Tan Chuan Jin and Cheng LI Hui Affair: Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and Member of Parliament Cheng Li Hui have resigned from parliament and the People’s Action Party (PAP) after having an affair.
Tan Chuan Jin and Cheng Li Hui Resignations Announced by PMO
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong later said at a press conference that Mr Tan and Ms Cheng had an “inappropriate relationship” and continued with it despite being told to stop.
Details of the Affair
Mr Lee said he was alerted to the relationship in 2020. The pair were spoken to and counselled, most recently in February, but went on with the affair.
Tan Chuan Jin’s Resignation
Mr Tan, 54, is married with two children. In his letter of resignation, he mentioned the recent incident involving his use of unparliamentary language in the House, which added to the hurt he caused his family.
Cheng Li Hui’s Resignation
Ms Cheng, 47, is not married. In her letter of resignation, she expressed her apologies to the party, as well as to her residents and volunteers.
Reactions and Responses
Prime Minister Lee’s Response
Replying to their resignation letters, Mr Lee wrote that the decisions were necessary to “maintain the high standards of propriety and personal conduct which the PAP has upheld all these years”.
Changes in Parliament and Constituencies
As per channelnewsasia, Mr Lee said at a press conference on Monday that he will nominate a new Speaker by the next sitting of parliament on Aug 1. Mr Edwin Tong will take charge of residents in the Kembangan‐Chai Chee ward in Marine Parade GRC where Mr Tan was MP. In place of Ms Cheng, Mr Masagos Zulkifli will take care of the residents in Tampines East ward.
Background: Tan Chuan Jin
Mr Tan entered politics in 2011 and held various ministerial positions before becoming Speaker of Parliament in 2017.
Background: Cheng Li Hui
Ms Cheng started volunteering in the community in 2003 and was elected as an MP in 2015. She focused on issues related to active aging and support for lower-income families.
Conclusion
The resignations of Tan Chuan Jin and Cheng Li Hui from parliament and the PAP due to their extramarital affair have caused a significant stir in Singapore’s political landscape. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards of propriety and personal conduct, while new arrangements are made within parliament and constituencies affected by the resignations.
