surrounding the 38 Oxley Road house, where Dr Lee and LHY accused their brother, SM Lee, of opposing their father’s wish to have the house demolished after his passing.

One netizen lamented the strained relationship within the Lee family, questioning why there was supposed to be a sense of family, yet it felt more like guests attending the wake.

Another commented on the fact that SM Lee and his wife attended the wake rather than being involved in arranging it, especially given that Dr Lee was unmarried and their parents are no longer around, “it says alot about their relationship.”

One netizen speculated that Dr Lee might be SM Lee’s greatest regret in life, as he had failed to mend his relationship with her.

The comment added, “Attend or not attend his sister’s wake doesn’t really matter since the person had already gone.”

Meanwhile, some netizens questioned the media’s actions, pointing out that despite LHY’s request for no media coverage, reporters were still camping outside Dr Lee’s funeral.

 

 

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