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Pritam Singh leaves it to the public to draw conclusions on the ‘uncanny coincidence’ of a viral video involving former WP MPs and PAP’s announcement of an affair between two of its MPs

During a press conference on Wednesday (19 Jul), WP Secretary-General Pritam Singh refrained from speculating on the timing and coincidence of the video exposing two former party members’ affairs just prior to PAP’s announcement of the affair of Mr Tan Chuan Jin and Ms Cheng Li Hui.

However, he acknowledged that the question was on many people’s minds and left them to draw their conclusions about the ‘uncanny coincidence.’

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SINGAPORE — When questioned about the timing and coincidence of the video exposing two former Workers’ Party (WP) members’ affairs, which emerged just hours before People’s Action Party announced the resignation of its Members of Parliament, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin and Ms Cheng Li Hui, WP Secretary-General Pritam Singh refrained from speculation.

However, he acknowledged that the question was on many people’s minds and left them to draw their conclusions about the ‘uncanny coincidence.’

During a press conference at 1 pm on Wednesday (19 Jul), WP Secretary-General Pritam Singh and Chairman Sylvia Lim addressed allegations of improper relations between Mr Perera and Ms Seah, confirming both senior party members’ resignations.

Mr Perera has informed the Acting Speaker of Parliament that he will be resigning his seat as the MP for Aljunied GRC.

The decision was prompted by a video that surfaced on social media on the same day (17 Jul) as the announcement of Tan Chuan Jin and Cheng Li Hui’s affair by PM Lee Hsien Loong.

The video showed shows Perera, 53 and Seah, 37, in a restaurant, with the former appearing to caress the latter’s hand.

When questioned by a member of the press about the video’s timing and its relation to the subsequent resignations, Mr Singh responded cautiously.

“I don’t want to encourage speculative statements in public from any of my party members, and I would be very concerned if we went down that road,” he told the reporter from Rice Media.

“But I think the fact that you’re asking the question suggests it’s on your mind, and I think you’re not wrong,” he added.

“I think it’s on a lot of people’s minds, but I leave you to draw your own conclusions, on… this ‘uncanny coincidence’ vis-a-vis timing.”

Unaware of when and where the video was taken

Earlier, Mr Singh revealed that the two former party members were not forthcoming when initially confronted with the allegations.

Upon the video’s emergence on Monday (17 Jul), Mr Singh confronted them again, leading to their confession about the affair, which they claimed had ended some time ago.

In response to media inquiries seeking clarification, Mr Singh stated that he was unaware of the video’s origin and recording date, and didn’t possess a fixed date for the end of their relationship.

It is known that both former WP members began their relationship after the General Election in 2020.

Mr Singh reiterated that had there been different or new evidence, such as corroborative information or another source confirming their affairs, the WP would have pursued a different course of action.

He explained that when Mr Perera’s driver tipped them off, there was no evidence or corroborative information to support the allegation.

“Secondly, it was a single source who was an employee of Leon’s, whose services were about to be terminated, so in our judgment, it was most appropriate to speak to Leon directly.”

However, when initially confronted by his party members, Mr Perera had denied the allegation.

WP’s decision on Mr Perera’s matter emphasizes being upfront with the party leadership

When asked about handling the affair differently from PAP’s approach to former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, Mr Singh clarified the rationale behind WP’s actions concerning Mr Perera and Ms Seah.

He emphasized that the decision was not solely based on their affairs but rooted in a fundamental article of WP’s Constitution – to be candid and truthful as party members, especially as candidates dealing with the party and the people of Singapore.

“If you fall foul of that then the consequences are severe.”

As if Mr Perera didn’t offer his resignation, Mr Singh said he would have recommended that Mr Perera be expelled from the party too.

“I’m talking about not being upfront with the party leadership when the question was asked of him when the allegations were going around. There was a duty, to be frank and all this to the party. This is how we have to convince Singaporeans of their faith and confidence in the Workers’ Party.”

However, he acknowledged that Mr. Perera’s departure would indeed mean the party losing an important member. While he left it to the public to judge Mr. Pereira’s effectiveness in Parliament, he also recognized Mr. Perera’s excellent work on the ground.

“But, there are other things that we cannot ignore, and standards that have to be kept and party discipline is incredibly important if you want to be a serious party in advancing the interests of Singapore and Singaporeans.”

Ms Seah talked to her loved one on the matter earlier

Regarding the families’ awareness and reactions to Mr Perera and Ms Seah’s affairs, Mr Singh mentioned that they were disappointed when he spoke to them about the matter on Monday.

“They were disappointed with the pain that they’d caused in Leon’s case for sure, the pain that he had caused his family members.”

“In Nicole’s case, she had approached her loved ones earlier to speak about the matter, and she had been resolving the matter earlier, and the process of healing started with her much earlier after the affair ended.”

