Khaw Boon Wan attacks Yaw Shin Leong: He is utterly irresponsible and arrogant
Posted by temasektimes on May 17, 2012
PAP Chairman Khaw Boon Wan has fired the first salvo in the election campaign for the Hougang by-election by launching a blistering attack on disgraced ex-WP MP Yaw Shin Leong.
Before his fall from grace, Yaw was considered as a ‘protege’ of WP Chief Low Thia Kiang who has painstakingly groomed him for more than ten years to take over his place in Hougang.
Yaw did not disappoint him by winning Hougang easily last year as Mr Low went on to contest in Aljunied GRC, but less than a year later, Hougang was left without a MP after he was sacked by WP for his failure to address swirling rumors about his alleged extramarital affairs with multiple married women, including two key WP female leaders who contested in the General Election last year.
Speaking to queries from the media at the Nomination Center yesterday, Mr Yaw said it is unfortunate that Mr Low handed over Hougang to an irresponsible man:
“Last year, he moved on and handed it over to Yaw Shin Leong. Unfortunately, Mr Yaw got into trouble, disgraced himself and disappointed all the voters. And the worse thing is leave just like that without a word – not a single word of explanation or apology. I find that utterly irresponsible and in fact, arrogant, taking the voters for granted,” said Mr Khaw.
He also raised serious questions on the internal politics brewing within WP:
“It sounds very complicated and it sounds exciting too for people looking in. One by one, some resign, some get sacked for whatever the reason, some become unhappy with the leadership. It’s too complicated for us. For us, we come to politics to serve. So we have a common cause. So you decide what’s important for Singaporeans and as a party, we stay united.”
The Workers Party appears to be falling apart and imploding from within with a recent spate of resignations and missteps by party members which forced the usually quiet Mr Low to issue a public statement that the party remains ‘united’ and is in no danger of ‘splitting’.
THE TEMASEK TIMES 
Jack said
pls fixed the rising cost first, minister.
sweetbean said
Agreed about Yaw’s behaviour. But question is does it mean Yaw had an affair and so WP is not united?
wise minister said
Agree, does it also means PAP’s men do not have affairs?
gwen said
Well, I think it’s not a one off incident which displayed the “splitting” of the party. Take a look at the resignation of several WP party members, most of whom resigned because of unhappiness about the party. I think it proves something.
God said
He disgraced me more than everything else.
reciprocity said
disgracefully disgraced
(1) Phey Yew Kok …PAP party member from (SATU) Singapore AiIr Transport Union
a criminal as judged,caught,apprehanded,remanded behing bars,escaped without his passport impounded easily,to avoid prosecution known to have left Singapore,case not being further investigated to be brought for justice.WHY,”so no PAP bones to be found just as “dead man tell no tale”
This seemingly planned escapade of Phey Yew Kok as suggested by those relevant authorities was highly questionable,yet Parliament,Law Ministry and PAP MPs brazenly ignored this seemingly planned escapade.Thus,the Sovereignty of Singapore were insulted,justice cannot be seen or found for Singapore,Singaporeans
(2) Teh Cheang Wan …cabinet minister,found largely immoral and guilty by law to the state and people of Singapore,easily dispensed and committed suicide,dead man tell no tale
This is just to name a few of the PAP top party members who has abused and violated the people and voters trusts that put them in public office
Does this despicable episode disgrace you more than any? Perhaps you would like to share and tell Khaw Boon Wan a current cabinet minister about this
GOD ALWAYS FORGIVES
you may ponder and decide
Henry said
Weren’t you yourself, “utterly irresponsible and … arrognant, taking the voters for granted” when you misled the public with your $8 medical bill. haha PCKB … sama sama.
wise minister said
Yes he paid $8 only, that part he is right. But he did not say that the rest comes from the people’s money, where is his accountability?. ‘Pot calling the kettle black’!
Jaded said
“Last year, he moved on and handed it over to Yaw Shin Leong. Unfortunately, Mr Yaw got into trouble, disgraced himself and disappointed all the voters. And the worse thing is leave just like that without a word – not a single word of explanation or apology. I find that utterly irresponsible and in fact, arrogant, taking the voters for granted,” said Mr Khaw.
