Harsh Goenka praises Singapore PM for using a low-cost airline: 'This is how respect is earned'

The video was shot by a CNA journalist on a Scoot Laos to Singapore flight. (Image credit: @LeongWaiKitCNA/X)

Industrialist Harsh Goenka on Monday praised Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for choosing to fly on a low-cost airline instead of taking a private jet with a large entourage at the taxpayers’ expense. He shared a video of Wong boarding a Scoot plane as the passengers clapped and cheered for him. He reportedly flew economy class with extra legroom.

"The PM of Singapore travels on official duty aboard a low-cost airline—on a normal scheduled flight, no frills, no national or private jet, and without a large entourage at the taxpayers’ expense. This is how respect is earned," Goenka wrote on X.

The PM of Singapore travels on official duty aboard a low-cost airlineon a normal scheduled flight, no frills, no national or private jet, and without a large entourage at the taxpayers expense. This is how respect is earned. pic.twitter.com/JHTdQnJcXi
Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) October 14, 2024

The video was shot by a CNA journalist on a Scoot flight from Laos to Singapore. It showed a smiling Wong boarding the the Scoot flight and waving as the passengers cheered and clapped when he took his seat at the front row. According to reports, he flew economy with extra legroom.

Apart from Harsh Goenka, the clip left several social media users impressed. Some said that the Singapore Prime Minister was "humble", "down to earth" and an "incredible example" in taking the low-cost carrier. One user commented that the incident showed his willingness to connect with ordinary people.

Wong later took to Facebook to share a video of passengers on the Scoot flight waving into a camera. "Back from Laos. Felt like home, once I got on the plane! Thanks everyone for the warm reception," he captioned the video.

The 51-year-old was attending the 44th and 45th Asean Summits and Related Summits hosted in Laos. He was accompanied by Singapore's foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan.