LOVE AFFAIR THE REASON WHY 2 SINGAPORE POLITICIANS ASKED TO QUIT – PM HSIEN LOONG REVEALS HOW HE PLAYED ‘COUNSELLOR’ TO PROTECT HIS PAP PARTY’S ‘MORALS’ – ‘IT SADDENS ME TO DISCOVER THESE TWO PAP MPS HAVE FALLEN SHORT OF THE HIGH STANDARDS OF PROPRIETY & PERSONAL CONDUCT THAT WE EXPECT OF ALL PAP MPS’

Politics, Social | July 17, 2023 6:13 pm by | 0 Comments

It’s a love affair and that’s why they quit – Inappropriate relationship between two Singapore politicians continued despite counselling, says PM Lee

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): An affair between Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and fellow People’s Action Party (PAP) MP Cheng Li Hui continued despite their being counselled by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in February.

PM Lee said he had learnt about the relationship some time after the 2020 General Election, but did not know when it began.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Istana on Monday afternoon following his announcement of Mr Tan’s and Ms Cheng’s resignations from the PAP.

PM Lee said he spoke to both of them most recently in February, and counselled them.

However, in July, he came across information that “strongly suggested” that the relationship had continued.

“I decided then that Mr Tan had to go forthwith, whether or not the arrangements were ready. It could not wait any longer,” he said.

“I think it’s simply inappropriate to have a Speaker having a relationship with one of the MPs… It is not appropriate, it’s not acceptable.”

In February, Mr Tan had admitted to PM Lee that what he did was wrong. He offered his resignation, which PM Lee said he accepted.

But, added PM Lee, he had to first make sure that residents in his Kembangan-Chai Chee ward and Marine Parade GRC continued to be taken care of. Meanwhile, Mr Tan’s relationship with Ms Cheng had to stop.

Earlier in July, when a video clip of Mr Tan’s unparliamentary language circulated, Mr Tan was away. PM Lee asked to see him when he was back.

During the discussion, Mr Tan agreed to leave immediately, due to both his unparliamentary conduct as well as his inappropriate relationship with Ms Cheng.

The latter was something which Mr Tan had told PM Lee he would break off, but did not.

Ms Cheng had also been counselled, including by PM Lee in February, but “nevertheless she had continued the relationship with Mr Tan”, said the Prime Minister.

“It saddens me to discover that these two PAP MPs have fallen short of the high standards of propriety and personal conduct that we expect of all PAP MPs,” he said.

ANN

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