Jose Raymond calls for empathy, end to harassment of Tan Chuan-Jin

SINGAPORE: Jose Raymond, former chairman of the alternative party Singapore People’s Party (SPP), advised the online community to let former Parliament Speaker Mr Tan Chuan-Jin get back to living n to earn a living, support his family, and contribute to society again, despite his previous extramarital scandal.

He also cautioned against turning Singapore into a place where individuals are perpetually punished by an online mob, advocating instead for a more understanding and forgiving society.

The news that the former Speaker is set to make his first public appearance since his resignation from Parliament at a masterclass series has certainly stirred online discussion.

The session marks Mr Tan’s return to the public eye following his controversial resignation as Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament in July 2023.

His departure was prompted by revelations of an extramarital affair with fellow People’s Action Party (PAP) member, Cheng Li Hui, which began in 2020.

The upcoming series, hosted by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) Centre for Corporate Learning, begins on Wednesday, 10 July 2024.

This educational initiative, which is charged at S$1,000, comprises three series, each with two sessions designed to enhance leadership skills and strategic communication.

The courses aim to equip participants with a deeper understanding of critical issues facing Singapore, develop their leadership philosophies, and explore the dynamics of shaping public perceptions.

The Facebook post promoting the course appears to have been removed as of Monday evening after receiving significant attention from netizens, with over 90 shares.

Some former supporters of Mr Tan expressed scepticism, stating that because Mr Tan failed their trust, they doubted his suitability to help develop participants’ skills.

While some people respect teachers and mentors who share their knowledge with good intentions, they question TCJ’s suitability for this role due to his extramarital scandal last year.

Mr Tan, a former brigadier-general, has had a distinguished career in both the military and politics in Singapore. A member of the governing PAP, he served as the Speaker of Parliament from 2017 to 2023 and as Member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade GRC from 2011 until his resignation in 2023.

In his resignation, Mr Tan expressed regret over his actions and committed to mending his personal relationships. then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong accepted the resignations, emphasizing the necessity of upholding high standards of propriety within the PAP.

Calls for empathy 

Despite the online backlash against Mr Tan’s return, Mr Raymond, who is also a former sports journalist, weighed in with a different view.

In a recent Facebook post, Mr Raymond commented on the backlash faced by Mr Tan, highlighting that the criticism on him for trying to get back to living a normal life is “sad and unwarranted.”

He noted that while he is not a fan of Mr Tan, he believed it is necessary for Mr Tan to be able to resume living his life, earn a living, and support his family.

Mr Raymond pointed out that everyone makes mistakes and that Tan still has value to society regardless of his actions while in office.

“Do we thumb down Bill Clinton as a leader, even though he made an egregious error while he was in office as President of the USA?”

Mr Raymond called for empathy, forgiveness, and moving on from past errors.

“Let him get back to living a life as normally as possible, without getting smacked by an online mob.”

“That is not the kind of Singapore we should aspire to turn into. It is ugly.”