GE2025: Rebuilding narrative and accountability post racial slur blunder

In a recent rally for the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), controversy erupted after party candidate Gigene Wong used a racial slur, addressing her teammate Ariffin Sha with a derogatory term. The remark, which drew immediate backlash on social media, prompted an apology from both Wong and SDP chief Chee Soon Juan.

Dr Chee acknowledged the harm caused by the slur, expressing deep regret and emphasising that such behaviour was intolerable within the party. Wong herself issued multiple public apologies, citing a lack of awareness about the term’s negative connotations, and sought forgiveness from those affected, particularly the Indian community.

Sha, who was the target of the offensive remark, responded with a measured but firm statement, underscoring that intention did not matter in matters of racial sensitivity. In his statement, Sha said that the remarks are not new, and that Wong's action was not casual racism, "Because there's nothing casual about racism". 

“I can accept that there was no malice (by Dr Wong), but intention is irrelevant when it comes to such matters. Honestly, it stings like hell, especially from someone close to you. What happened yesterday has no place in Singapore, let alone a rally stage,” added Ariffin, reported The Straits Times.

Don't miss: GE2025: Are podcasts the new political battleground?

His comments sparked further discussions on the broader implications of the incident, particularly regarding how organisations and political parties can manage such situations.

Players in communications, including Meilin Wong, CEO of Milk & Honey PR, and Priyanka Bajpai, former senior partner at SPAG/FINN Asia Pacific, shared their perspectives on Sha’s response, organisational accountability, and the long-term process of rebuilding trust with communities that have been hurt by such actions. 

Meilin Wong, CEO of Milk & Honey PR, commended Ariffin for his ability to address the issue with "a lot of maturity and heart." She noted that in moments such as these, it is easy to become defensive or emotional, but Sha stayed focused on what truly mattered: acknowledging the hurt caused by the incident.

Wong emphasised that his statement, particularly the part where he said “intention is irrelevant when harm is done,” struck the right tone.

“It showed empathy and leadership – qualities we need more of, especially in moments like this,” said Wong. Moreover, Wong believes Sha’s approach offers a constructive dialogue on racial sensitivity and set a commendable example of leadership under pressure.

Striking a balance

When it comes to addressing wrongdoing within organisations, Wong pointed out that organisations face the tough challenge of balancing accountability with support.

“Organisations have a responsibility to clearly acknowledge and address the wrongdoing as well as stand by their values,” she explained. At the same time, it’s equally important to support their people through the learning process.

She suggested that this balance involves calling out the issue firmly, offering space for reflection, and providing guidance to help those involved understand the impact of their actions. Wong emphasised that such an approach demonstrates integrity while fostering a culture of empathy and continuous improvement.

Priyanka Bajpai, former senior partner at SPAG/FINN Asia Pacific, echoed this sentiment, saying that organisations that lead with values preserve their long-term credibility.

"A balanced approach means clearly affirming a commitment to purpose, respect, and inclusion, while also providing individuals a safe space to learn, reflect, and grow. True leadership, to me, lies in standing firm on principles without forsaking compassion - both for those impacted and those navigating the aftermath, " she said.

Rebuilding trust after harm

Both Wong and Bajpai agreed that rebuilding trust requires more than just a sincere apology. Wong argued that trust is earned through consistent, real actions over time, saying that: 

Saying sorry is a necessary first step, but trust is rebuilt over time, through real actions, not just words.

For Wong, this means showing up consistently for the communities affected, engaging in active listening, being open to feedback, and taking concrete steps to address the underlying issues. She also emphasised the importance of transparency, noting that actions and communication must be authentic and consistent in order to restore confidence.

"In fact, people will watch what you do far more closely than what you say. And if the follow-through is genuine, trust can be slowly earned back," said Wong. 

Bajpai, too, stressed that trust is never rebuilt through apologies alone. “Apologies mark the beginning, not the end,” she said. 

"Political parties and organisations more broadly must stay consistently engaged with the communities impacted: listening actively, involving them in solutions, and demonstrating, through actions rather than words, that lessons have been learned," added Bajpai. 

For Bajpai, humility, patience, and a commitment to inclusion are essential for rebuilding trust, adding that:

True resilience is shown not in avoiding mistakes but in how one rises responsibly after them.

Related articles: 
IMDA blocks Facebook posts from Malaysian politicians ahead of general elections  
TikTok SG launches Elections Centre ahead of GE2025  
From ballots to brands: Are politicians the next big marketing play in Malaysia?