'MP-less for 2nd time': Netizens question democratic representation as PAP confirms no by-election after Faishal Ibrahim's exit

SINGAPORE: Following Education Minister and People's Action Party (PAP) chairman Desmond Lee’s confirmation on 20 July that no by-election would be held after Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim resigned as MP for Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC, some netizens questioned whether the decision addressed broader concerns over representation and democratic principles.

While PAP leaders assured that the remaining MPs would continue serving residents, online community raised concerns over minority representation, the purpose of the GRC system, and whether voters should be given a chance to choose their representatives.

Some Kembangan residents also said their ward had become “MP-less” for the second time following the resignations of Tan Chuan-Jin and Faishal, questioning whether it was fair for residents to continue without a dedicated MP and whether a GRC could still fulfil its intended role without a minority representative.

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

Faishal resigned on 20 July after submitting a letter to PM Wong.

In the letter, he cited a "lapse of judgment" in his interactions with a woman who is a member of the public.

Faishal said there had been no physical relationship, but acknowledged that he had failed to establish clear boundaries earlier.

He said his conduct had "fell short of the standards expected of me".

Faishal resigned as Acting Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, Senior Minister of State, MP role and PAP member.

Wong said the matter had surfaced about a month earlier after his office received an email from the woman involved.

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

Following investigations and consultation with the Attorney-General's Chambers, the authorities concluded that no criminal offence had been committed.

Wong said that although no criminal wrongdoing had been found, Faishal had accepted that his conduct fell short of the standards expected of a political office-holder.

Wong accepted Faishal's resignation and described his departure after two decades of public service as saddening.

No by-election for Faishal's seat, confirms Desmond Lee

Speaking to reporters, Desmond Lee said the key consideration was "whether residents' needs continue to be adequately met", rather than whether a vacant GRC seat should be filled through an election.

He noted that previous vacancies in GRCs had similarly not resulted in by-elections.

Lee's position is consistent with the Court of Appeal's 2019 ruling in Wong Souk Yee v Attorney-General, which held that Article 49(1) of the Constitution does not require a by-election when one seat in a GRC becomes vacant.

The court ruled that a by-election is necessary only if all seats in a GRC are vacated.

The same principle is also set out in Section 24(2A) of the Parliamentary Elections Act.

The 2019 case arose from former PAP MP Halimah Yacob's resignation from Marsiling–Yew Tee GRC in 2017 to contest the presidential election.

No by-election was held following her departure.

Other precedents cited in relation to GRC vacancies include the resignation of Raeesah Khan from Sengkang GRC in 2021, the resignation of Tharman Shanmugaratnam from Jurong GRC in 2023 to contest the presidency, and the resignation of S Iswaran from West Coast GRC in 2024.

None of those departures resulted in a by-election.

Lee said the four remaining MPs in Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC would "step up, step forward, put in extra effort" to ensure Kembangan residents continued to receive services.

He added that further arrangements to strengthen the team would be announced in due course.

Addressing questions about Malay-Muslim representation, Lee said all MPs served every community.

He said additional arrangements were being worked on to ensure the team remained "well positioned" to represent the Malay-Muslim community.

Asked whether an arrangement similar to 2017 could be adopted, Lee said there were "many possibilities" under active consideration.

In 2017, Zaqy Mohamad became grassroots adviser in the area following Halimah Yacob's resignation.

Lee did not elaborate on the arrangements being considered for Marine Parade–Braddell Heights.

Team to work "doubly hard", says Seah Kian Peng

Separately, Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng addressed residents at Faishal's scheduled Meet-the-People Session in Kembangan.

Seah said Faishal had apologised over the weekend to residents, volunteers and fellow MPs.

He assured residents that existing commitments would remain unchanged despite the resignation.

Seah said the team would "step up, step forward and... work doubly hard" to continue serving residents.

He said at least one MP would be present at every Meet-the-People Session going forward.

Additional support from PAP headquarters was also being discussed, while "various options" were being considered to strengthen the team.

Seah said community programmes would continue as planned.

Responsibilities among the remaining MPs would be finalised in the coming days.

