SINGAPORE: People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament Koh Poh Koon said he resigned from political office because his family needs him in a way that is “not compatible with the demands” of his appointments.
In an Instagram post on Friday (May 22), Dr Koh said he was thankful for the trust and confidence the prime minister had in him to hold a higher position in this term of government.
“However, I have been an absent husband, father and son since I stepped into politics in 2015, placing the needs of Singapore and my constituents above my family,” the MP for Tampines GRC added.
“For too long, my wife has carried much of the burden at home, often having to look after our parents and our children on her own.”
Dr Koh will relinquish his appointments as Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Senior Minister of State for Health from Jun 1, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced on Friday afternoon, citing “family reasons”.
