Two Singaporean lawmakers from the ruling party, including the speaker of the parliament, stepped down after admitting to an “inappropriate relationship” with each other.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a statement on Monday that two lawmakers from the People’s Action Party are exiting, fuelling one of the biggest political crises in the city-state’s history.

One of them is speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, 54, who was once seen as a potential prime minister candidate. Notably, he is the second parliament speaker to exit for having an inappropriate relationship in just over a decade.

<h2>PM accepts resignations</h2>

“I have accepted Tan’s resignation from the People’s Action Party,” Lee said in a statement on Monday.

“His resignation is necessary, to maintain the high standards of propriety and personal conduct which the PAP has upheld all these years.”

Another lawmaker who resigned with immediate effect as a member of parliament is Cheng Li Hui.

Lee later told local media that Tan had an inappropriate relationship with Cheng Li Hui.

“It is painful to do this to our friends and comrades-in-arms, and it can also be politically embarrassing and costly. But the PAP has to maintain party discipline and standard of conduct,” Lee was quoted as saying.

<h2>Ruling party in crisis</h2>

The development comes at a time when a cabinet minister and billionaire Ong Beng Seng are under the scanner of the city-state’s anti-corruption agency in a high-profile corruption case.

Experts are describing the developments as a major crisis for the PAP, which has been in power since 1959, before the city-state’s independence in 1965.

PAP has been looking to reinvent itself by promoting a new breed of political leaders led by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. It is heading for a national vote by 2025 and a presidential election is expected to take place by September.

Tan, in his resignation letter, did not say anything about the “inappropriate relationship” with another lawmaker.&nbsp;Rather, the letter&nbsp;mentioned “unparliamentary language” as the reason he&nbsp;quit. He also apologised to an opposition lawmaker.

Earlier, Tan said that he was muttering to himself, but his “private thoughts” were caught during a recording of the parliament hearing.

“For me personally, this recent episode has added to the hurt I have caused my family,” Tan wrote in the letter published by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“I have let them down. We have spoken about my personal conduct before.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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Two Singaporean lawmakers from the ruling party, including the speaker of the parliament, stepped down after admitting to an “inappropriate relationship” with each other.

Two Singaporean lawmakers from the ruling party, including the speaker of the parliament, stepped down after admitting to an “inappropriate relationship” with each other. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a statement on Monday that two lawmakers from the People’s Action Party are exiting, fuelling one of the biggest political crises in the city-state’s history. One of them is speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, 54, who was once seen as a potential prime minister candidate. Notably, he is the second parliament speaker to exit for having an inappropriate relationship in just over a decade. PM accepts resignations “I have accepted Tan’s resignation from the People’s Action Party,” Lee said in a statement on Monday. “His resignation is necessary, to maintain the high standards of propriety and personal conduct which the PAP has upheld all these years.” Another lawmaker who resigned with immediate effect as a member of parliament is Cheng Li Hui. Lee later told local media that Tan had an inappropriate relationship with Cheng Li Hui. “It is painful to do this to our friends and comrades-in-arms, and it can also be politically embarrassing and costly. But the PAP has to maintain party discipline and standard of conduct,” Lee was quoted as saying. Ruling party in crisis The development comes at a time when a cabinet minister and billionaire Ong Beng Seng are under the scanner of the city-state’s anti-corruption agency in a high-profile corruption case. Experts are describing the developments as a major crisis for the PAP, which has been in power since 1959, before the city-state’s independence in 1965. PAP has been looking to reinvent itself by promoting a new breed of political leaders led by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. It is heading for a national vote by 2025 and a presidential election is expected to take place by September. Tan, in his resignation letter, did not say anything about the “inappropriate relationship” with another lawmaker. Rather, the letter mentioned “unparliamentary language” as the reason he quit. He also apologised to an opposition lawmaker. Earlier, Tan said that he was muttering to himself, but his “private thoughts” were caught during a recording of the parliament hearing. “For me personally, this recent episode has added to the hurt I have caused my family,” Tan wrote in the letter published by the Prime Minister’s Office. “I have let them down. We have spoken about my personal conduct before.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Two Singaporean lawmakers resign after admitting to ‘inappropriate relationship’

Singapore's parliament passed a law aimed at preventing foreign interference in domestic politics even as the opposition and activists criticised the move.

The new law allows authorities to compel internet service providers and social media platforms to provide user information, block content and remove applications used to spread content they deem hostile.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/singapore-news-site-suspended-critics-fear-censorship-413088">Also Read:&nbsp;Singapore news site suspended, critics fear censorship</a>

The bill was passed with a 75-11 voting margin. K Shanmugam, law and home affairs minister, said: "The internet has created a powerful new medium for subversion... countries are actively developing attack and defence capabilities as an arm of warfare."

The law known as Foreign Interference Countermeasures Act (FICA) gives power to authorities to compel internet service providers to give user information to the authorities and even block content.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-trials-patrol-robots-to-deter-bad-social-behaviour-411229">Also Read:&nbsp;Singapore trials patrol robots to deter bad social behaviour</a>

The authorities can also remove applications. The law also has provision for a person to be categorised under "politically significant persons" which would require&nbsp;disclosure of foreign funding sources with violators set to get prison terms or fines upon conviction.

The law also allows cases to be heard by a tribunal and not a court during an appeal in a move which the government says is essential to protect national security.

K Shanmugam defended the government's move in the country's parliament saying: "As long as they are done in an open and transparent manner, and not part of an attempt to manipulate our political discourse or undermine public interest such as security."

However,&nbsp;Human Rights Watch hit against the move assering that it is a "bogeyman to justify expanded persecution of opposition politicians, civil society activists and independent media"

The rights group said Singapore's "international reputation will take the hardest knock from the new law".

(With inputs from Agencies)

Singapore's parliament passed a law aimed at preventing foreign interference in domestic politics even as the opposition and activists criticised the move. The new law allows authorities to compel internet service providers and social media platforms to provide user information, block content and remove applications used to spread content they deem hostile.

Singapore's parliament passed a law aimed at preventing foreign interference in domestic politics even as the opposition and activists criticised the move. The new law allows authorities to compel internet service providers and social media platforms to provide user information, block content and remove applications used to spread content they deem hostile. Also Read: Singapore news site suspended, critics fear censorship The bill was passed with a 75-11 voting margin. K Shanmugam, law and home affairs minister, said: "The internet has created a powerful new medium for subversion... countries are actively developing attack and defence capabilities as an arm of warfare." The law known as Foreign Interference Countermeasures Act (FICA) gives power to authorities to compel internet service providers to give user information to the authorities and even block content. Also Read: Singapore trials patrol robots to deter bad social behaviour The authorities can also remove applications. The law also has provision for a person to be categorised under "politically significant persons" which would require disclosure of foreign funding sources with violators set to get prison terms or fines upon conviction. The law also allows cases to be heard by a tribunal and not a court during an appeal in a move which the government says is essential to protect national security. K Shanmugam defended the government's move in the country's parliament saying: "As long as they are done in an open and transparent manner, and not part of an attempt to manipulate our political discourse or undermine public interest such as security." However, Human Rights Watch hit against the move assering that it is a "bogeyman to justify expanded persecution of opposition politicians, civil society activists and independent media" The rights group said Singapore's "international reputation will take the hardest knock from the new law". (With inputs from Agencies)

Singapore approves 'foreign interference' bill, critics slam move

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Two Singaporean lawmakers resign after admitting to ‘inappropriate relationship’

Singapore approves 'foreign interference' bill, critics slam move