A Hong Kong secondary school principal who came under fire after being caught on camera swearing at security guards in Singapore is now taking his former employer to court, claiming that he was wrongfully dismissed.
Lee Cheuk Hing, the former principal of San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School, is seeking around HK$902,867 (S$145,600) from the school following his termination, according to Hong Kong media reports.
The legal dispute stems from an incident during a school trip to Singapore in May 2026, when Lee was filmed confronting two security guards at SAFRA Jurong.
The footage subsequently attracted widespread attention, prompting the school to suspend Lee while it reviewed his conduct.
Principal Was Fired After Singapore Incident
The incident happened while Lee was accompanying students on a school trip in Singapore. A tour bus had reportedly stopped along a roadside marked with double yellow lines, meaning the vehicle was breaching Singapore’s traffic regulations.
Lee nevertheless became involved in a heated confrontation with two security guards, during which he was recorded shouting and using foul language.
The school subsequently concluded that his behaviour was inappropriate for someone representing the institution. It suspended him on May 26, stating that his actions had fallen below the standards expected of him.
Lee later made an emotional apology over the incident and reportedly submitted his resignation. However, the school did not accept his resignation and instead decided to terminate his employment immediately.
At the time, Lee said he was “very surprised and full of regret” over the school’s decision, although he also said he respected the outcome.
Seeking S$145,600 In Damages
Lee’s court action centres partly on whether the school had sufficient grounds to dismiss him without notice.
Before his termination, Lee reportedly received a monthly salary of HK$137,085, equivalent to around S$22,100.
His original claim exceeded HK$960,000, or approximately S$154,000. The amount included several components, such as severance pay, payment in lieu of notice and compensation relating to his dismissal while on paid sick leave.
He also initially sought sickness allowance and a difference in retirement fund contributions.
During the first hearing on Sep. 8, however, Lee told the court that he would no longer pursue the latter two claims because the matters had already been privately settled with the school.
This brought the amount being sought down to approximately HK$902,867 (S$145,600).
Court To Decide Whether Dismissal Was Justified
The key issue before the court is whether Lee’s conduct was serious enough to justify immediate termination.
A representative for San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School told the court that Lee was asked to explain the Singapore incident on May 22. During that discussion, he acknowledged what had happened and reportedly said he had been attempting to protect the students.
The school’s position, however, was that his behaviour made it difficult for him to continue representing the institution.
The school also maintained that it had already informed Lee of its decision to terminate his employment before he subsequently applied for sick leave. According to reports, the dismissal notification was sent to him by both post and email.
The school has indicated that it is not prepared to settle the remaining claims.
The case will therefore proceed to trial, with the next hearing scheduled for Dec. 1. The court will ultimately determine whether the school was entitled to dismiss Lee immediately or whether he was entitled to further compensation under his employment agreement.