Inderjit Singh has been a long-time figure in Singapore’s political landscape as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Kebun Bahru ward in the Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC) since 1996, but the beloved politician recently stepped down just two days after the recent electoral boundaries were redrawn.
Dear Friends and Residents, The new…
Posted by Inderjit Singh on Friday, 24 July 2015
Minister for Defence and MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Dr. Ng Eng Hen however was not too happy with how Singh announced his retirement. Channel NewsAsia reports that he would prefer if MPs stepped down from their positions in a “more deliberate and a dignified manner”, directly referencing Singh’s Facebook post.
“You can post your retirement on Facebook, but I think as an MP who has served 15, 20, even 30 years – that’s not the best way to do it.” Ooh, trouble in paradise.
Singh’s former constituents however wasted no time in leaping to his defence, recalling how he has served his district tirelessly and not being afraid to speak out against the People’s Action Party (PAP), of whom he represents.
“I also did not find anything wrong in announcing early, to be fair to my residents and friends. We all have our own views,” Singh responded in a Facebook comment.
Folks will remember that it was Singh who refused to be a total Yes Man to all of the PAP’s policies, disagreeing with the highly contentious Population White Paper policies and refusing to vote on it. Previously, he also pointed out about the blatant disconnect between the government and its people, highlighting issues such as elitism, the lack of national identity, and complacency in the civil service.
His constituents really believe that he represented the best interests of the people, and one of the rare few in the PAP who knew what was going on among the masses. Just look at the praised heaped upon him on his Facebook page.
Some have assumed that Singh left the PAP but he refuted those claims, maintaining that he will continue to assist the Prime Minister in his election campaign in Ang Mo Kio. Man, we really need more folks like him in power.
I read with amusement that some people have taken my old speeches and reposted them with a headline that I have left the…
Posted by Inderjit Singh on Tuesday, 28 July 2015
Photo: Inderjit Singh Facebook page
