Singapore speaker Seah Kian Peng apologises after video shows him dozing off during Parliament sitting

Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng apologised today after a video showing him dozing off while chairing a parliamentary sitting on September 9 circulated widely online. — Picture via Facebook/Seah Kian Peng

By Malay Mail

First Published: Friday, 18 Sep 2026 2:34 PM MYT

SINGAPORE, Sept 18 — Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng apologised today after a video showing him dozing off while chairing a parliamentary sitting on September 9 circulated widely online.

The incident drew attention after footage showed a clerk approaching the Speaker’s chair to rouse him during the debate, according to CNA.

Seah, who became Speaker of Parliament in August 2023, said in a Facebook post that he had been feeling unwell and had taken medication, adding that “that does not excuse what happened” and acknowledging that the lapse fell short of the standards expected of the office.

He said he nodded off after more than four hours of proceedings and noted that he should have called for a break earlier rather than continuing with the sitting.

Seah said he has tried to discharge his duties conscientiously over the past three years as Speaker and to uphold the expectations of the role.

He apologised for the lapse and said he would “take steps to ensure it does not happen again”.

He added that he remained committed to serving parliament and Singaporeans “to the best of my ability”.

Video footage of the moment showed MP Dennis Tan of Hougang finishing his speech on the Health Sciences Authority (Amendment) and Other Matters Bill before a staff member approached the Speaker’s desk.