Update 18 Jul 2023: Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin resigned from PAP & Parliament
File photo of Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and MP Cheng Li Hui, posted on Mr Tan's Facebook page in February 2016. Mr Tan was elected Speaker in September 2017. (Photo: Facebook/Tan Chuan-Jin)
Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and Member of Parliament Cheng Li Hui have resigned from parliament and the People's Action Party (PAP). Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has accepted the resignations, said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Monday (Jul 17), although it did not specify or elaborate on the reasons behind the resignations.
In his letter of resignation, Mr Tan said the recent incident involving his use of unparliamentary language in the House has added to the hurt he has caused his family. "I have let them down. We have spoken about my personal conduct before," he wrote in his letter to the Prime Minister, dated Jul 17.
Ms Cheng, MP for Tampines GRC, said in her letter to the Prime Minister that she is "very sorry to be resigning in these circumstances". "(I) would like to apologise to the party, as well as to my residents and volunteers." Ms Cheng, 47, has been MP for Tampines GRC since 2015 when she made her political debut. She is not married.
Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin apologises to Jamus Lim for ‘unparliamentary language’
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin said the recording of the session had been circulating, and he had to listen to it as he did not recall the occasion. PHOTO: GOV.SG
Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin has apologised to Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim for using “unparliamentary language” that was caught on a hot mic during a Parliament sitting in April.
Mr Tan said in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning that the recording of the session had been circulating, and he had to listen to it as he “did not recall the occasion”.
Mr Tan is heard muttering “****ing populist” on the microphone during the first day of debate on the President’s Address on April 17, after Associate Professor Lim finished a speech of about 20 minutes on doing more to help the lower-income groups here. The opposition politician suggested in his speech the establishment of an official poverty line.
related: Vivian Balakrishnan apologises to PSP's Leong Mun Wai after ‘illiterate’ comment circulates online
Tan Chuan-Jin Monday
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.
Viral Video Shows Singapore Parliament Speaker Saying 'Fu**ing Populist' In House; Later Apologises Over 'Inappropriate Language'
In a video circulating on social media, Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin can be heard muttering the words "f****** populist" after a speech made by Workers' Party member Jamus Lim
Speaker of Singapore's Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin issued an apology on Tuesday for his use of inappropriate language during a parliamentary session in the month of April. The incident, which has resurfaced due to a video circulating on social media, shows Tan allegedly muttering expletives after Sengkang MP Jamus Lim concluded his speech on April 17.
In the video surfaced online, one can see Lim had been addressing the House during a debate on the President's Address, specifically discussing the need to enhance Singapore's social compact and strengthen its social safety net. He had proposed the establishment of an official poverty line in his speech. As soon as he finished his speech, Tan can be seen muttering words like, "Fu**ing Populist."
The video in question was reportedly uploaded to Reddit by a user and has since been shared on various social media platforms. In response to its viral spread, Speaker Tan took to Facebook on Tuesday morning to express his apologies.
WATCH: Tan Chuan-Jin apologises to Jamus Lim for using unparliamentary language caught on mic
Recently, it was reported that a speaker, Tan Chaun-Jin apologizes to WP’s Jamus Lim for using ‘unparliamentary language’ caught on a hot mic. On July 11, Tuesday, the speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin apologized for using unethical language in his reaction to a speech made by Worker’s Party Member of Parliament (MP) Jamus Lim. The viral video got circulated on social media and is shared by several users. In the video, Mr. Tan can be heard muttering the words f****** populist after Professor Lim’s speech, before calling on MP Vikram Nair to respond.
Mr. Tan wrote that when he listens to speeches that are made for everyone, he does form many certain views on them. He said that those were his private thoughts which he muttered to himself and not to anyone. Reportedly, Associate Professor Lim, who is MP for Sengkang GRC, had been speaking about the need for an official poverty line to help the poor and needy, disadvantaged people of Singapore, advocating for equal opportunities for education, healthcare, and employment for all. Mr. Tan said that he has apologized to Associate Prof Lim for his remarks, which the latter has kindly accepted.
Notably, in September 2021, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan apologized to Progress Singapore party, Non-constituency member of Parliament, Leong Mun Wai for calling him ‘illiterate’ and questioning his educational skills.
Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin apologises to WP's Jamus Lim for using 'unparliamentary language' caught on hot mic
Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin on Tuesday (July 11) apologised for using "unparliamentary language" in his reaction to a speech made by Workers' Party Member of Parliament (MP) Jamus Lim.
