17-7-2023 (SINGAPORE) Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and Member of Parliament Cheng Li Hui have tendered their resignations from parliament and the People’s Action Party (PAP), according to an announcement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Monday (Jul 17). Although the PMO did not provide specific details regarding the reasons behind their departures, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has accepted their resignations.
Addressing the resignations separately, Prime Minister Lee stated that the decision for both Tan and Cheng to step down was essential in order to “uphold the high standards of propriety and personal conduct which the PAP has maintained throughout the years.”
Expressing his gratitude, the Prime Minister said, “I would like to extend my thanks to Mr Tan for being a valuable member of my team and I wish him and his family all the best in their future endeavors.”
In light of these developments, Mr Edwin Tong, the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Second Minister for Law, and Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, will assume responsibility for the Kembangan‐Chai Chee ward in Marine Parade GRC. Similarly, in the absence of Ms Cheng, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, the Minister for Social and Family Development, Second Minister for Health, and Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC, will attend to the residents of Tampines East ward in Tampines GRC.
Mr Tan, aged 54, ventured into politics in 2011 as part of a five-member PAP team contesting the Marine Parade GRC. Prior to his appointment as Speaker of Parliament in 2017, he held ministerial positions such as Minister for Manpower from 2014 to 2014 and Minister for Social and Family Development from 2015 to 2017.
Since 2014, Mr Tan has also served as the president of the Singapore National Olympic Council, securing a unanimous re-election for a third term in September of the previous year. In addition to this role, he oversees SG Cares, a national movement that promotes volunteerism and fosters a more compassionate society. Concurrently, he acts as an advisor to the National Council of Social Service and National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre. Furthermore, Mr Tan holds positions as the chairman of the advisory board of Healthway Medical Corporation and the deputy chairman of Mandai Wildlife Group, among other appointments.
Prior to his political career, Mr Tan served in the Singapore Armed Forces. He is married and has two children.
On the other hand, Ms Cheng, aged 47, entered the political scene in 2015 and has since been serving as the Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC. Before her foray into politics, she held the position of deputy CEO at engineering supplies company Hai Leck Holdings. Ms Cheng remains unmarried.
