• Faishal resigns as minister, MP and PAP member with immediate effect.
  • Admits a “lapse of judgment”, but says there was no physical relationship.
  • Police find no criminal offence after investigating both parties’ harassment allegations.
  • PM Lawrence Wong says Faishal’s conduct fell short of expected standards.
  • Zaqy Mohamad takes over the Muslim affairs portfolio.

SINGAPORE, July 20 — Singapore Acting Minister of Muslim Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim today resigned from the Cabinet, Parliament and the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), admitting a “lapse of judgment” in his interactions with a woman.

He said there was “no physical relationship” between him and the woman and that he “did not intend for the interactions to develop into one”.

“There was a lapse of judgment on my part in the way I handled the interactions, and in failing to establish clearer boundaries at an earlier stage,” Faishal wrote in his resignation letter to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

“On reflection, I recognise that my conduct fell short of the standards expected of me and was not consistent with the responsibilities entrusted to me,” he wrote.

Faishal said he had decided “it is right for me to step away from politics, so that I can devote my time and attention to my family”.

In a Facebook post, apologised to residents and supporters, saying he was “deeply sorry” for letting them down.

Singapore news outlets reported Wong saying the matter came to his attention about a month ago after his office received an email from the woman about her interactions with Faishal.

He said both Faishal and the woman were interviewed separately before each made allegations of harassment against the other.

The matter was referred to the police for investigation.

Following consultations with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, police concluded that no criminal offence had been committed by either party and that no criminal action would be taken.

Wong said the remaining issue was whether Faishal’s conduct met the standards expected of a political office-holder and MP.

“Upon reflecting on the matter, Associate Professor Faishal accepted that his conduct fell short of these standards, and tendered his resignation,” he said in a statement posted on Facebook.

“I appreciate your acknowledgement that your conduct fell short of the standards expected of you, and your decision to take responsibility for it,” he added, accepting Faishal’s resignation.

Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment and Defence Zaqy Mohamad will assume the role of Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.

Faishal, 58, also served as senior minister of State for Home Affairs and had been an MP since entering politics in 2006.