Punggol East By-Election coming ? MP steps down
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Michael Palmer's resignation 'unfortunate': Low Thia Khiang
Updated 09:39 PM Dec 12, 2012
SINGAPORE - Workers' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang today said it is \"unfortunate\" that Mr Michael Palmer has resigned as Speaker of Parliament.
Describing Mr Palmer as a \"well balanced Speaker\", Mr Low said Mr Palmer \"managed Parliamentary affairs very well and very efficiently\".
\"He's well balanced giving both front and back benchers sufficient time to debate. He also has given members of the Opposition sufficient time to engage the front bench, said Mr Low. \"Personally I quite like him as a Speaker so it's unfortunate that he has resigned.\"
Mr Low was speaking to the media at the sidelines of his Meet the People Session this evening.
Mr Palmer, who was Member of Parliament (MP) for Punggol East SMC, today announced his resignation as Speaker and as a member of the People's Action Party (PAP) after admitting to having a relationship with a member of the People's Association staff.
Asked about what this episode showed about the PAP and its selection process for candidates, Mr Low said that no selection process is foolproof.
Declining to compare this with the WP's experience earlier this year - when then WP MP for Hougang SMC Mr Yaw Shin Leong's infidelity was revealed - Mr Low said it would not be fair to do so as \"every case is unique\". Mr Yaw was subsequently sacked from the party.
He said, however, that he hoped the people \"who have been critical of the Workers' Party\", including the media, would \"display fairness and integrity in their comments and their sincerity in what they have said during the episode of Yaw Shin Leong\".
\"I think we have done our part and my conscience is clear. Other than that, it's always unpleasant to know, to learn of such things happen(ing) whether it's in the Opposition or the PAP. We hope to have a good public service,\" he said.
Earlier today, the WP issued a press release urging the Prime Minister to call a by-election in the Punggol East constituency as soon as possible. The party said it was ready to offer a choice to the voters of Punggol East SMC again in the by-election.
Asked who the party would field as a candidate, Mr Low said it was \"premature\" to speculate on the candidate. During the General Election last year, the WP fielded Ms Lee Lilian.
(source: http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC121212-0000134/Michael-Palmers-resignation-unfortunate--Low-Thia-Khiang) -
raysusan:
Well.. it is no surprise that he could have handled it better given the \"free lesson\" from YSL.. :evil:wow...some of you guys really believe that he own up base of his own will?
i believe 'something' must had happen
at least what he did now is better than YSL -
PM to consider by-election in Punggol East
(source: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20121212-389228.html)
SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on his Facebook page that he will consider carefully whether to call for a by-election in Punggol East SMC.
Below is the full statement:
\"Mr Palmer has just resigned today. My first priority is to ensure that the residents of Punggol East continue to be well taken care of. We have appointed Mr Teo Ser Luck to oversee Punggol East constituency, and Mr Zainal Sapari to chair the Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council. DPM Teo Chee Hean, who himself is in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, will also take a personal interest in the welfare of Punggol East residents.
\"We are currently focussed on several national issues. Our Singapore Conversation is making good progress. The White Paper on Population is being finalised, and will be debated in Parliament in January. We are also preparing for Budget 2013.
\"The Constitution does not require me to call a by-election within any fixed timeframe. I will carefully consider whether to call a by-election in Punggol East and, if so, when. I assure Singaporeans that I will make my decision based on what is best for the constituents of Punggol East and the country.\" -
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCb4u2mQDhU][/youtube]
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First scdf and cnb and now house speaker .
Laura Ong is a CD for Pasir Ris West, her MP is DPM. How on earth she can have close working relationship with Punggol East MP?
Very common sight. Many PA staff especially COs working so closely with chairmen from RC, CCC, CCMC, etc.
Some COs are young, some ti kor peh chairmen also interested in those young girls.
Very very disgusting. -
While it is sad when civil servants and politicians are revealed as less-than-holy men, we should be happy that these things are coming out into the open and not covered up to avoid embarrassment for the government. At the very least, the government is sticking to its principles that no one is above the law.
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ChiefKiasu:
While it is sad when civil servants and politicians are revealed as less-than-holy men, we should be happy that these things are coming out into the open and not covered up to avoid embarrassment for the government. At the very least, the government is sticking to its principles that no one is above the law.
:goodpost: -
ChiefKiasu:
While it is sad when civil servants and politicians are revealed as less-than-holy men, we should be happy that these things are coming out into the open and not covered up to avoid embarrassment for the government. At the very least, the government is sticking to its principles that no one is above the law.
:idea: hmmm ... justification to increase allowance and pay for MP & ministers so that we can attract the \"better\" & \"more holy\" people to serve? :yikes:
:siam:
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I totally agree with u, chief. Although I do not condone extra marital affairs, at least he is courageous and responsible enough to come clean about his affair and apologized publicly instead of like YSL who just chose to run away from his responsibilities. But I think his mistake will now allow the oppositions to have more reasons to criticize the govt, apart from the china bus drivers saga.
ChiefKiasu:
It is unacceptable in our society today to have any EMR, especially for politicians.
Some will say that Palmer only confessed because he will be found out anyway. Or that he may have been forced to do so.
But it is NEVER easy for anyone to publicly confess to wrong-doings.
For that, Michael Palmer should be respected for his courage and honor - not in terms of his scandal - but in how he handled the situation. :salute:
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