http://www.todayonline.com/Singapor...pology-letter--Closure-or-revisit-of-scandal?
SINGAPORE - Will it serve as a form of closure for the episode or will it reignite the scandal and unexplained actions of the former Member of Parliament for Hougang that forced the by-election in the Single-Member Constituency in the first place?
Political watchers were divided yesterday in analysing the first public statement by Mr Yaw Shin Leong, in which he apologised to Hougang residents and urged them to support the opposition party from which he was expelled.
In a five-paragraph letter to Hougang residents which was sent to the media, Mr Yaw "(apologised) for the inconvenience caused ... for the whole episode and having to go through the polls again".
Mr Yaw was booted out of the Workers' Party (WP) in February after refusing to account for allegations of marital infidelity, thereby vacating his parliamentary seat. This led to the by-election in Hougang pitting the WP's Png Eng Huat against the People's Action Party's Desmond Choo.
In his letter, Mr Yaw also thanked Hougang residents for their "patience and support" during his nine-month term, adding: "I am very proud of our Hougang Spirit. I hope that Hougang residents will continue to keep our Hougang Spirit strong and keep the flame of parliamentary democracy alive by supporting the candidate in blue."
Institute of Policy Studies faculty associate Tan Ern Ser said Mr Yaw's apology, while belated, could serve as "a form of closure for the episode", and that there was "no bitterness" in what seems like a letter sent on his own accord could also be positive for the WP.
Singapore Management University law lecturer Eugene Tan, however, thinks the timing of the letter - sent on the third day of the hustings - would work against the WP.
"It brings why we're having the by-election back into the centre again," said Assistant Professor Tan, who is also a Nominated MP.
Despite his apology, Mr Yaw's letter did not address why he failed to account for the accusations or decided to leave abruptly. This could "provide ammunition for the PAP", he added.
Several government leaders, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Nomination Day, had spoken out against Mr Yaw for being "irresponsible" by leaving his constituents without any explanation.
To TODAY's queries, the WP said it had "noted" the letter and added that "(Mr) Yaw is no longer a member". "We remain focused on supporting our candidate, Png Eng Huat, for the Hougang by-election."
Speaking to reporters during his walkabout yesterday, Mr Choo said Mr Yaw's incident was, for him, a "closed chapter" and the former MP's call for support for the WP would not have a bearing on his campaign.
"(Hougang residents) are not going to choose between Png Eng Huat and Yaw Shin Leong, it's going to be Png Eng Huat and Desmond," said Mr Choo.
On whether Mr Yaw's call for support for the WP would sway voters, Mr Choo said: "I think residents will be mindful that they want a candidate that can serve, that can really help them solve their issues, in the long run, in the long term, and who is always there for them and will be there for them. I think this is what they will take into account."
Mr Yaw also revealed in his letter that he had left Singapore with his wife since Feb 15 - a day after his sacking - in an "attempt to build our lives as private individuals away from the glare of the media". He said the couple "always regard Singapore as (their) home and will be back regularly".
SINGAPORE - Will it serve as a form of closure for the episode or will it reignite the scandal and unexplained actions of the former Member of Parliament for Hougang that forced the by-election in the Single-Member Constituency in the first place?
Political watchers were divided yesterday in analysing the first public statement by Mr Yaw Shin Leong, in which he apologised to Hougang residents and urged them to support the opposition party from which he was expelled.
In a five-paragraph letter to Hougang residents which was sent to the media, Mr Yaw "(apologised) for the inconvenience caused ... for the whole episode and having to go through the polls again".
Mr Yaw was booted out of the Workers' Party (WP) in February after refusing to account for allegations of marital infidelity, thereby vacating his parliamentary seat. This led to the by-election in Hougang pitting the WP's Png Eng Huat against the People's Action Party's Desmond Choo.
In his letter, Mr Yaw also thanked Hougang residents for their "patience and support" during his nine-month term, adding: "I am very proud of our Hougang Spirit. I hope that Hougang residents will continue to keep our Hougang Spirit strong and keep the flame of parliamentary democracy alive by supporting the candidate in blue."
Institute of Policy Studies faculty associate Tan Ern Ser said Mr Yaw's apology, while belated, could serve as "a form of closure for the episode", and that there was "no bitterness" in what seems like a letter sent on his own accord could also be positive for the WP.
Singapore Management University law lecturer Eugene Tan, however, thinks the timing of the letter - sent on the third day of the hustings - would work against the WP.
"It brings why we're having the by-election back into the centre again," said Assistant Professor Tan, who is also a Nominated MP.
Despite his apology, Mr Yaw's letter did not address why he failed to account for the accusations or decided to leave abruptly. This could "provide ammunition for the PAP", he added.
Several government leaders, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Nomination Day, had spoken out against Mr Yaw for being "irresponsible" by leaving his constituents without any explanation.
To TODAY's queries, the WP said it had "noted" the letter and added that "(Mr) Yaw is no longer a member". "We remain focused on supporting our candidate, Png Eng Huat, for the Hougang by-election."
Speaking to reporters during his walkabout yesterday, Mr Choo said Mr Yaw's incident was, for him, a "closed chapter" and the former MP's call for support for the WP would not have a bearing on his campaign.
"(Hougang residents) are not going to choose between Png Eng Huat and Yaw Shin Leong, it's going to be Png Eng Huat and Desmond," said Mr Choo.
On whether Mr Yaw's call for support for the WP would sway voters, Mr Choo said: "I think residents will be mindful that they want a candidate that can serve, that can really help them solve their issues, in the long run, in the long term, and who is always there for them and will be there for them. I think this is what they will take into account."
Mr Yaw also revealed in his letter that he had left Singapore with his wife since Feb 15 - a day after his sacking - in an "attempt to build our lives as private individuals away from the glare of the media". He said the couple "always regard Singapore as (their) home and will be back regularly".
