On 23 March 2025, Minister of State Alvin Tan posted a tribute to the late Lee Kuan Yew on the 10th anniversary of his death.
But the post has sparked significant backlash, not for its homage, but for a politically charged moment embedded within it — a move that many have called a “low blow”.
Tan, who has served as Minister of State in both the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth since 2020, began by praising Lee’s legacy and describing how it inspired him to enter politics.
His post included reflections on governance, trade-offs, and responsible policymaking.
The controversy comes as campaign fever intensifies, with a general election widely expected to take place in May, although Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has remained tightly lipped on the exact timing of the writ.
But Tan’s post veered into more questionable territory when he shared an excerpt from Lee’s 1988 National Day Rally speech, where the former Prime Minister warned of the dangers of holding opposition members to lower standards.
Late Lee Kuan Yew had stated, “You are inviting trouble… if you elect such a person, you are sending a signal that we don’t mind a dishonest chap.”
Immediately following this remark in the video, Tan inserted a one-second clip of Pritam Singh, the Workers’ Party leader, speaking to the media outside the State Courts.
The split-second clip, taken after Singh was convicted of lying to the Committee of Privileges, showed him responding to questions on whether he would resign. Singh had said, “I think the need of the hour is for me to step up.”
The visual juxtaposition appeared to directly associate Singh with Lee’s warning about dishonesty — a move which many viewed as a deliberate, below-the-belt political attack.
Several Singaporeans responded critically in the comments section of Tan’s post. Yeoh Lian Chuan, a lawyer and resident in Tan’s constituency, called it “fear-mongering” and a “cheap shot”.
He criticised Tan for descending into “low-brow politics” and highlighted the importance of a respectful political discourse.
Others, like Sean Sng, expressed disappointment, calling the attack uncharacteristic of Tan’s usual conduct.
In an extended exchange, Tan defended his post, arguing that PAP MPs must be willing to challenge what he called the Opposition’s “fantasies and lies”, especially regarding fiscal policy, housing, and the Goods and Services Tax.
He also justified the government’s handling of Section 377A, asserting that it was a necessary and timely decision in the face of legal pressure.
However, Yeoh rebutted Tan’s points in detail, reaffirming his disapproval of the insinuations against Singh and reiterating the need for plurality in Parliament.
He called for civil and substantive political debate, especially as Singapore approaches a general election.
The incident has prompted comparisons with another recent controversy involving Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong.
On the same day, 23 March, Tong addressed concerns about a video of his walkabout in Marine Parade that was shared on social media.
In the video, an elderly man appeared to make an ambiguous hand gesture while Tong was speaking to residents.
The clip went viral, with socio-political sites implying that Tong and his team were unwelcome.
However, the man who originally posted the video clarified that the interaction was entirely cordial and that the gesture was misunderstood.
Volunteer Delane Lim also explained that his serious facial expression during the encounter was misinterpreted.
Tong responded by stating that the clip had been used “out of context” to “push an agenda” for a “political objective”.
He emphasised the importance of staying focused on ground engagement and building trust, despite such distractions.
This juxtaposition between the two ministers’ handling of video content has not gone unnoticed.
Tan’s use of a selectively edited clip — especially one that appears to link opposition leader Pritam Singh to dishonesty — comes just hours after fellow minister Edwin Tong warned against the political misuse of out-of-context videos.
This juxtaposition invites reflection on consistency: if the use of edited clips is criticised when deployed against PAP politicians, should the same standard not apply when used by them?
The broader use of selective video editing to shape political narratives warrants scrutiny in Singapore’s increasingly digital and polarised media environment.
The Workers’ Party has yet to respond formally to Tan’s post. But the episode raises a deeper editorial question: Had the roles been reversed — if the Opposition had used a national tribute to imply dishonesty by a PAP leader — would the ruling party have let it pass without challenge?
It also renews scrutiny of the ethical boundaries of political communication, especially when moments of national remembrance are used to forward partisan messaging.
The appropriation of Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy to discredit political opponents may risk politicising commemoration and alienating voters who prefer a more respectful tone in public discourse.
With general elections approaching, the challenge lies in drawing the line between robust campaigning and divisive rhetoric.
In this context, how political parties choose to engage — and what standards they hold themselves to — may prove decisive.
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