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Prime Minister Lawrence Wong enjoyed a heartwarming trip down memory lane during a walkabout at Marine Terrace Market and Hawker Centre on Saturday (Oct 3) with Senior Minister of State Goh Pei Ming.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a video posted on his social media on Sunday, PM Wong shared footage of his encounter with Mary, 89, a retired school clerk from Haig Boys’ School, where he studied as a boy.<\/p>\n
“Lawrence boy!” the sprightly senior called out to the prime minister as he shook hands with her while making his way through the hawker centre, greeting residents.<\/p>\n
Hearing that, PM Wong sat down and asked for her name.<\/p>\n
“Mary,” she replied firmly, still clasping his hands, before continuing: “Haig Boys. I was a school clerk.”<\/p>\n
The mention of the school appeared to bring back memories for PM Wong, who said he remembered her.<\/p>\n
“You were the clerk for the principal, Mr Soh, throughout, right? For a long time,” said PM Wong.<\/p>\n
The prime minister was referring to David Soh Biow Chee, who was principal at Haig Boys’ Primary School between 1964 and 1979.\u00a0<\/p>\n
PM Wong attended the school, where his mother also taught.<\/p>\n
The pair then posed for a photograph, during which Mary had one more request.<\/p>\n
“Send my regards to your mother,” she told him.<\/p>\n
“Of course,” he replied. “I’m sure she will remember you.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Sure?” she asked.<\/p>\n
“Of course,” he reassured her. “I do remember you, so how can she not?”<\/p>\n
Later, as PM Wong was leaving the hawker centre, Mary approached him again and said: “I want to tell you. I am very happy for you, okay? See you from young until now.”<\/p>\n
PM Wong described the reunion as a “lovely encounter”, noting that Mary was still as energetic and cheerful as ever.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\n @lawrencewongst<\/a><\/p>\n
A lovely encounter at Marine Terrace \u2014 I met Mary, who used to be our school clerk at Haig Boys\u2019 School. She is 89 now, and still as energetic and cheerful as ever!<\/p>\n
\u266c original sound – Lawrence Wong<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The prime minister is no stranger to such walkabouts. From time to time, he joins MPs on visits to neighbourhoods across Singapore.<\/p>\n
Earlier in June, he had a warm interaction with diners at Yuhua Place Market and Hawker Centre<\/a>. They thanked him for the CDC vouchers that they used to pay for a bak kut teh (pork rib soup) meal.<\/p>\n
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