Singapore Minister Quits After Conduct Inquiry

Singapore's acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Faishal Ibrahim, resigned on Monday over what Prime Minister Lawrence Wong described as a lapse of judgment in his interactions with a woman.

Wong said most of their interactions took place through online messages and that they also met on the sidelines of public events. Both later accused each other of harassment, prompting a police investigation.

According to Wong, investigators found no evidence that either party had committed a criminal offense, and no charges were filed. He said the remaining question was whether Ibrahim's conduct met the standards expected of a political office holder and member of Parliament.

Ibrahim also resigned from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), as well as from Parliament. He had served as an MP since 2006 and as acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs since 2025.

In his resignation letter, Ibrahim said there had been no physical relationship between him and the woman, but acknowledged a lapse of judgment and admitted that he had failed to establish clear boundaries at an earlier stage.

The PAP has been hit by several political scandals in recent years. In 2024, former transport minister S. Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months in prison after being convicted of obstruction of justice and accepting gifts worth more than S$300,000 ($232,500).

(Reuters, bak)