(Singapore, Feb 17, 2023) While Singapore’s Member of Parliament Tin Pei Ling has been silent about her new Grab position on Facebook in the past six days, a local media is rekindling the issue by publicizing its readers’ voices, for or against her role-switch.
“Many MPs, including WP MPs, hold jobs in the private sector, and yet no one talked about conflict of interest before? Some are even CEOs. This is really making an issue out of a non-issue.”
“Which is your priority now? MP role or your private job?”
“It has never been an easy journey for her right from the start, but she has proven herself over the years with her hard work. This time, she chose to be transparent with her new role… For that, I give her my thumbs up.”
“Who will she serve? The one who pays her salary or the state who pays her (MP) allowance?”
“When one’s new job role can be changed so quickly and easily, it becomes very obvious the person was not hired to do that original role, nor was it for the amended role. Instead, (she) was hired for a different reason or agenda.”
These supporting and opposing comments, which were selected by TODAY from its readers, have been published on its website as part of a story.
“Many readers, however, were quick to jump to Ms. Tin’s defense, saying that she is well-liked, and it is common for MPs to have jobs in the private sector. Others questioned Grab’s motive for hiring Ms. Tin, and her ability to serve residents in the future.” The TODAY story reports.
On Feb 10, Tin used a ten-paragraph post on her Facebook to clarify her new role in the ride-hailing company Grab, about a week after news of her appointment as the company’s director of public affairs and policy.
The 39-year MP for MacPherson constituency said in her post that she would become the ride-hailing company’s director of corporate development — a role that “did not involve any government relations in Singapore”.
The change of her role was triggered by questions over a potential conflict of interest since even the People’s Action Party, which Tin is a member of, acknowledged that her initial appointment could pose some challenges. Some analysts also say that companies should be more careful when hiring office bearers in such roles.
By noon of today, Tin hasn’t posted anything on Facebook regarding TODAY’s report. Her most recent post was a group picture of grassroots leaders and agency reps discussing issues requiring attention about the Estate Upgrading Program at Happy Gardens.
