Hong Kong school principal sacked over Singapore security guard confrontation

The incorporated management committee of San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong, has dismissed its principal, Lee Cheuk-hing, with immediate effect, rejecting a resignation letter he submitted following a viral video that showed him verbally abusing security guards during a student exchange trip to Singapore.

The committee announced on 3 June 2026 that it would not accept Lee's resignation, which had been received on 28 May 2026. Lee had requested that his last day in post be 31 August 2026.

The committee said allowing Lee to remain in office until August would gravely disrupt the school's operations and prevent teachers and students from moving forward.

"This constitutes the immediate dismissal of Mr Lee and the removal of all his duties at the school," the committee said in a statement.

Legal basis for dismissal

The committee cited Section 9 of the Employment Ordinance as the statutory basis for the termination, which permits an employer to end a contract without notice or payment in lieu of notice where there is sufficient cause. No severance payment was made.

The sponsoring body and the incorporated management committee each convened emergency meetings on 29 May 2026, one day after receiving Lee's resignation letter, to formally review the incident before arriving at the dismissal decision.

The committee said its findings were based on three sources: the videos that had circulated online, relevant media reports, and records of face-to-face interviews conducted with Lee and the teachers who had accompanied the school group to Singapore.

Conduct found to breach professional code

The committee confirmed that Lee's behaviour violated the professional code of conduct for teaching staff, and specifically identified Article 3 of the Education Bureau's (EDB) 2022 Guidelines on Teacher Professional Conduct, which sets out the requirement to lead by example, as the provision breached.

The committee said Lee's actions had damaged the professional image of teachers and undermined the confidence of parents and members of the public in the teaching profession.

As head of the institution, Lee was held to a higher standard than ordinary staff. The committee said his conduct had not only harmed the school's reputation but had also diminished the credit the sponsoring body had built up over many years in education.

Acting principal named; search to begin

Vice-principal Chan Hing-chung has been appointed acting principal with immediate effect, pending a permanent appointment. The committee confirmed it would establish a principal selection committee to recruit a replacement.

The board also announced it would form a dedicated task force, comprising experienced educators, to review the school's administration and personnel management practices and submit recommendations to the committee.

Edmund Wong Chun-sek, a former legislator and manager of the school, said the incident was unlikely to deter qualified candidates from seeking the principalship.

"I believe an isolated incident will not discourage dedicated, capable and aspiring educators from applying for this principalship," Wong said.

Wong added that the dismissal decision had been guided by the best interests and well-being of students.

Confrontation on 22 May outside SAFRA Jurong

The incident that triggered the controversy took place on 22 May 2026. According to Singapore newspaper Shin Min Daily News, the school group arrived at SAFRA Jurong at approximately 5pm for a meal.

A dispute arose involving a hired coach that had stopped near the venue's entrance, obstructing incoming traffic. Two female security guards on duty at the time were directing vehicles when an argument allegedly broke out between them and Lee.

Videos of the confrontation began circulating on social media, including on the platform Threads, from 23 May 2026 onwards. In the footage, Lee could allegedly be heard shouting "you shut up" in English.

He also appeared to repeatedly use Cantonese obscenities directed at the guards and was seen sticking out his tongue and making faces during the exchange.

One of the guards, identified by Shin Min as Afuti, said she had initially approached the group politely before the situation deteriorated. She said she had not initially known Lee was a school principal and had not understood the Cantonese insults allegedly directed at her.

A female staff member accompanying the school group was seen in the footage attempting to intervene and pull Lee away, though the effort appeared unsuccessful.

SAFRA Jurong confirmed in a statement that the coach had stopped near the entrance and obstructed traffic, and that its security personnel had been performing their duties when they were subjected to verbal abuse.

"During the process, security personnel carrying out their duties were subjected to verbal abuse," the statement read.

SAFRA Jurong said it treated abuse directed at on-duty personnel seriously and confirmed that the appointed security company had lodged a police report.

Singapore police confirmed they had received a report regarding the incident and said investigations were ongoing.

Suspension and public apology preceded dismissal

The school's management committee had suspended Lee from his duties with immediate effect before the dismissal announcement, saying his conduct had fallen short of public expectations and caused concern within the community.

Prior to his dismissal, Lee released a tearful public apology via media outlet dotdotnews. He repeatedly apologised to Hongkongers and to "all sectors" in Singapore.

"As a principal, I should lead by example. Regardless of the circumstances, I should remain calm and restrained. But unfortunately, I failed to do so," Lee said.

Lee said he had submitted his resignation and pledged full cooperation with investigations by the EDB and the school board. He also urged students not to emulate his conduct.

"Please do not learn from me. At all times, you must try your best to stay calm and resolve problems in a rational manner," he said.

Lee additionally resigned from community-related roles, including his membership of the San King subdistrict care team in Tuen Mun and the Tuen Mun South West area committee. Hong Kong's Home Affairs Department confirmed it had received the resignations and that his name had been removed from the relevant official websites.

Student welfare and staff conduct review

The incorporated management committee has instructed the school to monitor the emotional well-being of students and parents on an ongoing basis and to provide appropriate counselling where needed.

The committee has also directed the school to review its conduct guidelines for teaching staff and to ensure compliance with professional standards. Teachers are expected to lead by example, exercise self-discipline, and guide students in the development of good character.

The committee extended a formal apology to people in both Hong Kong and Singapore affected by the incident.

Legal exposure under Singapore law

Singapore's Private Security Industry Act provides that any person convicted of intentionally harassing, causing alarm, or causing distress to a security officer on duty may face a jail term of up to one year, a fine of up to S$5,000 (approximately US$3,915), or both.

Singapore police confirmed investigations into the 22 May incident remain ongoing as of the time of publication.