Seah Kian Peng - Revision history

Jayyy at 01:32, 12 August 2025

2025-08-12T01:32:59Z

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	==References==		==References==

	~~{{Navbar-14P}}~~

	[[Category:Politicians]]		[[Category:Politicians]]
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	[[Category:MP]]		[[Category:MP]]
	[[Category:Parliament Speaker]]		[[Category:Parliament Speaker]]
			<references />{{Navbar-14P}}{{Navbar-15P}}

Jayyy at 04:23, 18 July 2025

2025-07-18T04:23:28Z

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	== Other Appointments, Awards, and Personal Life ==		== Other Appointments, Awards, and Personal Life ==
	Throughout his career, Seah has been actively involved in numerous organizations outside of his primary corporate and political roles. He has served on the boards of major corporations and national bodies, including SingTel, the National Parks Board, the Health Promotion Board, and the Singapore Olympic Foundation. He was also the founding Chairman of the Harvard Business School Club of Singapore, stepping down in 2018, and currently chairs the Marine Parade Leadership Foundation.		Throughout his career, Seah has been actively involved in numerous organizations outside of his primary corporate and political roles. He has served on the boards of major corporations and national bodies, including SingTel, the National Parks Board, the Health Promotion Board, and the Singapore Olympic Foundation.<ref name=":3" /> He was also the founding Chairman of the Harvard Business School Club of Singapore, stepping down in 2018, and currently chairs the Marine Parade Leadership Foundation.<ref name=":3" />

	His contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards. In 2019 and 2020, he was named Outstanding CEO of the Year at the Singapore Business Awards. He also received the Co-operative Champion award from the Singapore National Co-operatives Federation in 2013 and the Medal of Commendation from NTUC in 2015.		His contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards. In 2019 and 2020, he was named Outstanding CEO of the Year at the Singapore Business Awards.<ref name=":3" /> He also received the Co-operative Champion award from the Singapore National Co-operatives Federation in 2013 and the Medal of Commendation from NTUC in 2015.<ref name=":5" />

	Seah is married to Jean Yap, and the couple has two children. He is known to be an avid sportsman and enjoys various sports.		Seah is married to Jean Yap, and the couple has two children. He is known to be an avid sportsman and enjoys various sports.<ref name=":3" />

	== Social Media Pages ==		== Social Media Pages ==

Jayyy at 04:17, 18 July 2025

2025-07-18T04:17:44Z

Jayyy at 04:02, 18 July 2025

2025-07-18T04:02:12Z

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GeeBot: /* top */ clean up, removed: ''Pending'' (2)

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top: clean up, removed: ''Pending'' (2)

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	\|data02= • Deputy Speaker of Parliament <br /> •		\|data02= • Deputy Speaker of Parliament <br /> •
	\|field03=Others		\|field03=Others
	\|data03= • NTUC FairPrice CEO <br /> • ~~''Pending''~~		\|data03= • NTUC FairPrice CEO <br /> •
	\|Input 1st Header=Background		\|Input 1st Header=Background
	\|field04=Education		\|field04=Education
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	\|field06=Others		\|field06=Others
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	}}		}}

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	\|politicalparty=PAP		\|politicalparty=PAP
	\|field01=Current Role		\|field01=Current Role
	\|data01= • Speaker of Parliament <br /> • MP of Marine Parade GRC		\|data01= • Speaker of Parliament <br /> • MP for Marine Parade GRC
	\|field02=Past Roles		\|field02=Past Roles
	\|data02= • Deputy Speaker of Parliament <br /> •		\|data02= • Deputy Speaker of Parliament <br /> •
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	===Shuttle Service Landmark Controversy===		===Shuttle Service Landmark Controversy===

	* Seah Kian Peng was also one of the MPs featured on the shuttle bus service in Marine Parade cluster. See [[Tan See Leng#Shuttle Service Landmark Controversy \|Tan See Leng]]'s page for detail.		* Seah Kian Peng was also one of the MPs featured on the shuttle bus service in Marine Parade cluster. See [[Tan See Leng#Shuttle Service Landmark Controversy\|Tan See Leng]]'s page for detail.

