MPs thank outgoing Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew

SINGAPORE — Members of Parliament of various political stripes took a moment to thank Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew today (Aug 18) as they rose to debate transport-related bills.

Mr Lui, who was appointed Transport Minister after the 2011 General Election, announced last week that he was leaving politics and would not be contesting in the coming elections.

Rising to debate the Bus Services Industry Bill, Mr Gan Thiam Poh (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), rounded off his speech by thanking Mr Lui. “Despite taking on a very challenging portfolio, he has done so much to improve our public transport system, with this bus contracting model being one of the most important,” Mr Gan said. He added: “I wish you could stay on for you have so much more to contribute. You will be sorely missed in this House.”

Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) Gerald Giam of the Workers’ Party, who had also spoken on the Bus Services Industry Bill, thanked Mr Lui for “patiently answering all my PQs and responding to my speeches over the past four years”. “And I wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” he said.

Mr Ang Wei Neng (Jurong GRC) said Mr Lui has done a “formidable” job over the past four and half years, especially in improving bus services. While the track record for train services “are not as outstanding”, he noted that Downtown Lines 1 and 2 have been largely completed under Mr Lui’s supervision.

NCMP Lina Chiam of the Singapore People’s Party also expressed her appreciation on behalf of her party. “SPP would like to thank Mr Lui Tuck Yew for the hard work he has done in a very challenging portfolio as Minister for Transport. Mr Chiam and I wish Mr Lui all the best for the future.”