I should have forced issue sooner: PM Lee explains approach to Tan Chuan-Jin, Cheng Li Hui affair

Delivering a ministerial statement in Parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong acknowledged that he should have acted earlier on the affair between former Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and former People’s Action Party MP Cheng Li Hui.

He said that he had been asked why he took more than two years to act.

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#parliament #pap #leehsienloong

[chenghonggoh]

"I should have....", the three most expensive words in the world.

[hengeechua]

Come on PM. This is a moral issue. This speaker had cheated his wife and family. As a BG in the Army, without a brink, he could have also betrayed his soldiers and the country.

[Changemustcome]

Just admit you have no standards when it comes to defending your own members

[bowlampar]

If you are a dictator or a superman, you probably can have this issue settled in a matter of hour, it's unfortunate you are neither one of them. You wanted give time for them to amend and discontinue the relationship, ingrates don't appreciate your sincere effort and personal consideration。

[KSKS-jhfb]

Don't forget the pap party always play this trick of own self cover up own self 's mistakes

[FrozenCappucino]

I would think that having a speaker be married to an mp should absolutely not be allowed; just as a married couple usually cannot be teaching in the same school, or a student cannot be taught by their teacher parent. If a potential speaker is married to an mp, they should not be nominated. If they intend to marry, one should step down from their position. Regardless of the legitimacy of their relationship, it is sometimes simply a matter of conflict of interest that could potentially cloud one’s objectivity.

[Changemustcome]

PM Lee’s three-year concealment of Tan Chuan-Jin’s affair raises serious questions about transparency and accountability, especially considering that both MPs continued their political roles despite the PM’s knowledge of the affair.
Suppose the COP investigation was necessary for WP leaders following Khan’s resignation. Should there not be a similar inquiry into the PAP’s handling of Tan Chuan-Jin’s case, to clarify who knew about the affair, when and whether there was a deliberate attempt to cover up the affair to the Parliament and general public?

[HockTan-sbrn]

We do respect n appreciate what u have done your best as PM .
Perhaps, may I say. Such an issue like this, there is always a dept that can professionally counsel them. U have probably unknowingly put yourself in a spot.
Correct me if I misread your good intention.

[godsamazinggrace]

Ya
you should have done this
you should have done that
At the end of the day
you still think you are right, faultless and perfect!!

[ericwong]

PM, Come on... wrong is wrong no need to twist and turn.

HOW TO TRUST YOU!!!

[FrozenCappucino]

Does the PM know of any other issues within the PAP that he is not sharing? They promised transparency after all.

[gt]

Well ❤ that is the power of love, not some marriage of contract .b

[susanngin]

Is too long not taking action. Love is blind when one commit adultery do u think so easy to breakoff regardless hw many years they commit unless both parties willing to breakoff....part of the dismissal is due to hotmic issue tat embarrased sporeans as he is the public figure himslf. Human cant avoid lust n greed when their mind is corrupted thus sooner later will punish by God tru their action. So is fair to say of.

[kitty]

Guiding principles are very important. Now so much damage and we got to hear all these rubbish during parliament. I have at least some respect for Michael Palmer, swift and quick and out he go and at least he appear in person and apologise.

[rogerer]

Civil servants - salary are all tax payer - is to serve singaporean

[jarvislee]

Own self check own self, own self clear own self, own self raises own self salary whereas 3/4 of true blue Singaporeans( not pr or new citizens aka losers), need handouts.

[onghua]

We are just human, but to live up to a noble principle is very hard. Temptations are simply too many, but needs just a minimal. Our wants are insatiable, simple life is just a few needs, food, warm and sheltered. I hoped that PAP will weather this uncertainty time, let us see the light of humankind wisdom. May All Be Well And Happy:)

[AggronAaron]

Want to retire also cannot retire lmao

[yerejun]

I don’t think PM is wrong to wait it out a bit and extend mercy to “give them a chance to sort it out between themselves as adults” before acting. I’m sure they had been counselled. Of course he reserves the right to relieve them of duties at the get-go and at any point. But Just like any regular job, if you stole from your company it’s instant dismissal. If you bully another colleague, you get a warning for behaviour, subjected to further company actions if you don’t improve on your behaviour but not instant dismissal. So give the PM a break!!!

[jirehrophe]

Tbh I disagree that waiting before dismissing TCJ is wrong. Public servants with decades of experience should not be dismissed so instantly - especially where it was a personal affair rather than outright corruption.

I think PM Lee took a measured approach by waiting to see if TCJ was irrecoverable before expelling him. It was only when PM Lee found that TCJ was irrecoverable (by resuming the affair) that PM Lee should dismiss TCJ - which he did.