A Recap of How PAP’s Michael Palmer, Also Speaker of the House, Resigned After the Media Exposed His Affair

By now, everyone’s minds must be overwhelmed with information regarding pressing affairs (pun not intended) that have plagued the world of Singaporean politics. 

On 17 July, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a statement regarding the resignation of Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin (who had previously been embroiled in a hot mic incident) and Tampines GRC MP Li Cheng Hui.

It was revealed that the two of them were having an ongoing affair that was hinted to have started sometime around the 2020 general election.

You can watch this video for a summary:

On the same day, a video posted on the internet showed Workers’ Party Members Leon Perera and Nicole Seah engaging in intimate hand holding. 

However, this isn’t the first time an extramarital affair has landed notable politicians in hot water.

In fact, another Speaker of Parliament, Michael Palmer had also resigned after news of his affair was leaked to the press. 

The resignation happened more than 11 years ago, so it is not a surprise that the incident has since faded from people’s memory. 

But it’s somehow similar because Mr Palmer was a Speaker of the House when he resigned.

So, here is a recap of the events that happened way back in 2012.

Intimate Details of the Affair Published By The New Paper

On 8 December 2012, The New Paper received leaked texts and emails from an anonymous source. 

The texts and emails, which belonged to Michael Palmer and People’s Association’s (PA) constituency director at the time Laura Ong, were filled with intimate exchanges between them.

At the time, Palmer was in a 15-year relationship with his wife, Diane. On the other hand, Ong had recently been separated from her spouse. 

One text went as such, “Hello darling… I love you loads. More than I sometimes show… Sorry. Love love.”

Another went, “every time we meet on monday, the kisses are lesser…the time we spend getting intimate is also lesser.”

The header of one of the emails in question was titled “Fwd: Your booking at Fairmont Singapore…”. 

The mere mention of a private hotel booking is enough to turn some heads, and heads were definitely turned amongst the reporters at The New Paper. 

In the article released to the public on 13 December 2012, The New Paper reported that they had also received a picture of a Dior handbag that Palmer had purportedly given Ong and that the relationship between them had been ongoing for about a year.

Palmer Announced His Resignation In Press Conference, Relinquishes Duties as MP Representing Punggol East

On 8 December, the same day the leaks were reported to have spread, Palmer informed Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean about his decision to resign. 

He had resigned “to avoid further embarrassment to the PAP and to Parliament” and declined to take personal questions on his affair and how it had affected his family.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong confirmed Palmer’s decision to resign on the next day, and in the interim of two days, the PAP made arrangements to ensure that the residents of Punggol East would be taken care of.

Finally, an official press statement was made on 12 December 2012 announcing Palmer’s resignation as Speaker of Parliament and the MP representing Punggol East. 

Palmer Has Since Resumed His Career As a Lawyer in Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC

While Palmer made a grave mistake that cost him his political career, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long called Palmer an MP who “worked diligently”, “tirelessly attending to the needs of [his] residents.”.

Former Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck also remains good friends with him to this day.

Michael Palmer has since moved on to start a new chapter of his life by resuming his law practice under a partnership with law firm Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC.