Applause as Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong Flies Commercial Flight

The New Diplomat
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Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is receiving plaudits after he flew economy class from Vientiane, Laos, to Singapore. The video of PM Wong boarding a flight on Scoot airline is now viral, prompting a response from industrialist Harsh Goenka.

In the viral video, the 51-year-old Prime Minister can be seen entering the aircraft and waving and smiling back at several passengers cheering at him. Sharing the video on X, Goenka wrote, “The PM of Singapore travels on official duty aboard a low-cost airline—on a normal scheduled flight, no frills, no national or private jet, and without a large entourage at the taxpayers’ expense. This is how respect is earned.”

With over a million views, the video amassed many reactions as users drew distinctions between PM Wong and prominent leaders of India. “This is not abt leader but a national culture. In India most leaders expect & demand VIP treatment, be it flight , long cavalcades, excessive show of back cats , etc !! They are not embarrassed to make u wait whilst their cavalcade passes. Looks so colonial & uneducated,” a user wrote. “In India, a sarpanch sometimes behaves as though he holds the same power as the President,” another user commented.

“That’s true leadership! Setting an example by prioritizing humility and efficiency over extravagance,” a third user reacted.

PM Wong shared a video on Instagram, thanking the crew members for their hospitality. “Back from Laos. Felt like home, once I got on the plane! Thanks everyone for the warm reception!” he wrote.

According to AsiaOne, a Singapore-based news portal, PM Wong was flying back to Singapore on October 12 after attending the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

Credit: Indian express

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