SINGAPORE – Mr Andre Low, the opposition WP’s Jalan Kayu candidate, has apologised for his use of vulgarities and “completely inappropriate” remarks in a series of text messages that were leaked on social media.
In a Facebook post in the early hours of April 30, Mr Low said the leaked Telegram messages were from a private chat among his business school classmates.
Many of the messages date back to the Covid-19 period, when “we ranted to each other while cooped up at home”, said Mr Low, 33.
More than 30 screenshots of text messages said to be from Mr Low were posted on Reddit.
Speaking to Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao at a walkabout in Fernvale Hawker Centre on April 30, Mr Low said: “I make no excuses. The language I used was inappropriate.
“Stepping up as an opposition candidate, I had the expectation that something like this happening might be a possibility... But I think I am ready to stand up and be counted, and I hope Singaporeans and Jalan Kayu residents can see the sincerity I bring to the table.”
When asked if he would withdraw from politics – like PAP candidate Ivan Lim did in the 2020 election – he said he had no comment.
Mr Lim left politics after allegations about his past conduct and behaviour emerged online.
Mr Low, a disputes lawyer turned staff product manager, said: “We all run our own campaigns. The messages were not exchanged during this election campaign. People can form their own opinions, and I will leave them to draw whatever conclusions they want.”
He added that he has made his commitment to Jalan Kayu residents clear throughout his campaign.
“I do not bring just words, I want to demonstrate my commitment through my actions,” he said.
In a Facebook post on April 30, Mr Low said he takes “full responsibility” for his past actions.
“I understand that as a public figure, my words carry weight and can cause real harm. This has been a humbling experience, but I hope that I can earn your trust, and to demonstrate my sincerity in wanting to serve you,” he added.
Some of his friends, he said, got in touch with him when the messages surfaced, and he went home after the WP rally on April 29 and drafted his statement.
Mr Low said he has always been opinionated and holds strong convictions about Singapore and how it “can be so much better”.
“These same convictions are also what pushed me to step up to contest as a Workers’ Party candidate,” he added.
The WP team contesting Sengkang GRC was asked for a comment on the issue during The Usual Place video podcast recording at The Straits Times newsroom on April 30.
Sengkang GRC candidate Louis Chua said Mr Low’s messages were sent to close friends in a private chat group.
He said: “We all express ourselves differently… I do believe that we all want to be authentic, and we want to be ourselves with our own close friends.
“He has taken ownership of the issue, I think he has apologised for his behaviour, and as far as I can see, such language was not used in any of the volunteer chat groups or with residents.”
One of the messages said to be from Mr Low was about noise from fighter jets flying over Sengkang. It read: “I can’t believe some champion military a**hole thought that noise pollution for four months is a brilliant way to celebrate NDP.”
NDP refers to the National Day Parade.
Several messages appeared to be about his work at a Meet-the-People Session.
The messages recounted how he could not get through to a resident unless he turned off his caller ID blocking service.
“They proceeded to call me every day on my personal number. IMO, these people can f*** off,” a message read.
Mr Low said he is not proud of the way he expressed his views and is “deeply sorry” for the language he used, adding that this was done in a different stage of his life.
He said: “But regardless of the setting, there is no excuse for using such language or making disparaging comments about anyone – especially those who have placed their trust in me.
“I am now married, and soon to be a father. I have spent five years working with the Workers’ Party – first serving the residents of Rivervale, and later helping to spread the word about the good work of the party.
“These experiences have opened my eyes to the lived realities of Singaporeans and Singapore firms, and I have matured over the process.”
He added that since he had spoken about transparency, accountability and the power of apologies at a WP rally on April 29, he needed to hold himself to the same standard.
Mr Low will go up against labour chief Ng Chee Meng from the PAP at the May 3 General Election.
On April 30, fellow party member Harpreet Singh, who is part of the WP team contesting Punggol GRC, weighed in with a post on social media platform Instagram.
He said: “I have four grown children, I have enough grey hair. Can I just say this about Andre? Judge the man for his service on the ground over five years and his sincerity.
“He has apologised within hours of his private chats being unfairly released without his permission. That is an apology you won’t get from others.”
- Additional reporting by Ang Qing
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