In a recent announcement by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday, July 21, Marine Parade Member of Parliament Seah Kian Peng will be nominated as Singapore’s new Speaker of Parliament at the upcoming sitting in August.
This nomination comes after the post of Speaker became vacant due to the resignation of Tan Chuan-Jin from parliament and the People’s Action Party (PAP) over an extra-marital affair with fellow MP Cheng Li Hui.
Tan Chuan Jin’s scandal
Tan Chuan-Jin’s resignation from parliament and the PAP was a significant event that triggered the need for a new Speaker of Parliament.
Apart from the affair with fellow MP Cheng Li Hui, Mr. Tan also rocked news media outlets for his use of “unparliamentary language” in Parliament when he was caught on the mic calling WP MP Jamus Lim a “f-ing populist”
Seah Kian Peng
Marine Parade Member of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, aged 61, has had a notable career within the NTUC group of companies, holding various significant designations in his CV.
Seah had been an MP for Marine Parade GRC since 2006 and was also the Deputy Speaker of Parliament back in October 2011 to January 2016, and was most recently leading a nine-member workgroup in 2022 to review the Maintenance of Parents Act.
Beyond his parliamentary role, Mr. Seah is actively involved in various social initiatives and organizations. He serves as a board member of the Singapore Olympic Foundation, as well as being a board member of the National Parks Board, Singtel and the Singapore Centre for Social Enterprises.
The upcoming parliament sitting on August 2 will see Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong put forward Mr. Seah’s nomination as the new Speaker of Parliament.
If elected, Mr. Seah will assume the significant role of the 11th Speaker, presiding over parliamentary proceedings and ensuring the efficient and respectful conduct of debates.
Prime Minister’s Office statement
The Prime Minister’s nomination of the Speaker when Parliament convenes in August 2023.
The Prime Minister intends to nominate Mr Seah Kian Peng to be the Speaker of the Parliament at the next sitting of Parliament in August.
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PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
21 JULY 2023