	* The MPS who formed part of the landmarks on this shuttle bus include from left to right:		* The MPS who formed part of the landmarks on this shuttle bus include from left to right:
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	*# [[Tan See Leng]], Marine Parade GRC		*# [[Tan See Leng]], Marine Parade GRC
	*# [[Edwin Tong]], Marine Parade GRC		*# [[Edwin Tong]], Marine Parade GRC
	*# [[Seah Kian Peng]], Marine Parade GRC		*# Seah Kian Peng, Marine Parade GRC
	*# [[Tin Pei Ling]], MacPherson SMC		*# [[Tin Pei Ling]], MacPherson SMC

Geegee at 19:44, 7 March 2025

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	Unlike in western countries which practice a strictly non-partisan {{g \|Speaker of Parliament}} who must renounce his party membership once appointed, Singapore's Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, like all his earlier predecessors, is a member of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and he has represented the Braddell Heights division of Marine Parade GRC as a Member of Parliament (MP) since 2006. Prior to his current role, he was the Deputy Speaker of Parliament from 2011 to 2016. Beyond politics, Seah held leadership positions within Singapore’s cooperative and retail sectors, including serving as the chief executive officer (CEO) of NTUC FairPrice from 2010 to 2022.		Unlike in western countries which practice a strictly non-partisan {{g \|Speaker of Parliament}} who must renounce his party membership once appointed, Singapore's Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, like all his earlier predecessors, is a member of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and he has represented the Braddell Heights division of Marine Parade GRC as a Member of Parliament (MP) since 2006. Prior to his current role, he was the Deputy Speaker of Parliament from 2011 to 2016. Beyond politics, Seah held leadership positions within Singapore’s cooperative and retail sectors, including serving as the chief executive officer (CEO) of NTUC FairPrice from 2010 to 2022.

			For a full list of positions, see [https://web.archive.org/web/20250220120032/https://www.parliament.gov.sg/mps/list-of-current-mps/mp/details/seah-kian-peng PARL link].


	== Early Life and Education ==		== Early Life and Education ==

Geegee at 19:42, 7 March 2025

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	'''Seah Kian Peng''' (Chinese: 謝健平; pinyin: Xiè Jiànpíng; born 5 December 1961) is presently the Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore sworn in on 2 Aug 2023 after previous Tan Chuan-Jin stepped down over an extramarital affair with fellow People's Action Party MP Cheng Li Hui, who also resigned.		'''Seah Kian Peng''' (Chinese: 謝健平; pinyin: Xiè Jiànpíng; born 5 December 1961) is presently the Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore sworn in on 2 Aug 2023 after previous Tan Chuan-Jin stepped down over an extramarital affair with fellow People's Action Party MP Cheng Li Hui, who also resigned.

	Unlike in western countries which practice a strictly non-partisan {{g \|Speaker of Parliament}} who must renounce his party membership once appointed, Singapore's Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng is a member of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and he has represented the Braddell Heights division of Marine Parade GRC as a Member of Parliament (MP) since 2006. Prior to his current role, he was the Deputy Speaker of Parliament from 2011 to 2016. Beyond politics, Seah held leadership positions within Singapore’s cooperative and retail sectors, including serving as the chief executive officer (CEO) of NTUC FairPrice from 2010 to 2022.		Unlike in western countries which practice a strictly non-partisan {{g \|Speaker of Parliament}} who must renounce his party membership once appointed, Singapore's Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, like all his earlier predecessors, is a member of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and he has represented the Braddell Heights division of Marine Parade GRC as a Member of Parliament (MP) since 2006. Prior to his current role, he was the Deputy Speaker of Parliament from 2011 to 2016. Beyond politics, Seah held leadership positions within Singapore’s cooperative and retail sectors, including serving as the chief executive officer (CEO) of NTUC FairPrice from 2010 to 2022.

	== Early Life and Education ==		== Early Life and Education ==

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Controversies

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	Seah responded by confirming that his team upholds the principles of fairness and impartiality in the parliament.<ref>https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2024/08/16/speaker-seah-kian-pengs-claims-of-fairness-and-consistency-draw-online-skepticism/</ref>		Seah responded by confirming that his team upholds the principles of fairness and impartiality in the parliament.<ref>https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2024/08/16/speaker-seah-kian-pengs-claims-of-fairness-and-consistency-draw-online-skepticism/</ref>

			===Shuttle Service Landmark Controversy===

			* Seah Kian Peng was also one of the MPs featured on the shuttle bus service in Marine Parade cluster. See [[Tan See Leng#Shuttle Service Landmark Controversy \|Tan See Leng]]'s page for detail.

