The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) on Thu (5 Mar) announced the resignation of party vice-chairman Michelle Lee Juen on the grounds that she wishes to “spend more time with her family”.
In a statement today, PSP also denied rumours that Ms Lee was asked to leave and that there were disagreements with party chief Tan Cheng Bock on the appointment of the new CEC members.
“The PSP and Michelle would like to clarify that these rumours are false and that all official information regarding the Party will be through the Party’s official online channels.
“Michelle continues to maintain a cordial relationship with party members including Dr Tan Cheng Bock, and is always welcome to attend any party-related events,” said the party.
PSP also stressed that Ms Lee — formerly a member of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and was a candidate in the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC during the 2011 General Election — “was one of the founding members of PSP and played an important role in establishing the party during its humble beginnings,” and that it is “grateful” for her contributions to the party.
Ms Lee’s appointment as vice-chairman of PSP was announced by Dr Tan during the party’s New Year Dinner celebrations in Jan. Dr Tan also announced five additional members to PSP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) at the dinner.
While the party maintained that there is no strenuous relationship between Ms Lee and the remaining PSP leaders, a PSP member who wished to remain anonymous told Lianhe Zaobao that Ms Lee had clashing opinions with Dr Tan over the nomination of the CEC members, and that she had tendered the resignation for that reason.
The PSP member also claimed that Ms Lee did not quit on her own volition, but was instead possibly “forced to leave”.
Ms Lee has not made any public statement on the issue of her resignation including on her Facebook page at press time.
TOC has contacted Ms Lee for comments on the matter and will include her response upon receiving her reply.