The backlash faced by a Singapore minister of state after she was accused of snubbing a handshake from an elderly man at a cultural clan event has highlighted underlying post-election sensitivities and the expectations of Singaporeans on their highly paid politicians, observers say.
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The debate earlier this month centred on vitriol directed at Gan Siow Huang, minister of state for foreign affairs and trade and industry, after an online video circulated of her arriving at the venue and appearing to shun a man dressed in a cap and T-shirt despite shaking the hand of another more formally dressed member of the welcome party.
The event was organised by Cantonese cultural organisation Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng, which held a press conference last week to defend Gan and provide its own account of the incident, including from lion dance troupe member Leong Chee Leng, 72, the other subject of the video. Leong at the presser said Gan was polite to him.
The initial backlash Gan faced showed the importance of optics following a recently concluded general election and the demands citizens have of their well-paid leaders to engage all Singaporeans, analysts told This Week in Asia.
“The Gan Siow Huang handshake incident may have seemed minor, but its rapid escalation into national conversation indicates that Singaporeans’ expectations of politicians are evolving, shaped by both traditional values – such as respect and humility – and modern demands for authenticity and emotional intelligence,” said Nydia Ngiow, managing director at BowerGroupAsia.
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