SINGAPORE, April 27 — Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Gigene Wong issued two public apologies after using a derogatory Hokkien term for Indians to describe teammate Ariffin Sha during a rally on April 26 at Evergreen Primary School. Wong, 59, also mispronounced Ariffin’s name as “elephant.” In her apologies on Facebook, she expressed regret, stating, “I have been counselled by my party members… I now understand it is offensive.” She admitted her “hurtful and unacceptable” impromptu remark disrespected Ariffin and offended the Indian community. Wong and Ariffin are part of SDP’s four-member team contesting Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.

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