			* The MPS who formed part of the landmarks on this shuttle bus include from left to right:
			*# Lim Biow Chua, Mountbatten SMC
			*# [[Mohd Fahmi Bin Aliman]], Marine Parade GRC
			*# [[Tan See Leng]], Marine Parade GRC
			*# [[Edwin Tong]], Marine Parade GRC
			*# [[Seah Kian Peng]], Marine Parade GRC
			*# [[Tin Pei Ling]], MacPherson SMC

	== Social Media Pages ==		== Social Media Pages ==

Geegee: /* Criticism over PAP neutrality */

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Criticism over PAP neutrality

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	During the COVID-19 pandemic, Seah drew public attention in April 2020 for acting as a safe distancing ambassador during Singapore’s circuit breaker lockdown. His actions sparked debate, with some viewing them as proactive while others raised concerns about overreach.<ref>https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2020/04/28/seah-kian-peng-explains-his-walkabout-i-hope-we-dont-politicise-this-matter-said-the-politician/</ref>		During the COVID-19 pandemic, Seah drew public attention in April 2020 for acting as a safe distancing ambassador during Singapore’s circuit breaker lockdown. His actions sparked debate, with some viewing them as proactive while others raised concerns about overreach.<ref>https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2020/04/28/seah-kian-peng-explains-his-walkabout-i-hope-we-dont-politicise-this-matter-said-the-politician/</ref>

	=== Criticism over ~~PAP~~ neutrality ===		=== Criticism over political neutrality ===
	Seah faced criticism over his PAP team's impartiality in response to the parliamentary incident involving MPs from the opposing sides. Some claimed that in the past debates, MPs from the opposition parties never had a chance to clarify.		Seah faced criticism over his PAP team's impartiality in response to the parliamentary incident involving MPs from the opposing sides. Some claimed that in the past debates, MPs from the opposition parties never had a chance to clarify.

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	Seah was formally elected as the 11th Speaker of Parliament on 2 August 2023. The role of the Speaker is to preside over parliamentary sittings, enforce the rules of debate with impartiality, and act as the guardian of parliamentary privilege. The Speaker does not participate in debates but can vote on motions if they are an elected MP. The office is also second in the presidential line of succession.<ref name=":3" />		Seah was formally elected as the 11th Speaker of Parliament on 2 August 2023. The role of the Speaker is to preside over parliamentary sittings, enforce the rules of debate with impartiality, and act as the guardian of parliamentary privilege. The Speaker does not participate in debates but can vote on motions if they are an elected MP. The office is also second in the presidential line of succession.<ref name=":3" />

	In his inaugural speech, Seah addressed the circumstances of his appointment, urging all MPs to be "vigilant in personal conduct" and to serve the people of Singapore. He has since stated his intention to make parliamentary proceedings more accessible to the public, including by encouraging the use of plain language, and has cautioned members against using the House for "electioneering" or "grandstanding" ahead of elections.<ref>https://gutzy.asia/2024/08/16/speaker-seah-kian-pengs-claims-of-fairness-and-consistency-draw-online-skepticism/</ref><ref name=":8" />		In his inaugural speech, Seah addressed the circumstances of his appointment, urging all MPs to be "vigilant in personal conduct" and to serve the people of Singapore. He has since stated his intention to make parliamentary proceedings more accessible to the public, including by encouraging the use of plain language, and has cautioned members against using the House for "electioneering" or "grandstanding" ahead of elections.<ref name=":10">https://gutzy.asia/2024/08/16/speaker-seah-kian-pengs-claims-of-fairness-and-consistency-draw-online-skepticism/</ref><ref name=":8" />

	== Controversies and Public Scrutiny ==		== Controversies and Public Scrutiny ==
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	In August 2018, a group of Singaporean civil society figures, including historian Dr. Thum Ping Tjin, journalist Kirsten Han, and activist Jolovan Wham, met with the newly elected Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, in Putrajaya. On 1 September 2018, Seah posted a commentary on his Facebook page that ignited a major public firestorm. He alleged that the activists had "invited Dr. Mahathir to bring democracy to Singapore" and claimed it was clear that Dr. Thum "does not wish Singapore well". Seah's post also linked the activists to unrelated comments made by others suggesting that Singapore was historically part of Malaya, concluding that this might be why they felt it "permissible to ask its current prime minister to interfere in our affairs".<ref name=":9">https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2018/09/04/activists-and-sdp-respond-to-mp-seah-kian-pengs-allegations-against-historian-thum-ping-tjin-and-others/</ref>		In August 2018, a group of Singaporean civil society figures, including historian Dr. Thum Ping Tjin, journalist Kirsten Han, and activist Jolovan Wham, met with the newly elected Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, in Putrajaya. On 1 September 2018, Seah posted a commentary on his Facebook page that ignited a major public firestorm. He alleged that the activists had "invited Dr. Mahathir to bring democracy to Singapore" and claimed it was clear that Dr. Thum "does not wish Singapore well". Seah's post also linked the activists to unrelated comments made by others suggesting that Singapore was historically part of Malaya, concluding that this might be why they felt it "permissible to ask its current prime minister to interfere in our affairs".<ref name=":9">https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2018/09/04/activists-and-sdp-respond-to-mp-seah-kian-pengs-allegations-against-historian-thum-ping-tjin-and-others/</ref>

