Yesterday, the Workers' Party announced that Yaw Shin Leong, MP for Hougang has resigned from his position as the Treasurer of the Party. This comes after Yaw was embroiled in an online scandal which suggested that Yaw, a married man, was having an affair with a member of the WP cadre, Angela Oon, who is also married.
Yaw has chosen to keep slient about his alleged affair. However, this resignation speaks louder than words. Yaw and WP should step forward to explain this incident. After all, in the 2011 General Elections, the residents of Hougang who had vested their trust in Low Thia Kiang, showed their unyielding support for the WP by voting for Yaw. Whether the affair did or did not happen (this resignation is clearly an admission of guilt), WP owes the residents of Hougang an explanation. The residents have given him their vote of confidence for a 5 year term and months into his tenure, this happens. Indeed, this is a private matter; a domestic affair. However, as a MP, he should be prepared for public scrutiny into this allegation. As an opposition MP, many of his political rivals from both the opposition camps and PAP alike would enjoy watching him fall from grace. Sure, we could all give him the benefit of doubt but obviously, this does not look rosy at all for Yaw. Even without any statements from Yaw, WP has to work on their public relations to counter this alleged scandal. Personally, I am not sure if a MP can be removed from his position due to personal misconduct and the procedures after.
Yaw's ex-wife, Ng Mei Sze has decided to step forth and say that their marriage did not fail because of infidelity. Instead of relying on people in association to Yaw to speak up to attest to his "good character (that all MPs and human beings should have)", Yaw should really face the public and offer a good enough explanation. To have one more person speak on the current scandal is creating more room for gossip. One could easily speculate that Ng feels guilty for not having informed Yaw's current wife, Wang Lin about Yaw's tendencies. The probable gossips could go on and on.
This scandal has without a doubt, sullied the good work that WP and the efforts of all opposition parties in Singapore alike. Even the Singapore People's Party (SPP) is having it's fair share of woes with the resignation of 6 of its Central Executive Community (CEC).
More importantly, it brings to mind that one should vote for the party and it's ideals and not for one person, because the actions of an individual could easily cause a party to fall apart.
Other references:
Straits Times: Yaw Shin Leong was a star who rose and rose
Straits Times: 'Workers' Party ought to be more transparent'
Straits Times: Yaw Shin Leong's ex-wife sheds some light on break-up
Changes In Workers’ Party Leadership
The Workers’ Party wishes to inform the public that at the monthly meeting of the Executive Council on Tuesday, 7 February 2012, the Council accepted the resignation of Yaw Shin Leong from the party leadership. Yaw Shin Leong will cease to be Treasurer of the Party with immediate effect.The Council has also decided to appoint the Deputy Treasurer, Yee Jenn Jong, as the Party’s Treasurer.
Yaw Shin Leong will focus on his responsibilities as Member of Parliament for Hougang.
The Workers’ Party assures residents of Hougang of the Party’s commitment to the constituency and to supporting the work of their Member of Parliament.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
WORKERS’ PARTY
7 February 2012
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