Tan acknowledged the incident in a Facebook post on Tuesday, stating, "I had to listen to the recording as I did not recall the occasion. Based on the clip, it appears that I had a reaction to a speech made in the chamber."
He admitted that, like any other person, he forms his own opinions while listening to speeches.
Emphasising that his remarks were privately-expressed thoughts and not intended for anyone in particular, Tan acknowledged, "However, I should not have expressed them aloud or in unparliamentary language, and I apologise for that."
He also revealed that he has personally spoken to Lim and extended his apology, to which Lim "has kindly accepted".
Singapore Speaker of Parliament apologises for use of 'unparliamentary language'