However, Mr Singh refrained from delving too deeply into their feelings and family matters, recognizing the difficulties they must be facing.

“I would reiterate is that… I think most of us who are married can, and it would be a very very difficult time for both of them.”

“The family is a crucible of strength for all of us, so I think I want to be careful about what I say, and I would just want to end off by saying that I hope that the family finds strength and I pray that they are able to move on with their lives.”

Mr Singh’s response to concerns over candidates screening

A reporter from Chinese media outlet Lianhe Zaobao raised questions about WP’s candidate screening process after the party lost three out of 21 candidates within two years since the General Election in 2020.

In response, Mr Singh acknowledged the concern but emphasized that commenting on the next General Election was premature. He stated that WP makes a concerted effort to field competent candidates who can genuinely represent Singapore’s interests, and this practice will continue.

“But certainly you make decisions at the material time when you’re fielding candidates, and you try your best to find out as much as you can about those individuals, however, you cannot legislate for what they will do after they become candidates.”

“I think once you know that there are certain issues that have come up then in good conscience I cannot field them as candidates again if I am aware of those facts.”

On Singaporeans’ trust and confidence on WP

A reporter from Mothership referred to former WP MP Raeesah Khan’s resignation in 2021 and questioned Mr Singh on how WP plans to regain the trust and confidence of Singaporeans.

In response, Mr Singh cautiously addressed the Raeesah Khan case, as it is subject to a live investigation. However, he emphasized that Parliament is a vital forum for the Workers’ Party to earn the trust of Singaporeans.

“Singaporeans expect the Workers Party to hold the government to account to make sure that we don’t have a one-party dominant state, that is  overwhelmingly the hands of the PAP, and we have to continue to work hard to encourage and persuade good Singaporeans to come forward, and be part of a balancing force, which is in Singapore’s interest.”

“We are better in a stronger country with a good opposition, and I’m not specifically referring to the Workers Party, I’m saying opposition in general because I don’t want to blow the party’s trumpet.”

Mr Singh asserted that WP would continue their work in the Town Councils and advance their agenda and interests in other constituencies where they are not encumbered.

He emphasised that the party will do so with a balanced approach in Parliament, avoiding baseless allegations and ensuring well-thought-out proposals.

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Dr Tan Cheng Bock questions S$335 million Founders’ Memorial cost, citing Lee Kuan Yew’s stance

Dr Tan Cheng Bock has raised concerns over the S$335 million cost of Singapore’s Founders’ Memorial, citing Lee Kuan Yew’s opposition to monuments and suggesting the funds could be better used for healthcare. The memorial, slated for completion by 2028, faces rising costs, with the estimated cost not including operating or land costs.

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8 hours ago

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15 September 2024

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On 14 September 2023, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, former People’s Action Party (PAP) MP and founder of the Progress Singapore Party, publicly expressed concerns over the estimated S$335 million cost for the Founders’ Memorial.

In a detailed Facebook post, he questioned the necessity of such an extravagant expenditure and referred to the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s known opposition to monuments in his honour.

Dr Tan highlighted a poignant moment from Lee Kuan Yew’s eulogy, delivered by his grandson, Li Shengwu, on 29 March 2015.

Li recalled how, when it was once suggested that a monument be built for him, Lee Kuan Yew had responded, “Remember Ozymandias.” This reference was to a sonnet by Percy Bysshe Shelley about Ramses II, in which a traveler encounters the ruins of a once-grand statue in the desert. The statue bore the inscription: “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!” But nothing else remained of the empire.

Li Shengwu reflected that his grandfather’s remark underscored his belief that if Singapore failed, a monument would be useless, and if it thrived, a monument would be unnecessary.

“His legacy is not cold stone, but a living nation. We could no more forget him than we could forget the sky,” Li said, adding that Lee Kuan Yew’s enduring contribution lay in the strong institutions he built, which persist beyond the individual and ensure Singapore’s stability.

In his post, Dr Tan echoed these sentiments, questioning whether spending S$335 million on a memorial aligned with the founding leaders’ values.

He suggested that the funds might be better spent addressing pressing national issues, particularly healthcare, as Singapore’s population continues to age. Dr Tan, who served for decades as a practising doctor, called for investments in a home care system, noting that such a move would reduce the strain on hospitals while improving the well-being of the elderly.

The estimated S$335 million figure was revealed during a Parliamentary session on 9 September 2023, in response to a question posed by Louis Chua, a Workers’ Party MP for Sengkang GRC. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong provided the cost breakdown, explaining that the figure covers construction, the fit-out of exhibition galleries, a viewing gallery, an outdoor amphitheatre, family spaces, amenities, and a five-hectare outdoor garden.

Mr Tong added that the final operating costs for the memorial are still being worked out alongside the development of operational plans.

