Pro-PAP fanpage mocked after singling out Jamus Lim over World Cup viewing as netizens cite Shanmugam did the same

SINGAPORE: A pro-PAP Facebook page has come under criticism after singling out Workers' Party Member of Parliament Associate Professor Jamus Lim for allegedly watching a World Cup 2026 football match at a bar during working hours.

The criticism quickly backfired, with many social media users defending Lim's right to spend his personal time as he wished.

Others also questioned why Lim was singled out when Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam had publicly shared that he also watched the same Mexico versus England World Cup match on the morning of 6 July 2026.

Facebook post sparks backlash

On Monday, the Facebook page "Shut Down TRS" posted a photograph of a man in a brown shirt seated at a bar, claiming the individual was Sengkang GRC MP Associate Professor Jamus Lim.

The page questioned whether Lim was "Really working for Singaporeans?" and suggested that while "the majority of us battled the Monday morning rush to work", Lim was "spotted at a CBD bar at 9.30am watching the Mexico vs England match".

The post ended with the remark, "Must be nice hor?"

Netizens reject the criticism

The post, however, drew an overwhelmingly different response from many commenters, who argued there was nothing inappropriate about a Member of Parliament spending personal time watching a football match.

One commenter wrote: "I still strongly believe it is his private life. Nothing wrong. He can take leave to watch football. Respect his privacy, just as we should respect any public figure. No need to be so negative."

Others questioned whether politicians were expected to work continuously without time off.

"Regardless of MP, President, pop star or public enemy, they still deserve their personal time and privacy to preserve their own wellbeing," another comment read.

Several commenters also dismissed the post as lacking substance.

"People can also take leave."

"MPs cannot rest and watch football?"

"Nobody works 24/7."

Others described the criticism as "making a mountain out of a molehill", while some labelled it "nit-picking", "stalking", or an invasion of privacy.

Comparisons made with Shanmugam

A recurring point raised by commenters was that Shanmugam had himself publicly shared that he watched the same Mexico versus England match on Monday morning.

On his Facebook page, Shanmugam said he watched the game at Lau Pa Sat together with two school friends.

In another video shared on the platform, the minister was seen watching the match alongside fellow football fans, accompanied by the caption, "how to recharge my energy".

Some commenters questioned why Lim was criticised while the minister's attendance at the same match did not attract similar scrutiny.

"How about a minister watching England and Mexico on Monday morning?" one commenter asked.

Flexible schedules highlighted

Several netizens also pointed out that Members of Parliament often perform constituency work during evenings and weekends, while parliamentary duties do not necessarily follow conventional office hours.

Others noted that Lim, an academic by profession, may also have a work schedule that differs from the standard nine-to-five routine.

Many argued that it was unreasonable to assume that public office holders should always be at work simply because they were seen in public during weekday mornings.