Faishal Ibrahim resigns as minister and MP over conduct lapse with woman

Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim has resigned as Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, as Member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, and as a member of the People's Action Party (PAP), Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on 20 July 2026.

The resignation follows what Faishal described as a lapse of judgment in his handling of interactions with a woman who is a member of the public. PM Wong said most of the interactions took place through online messages, with the pair also meeting on the sidelines of public events.

In his resignation letter to PM Wong, dated 20 July, Faishal said there had been no physical relationship between him and the woman, and that he had not intended for the interactions to develop into one.

He said that, on reflection, he recognised his conduct "fell short of the standards expected of me and was not consistent with the responsibilities entrusted to me". He cited a failure to establish clearer boundaries at an earlier stage.

"I have therefore decided it is right for me to step away from politics so that I can devote my time and attention to my family," Faishal wrote, thanking PM Wong and the party for their support over the years.

PM Wong, in his statement, said the matter first came to his attention around a month earlier, after his office received an email from the woman concerning her interactions with the minister.

He said he asked for the matter to be looked into immediately, and that both Faishal and the woman were spoken to separately as part of that process.

Both parties subsequently made allegations of harassment against each other, and the matter was referred to the police, PM Wong said.

Following investigation, and in consultation with the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), authorities assessed that no criminal offence had been committed by either party, and that no criminal action would be taken.

PM Wong noted that a separate question remained as to whether Faishal's conduct had met the standards expected of a political office-holder and MP.

"Upon reflecting on the matter, Associate Professor Faishal accepted that his conduct fell short of these standards, and tendered his resignation," PM Wong said.

In his letter accepting the resignation, also dated 20 July, PM Wong wrote that he was saddened Faishal was leaving politics under these circumstances, but appreciated his acknowledgement that his conduct had fallen short and his decision to take responsibility for it.

PM Wong credited Faishal, 58, with significant contributions over 20 years of public service, including his role over the past year as Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs. Faishal had also served as Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and sat on the PAP's central executive committee.

Zaqy Mohamad, currently Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment and for Defence, will take over as Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs with immediate effect, PM Wong said.

The remaining four MPs in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC will continue to serve residents in Kembangan, Faishal's ward, according to PM Wong.

In a Facebook post on 20 July, Faishal apologised to his residents and supporters for letting them down, saying he was "deeply sorry" to have disappointed those who had placed their trust in him.

He asked for understanding that he would not elaborate further, citing respect for his family's privacy, and thanked residents for their friendship over the years spent walking alongside them and hearing their concerns.

Faishal added that he had full confidence Zaqy Mohamad and the team would carry on the work of strengthening the community, and that Kembangan residents would continue to be well served by the Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC's remaining MPs. He said he would now focus on spending time with his family, expressing gratitude to his wife for standing by him through what he called a difficult period.

Faishal entered politics in 2006 as part of the PAP's Marine Parade GRC team and was subsequently re-elected for three further terms under Nee Soon GRC. He returned to Marine Parade for the 2025 General Election, where his team was elected unopposed.

Before entering politics, Faishal was a real estate academic at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He joined the government front bench in 2012 as a parliamentary secretary for transport.

He was promoted to senior parliamentary secretary in 2017, holding portfolios covering education and social and family development, before becoming a minister of state in 2020.

Following PM Wong's Cabinet reshuffle in May 2025 after the general election, Faishal was promoted to senior minister of state and acting minister.