Notably, Mr Tong’s disclosure did not include land costs.

Lee Hsien Yang, son of the late Lee Kuan Yew, also responded to Dr Tan’s post, pointing out that the five-hectare site in Bay East Garden could significantly increase the overall cost.

He noted that a nearby plot of land at Marina Gardens Crescent, measuring about 1.5 hectares, was tendered earlier in 2023 but rejected for a bid of S$984 per square foot, deemed too low by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Based on this price, the value of the land for the Founders’ Memorial could exceed S$500 million, pushing the overall cost of the project even higher.

The Founders’ Memorial, initially slated for completion in 2025 to coincide with Singapore’s 60th birthday, is now expected to open by the end of 2028. The project was delayed due to extensive infrastructural work at its Bay East Garden location and disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The twin two-storey buildings, designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Singapore’s K2LD Architects, will house an integrated gallery and public gardens, intended to serve as a space for reflection on Singapore’s past and inspiration for the future.

While Minister Tong emphasized that the memorial aims to capture the spirit of the nation and foster unity, Dr Tan urged that the focus should remain on practical solutions for Singapore’s future. He argued that a simpler, more humble memorial would be more in line with the founding leaders’ values, allowing the remainder of the funds to be redirected toward initiatives that benefit the nation’s aging population.

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Labour

Jamus Lim argues why Jobseeker Support Scheme is the PAP’s version of unemployment insurance

In a Facebook post, Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim rejected PAP’s claim that the JSS isn’t unemployment insurance. He explained WP’s redundancy insurance plan, emphasizing shared responsibility between employers, employees, and the government. While noting concerns about dependency, he argued these fears are exaggerated, stressing a balanced support approach.

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3 days ago

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12 September 2024

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SINGAPORE: Associate Professor Jamus Lim, Workers’ Party Member of Parliament for Sengkang GRC, has offered his take on the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme (JSS), which he describes as the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) equivalent of unemployment insurance.

The JSS, unveiled with more details during Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s National Day Rally speech on 18 August, has sparked comparisons with the Workers’ Party’s own long-standing proposal for redundancy insurance (RI), first introduced in its 2006 manifesto.

In a 12 September Facebook post, Assoc Prof Lim emphasised that the WP had been advocating for a redundancy insurance scheme for almost two decades, providing substantial details on it in their 2016 policy paper.

“We’ve been thinking about the issue for a while now,” Lim stated, adding that the WP’s proposal has been part of global best practices for advanced economies for nearly a century.

Assoc Prof Lim dismissed the PAP’s argument that the JSS is not unemployment insurance.

He pointed out that the differences the PAP cites—such as JSS being tied to job-seeking conditions and funded from general revenue rather than payroll taxes—are inconsequential.

“Tax revenue is fungible, so it all comes from the people anyway,” Assoc Prof Lim explained.

He argued that funding the scheme from general revenue might even make it less equitable, as it could potentially shift the burden onto non-workers to subsidise workers.

The Workers’ Party’s version of redundancy insurance, Assoc Prof Lim highlighted, envisioned a shared responsibility between employers, employees, and the government to ensure fairness and sustainability.

“We do believe in tripartism,” he remarked, underscoring that society should bear the responsibility for protecting its workers.

One of the central points in Assoc Prof Lim’s critique was that tying financial support to job-seeking efforts is standard in unemployment schemes globally, including in Singapore.

Assoc Prof Lim Addresses Concerns of Dependency, Calling Them Overblown

He acknowledged concerns that such a scheme might lead to dependency, but deemed these fears exaggerated.

“Most people, even in the West, do find value and meaning in some form of work,” he noted.

In discussing the design of unemployment insurance systems, Assoc Prof Lim pointed to the importance of balancing the duration of support with the amount provided.

While too long a tenure or too large a payout could discourage a return to the workforce and allow skills to erode, too little would leave workers struggling to cover household expenses during critical periods.

The WP’s redundancy insurance proposal included a payout of 40% of the last drawn income for up to six months, which Lim described as a “solid-but-not-excessively-generous” sum.

Although this amount is lower than what is typically found in advanced economies, and the duration is shorter than the OECD average of one year, he highlighted that it reflects Singapore’s shorter unemployment spells of around two months.

Assoc Prof Lim also suggested the introduction of greater flexibility in accessing redundancy insurance funds.

By allowing the unemployed to “front-load” their payouts, households would have more breathing room to adjust their expenses during difficult transitions.

With the JSS set to be debated in Parliament, Assoc Prof Lim reaffirmed the Workers’ Party’s commitment to advocating for expanded safety nets for Singapore’s workers.

“Whether you call it JSS or RI or something else, expanding the safety net for our workers is something that the Workers’ Party will always be fighting for,” he concluded.

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