Daily Lessons from Life 15 February 2012 - MP Yaw Shin Leong expelled from WP, Hougang by-election

"MP Yaw Shin Leong expelled from WP, Hougang by-election - AsiaOne Feb 15, 2012

SINGAPORE - Workers' Party has expelled Hougang Member of Parliament (MP) Yaw Shin Leong with immediate effect.

At a press conference earlier today, the opposition party said Mr Yaw was expelled over his alleged marital affairs and is prepared for a by-election to be held in the single-seat ward.

Party chief Low Thia Khiang said on Wednesday afternoon that WP made the decision on Tuesday night because it felt Mr Yaw has fallen short of its expectations in being transparent and accountable to the party and to his constituents, reported The Straits Times.

WP chairman Sylvia Lim said that WP believes strongly in transparency and accountability, and expects no less from their party members, especially MPs.

Hence, by continuing not to account to the party and the people, especially the residents of Hougang, Mr Yaw broke the faith, trust and expectations of the party and people, she said.

Ms Lim added that other WP MPs will cover Mr Yaw's duties and that it is only fair for Hougang residents to have another chance to elect their MP.

She apologised for having to put them through a by-election and assured Hougang residents that they will continue to be served by the party until the by-election is called.

The Meet-the-People sessions (MPS) in Hougang will continue, with other MPs covering and town council services will continue to be provided under the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council.

Ms Lim thanked the public for its concern towards the party.

Rumours surfaced in January alleging that Mr Yaw had an affair with a married woman who is from the Workers' Party as well.

A week later, the 35-year-old's MPS were cancelled and he was also absent from the Hougang office of the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council.

Earlier this month, Mr Yaw, who was the former treasurer, of the WP resigned from the position and was replaced by non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong, the current deputy treasurer.

Mr Yaw remained a member of the WP until he was expelled from the party today."

A big THING in Singapore politics for sure. Singapore will have its 1st by-election in 20 years with this saga!

Lessons for me are:

1. there MUST be a lack of 1st class PR firms in Singapore as the government (arrest of the 2 top civil servants), the SMRT (the MRT trains broke-down incident) and this scandal involving the WP MP and WP ALL failed miserably on how to respond to the 'crisis'! This despite many world class, so-called, PR firms in Singaopre!;

2. Mr Yaw would have done himself a big favour by admitting or denying the rumours early on. IF they were true, he will win MANY sympathy votes by ADMITTING publicly his mistakes, ASK for forgiveness, and RESIGN from WP by saying that he has the interst of WP and the opposition's credibility in mind. He should also say that he will be BACK AFTER going through counselling and rehabilitation to come back and SERVE the people of Hougang as WP's member again!! That would have been melodramatic and totally in keeping with 1st class PR - with sincerity to boot;

3. WP leadership ALSO need to learn to DECIDE in such crisis instead of wavering. Now they are faulted for taking almost or more than 3 weeks before acting. If they did not expel Yaw, their credibility will be badly damaged. Now that they did, they will STILL pay the price for being 'too slow'! In PR for Crisis Management, you tell the public: What happened, Who were involved, Why/When/Where/How did it happened? Then quantify the IMPACT - to Yaw, his family, the other involved parties, the WP, the voters of Hougang. Follow by WHAT will be done to cover Yaw's, help for Yaw, and the possibility of him coming back!!

May WP keeps the Hougang SMC in the by-election.