Hougang MP Yaw disappears from public view after reported scandalous affair

More setbacks for the Singapore Opposition who had made small gains in the last General Elections.

Since news surfaced last Friday about his alleged extramarital affair with a married woman from his Workers' Party (WP), the 35-year-old MP has been a no-show at his weekly Meet-the-People session (MPS) and his town council office.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_760301.html


Yaw Shin Leong who took over from steadfast Opposition populist veteran Low Thia Kiang has turned out to be a disappointment for the Workers' Party. Entrusted by Hougang electorate in defiance of PAP bid to retake the constituency, this is seen to be a strategic loss given the symbolic importance of the Hougang seat.

The PAP has boasted of thorough screening and imposes high standards of morality and fidelity on its ministers and parliamentarians. While the PAP is not totally immune from sex scandals in the past, they are very rare and discreetly dealt with by disposing or exiling the offender.  For a bigger and sturdy vessel that is well entrenched and could survive occasional bad press.  Not for the budding opposition parties which are analogous to small boats and hence may not withstand the storms against the backdrop of cut throat competition.

It is another sad chronicle in the eyes of critical Singaporeans who want to see a stronger opposition to challenge and keep the smug PAP on its toes.