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‘Luggage-gate’ shows why Singapore is different

The allegation that Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying pressured employees at the city’s international airport to help his daughter retrieve her luggage, which she had left outside the restricted area, has triggered a public uproar.

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Desmond Wai Chun Tao

The allegation that Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying pressured employees at the city’s international airport to help his daughter retrieve her luggage, which she had left outside the restricted area, has triggered a public uproar.

The Hong Kong public felt that it was not right for political leaders to pressure public institutions to get personal favours (“Thousands protest at HK airport over ‘luggage-gate’ scandal”; April 18). This contrasts with the situation in Singapore.

After the last General Election, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong issued an open letter to all People’s Action Party Members of Parliament on the rules of prudence.

He reiterated the importance of not lobbying any ministry or statutory board on behalf of anyone who is not their constituent or grassroots activist. The public expect their elected leaders to be upright and above board.

This Hong Kong incident reminded me of a news story in 2014, when Mr Lee was seen queueing for 30 minutes for chicken wings at a hawker centre.

The message to all political leaders here was that even the PM must queue up, like everybody else. This is what we expect of our leaders.

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