Singapore is the epitome of an underdog journey from a colonized country to one of the most influential nations within a few decades. The country reached a peak gross national income of US$54,530 per capita in 2017.
In just under six decades after its independence, the country transformed from a low-income debt-ridden economy to being ranked as one of the world’s most competitive economies. The country is a hub for local budding entrepreneurs because of the business-friendly regulatory environment.
Singapore was ranked among the world’s highest GDP growth of the city-state at an average of 7.7% and peaking at 9.2% within the first 25 years.
Needless to say, the world views Singapore as a benchmark for consistent progress. And Singapore politics deserves substantial credit for an orderly administration.
However, the past few months have led the Singaporean government to reevaluate the political dynamics. Several scandals have enveloped the government’s reputation–
The first scandal emerged when a few ministers were exposed for renting their government-owned bungalows.
A few days later, an anti-graft investigation was issued against the alleged involvement of the transport minister. And then, a scandalous affair blemished the Worker’s Party (WP) when a video was circulated showing MP Leon Perera and senior party member Nicole Seah in an intimate situation.
But the same day, Tan Chuan-Jin suddenly started trending on social media. Why was the honorable member of parliament all over the online discourse? Here’s a complete rundown of the ongoing scandal.
Who Is Tan Chuan-Jin?
EDUCATION
- Tan Chuan Jin was born and brought up in Singapore, completing his preliminary education at Anglo-Chinese School and Raffles Junior College.
- He graduated from the London School of Economics with a Bachelor of Science in economics with a Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship.
- He pursued higher education at King’s College London for a Master of Arts degree in defense studies. Later, he earned a Master of Public Administration degree at the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in 2008.
MILITARY
- While studying, he simultaneously began his military career in the Singapore Armed Forces in 1987.
- His roster includes:
Army Attache at the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia
Assistant Chief of the General Staff,
Commander of the Army Training and Doctrine Command,
Head of the Singapore Armed Forces Humanitarian Task Force in Meulaboh for the 2004 tsunami.
- He retired from the military in 2011, titled as the Brigadier General.
POLITICS
- After retiring, he entered politics the same year as a member of the People’s Action Party, representing the Kembangan-Chai Chee division of the Marine Parade GRC.
- 2014: served as the President of the Singapore National Olympic Council since 2014.
- 2015: served as the Senior Minister of State for National Development, Minister for Manpower, and Minister for Social and Family Development (wait till you read what he did).
- 2017: designated as the Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore.
FAMILY
Tan Chuan Jin married his long-time girlfriend. Together they have two kids.
Not much information is available on his family, and we respect their privacy amidst the scandal.
What Did Tan Chuan-Jin Do?
Before the main scandal, Tan Chuan Jin was already in hot waters early this July for using “unparliamentary language.” According to a video circulating online, the Speaker was heard saying under his breath, “f****** populist,” after Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim finished his speech in an April sitting.
But this was the least of the issues he had to worry about.
Tan Chuan Jin and Action Party Lawmaker Cheng Li Hui presented their resignation from the party to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on July 17.
Prime Minister Lee accepted their resignation, stating that it is imperative to “maintain the high standards of propriety and personal conduct” of the People’s Action Party (PAP).
SCANDAL EXPLAINED
Their resignation letters do not state the actual reason for exiting the party. However, Minister Lee revealed in a recent press conference that the Speaker and Ms. Cheng were involved in an “inappropriate relationship.”
In the public’s eyes, this situation is blatant infidelity since Mr. Tan is married even though Ms. Cheng is not.
According to Prime Minister Lee, he discovered their affair in 2020 and counseled them separately to end it immediately. He again advised them to stop in February of this year, given the dire repercussions of their actions to the party and their family. But they continued the affair, which eventually got exposed nationally, and now globally.
Mr. Tan’s letter to Minister Lee reads–
“I have let them down. We have spoken about my personal conduct before. There are areas where I have fallen short. I need to take responsibility for them and help heal my family. We need space to recover and work through the issues. I have discussed the matter with my wife and agreed I must step away from politics and devote myself to my family.”
Meanwhile, peers and people are demanding impartial treatment for speakers. They expect immediate action against the misdemeanor instead of prolonging the decision to three years.
After Mr. Tan’s exit, some potential names are surfacing for the Speaker’s position–
- Deputy Speaker Jessica Tan
- Ms. Denise Phua (MP)
- Ms. Rahayu Mahzam (MP)
What are your thoughts on this extra-marital scandal? Do you believe the Prime Minister should have taken action way before?
Will this scandal affect the ruling party’s trust factor? Let us know your opinions in the comments section below.
