Wealth manager says sorry after poor people rant incurs wrath in Singapore

A Porsche-driving British wealth manager in Singapore who referred to public transport commuters as "poor people" has apologised after his Facebook posts sparked an online furore.

Anton Casey, 39, a senior wealth manager in the financial sector, had also referred to washing "the stench of public transport off me" in one of his posts.

Furious online readers flooded websites on which his remarks were reposted with comments, many subjecting him and his family to verbal abuse.

Singapore has one of the world's highest annual GDP per capita incomes, standing at S$65,048 (HK$395,000) in 2012. The city-state also boasts one of Asia's most modern public transport systems, with its 150-kilometre metro network carrying about two million people daily.

"I would like to extend a sincere apology to the people of Singapore," Casey said.

"I have the highest respect and regard for Singapore and the good people of Singapore; this is my home," said the permanent resident, who is married to Bernice Wong, a former Singapore beauty queen with whom he has a five-year-old son.