SINGAPORE — Law firm Tan Kok Quan Partnership (TKQP) is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against one of its employees, Mr Imran Rahim, it said on Thursday (July 23).
It added that Mr Imran, 32, had agreed to take a leave of absence in the meantime.
The allegations emerged on Tuesday, when Reform Party member Charles Yeo began publishing videos and written posts on Instagram accusing Mr Imran — an active community volunteer who has been cited by Cabinet ministers in their speeches — of improper conduct.
In response to queries from TODAY about these posts, a spokesperson from TKQP said the firm’s management came to know of “certain allegations circulating on social media” in relation to Mr Imran.
“The firm takes all allegations impacting an employee’s moral, social and professional standing as an individual, as a member of the firm and in the larger scheme of things, as a member of the legal profession very seriously,” the spokesperson said.
“It is looking into the matter and making its own enquiries into these allegations. In this regard, the firm implements a zero-tolerance policy towards any matter concerning sexual impropriety.”
The firm added that Mr Imran had been working from home since early April.
The spokesperson also said that TKQP communicated the matter to all its employees on Wednesday, and that it has informed them that the management is looking into the allegations.
“While the firm already has in place a reporting policy/procedure for grievances such as sexual harassment and other improprieties, it has reminded all employees that they should not hesitate to reach out to management if they have concerns over this matter,” the spokesperson added.
TODAY has reached out to Mr Imran for comment.
According to the TKQP website, Mr Imran is a senior associate at the law firm, focusing on commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
He had studied law at the National University of Singapore and graduated in 2013.
Outside of his profession, Mr Imran is a community volunteer who has worked alongside ministers such as Education Minister Ong Ye Kung and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli.
In a speech in 2018, Mr Ong said he had gotten to know Mr Imran through his work in his constituency of Sembawang, describing him as an accomplished debater.
Mr Imran was the champion and best speaker at the United Asian Debating Championships in 2011, and was also a quarterfinalist at the World Universities Debating Championship held in the same year.
Mr Masagos, meanwhile, cited Mr Imran in his speech during the Budget debate last year, saying that the lawyer had begun volunteering in Woodlands in 2016.
Mr Imran used his legal experience to work with other young lawyers, holding legal talks and pro bono legal clinics for residents and helped out with community events, Mr Masagos said, describing him as an “everyday hero”.
Mr Imran has also been in the news due to his relationship with social media influencer Andrea Chong. They were married in March.
Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...ual-misconduct-against-prominent-young-lawyer
Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...ual-misconduct-against-prominent-young-lawyer
It added that Mr Imran, 32, had agreed to take a leave of absence in the meantime.
The allegations emerged on Tuesday, when Reform Party member Charles Yeo began publishing videos and written posts on Instagram accusing Mr Imran — an active community volunteer who has been cited by Cabinet ministers in their speeches — of improper conduct.
In response to queries from TODAY about these posts, a spokesperson from TKQP said the firm’s management came to know of “certain allegations circulating on social media” in relation to Mr Imran.
“The firm takes all allegations impacting an employee’s moral, social and professional standing as an individual, as a member of the firm and in the larger scheme of things, as a member of the legal profession very seriously,” the spokesperson said.
“It is looking into the matter and making its own enquiries into these allegations. In this regard, the firm implements a zero-tolerance policy towards any matter concerning sexual impropriety.”
The firm added that Mr Imran had been working from home since early April.
The spokesperson also said that TKQP communicated the matter to all its employees on Wednesday, and that it has informed them that the management is looking into the allegations.
“While the firm already has in place a reporting policy/procedure for grievances such as sexual harassment and other improprieties, it has reminded all employees that they should not hesitate to reach out to management if they have concerns over this matter,” the spokesperson added.
TODAY has reached out to Mr Imran for comment.
According to the TKQP website, Mr Imran is a senior associate at the law firm, focusing on commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
He had studied law at the National University of Singapore and graduated in 2013.
Outside of his profession, Mr Imran is a community volunteer who has worked alongside ministers such as Education Minister Ong Ye Kung and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli.
In a speech in 2018, Mr Ong said he had gotten to know Mr Imran through his work in his constituency of Sembawang, describing him as an accomplished debater.
Mr Imran was the champion and best speaker at the United Asian Debating Championships in 2011, and was also a quarterfinalist at the World Universities Debating Championship held in the same year.
Mr Masagos, meanwhile, cited Mr Imran in his speech during the Budget debate last year, saying that the lawyer had begun volunteering in Woodlands in 2016.
Mr Imran used his legal experience to work with other young lawyers, holding legal talks and pro bono legal clinics for residents and helped out with community events, Mr Masagos said, describing him as an “everyday hero”.
Mr Imran has also been in the news due to his relationship with social media influencer Andrea Chong. They were married in March.
Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...ual-misconduct-against-prominent-young-lawyer
Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...ual-misconduct-against-prominent-young-lawyer
