Look at it this way: As he is a high-ranking and highly-paid minister, surely he is duty-bound to provide some sound-bites. He is not affectionately called Zorro Lim or Toothpick Lim for nothing. His reputation is already so fearsome.
After all, everyone from Tom Dick and Harry is jumping on the bandwagon trying to outdo each other. True respect comes from the heart. It can be silent as opposed to noisy.