The arrangements are intended to maintain constituency services following Faishal's departure and the resulting vacancy in the GRC.

Some netizens question democratic representation

Despite these assurances, some netizens questioned the decision not to call a by-election.

Observing comments on the Facebook pages of state media outlets CNA, The Straits Times and Mothership,some argued that not holding an election undermined democratic principles, while others said residents should be given a chance to choose their representatives.

One commenter argued that the decision was particularly significant because the constituency had been returned unopposed at GE2025.

The commenter said the walkover had meant voters had “no choice”, and argued that a by-election would give residents an opportunity to make their own decision.

Another comment said voters’ rights should not be taken for granted and called for a by-election regardless of whether the constituency was represented by the ruling party or the opposition.

Minority representation comes under scrutiny

Other comments focused on the role of minority representation within the GRC system.

The GRC system requires political parties to field ethnically diverse teams, including at least one minority candidate, with the stated objective of ensuring minority representation in Parliament and promoting multiracial politics.

Some commenters questioned whether that objective was undermined when a minority MP resigned without a by-election.

One commenter argued that while the Government often emphasised the importance of minority representation, minority representatives could leave office without voters being given another opportunity to elect a replacement.

Another commenter questioned why a by-election was not required when a minority representative’s position became vacant despite several years remaining in the parliamentary term.

The comment questioned whether the arrangement was consistent with the rationale behind requiring minority representation in GRC teams at general elections.

Others took a different view, arguing that the departures of minority MPs from GRCs in previous cases demonstrated that the remaining MPs could continue covering the constituency.

One commenter questioned whether Singapore should return to single-member constituencies, asking what the purpose of minority representation was if other MPs could assume the departing MP’s duties.

Another comment argued that the GRC system was primarily intended to make it more difficult for opposition parties to field complete teams, rather than solely to ensure minority representation.

Kembangan resident raises “MP-less” concerns

Some commenters focused specifically on Kembangan and its history of MP vacancies.

“This is the second time my ward is MP-LESS,” one comment wrote, referring first to Tan Chuan-Jin’s resignation and now to Faishal’s departure.

The comment said residents had previously been required to share an MP and would again have to do so following Faishal’s resignation.

“Honestly 2 time the ward is MP-less already, does PAP really think the residents deserved to have no MP?” the comment said.

The comment also acknowledged the work carried out by Tan and Faishal while they were MPs, saying both had been seen frequently in the neighbourhood.

The comment added that the current arrangement involving shared MP responsibilities was less visible from the perspective of residents.

Debate over GRC accountability

Other netizens questioned whether the Government’s handling of the resignation was consistent with the original purpose of the GRC system.

Some argued that the system’s minority representation requirement appeared difficult to reconcile with situations where a minority MP leaves office and the vacancy is not filled through an election.

One commenter questioned whether the GRC system required as many MPs as it did if the remaining four could assume the responsibilities of the vacant position.

Another commenter questioned whether having fewer MPs could affect the rationale for maintaining larger GRC teams.

There were also comments about the responsibilities of MPs holding other senior positions.

One commenter questioned whether Seah, as Speaker of Parliament and an MP, could also take on responsibilities for the Kembangan–Ubi area following Faishal’s resignation.

The commenter argued that the vacancy should instead be addressed through a by-election because the GRC system included a minority MP as part of its electoral structure.

Calls for greater transparency

Some netizens also raised questions about transparency surrounding the circumstances of Faishal’s resignation.

Questions were raised over when political leaders became aware of the matter and why it was referred to the police.

Others questioned how standards of conduct were applied, with some comparing Faishal’s departure with the resignation of former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin following a personal conduct issue.

Some commenters also sought greater clarity about the conduct that led to allegations of harassment by both parties.

One comment questioned what the alleged inappropriate behaviour involved and why the matter had resulted in reports to the police, involvement by the AGC and correspondence with the Prime Minister’s Office.

The commenter argued that opposition MPs should raise questions in Parliament to obtain further information about the circumstances.

The same commenter also raised the possibility of the opposition seeking sufficient support to convene a Committee of Privileges.