Overview

• SDP candidate Gigene Wong used the derogatory Hokkien term 'keling kia' to describe teammate Ariffin Sha at an April 26 rally in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.
• Wong issued two public apologies on Facebook, acknowledging the term's offensiveness and taking full responsibility for her remarks.
• On April 27, SDP chief Chee Soon Juan apologized publicly at a rally, condemning the slur as offensive and reiterating the party's zero tolerance for racist behavior.
• Ariffin Sha described the slur as appalling and emphasized that there is no room for racism in Singapore, intentional or otherwise.
• All SDP candidates, including Wong, bowed in apology at the April 27 rally, with party leaders framing the incident as a learning moment and reaffirming their commitment to accountability.