SDP’s Wijeysingha apologises to Tan Chuan—Jin

SINGAPORE: Opposition politician Dr Vincent Wijeysingha has apologised to Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan—Jin for comments deemed as defamatory about him in an article on the illegal strike by SMRT bus drivers from China.

The article, "’You can resign and go to SBS,’ the drivers were told", was posted on his own Facebook page on December 2 last year.

It focused on the strike on November 26 and 27 last year.

On Saturday, Dr Wijeysingha posted a letter of apology on his Facebook page, saying he had made allegations which are "wholly untrue and false".

He said he had alleged that the minister was either dishonest or deceptive when he said he was not aware of the particular complaint by the Chinese bus drivers which led to the strike.

He had also alleged that Mr Tan was being untruthful, dishonest and/or at the very least disingenuous, in his assurance to the public that there are legitimate processes in place to settle labour disputes.

Dr Wijeysingha, who is Treasurer of the Singapore Democratic Party, said this claim reflects the fact that Mr Tan is systematically dishonest.

He had also alleged that the minister’s lack of honesty and integrity resulted from the fact that he has been "bought by monetary and material inducements".

Dr Wijeysingha said these allegations were made without basis and are defamatory.

He withdrew the allegations and apologised unreservedly to Mr Tan.

He also said he will not repeat the same or similar allegations, or cause them to be published, in the future.

— CNA/fa/xq