PRESS STATEMENT BY SPEAKER MICHAEL PALMER ON THE VACATION OF SEAT IN PARLIAMENT

At the sitting of Parliament on 17 February 2012, I informed Members of Parliament that the Clerk of Parliament had written to Mr Yaw Shin Leong, asking him to inform her in writing by Friday, 24 February 2012, if he intends to appeal against or challenge his expulsion from the Workers’ Party on 14 February 2012.
I also informed the House that the decision on the vacancy of Mr Yaw’s seat in the House would be taken when his reply is received or after expiry of the deadline given to him to reply.
On 20 February 2012, the Clerk of Parliament received a letter from Mr Yaw stating that he will not be appealing against his expulsion from the Workers’ Party.
In view of the above, and pursuant to Article 46(2)(b) of the Constitution, the seat of the Member for Hougang is vacant from the date of his expulsion from the political party for which he stood in the 2011 General Election, that is, 14 February 2012 .
I will be making a formal announcement to the House at its next sitting on Tuesday 28 February 2012.
Office of the Clerk of Parliament
22 February 2012