Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

PM responds to SDP, says character is at heart of those seeking public office

SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has responded to the Singapore Democratic Party's latest comments on Facebook, saying that character **must be** at the heart of those who seek public office.

PM Lee Hsien Loong and Mr Murali Pillai meeting residents at Bukit Batok on April 30, 2016. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong/TODAY

PM Lee Hsien Loong and Mr Murali Pillai meeting residents at Bukit Batok on April 30, 2016. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong/TODAY

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has responded to the Singapore Democratic Party's latest comments on Facebook, saying that character must be at the heart of those who seek public office.

Mr Lee, in response to media queries, added that good character and integrity are the "first requirement", regardless of whether the candidate is from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) or the Opposition.

His comments came after the SDP's central executive committee member Paul Tambyah read out a statement on Facebook on Saturday, saying that the criticisms of the character of Dr Chee Soon Juan, the SDP's candidate in the Bukit Batok by-election, were "uncalled" for.

During a walkabout earlier on Saturday, Mr Lee, who is also the PAP's secretary general, said Dr Chee was "completely hypocritical" for saying he would not attack former Bukit Batok Member of Parliament David Ong, when his fellow SDP members had in fact already taken turns to criticise Mr Ong sharply at a political rally on Friday.

Mr Lee also noted that even though Dr Chee presented himself as a changed man, he remained the same person who was not contrite about his past antics.

Dr Tambyah took to Facebook to respond to Mr Lee's criticisms, and said: "We believe that it is fair to ask what happened to the plans that Mr David Ong promised. But it is not right to question his character. Similarly, it is ok to criticise Dr Chee for asking PM Goh about Singapore's promise to President Suharto 15 years ago but attacking his character is uncalled for.

"A person is not defined by his or her actions or words. In my own field, a person is not defined by their disease. For example, you are not a diabetic or dengue patient. You are a husband, a father, a wife, a son, a mother, a daughter who happens to have or diabetes or dengue. 

"Both Mr Murali and Dr Chee are someone's son, someone's husband, someone's father. We need to debate the issues, not engage in character assassination."

In a statement, the Prime Minister's press secretary Chang Li Lin said the SDP had made the "astonishing argument that the character of a candidate should not be discussed or examined in an election campaign".

PM Lee, also commenting on the SDP statement, added: “Character goes to the heart of the fitness of a candidate, whether to be an MP, or indeed to hold any public office. Is he honest? Does he have integrity? Is he loyal? Is he committed to serve the people? What are his basic motivations? These come first, before we even talk about how able he is, what experience he brings, or what policies he proposes. 

"This is so for PAP candidates. Good character and integrity is the first requirement, and it should be so for opposition parties too.

"It is understandable why SDP, and particularly Dr Chee Soon Juan, should wish it to be otherwise. But anyone standing for public office should be prepared to have his past actions examined, transparently and honestly, so that voters can make informed, responsible decisions as to who is fit and best qualified to represent them in Parliament.”

Bukit Batok residents go to the polls on May 7. The by-election was triggered by the abrupt departure of Mr Ong, who resigned due to an alleged extramarital affair.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.