7 Facts About Cheng Li Hui, The Tampines GRC MP You Probably Didn’t Hear of Before 17 July 2023

On 17 July 2023, the Singapore Prime Minister Office (PMO) released a statement that shocked the nation. Two PAP members, Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and Tampines GRC MP Cheng Li Hui have resigned from their posts and the party.

The reason? For having an affair.

Here are 7 facts about Ms Cheng Li Hui, the Tampines GRC MP you probably didn’t know before 17 July 2023.

Who is Ms Cheng Li Hui?

Born in 1976, Ms Cheng is the third of five siblings. Her father is Mr Cheng Buck Poh, the founder, executive chairman and CEO of Hai Leck Holdings.

The engineering company serves the oil and gas and petrochemicals industry, and recorded $82.5 million revenue in FY2022.

When she joined politics, she was the deputy CEO of the company.

In December 2021, she was appointed as an independent director of Sheng Siong.

Ms Cheng Li Hui is not married.

Education

Ms Cheng Li Hui graduated from Bukit Panjang Government High School in 1992. She was in the Girl Guides CCA and served as a councillor.

Ms Cheng graduated from National University of Singapore (NUS) with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

She went on to obtain a Masters in Applied Finance from Macquarie University in Australia.

Started Grassroots Activities in Secondary School

Back in 2016, Ms Cheng said that she had been helping her father in grassroot activities since her secondary school days.

She held the role of a councillor in Northwest CDC for more than 10 years and had over 12 years of grassroots experience at that time.

Has Been Volunteering Since 2003

Ms Cheng has been involved in politics since 2003.

She started volunteering at Meet-The-People sessions in the Bukit Panjang area. She was approached to join tea sessions with the PAP when she was even younger.

However, she heeded her mother’s advice to gain more experience first.

She returned to the PAP tea sessions between 2012 and 2013.

Ms Cheng Li Hui: A “Quiet” Person Who Gets Things Done

If you’ve never heard of the name “Cheng Li Hui” before 17 July, it’s not you.

According to former minister Mah Bow Tan, Ms Cheng is a “quiet” person who gets things done.

Ms Cheng had started volunteering in the Tampines GRC ward in early 2015 before being fielded for the General Elections that year.

She was successfully elected into parliament during the 2015 GE and took over from Mr Mah Bow Tan.

Roles in Politics

Other than taking care of her residents in the Tampines East Ward, Ms Cheng was also in the Estimates Committee for the 13th session of the parliament.

In the 14th session of the parliament, she was a member of the House Committee.

She was appointed deputy district adviser to the PAP Woman’s Wing in 2016.

Other than speaking about elective egg freezing, Ms Cheng is also an advocate for:

  • infant care and childcare facilities in new estates
  • more help for couples undergoing fertility treatments
  • environmental issues in Singapore

Quitting Politics

According to PM Lee, Ms Cheng and Mr Tan Chuan-Jin’s affair had been going on since 2020.

While the pair was counselled and told to stop their illicit relationship, they persisted.

Ms Cheng resigned from PAP and the parliament with immediate effect.

Image: PMO

In her resignation letter, Ms Cheng apologised for resigning under such circumstances.

She also apologised to the party, her residents and volunteers.