Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke in Parliament earlier today on a number of issues, addressing the recent scandals involving former speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan Jin and former Member of Parliament Cheng Li Hui.
Snippet of PM Lee’s Ministerial Statement
On the resignations of former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and former MP Cheng Li Hui.
Let me recap some basic facts, that are mostly already public: I first learnt of their relationship sometime after the 2020 General Election – in fact, in November 2020. They were both spoken to, and counselled, separately. They both said they would stop the affair. But as it turned out, they did not. Most recently in February 2023, I spoke to them again, separately. Mr Tan admitted that what he did was wrong. He offered to resign, I accepted. But I told him that before he actually resigned, I had first to make sure residents in Kembangan-Chai Chee (his ward) and Marine Parade (his GRC) were taken care of. Meanwhile, his relationship with Ms Cheng had to stop. A few weeks ago, I came across information that strongly suggested that the affair had continued. I decided that Mr Tan had to go forthwith. Ms Cheng had to resign too, because she had not broken off the affair even after being told to stop.
I have been asked: Why did I take so long, more than 2 years, to act? It is a fair question. In retrospect and certainly now knowing how things eventually turned out, I agree. I should have forced the issue sooner. But let me explain my general approach, as well as my thinking at that point in time.
These sorts of relationships happen from time to time. They have happened in the past, and no doubt will happen again in the future. In such cases, what we do depends on many factors: the circumstances, how inappropriate or scandalous the behaviour was, the family situations. We also have to be conscious of the impact on innocent parties – particularly the spouses and children. I had explained this at my press conference on 20 July. So did DPM Lawrence Wong last week in a BBC interview. This is not a new position – it reflects the PAP’s long-standing practice, since the days of Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
There is no single template that applies to all extra-marital affairs. But there can be at least three situations: The first situation – where the individuals involved will be talked to, and if they stop, the matter ends there. No further action need be taken. Second situation – where immediate action has to be taken. For example, when one party has supervisory power over the other party. And we have in the past taken immediate action, in a few cases. Third situation – where the relationship raises some questions of propriety, beyond it being an extra marital affair per se. The parties will be talked to, but the matter cannot end there. Even if the affair stops, some action has to follow. But what that action is and when it is taken, depends on the nature of the facts and the boundaries that have been transgressed.
The present situation falls into this third category. It is wrong. Mr Tan and Ms Cheng had to stop their affair. I told them to stop.
In deciding what more should be done, consider this: Would we object to having a Speaker being married to an MP? I think the answer is no – that would be perfectly alright. There is no direct reporting line between the Speaker and an MP. Thus, an open, legitimate relationship between the Speaker and an MP is not in itself objectionable. Hence, this situation of the Speaker having an affair with an MP does not fall into the category where immediate action has to be taken. However, the Speaker has some official capacity vis-a-vis MPs. An extra-marital affair between him and an MP is therefore problematic. It puts other MPs and staff in an awkward position, and it is just not proper. After I spoke to Mr Tan in November 2020, he told me that the relationship would end. I took it to be so. I therefore felt there was some leeway to take some time, to decide what further steps to take.
In this context, the possible actions that could have followed were: On the basis that the extra-marital affair had stopped, I would have asked Mr Tan to step down as Speaker some time before the end of the term, but in a way which would reduce the public embarrassment to him and his family. As to whether one or both should also resign as MPs – I had not decided at that time, but quite likely both would have had to leave at some point. By giving the matter some time, I had hoped to give them a softer exit, and save them and their families the pain and embarrassment that they are suffering now. I placed much weight on protecting their families – perhaps too much.
Regrettably, in the end Mr Tan and Ms Cheng did not stop the affair, and both had to go. On reflection, as I said, I should have forced the issue earlier, certainly before mid-term.
Let me add a personal plea at this point: while there is no doubt the two persons behaved improperly, there are also innocent family members involved. Likewise for the case involving a former member across the aisle, in the Workers’ Party. All their families are suffering. I hope that MPs and the public can empathise and have compassion for the families, and give them the privacy and space they need to heal.
Timeline of events of Tan Chuan Jin and Cheng Li Hui’s affair
General Elections (GE) 2020
PM Lee said that he was made aware of Tan and Cheng’s illicit relationship after the GE2020, and although he doesn’t know when their “inappropriate relationship” had begun, both of them were spoken to and counselled about the matter.
February 2023
PM Lee had a conversation with Tan about the relationship that he had with Cheng, to which the former admitted to his wrongdoing and offered his resignation from his posts, which PM Lee duly accepted.
However, PM Lee said that he needed to ensure the residents under Tan’s constituency (the Kembangan-Chai Chee ward in Marine Parade GRC) were taken care of first, as well as settling the succession matters with the other MPs that included the Minister of Culture, Community and Youth, Edwin Tong and Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng.
In the meantime, he had to stop his relationship with Cheng; PM Lee also spoke to Cheng about the relationship as well.
The period after February 2023
PM Lee revealed that he “came across information that strongly suggested that the relationship had continued,” despite his instructions to Tan to stop the inappropriate relationship with Cheng.
PM Lee then decided that regardless of whether the arrangements were ready, Tan “had to go”.
April 2023 Parliament Sitting
During a parliamentary sitting in April, Tan uttered a profanity under his breath, which was overheard on the microphone that was still on at the time, and subsequently circulated online.
Tan was heard muttering the phrase “f-g populist” at the 1:25:28 minute mark of MCI’s livestream after calling for MP Vikram Nair (PAP-Sembawang) to speak following a speech by Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim on the absence of an “official poverty line” in Singapore.
However, the remark went unnoticed at the time during the parliament sitting and in the live-streamed video.
10 July 2023
Tan’s “f-g populist” remark was discovered by a netizen who posted the clip online and subsequently went viral across social media platforms.
11 July 2023
Tan then took to his Facebook profile to issue a public apology, where he said:
“There is a recording of a Parliament sitting in April this year that has been circulating. I had to listen to the recording as I did not recall the occasion.”
“Based on the clip it appears that I had a reaction to a speech made in the chamber.”
“When I listen to speeches made, like everyone, I do form views on them. What was said were my private thoughts which I had muttered to myself and not to anyone.”
“However I should not have expressed them aloud or in unparliamentary language, and I apologise for that.”
“I have also spoken to the Member, A/P Jamus Lim, to make that apology as well; which he has kindly accepted.”
Jamus Lim then commented on Tan’s Facebook post and confirmed that “Speaker did indeed call, and I have accepted his apology.”
17 July 2023
Tan returned after going away for a while, submitting his resignation to PM Lee.
PM Lee said in his first public comments addressing the situation that he had “very recently” came across new information that Tan had continued his relationship with Cheng despite telling him to stop.
During their discussion, Tan agreed to leave immediately, because of his inappropriate relationship with Cheng, as well as the hot mic saga in Parliament.
At the same time, Cheng also resigned from her post.
A statement was then issued by the Prime Minister’s Office and a press conference was later held by PM Lee addressing the situation.
Source: PMO