Hong Kong School Principal Fired After Swearing at Guards in Singapore, Following Rejection of His Resignation
A Hong Kong school principal who was filmed swearing at security guards at SAFRA Jurong during a school trip to Singapore in May has been dismissed after his resignation was rejected. Lee Cheuk Hing, principal of San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School, had tendered his resignation on May 28, with his final day originally expected to be August 31. But on June 3, the school’s management committee rejected the resignation and asked for his immediate removal, saying his conduct had seriously affected the school’s operation and that he would be stripped of all duties. The school said Lee’s vulgar behaviour during the trip violated the professional code of conduct expected of teaching staff, and that as principal he was held to a higher standard by parents and the public.
The incident drew widespread attention after a video circulated online showing Lee standing at the doorway of a bus and arguing with two SAFRA security officers on the street. In the footage, the officers can be heard telling him the bus needed to move behind, while Lee responds with insults, including telling them to “shut up,” before taunting them and making faces. A woman behind him then tries to calm the situation, but he tells her to get out of his way. The video was reportedly filmed during a school trip involving about 35 students and teachers from the Hong Kong school, who were in Singapore for an economics and technology study tour from May 20 to 24.
Following the viral incident, the Union of Security Employees in Singapore strongly condemned any abuse directed at security officers and visited SAFRA Jurong to express support for the staff involved. The union said the officers were focused on preventing students from alighting in an unsafe area beside a busy main road during evening peak hour, and on avoiding a potentially dangerous manoeuvre by a line of vehicles trying to enter the SAFRA driveway. It said the officers had acted professionally throughout and continued to safeguard the safety of patrons despite the confrontation.
The school’s manager, Edmund Wong Chun-sek, said the firing would not affect efforts to recruit a new principal. He said one incident would not deter capable educators from applying for the role, and added that the decision to dismiss Lee was made in the best interests of students’ welfare. SCMP reported that Lee had already been suspended on May 26 before submitting his resignation two days later. The case has sparked debate in Hong Kong and Singapore over professional conduct, public accountability and the treatment of frontline security officers.
