Minister Ong Ye Kung shares laughs as he endures a pun-filled interview.
It’s not every day that you hear Singapore’s Minister for Health, Ong Ye Kung, remark, “You are very corny, leh.” Yet, in a recent video produced by local online guide TheSmartLocal.com, alongside the community page of Sembawang GRC, a young host playfully “annoys” Mr. Ong with puns for five minutes straight.
The host kicks off the video with enthusiasm: “Right now, we are at Bukit Canberra. It’s going to be a chill day. Mr. Ong is going to show me around this new place, and I just hope that everything turns out well. It’s my first time hosting a Minister!”
In the background, the producer chimes in, “To celebrate your first time hosting a Minister, you have to annoy him with puns.”
Mr. Ong introduces himself, stating, “I’m the Minister of Health and a Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC. Today is a special day—it’s the opening of Bukit Canberra, something residents have been eagerly anticipating.”
As the tour begins, they enter the Butterfly Garden, where Mr. Ong quips, “No butterflies yet, I think.” The host quickly responds, “Is it because the Ya Kun never open? The butter’s not flying?”
Their journey continues to what will soon be a library, prompting the host to say, “It’s a library, right? And it’s going to be a bit tall, right? A lot of… stories involved?” Mr. Ong, keeping his cool, replies, “Yeah, I suppose so.”
Upon reaching the Hawker Centre, the host delivers another pun: “I guess you really like to keep things under wraps.” Mr. Ong chuckles, saying, “Not under wraps… it’s no secret that this will be a hawker centre, right? So it’s quite popular.” He elaborates, “I think there are 44 stalls. Over 600 hawkers have applied, so it’s quite a selection process. I like that the hawker centre is surrounded by so much greenery… I hope it opens by the end of the year.”
As they stroll, the host poses a whimsical question: “Is a building still called a building when it’s finished, or is it still building as a building?” Mr. Ong smiles and responds, “Eh… it’s both a noun and a verb.”
In closing, Mr. Ong invites everyone—residents and non-residents alike—to visit Bukit Canberra.
