Authorities in Singapore are investigating a Hong Kong principal after he was seen swearing at security guards during a student trip to the city state, with his secondary school saying sorry for the dispute that sparked “public concern and unease”.
In response to queries from the South China Morning Post, Singapore police said Sunday evening that they had received a report and that investigations were under way.
San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School in Tuen Mun apologised that night for the incident last Friday involving its principal, Lee Cheuk-hing.
“On the afternoon of May 22, 2026, an incident occurred during our school’s Singapore exchange tour due to a parking dispute, causing public concern and unease,” the school’s incorporated management committee said in a statement.
“The school expresses its deepest apologies regarding this matter. The school and its sponsoring body have always placed the utmost importance on the professional conduct of our faculty and staff.”
The school added that it had contacted the travel agency involved to better understand the situation and would conduct a thorough investigation. A letter would be sent to teachers, students and parents to provide a detailed account.
“Should there be any violation of the professional code of conduct for teachers or damage to the school’s reputation, the matter will be handled with the utmost seriousness,” it said.
Footage posted on social media shows a security guard telling Lee to move the coach, but he becomes irate and rudely rebuffs her instructions.
“Shut up,” Lee is heard telling her before swearing at her in Cantonese.
When another guard intervenes, Lee turns to her and shouts: “You shut up!”
The first guard again urges him to move the coach, but Lee continues to question why he should follow their instructions and mocks them by making faces.
As the situation escalates and one of the guards prepares to call for help, Lee tells her to “go away”. He appears agitated as two passengers on the coach try to calm him down.
Singapore media reported that the incident took place at SAFRA Jurong, citing one of the security guards who said the tour bus was parked on double yellow lines at an intersection, blocking vehicles behind it.
The guard said she had politely asked them to drive into the building entrance and blocked the door to prevent passengers from getting off.
“I did not expect one of the men to come over, curse at me, and start an argument,” she was quoted as saying.
Singapore amended its Private Security Industry Act in 2021 to provide stronger legal protection for security guards, with tougher penalties for abuse.
New offences were introduced to address common forms of harassment faced by security officers during their duties, with penalties higher than for offences against members of the public.
Those found guilty of intentionally harassing or causing alarm or distress to a security officer can be jailed for up to a year, fined up to SG$5,000 (US$3,915) or both.
The Education Bureau had earlier demanded a written report from the school and expressed concern over the case.
It said that if a teacher were found to have breached professional conduct, authorities would review the teacher’s registration and take appropriate action based on the nature and severity of the incident.