Why did the PAP admit so many foreigners? Why was Saw allowed to leave with no explanation and accountability for her actions? Why was there no answer on why the YOG busted the budget? Why are HDB flats so expensive? Same same – there was “not a single word of explanation or apology. I find that utterly irresponsible and in fact, arrogant, taking the voters for granted.”
“It’s too complicated for us.”
You know what’s complicated? Why are there so many rules and regulations just to buy or rent out a HBD flat? Why are there so many rules and regulations when it comes to taking out our CPF? Why are there so many rules and regulations when it comes to raising the wages of our poor?
“For us, we come to politics to serve. So we have a common cause. So you decide what’s important for Singaporeans and as a party, we stay united.”
I do not need a united party. People come and go for various reasons. I need a party that genuinely looks out for Singaporeans.
mikey said
Totally Agree. why are there so many rules,, rules after rules jusut to lock up our cpf!
sweetbean88 said
Ya la next year supposed to be my happy year – eh can give me my CPF please! After all it’s MY cpf right?
新加坡老人 said
许大部長,
当你当衞生部長时,
南丁格尔疗养院虐待老人事件,
请问一下,你有照顧好在疗养院的老人嗎!
你只对自已付了八元的心胸道手术沾沾自喜!
你不管在疗养院受虐待的老人们,你还建议要新加坡人把老人家送到粼国马来亜疗养!
你对得起新加坡老人吗?
你信佛,佛祖也不会宽恕你!
Ruby said
So is Temasek Times pro PAP?
Over the years, there have been many scandals involving PAP members too, both in and out of the limelight. The only reason why the hoo-hah isn’t as big as this YSL case is because PAP has the power to censor state media whereas WP does not. How come opposition parties always have people who are “disgruntled with the system” and decide to leave, then bleat all over to the media? How come PAP doesn’t have people like that? Or is it that there is a gag on members who leave to keep it quiet?
The main reason why people keep leaning to the Opposition is because they are the only ones who give us ordinary citizens the hope that they can make things better. Its either PAP or Opposition. No other alternatives. PAP aren’t making themselves favourable because they keep making the same mistakes over and over. They never come up sincere apologies, and where major issues like housing and transportation are concerned, they keep fending us off with lame excuses as though all Singaporeans were born idiots.
I hope WP wins the Hougang election, but I also hope WP can give us more regular updates on their going-ons. And no, I don’t mean showing us pictures of their walkabouts. They are the only chance of us 40% having a small say in Parliament and I hope they put that to work. I know its a tough journey, but there are 40% of Singaporeans behind them. Show us they can do the job well and more will be convinced.
denzuko1 said
I am really confused with Khaw’s attack on Yaw because it serves no purpose at all towards the coming by-election. Is Khaw trying to label WP with same character as Yaw?
His second comment is even more puzzling? Is he saying that a political party should be picture perfect with 0 flaw at all? My understanding of the world is that there is no such thing as a perfect being. If there is no conflict seen, it only means that the party hide and sweep it under the carpet and if you control the main stream media, it is certainly a possible feat.
At least WP is seen cutting off obstacle to its cause.Can PAP say the same? Khaw should look back at his party who field an 90 year old man who can’t even serve the constituency, ministers who failed to solve public concern over and over again, a prime minister who is no where to e found whenever there is a crisis. Guess what? These people is never made accountable and leave the party! What can we say about the people quality of the PAP!
Jasper said
I beg to differ with your view Mr Khaw. The fact that there are dissenting views in the Workers Party shows that it is a truly democratic party. The only reason why PAP is unique and does not have dissenting views is because everybody there is a “yes” man, just like in North Korea. In fact, that has been the reason why only in North Korea they could carry on with their dynastic rule passing from father to son to grandson.
In Australia, as an example of true democracy, there was a challenge by Kevin Rudd and his supporters against the existing Labour leader Julia Gillard. In Japan there has been many such challenges against the incumbent Prime Minister. Even in communist China there are also dissenting views, and their leadership is collectively decided by majority approval. I look forward to see the day that the PAP has dissenting views because it will be the day when it becomes truly democratic.
sweetbean88 said
I very LIKE
Singaporeans said
Mr.Khaw.. from hospital bed crunch to high medical bills compared to your $8 surgery to unsettle HDB housing cost problems, you should have been sacked.. Go and settle internally with PAP & PM about the damages done by the ruling party for the last 10years..