In a video circulating on social media, Mr Tan can be heard muttering the words "f****** populist" after Associate Professor Lim's speech, before calling on MP Vikram Nair (Sembawang Group Representation Constituency) to respond.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Mr Tan wrote that the video was from a parliamentary sitting in April, adding that he "had to listen to the recording as (he) did not recall the occasion". "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," Mr Tan wrote.
related: Vivian Balakrishnan apologises to Leong Mun Wai after ‘illiterate’ comment in Parliament goes viral
WP 'disappointed' by Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin's 'outburst'; says confidence in his impartiality is 'paramount'
It is "paramount" for everyone to have the confidence that the Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin presides over debates in an "impartial manner", said the Workers' Party (WP) in its first statement since his use of "unparliamentary language" in an April sitting.
WP said on Friday (Jul 14) that it was disappointed at Mr Tan's "audible outburst" towards Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim. On Apr 17, Mr Tan muttered "f****** populist" after he called for MP Vikram Nair (PAP-Sembawang) to speak, following a speech by Associate Professor Lim. "The Speaker is a referee for political debate at the highest level, maintaining order and providing guidance on Parliamentary procedures," said WP.
Mr Tan on Tuesday apologised for using "unparliamentary language" during the parliament sitting. He also apologised to Assoc Prof Lim for the hot mic incident and the apology was "kindly accepted". The opposition MP confirmed this in a comment in Mr Tan's Facebook post on the matter. Leader of the House Indranee Rajah will address Mr Tan's use of unparliamentary language in the next parliamentary sitting.
Indranee to address Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin's 'unparliamentary language' in next House sitting
Leader of the House Indranee Rajah will be addressing Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin's use of unparliamentary language in the next parliamentary sitting.
In response to queries from TODAY, Ms Indranee said on Thursday (Jul 13) night: “As this matter concerns parliamentary conduct, the Leader of the House will address it at the next parliamentary sitting.” The date of the next sitting has not been announced yet, but it is expected to be in early August.
Ms Indranee's statement comes after Mr Tan issued an apology on his social media pages on Tuesday, following a video of him uttering “f****** populist". The hot mic incident, where a remark was inadvertently picked up by a live microphone, occurred during a parliament sitting in April. Mr Tan had muttered the vulgarity after a speech by Workers' Party Member of Parliament (MP) Jamus Lim of Sengkang Group Representation Constituency.
related:
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin said he had apologised to Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim for using “unparliamentary language”. PHOTO: GOV.SG
Leader of the House Indranee Rajah will address Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin’s comment caught on a hot mic at the next sitting of Parliament in August.
“As this matter concerns parliamentary conduct, I will address it at the next parliamentary sitting,” said Ms Indranee in response to questions from The Straits Times.
Her remarks come after a video of Mr Tan started circulating earlier this week. In it, he is heard muttering “****ing populist” on the microphone during the first day of debate on the President’s Address on April 17.
related: Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin apologises to Jamus Lim for ‘unparliamentary language’ caught on hot mic
Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin has apologised for “unparliamentary language” after netizens scrutinising the recording of a parliamentary sitting that took place close to three months ago, alleging he uttered an expletive directed at Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim.
As Assoc Prof Lim ended his speech, Mr Tan invited People’s Action Party (PAP) MP Vikram Nair to take the mic. However, just before Mr Nair began his remarks, some netizens listening closely to the proceedings claimed to have heard Speaker Tan mutter what sounded like “f**king populist” under his breath, seemingly referring to Assoc Prof Lim.
The moment unfolded during the parliamentary sitting on 17 March this year, immediately after Assoc Prof Lim delivered a speech addressing poverty and social welfare in Singapore.
Speaker of Parliament, Tan Chuan-Jin and late How Doong
Let’s call a spade a spade – when Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin said “f**king populist,” it was not simply unparliamentary language, it was an expletive, an F-bomb. An expletive is a swear word. Some call it obscenity, vulgarity or profanity.
In recent memory, what comes closest to it in the Singapore Parliament is a notorious incident in 1995. Singapore Democratic Party Member of Parliament, the late Ling How Doong, said “don’t talk cock” in the midst of a Parliamentary debate. He was responding to something his fellow opposition MP Chiam See Tong had whispered in his ear.
For uttering those infamous three words, Ling was formally censured by Parliament. Will the Speaker of Parliament get hauled up for his expletive?
Vivian Balakrishnan apologises to PSP's Leong Mun Wai after ‘illiterate’ comment circulates online
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (left) apologised to NCMP Leong Mun Wai for comments he made in Parliament on Sept 14, 2021. PHOTOS: MCI/YOUTUBE
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has apologised to Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai for remarks the minister made in Parliament.
