SINGAPORE – Member of Parliament for Bukit Batok Single Member Constituency (SMC) David Ong has resigned from the People’s Action Party (PAP).
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said a by-election will be held in the SMC “in due course”.
In the meantime, Desmond Lee, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, will be in charge of the SMC.
The PMO also released Ong’s resignation letter addressed to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is also Secretary General of the PAP.
Ong said in his letter that he was resigning for personal reasons and “with a heavy heart”.
He thanked the Bukit Batok residents for their support and expressed his appreciation to the grassroot leaders and the PAP. In the same letter, he also apologised for stepping down prematurely.
In his reply, PM Lee commended Ong for serving diligently as an MP, first for Jurong GRC and then for Bukit Batok SMC.
“As an MP, you worked hard to strengthen the Bukit Batok community, building up a team of volunteers and community partners to help residents in need,” PM Lee wrote.
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