By Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew will not be running in the upcoming general election.
https://twitter.com/kylemalinda/status/631021527920570368
His letter of resignation was accepted by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong:
https://twitter.com/kylemalinda/status/631021948626034689
On his own Facebook page, Lee expressed his regret that Lui could not be persuaded to change his mind, revealing that Lui had indicated his desire to step down earlier this year.
Singaporeans immediately reacted to the news of a big minister leaving politics:
I'm extremely concerned that Lui Tuck Yew will not be contesting in the upcoming election. #sgelections
— Darryl Kang (@dk) August 11, 2015
Stay strong Tuck Yew!! Please don't breakdown… 🙁
See full story: http://t.co/B4c3sjkaQm pic.twitter.com/sxFX21cgPK— SGAG (@SGAG_SG) August 11, 2015
Some felt that Lui had been dealt a bad hand having inherited the problems with Singapore’s transport system and felt sorry for him:
I think using the term 'sway' to sum up LTY's decision undermines how much vitriol he's received in the last four years #sgelections
— thewayweseethings (@TWWSTsg) August 11, 2015
https://twitter.com/jbhavan/status/631027940147380224
https://twitter.com/theyishusblog/status/631021556869664768
Tuck Yew will not stand for next #SGelection ; once again showing that #SMRTbreakdown kills political careers.
— Fake PM Lee (@Fake_PMLee) August 11, 2015
Meanwhile, others speculated that the change of electoral boundaries – which led to the dismantling of Lui’s group constituency Moulmein-Kallang – was too much of a coincidence:
Other PAP MPs too posted about their disappointment in seeing Lui leave politics: