Tan See Leng uses Cantonese movie dialogue in Parliament to address opposition

In a recent session of the Singapore Parliament, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng used a line from a Cantonese movie to humorously address an opposition member, sparking laughter and going viral on social media.

The incident occurred during a debate on the budget for the Ministry of Manpower, where Progress Singapore Party MP Leong Mun Wai had been persistently questioning the transparency of economic data related to immigration.

After several unsuccessful attempts to clarify the data, Minister Tan, in a surprising twist, recited a dialogue from the 2004 Hong Kong movie "Blood Brothers," starring Andy Lau. This unexpected move not only lightened the mood in the chamber but also highlighted Tan's unique approach to political discourse.

Following the humorous interlude, Tan reverted to English and emphasized the importance of unity in Singapore, a nation built on immigration. He stressed the counterproductive nature of fostering an 'us versus them' mentality.

Tan, who is of Teochew descent but was raised in a Cantonese-speaking environment, often incorporates cultural references into his speeches. His background in the private sector, having served as the President and Managing Director of the Parkview Group, adds a distinctive flavor to his political career.

Leong, who entered Parliament as a non-constituency MP in 2020, has been vocal about his concerns regarding employment and housing, particularly about foreigners occupying local jobs. Despite Tan's efforts to provide comprehensive data and engage in transparent discussions, Leong has often expressed dissatisfaction with the responses, accusing the ministers of withholding information.

As the general election draws near, the debate over immigration is expected to remain a hot topic in Parliament. Despite Tan's hope that his Cantonese retort might be the last on this issue, ongoing discussions seem inevitable.

Video of the incident can be found here.