Leong Mun Wai retracts statement that questioned Speaker's fairness

NCMP had said in a podcast he was one of the last to be called’ by Speaker for questions

- Chin Soo Fang

Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai has retracted a statement he made on a podcast that questioned the impartiality of Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng.

At the start of the Parliament sitting on July 2, Mr Seah told the House that Mr Leong had withdrawn remarks he had made during an appearance on the Yah Lah But podcast that had cast aspersions on the Speaker's fairness in calling on MPs to ask follow-up questions.

Near the beginning of the episode, published on May 14, the podcast host had said: "For (the parliamentary debates) that we were there, whenever the Speaker says 'okay, any questions', you're one of the first to put your hands up."

After chuckling for a while, Mr Leong had responded: "And one of the last to be called." Mr Seah told the House on July 2 that the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) NCMP's remarks were a gross misrepresentation of the proceedings of Parliament.

"The statement cast aspersions on my fairness and impartiality in calling members," said Mr Seah. "This is a reflection of my character as the Speaker, touching on my conduct of parliamentary proceedings."

Records from the Hansard between August 2023 and May 2024 showed there was no basis for Mr Leong's statement, said Mr Seah.