Singapore’s PAP has ‘zero tolerance’ on corruption, but doesn’t police MPs’ private lives: Lawrence Wong
- The No 2 leader said the ruling party had distinct policies regarding criminal wrongdoing – which is unacceptable – and other forms of misconduct
- His comments come after the parliamentary speaker and an MP resigned recently over an affair, and as the transport minister faces a corruption probe
Singapore’s scandal-hit ruling party does not police the private lives of its MPs and has never adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards extramarital affairs, the party’s No 2 leader said on Wednesday.
In an interview with the BBC, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the People’s Action Party (PAP) had distinct policies regarding criminal wrongdoing – which is unacceptable – and other forms of misconduct.
“When it comes to personal conduct and extramarital affairs, we have never taken that same approach because every case is different – we have to look at the circumstances of the case, the individuals concerned, and we have to also consider the parties involved, including many innocent parties,” Wong said in the interview.
On matters concerning “human frailties”, the ruling party was “very cognisant of the impact that our actions have on innocent parties, including families, especially the spouses and their children”, Wong said, adding that it still set high standards for propriety and personal conduct.
“We have to find the right balance between exercising compassion and sensitivity, while upholding the fundamental requirement of our responsibilities and trust with Singaporeans,” he said.
Wong described the scandals as a “setback” for the ruling party and the government. “I have no doubt that we will reflect, learn from these experiences, make our system better and continue to uphold the trust that Singaporeans have in the elected government and in our system of government,” he said.
