Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, MP Cheng Li Hui resign over “mistake in Parliament” amid rumours of an affair

SINGAPORE: Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and Member of Parliament Cheng Li Hui have resigned from both Parliament and the People’s Action Party.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has accepted both their resignations, said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Monday (Jul 17).

On Monday (Jul 17), ahead of the Prime Minister’s statement, both Tan and Cheng restricted the comments on their Instagram pages, disallowing most from commenting on any of their images. 

They have also taken down their Facebook pages.

Tan is married with two children. He has been serving as the President of the Singapore National Olympic Council since 2014. He is also the Speaker of Parliament and an MP for Marine Parade GRC (Kembangan – Chai Chee). As Speaker of Parliament, Mr Tan oversees the House and enforces the rules of the Standing Orders. He also chairs the Committee of Privileges, which looks into complaints alleging breaches of parliamentary privilege.

Cheng has been the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Tampines East division of Tampines GRC since 2015.

TISG has reached out to both Tan Chuan-Jin and Cheng Li Hui for comment. 

Read the statements in full:

Resignation by PAP MP Tan Chuan-Jin

Statement by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Speaker Tan Chuan Jin’s Resignation

Speaker Tan Chuan‐Jin resigned today as Speaker, as Member of Parliament, and also as a member of the People’s Action Party.

I have accepted Mr Tan’s resignation from the People’s Action Party. His resignation is necessary, to maintain the high standards of propriety and personal conduct which the PAP has upheld all these years. My exchange of letters with him is attached.

I thank Mr Tan for having been a member of my team, and wish him and his family all the best in his next phase of life.

In place of Mr Tan, Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Second Minister for Law and MP for Marine Parade GRC will take care of the residents in Kembangan‐Chai Chee ward in Marine Parade GRC.

Resignation by Cheng Li Hui:

Statement by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Member of Parliament Cheng Li Hui’s resignation

Member of Parliament for Tampines East and Tampines GRC Cheng Li Hui resigned today as Member of Parliament, and also as a member of the People’s Action Party.

I have accepted Ms Cheng’s resignation from the People’s Action Party. Her resignation is necessary, to maintain the high standards of propriety and personal conduct which the PAP has upheld all these years. My exchange of letters with her is attached.

In place of Ms Cheng, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development, Second Minister for Health and MP for Tampines GRC will take care of the residents in Tampines East ward in Tampines GRC.