Dr Balakrishnan, in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Sept 15), said: "I called Mr Leong Mun Wai today to apologise for my private comments to a colleague in Parliament yesterday. "I disagree with him on the issue, but I should not have said what I said. Mr Leong has accepted my apology."
During a marathon debate on two motions on jobs and livelihoods in the House on Tuesday, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and Mr Leong had several exchanges after Dr Tan delivered his speech. At one point, after Mr Leong had spoken, a voice could be heard saying "he's illiterate". Later, after another exchange between Dr Tan and Mr Leong, a microphone picked up someone saying: "Seriously, how did he get into RI?... Must have been a lousy school." It is understood that these remarks were made by Dr Balakrishnan.
Has the Men-in-White turn Black
Transport Minister S Iswaran was arrested on Tuesday as part of a probe by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
The anti-graft agency said the minister is out on bail currently and his passport has been impounded. As part of the same probe, property tycoon Ong Beng Seng was also arrested on the same day in relation to his interactions with Mr Iswaran.
Hotel Properties Limited -- founded by Mr Ong -- said no charges have been filed. The Singapore-based businessman is out on bail of S$100,000 and is travelling today. He will surrender his passport to the CPIB when he returns.
related: How did CPIB come about and what powers does it have in investigating corruption in Singapore?
Parliament appoints New Speaker 2 Aug 2023
Recent events are a reminder to members of the House of their own mortality and fragility. They have shown that members are “all too human”, with not only physical but also spiritual and moral weaknesses, said newly elected Speaker Seah Kian Peng on Wednesday.
“I say this not to join with the chorus of sanctimony, but to reflect first on the need for us all to be vigilant in our personal conduct,” he added in Parliament. He said members should be vigilant with themselves first, but also with colleagues, to hold one another to account without fear and to tell truth to power. “I say this to point to the rules and codes of conduct which govern us all, as members of the highest rulemaking body in the land, and equally, as members of political parties,” the 61-year-old added.
Mr Seah was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as his nominee for the post on July 21. Mr Seah is the 11th Speaker to preside over the sittings of the House. His proposer was Leader of the House Ms Indranee Rajah, and his seconder Ms Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC).
PM Lee addresses CPIB investigation and Speaker/MP resignations: 5 key takeaways
He reveals key points on Iswaran's pay, anti-graft agency's approach and handling Tan Chuan Jin/Cheng Li Hui affair
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered a ministerial statement to the Parliament on Wednesday (2 August), shedding light on the ongoing investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on Transport Minister S Iswaran.
He also addressed the resignations of former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and Member of Parliament (MP) Cheng Li Hui, who stepped down due to their involvement in an affair.
Here are the five key points to take away from the session:
- Iswaran's pay cut and MP allowance - PM Lee revealing that Iswaran had been interdicted from his ministerial duty with a reduced pay of S$8,500 a month until further notice.
- Minister clarifies anti-graft agency's approach - Minister-in-charge of the Public Service, Chan Chun Sing, clarified that the reason that the anti-graft agency did not immediately announce Iswaran's arrest was to gather more facts and to hear his side of the story.
- PM Lee affirms zero tolerance for wrongdoing - PM Lee emphasised the PAP government's stance on zero tolerance for suspicions or allegations of wrongdoing in the discharge of official duties, especially possible corruption. While many rise to the occasion, some may fall short or even breach established norms of conduct. He cited past corruption cases involving political officeholders. Such as Tan Kia Gan in 1966, then former Minister for National Development; Wee Toon Boon in 1975, then a Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment; Phey Yew Kok in 1979, then president of NTUC and also an MP; and Teh Cheang Wan in 1986, who was Minister for National Development.
- Opposition leader calls for ethics adviser - Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh called for the consideration of appointing an ethics adviser and questioned the arrangement of Tan Chuan-Jin and Cheng Li Hui being on the same House committee.
- PM Lee outlines the approach to handling affair - PM Lee explained his approach after learning about the affair between former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and MP Cheng Li Hui, over two years ago.
First prize for President hopeful Ng Kok Song
Mr Ng Kok Song aged 75 accompanied by his fiancee Sybil Lau aged 45 at the Elections Department on July 19, 2023. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
The combined ages of Mr Ng Kok Song aged 75 and his fiancee Sybil Lau aged 45, won the First Price drawn by Singapore Pools on 2 Aug 2023.
