Head Teacher Who Swore at Singapore Security Guards Resigns

SINGAPORE — A head teacher from Hong Kong has officially resigned and issued a tearful public apology after a viral video showed him verbally abusing and swearing at security personnel in Singapore.

Lee Cheuk-hing, the head of San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong, stepped down from his post on Thursday, May 28, 2026. His resignation brings a swift and dramatic end to a career derailed by an explosive parking dispute. The incident occurred during an educational school trip, shocking students, parents, and the broader public across both cities.

The controversy began on the afternoon of Friday, May 22, 2026. Mr Lee was leading an economics and technology study tour in Singapore. The group included approximately 35 students and several accompanying teachers.

The tour bus stopped near the entrance of the SAFRA Jurong clubhouse, a popular recreational facility in the western part of Singapore. According to local reports, the large coach was parked on double yellow lines at a busy intersection. This action blocked other vehicles from entering the premises.

When two female security guards approached the vehicle to politely ask the driver to move the bus to a proper drop-off point, Mr Lee intervened. The subsequent interaction was filmed and uploaded to the social media platform Threads on May 23, quickly going viral.

Hong Kong Principal Who Swore at Singapore Security Guards Resigns

What the Video Revealed

The video footage painted a stark picture of the confrontation, showing the educator engaging in aggressive behavior:

Aggressive Language: Mr Lee repeatedly yelled at the two female security officers, shouting “Shut up!” and “Go away!”
Profanities: He hurled multiple severe curse words at the guards in Cantonese.
Mocking Gestures: The principal pulled faces and taunted the security officers as they tried to enforce local traffic rules.
Rebusing Help: When another staff member from the bus tried to hold him back and calm him down, Mr Lee angrily shouted at her to “get out of my way.”

As the situation escalated, the security personnel stood their ground. They eventually notified their management and the local authorities.

The Fallout: Suspension and Resignation

The video sparked immediate outrage online. Many people criticized the principal for failing to show the basic decency and emotional restraint expected of an educator.

On Tuesday, May 26, the school’s incorporated management committee held an emergency meeting. They reviewed statements from Mr Lee and the other teachers who witnessed the event. Following the meeting, school manager Edmund Wong Chun-sek announced that the board had voted to suspend Mr Lee with immediate effect. The board noted that his behavior “fell short of public expectations.”

By Thursday, May 28, the pressure proved too immense. Mr Lee tendered his official resignation to the school board.

In an emotional interview with Hong Kong news outlet Dot Dot News, a visibly shaken Mr Lee issued a public apology. During the interview, he wept, bowed deeply, and wiped away tears as he expressed deep regret for his actions.

“As a school leader, I should have led by example and exercised restraint under all circumstances,” Mr Lee stated. He added a direct plea to his students, urging them not to emulate his impulsive behavior.

Head Teacher Who Swore at Singapore Security Guards Resigns

Investigating the Incident: What Happens Next?

The school has appointed its vice-principal to serve as the acting head while they search for a permanent replacement. However, Mr Lee’s resignation does not mark the end of his troubles.

The incident has triggered multiple official investigations across two jurisdictions:

Singapore Police Investigation: The security firm appointed by SAFRA Jurong lodged an official police report. The Singapore Police Force confirmed that an active investigation is underway. Under Singapore’s Private Security Industry Act, intentionally harassing or causing distress to a security officer is a serious offense. If found guilty, an individual can face a fine of up to SG$5,000 (approximately US$3,915), a prison sentence of up to one year, or both.
Hong Kong Education Bureau Action: The Hong Kong Education Bureau has demanded a comprehensive written report from the school. Bureau officials stated that they will review the findings thoroughly. They plan to take appropriate action against any educator who breaches the strict professional code of conduct, even when the incident occurs outside of Hong Kong.

A Shielding Instinct Gone Too Far?

Despite the widespread public condemnation, some students have stepped forward to provide context to the principal’s sudden outburst.

Speaking to the South China Morning Post, one student on the trip shared that Mr Lee is usually a kind, approachable principal who frequently chats with students about their classes. The student claimed that his outburst, while wrong, came from a place of protection.

According to the student, some teenagers had already disembarked from the bus. Mr Lee feared that if the coach reversed or moved away immediately, the students left outside on the street would be left unsupervised and unsafe.

While his intentions may have been rooted in student safety, the school board and the public agreed that his choice of words and aggressive demeanor were entirely unacceptable. The institution issued its deepest apologies to the public, acknowledging the immense unease the viral footage caused.