Singaporean said
Mr Khaw,
will you say that if he is PAP??? i dont think so!!! what you said make me as a Singaporean feel so disgusted.. u are just adding salt & pepper to the wound..
Hsien Liao La said
Khaw, solve your hub fiascos first then come and talk. your masters are still letting in floods of foreigners, let’s see how you will be ‘responsible’ for their housing needs while also considering the needs of our long-suffering singaporeans. from the looks of it, you are not doing a very good job at all.
Ron said
I am afraid the PAP is shooting itself in the foot. Not every PAP is serving in their constitutency. At least one prominent MP is having a stand-in because of his frail health. Is that not taking the voters for granted?
WP is taking the high road of sacking someone for his personal indiscretions. It is not different if a company sacks someone no matter how high level he is, for not upholding the highest standard of integrity and ethics. So, PAP be careful… you are inviting many to start throwing mud back at the PAP.
Ken Lee said
Agreed about Yaw’s behavior. But question is how is your performent?
LkySi said
Minister Khaw, the pot should not call the kettle black. You yourself was removed from the Post of Health Minister.
lotsa crap.. said
United with a huge bunch of YES-Men.. what’s the point?????
hachoiji said
ha ha ha. I laughed when I read KBW comment. which man or woman doesn’t fantasizes ? its only human to do so. And to err is being human.
Ask the 40+ people being charged recently and are they not of high calibre and position in both public and private sectors ??
Its unavoidable, lets move on !!
its another classic case of a Pot calling the Kettle black !!
Let the first man who commit no sin cast the first stone . Sounds familiar ??
Now Get back to work!!!
Macoy Li said
Why attack Yaw. He is not the WP candidate for the Hougang by-election. A cheap shot by PAP. This shows that the PAP has no goods issues to raise against WP.
Puzzled said
Lau Khaw need another two $8 bypass, talking cock.
Ben said
后港再次补选,最让我关心的或许是民生问题,但是惊讶的发现,还是有部长级人物,会说出我觉得不太恰当的言语,表面体现得道貌岸然,但却是从挖旧事,当发生在执政党之时,会否喊着,lets move on .
如果说一个党员的过失是全党的过错,那不见得肤浅吗?如果说是,那回望过去,1986年郑章远事件,本人客观认为,那是属于个人的错,而非政党.他必须对个人行为负责,当然最后他自己选择另类的,付出了代价,那告诉我,哪个罪行比较严重?哪个才是不值得依靠?
当下新加坡国民还是选择了执政党,面对它,放下它.因为国民清楚,那是两码事,不该抹杀执政党曾经真心和努力的付出.但是到今时今日,为什么还是有部长级的出来说些没建树性的话呢?何不拿那些针锋相对的时间,来为我们建设一个更美好安定的生活?
那里没害群之马?政治不过是社会的浓缩体.连警察部队都有涉及,到最近警察人员上女人的床等都有,那代表什么?执法都犯了法,可别忘了,那是刑事案件,说到底,反对党议员就算是犯了私通罪,那是什么法?刑事法还是民事法?他的确欠党个交代,辜负选民,那是他个人的问题还是党的问题?到最后我本身还是觉得,他最对不起的是他的妻子.他真正亏对和必然必须承诺改过和面对的人,是他妻子.
怎么会说到反对党如果执政,将会出现问题,部长辞职,理念不同,之类的话,让我百思不得其解,我们是人类,那当然,人需要时间来磨合.谁理念会永远一致的?记得王鼎昌前总统,也曾经是执政党,那最后也曾经理念不同,是否?那事实证明,谁都会有意见分歧,不是吗?当然最后妥协于对方者必须是有德,有理之人.
身为新加坡公民的我,还是觉得执政党必须关心的是社会要什么?百姓的生活如何?明天的旭日依旧吗?孩子,家庭,事业,关心一下国民不能忍受的是什么,身为执政者,无须敷衍,毕竟那有个平衡点.而不是来告诉我们,你们需要怎么样.
时代的变迁,政策必然会跟着改变,当初的”两个就够了”到今日的多生育有奖励,选民明白,当初的”First language “到今日的不要忘记母语,选民也清楚.
何不来个君子之争,来点营养性和建设性和更有建树的辩提?现今的国民是成熟和明智的.两君之战无外争取的是什么?前进吧,执政党,前进吧,新加坡.
Jack said
So well said 前进吧,新加坡