PM Lee's wife explains why she posted monkey photo on Facebook
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's wife took to Facebook on Monday (April 11) morning to apologise for her social media gaffe involving a photo of a monkey flashing its middle finger.
Ms Ho Ching, who has more than 1,400 posts on Twitter, wrote: "Peace, folks, and embarrassed apologies from this Twitter newbie."
She said she had been playing around with Twitter, trying out different buttons and "seeing what can or cannot be done".
She added: "Discovered Twitter reposts pictures without captions, and unfortunately one of the pictures could be misunderstood on its own. Took down (the photo) as soon as a friend alerted me."
The chief executive officer of Temasek Holdings had retweeted an April 8 Twitter post by People's Daily, China (@PDChina) of the monkey with the caption: "Back off man! Angry monkey flashed middle finger to photographer when interrupted during his morning bath in #Japan."
The same photo appeared on her Facebook account without a caption on Sunday (April 10).
That same day, PM Lee's sister, Dr Lee Wei Ling, published a series of e-mail exchanges between herself and The Straits Times editors.
In one of the e-mails, Dr Lee wrote: "HL has no qualms abusing his power to hv a commemoration just one year after LKY died, 'least (sic) we forget'.
"Let's be real, last year's event was so vivid no one will forget it in one yr. But if the power that be wants to establish a dynasty, LKY's daughter will not allow LKY's name to be sullied by a dishonourable son."
Dr Lee's post has since been removed.
Her post prompted Mr Lee to rebut his sister's claims on Sunday (April 10) evening through Facebook.
He called the accusations "completely untrue" and said he was "deeply saddened" by her claim.
Ms Ho wrote: "There are enough troubles in the world. Far from adding oil to fires, I would prefer we try to solve and resolve problems, among friends, within families and between neighbours.
"We grieve in different ways, and should leave space for each of us to come to terms with our loss."
Related story:
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now