Government apologised to social service agencies for perceived ‘finger-pointing’ in initial statement on Megan Khung case

A subsequent report by a review panel, published in October, found lapses by multiple stakeholders, including MSF’s Child Protective Service and the police, as well as social workers.

On Wednesday, Member of Parliament Cai Yinzhou (PAP-Bishan-Toa Payoh) asked Mr Lee about initial media reporting on the case that he said “pinned the blame” on the social service agency involved. 

Mr Cai said this had prompted social workers to speak out about the “optics”.

“How can we better report or (communicate) when such tragedies happen, in light of also encouraging collective ownership and culture?” asked the MP.

Mr Lee said there was a balance to be struck between setting out the facts of what happened and keeping the social service sector cohesive.

“The aim is to reflect on what happened and see how those gaps should be closed. And so there was not and should not be an intention to point fingers,” said the minister.

“At the same time, the public expect some accountability and laying out of the facts. That is what happened with the report of the independent panel, and we’ve read the report and seen what happened.

“And so to the extent that there was a misunderstanding that there was finger-pointing, we have apologised to the relevant agencies including Beyond Social Services for the misunderstanding that had occurred. It was not the intention, but if that was perceived, we have apologised as well,” said Mr Lee.