	The reaction was swift and fierce. The activists involved vehemently denied Seah's characterization of the meeting. They clarified that Dr. Thum had urged Dr. Mahathir to take a leadership role in promoting democracy ''across Southeast Asia'', not to intervene specifically in Singapore.<ref name=":9" /> They accused Seah—who was, at the time, a member of the Select Committee on Deliberate Online Falsehoods—of spreading misinformation himself. They called for him to retract his statements, which they stated hd triggered a torrent of online abuse, accusations of treason, and even death threats.		The reaction was swift and fierce. The activists involved vehemently denied Seah's characterization of the meeting. They clarified that Dr. Thum had urged Dr. Mahathir to take a leadership role in promoting democracy ''across Southeast Asia'', not to intervene specifically in Singapore.<ref name=":9" /> They accused Seah—who was, at the time, a member of the Select Committee on Deliberate Online Falsehoods—of spreading misinformation himself. They called for him to retract his statements, which they stated hd triggered a torrent of online abuse, accusations of treason, and even death threats.<ref name=":9" />

	The controversy escalated when the socio-political website ''The Online Citizen'' (TOC) published a critical response on 4 September 2018. The article, titled "The Take Away from Seah Kian Ping's Facebook Post" (misspelling his name), was authored under the pseudonym "Willy Sum". The article not only criticized Seah's remarks but also made serious allegations of corruption within the Singapore government.		The controversy escalated when the socio-political website ''The Online Citizen'' (TOC) published a critical response on 4 September 2018. The article, titled "The Take Away from Seah Kian Ping's Facebook Post" (misspelling his name), was authored under the pseudonym "Willy Sum". The article not only criticized Seah's remarks but also made serious allegations of corruption within the Singapore government.<ref name=":9" />

	This led to state action. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) lodged a police report against TOC. The police subsequently launched an investigation into TOC for criminal defamation, seizing electronic equipment from its editor, Terry Xu. The investigation revealed the author to be Daniel De Costa, who was charged alongside Xu. Both were ultimately found guilty of criminal defamation in 2021, with De Costa also convicted for unauthorized use of an email account. The entire episode, from a politician's Facebook post to a critical media response and a subsequent criminal prosecution, illustrated the potent power dynamics at play in Singapore's political and media landscape.		This led to state action. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) lodged a police report against TOC.<ref>https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/toc-editor-and-author-of-article-about-mp-seah-kian-peng-to-be-charged-with-criminal</ref> The police subsequently launched an investigation into TOC for criminal defamation, seizing electronic equipment from its editor, Terry Xu. The investigation revealed the author to be Daniel De Costa, who was charged alongside Xu. Both were ultimately found guilty of criminal defamation in 2021, with De Costa also convicted for unauthorized use of an email account.<ref>https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/high-court-judge-rejects-third-constitutional-challenge-online-citizen-writer-accused</ref> The entire episode, from a politician's Facebook post to a critical media response and a subsequent criminal prosecution, illustrated the potent power dynamics at play in Singapore's political and media landscape.

	=== The 2020 "Safe Distancing Ambassador" Incident ===		=== The 2020 "Safe Distancing Ambassador" Incident ===
	In April 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and during Singapore's stringent "circuit breaker" lockdown, Seah became the subject of another public controversy. He posted on Facebook about visiting a wet market and coffee shops in his Braddell Heights constituency, stating he was "playing the role of a safe distancing ambassador (SDA)". The post, which included the hashtag "#walkabout," quickly drew criticism from the public.		In April 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and during Singapore's stringent "circuit breaker" lockdown, Seah became the subject of another public controversy. He posted on Facebook about visiting a wet market and coffee shops in his Braddell Heights constituency, stating he was "playing the role of a safe distancing ambassador (SDA)". The post, which included the hashtag "#walkabout," quickly drew criticism from the public.<ref name=":11">https://mothership.sg/2020/04/seah-kian-peng-safe-distancing/</ref>

	Netizens questioned the legitimacy of his role, pointing out that he was not wearing the official red armband or pass issued to appointed SDAs. Critics also noted that his "walkabout" appeared to contravene the PAP's own directive to suspend all on-the-ground activities and market visits to comply with lockdown measures. The incident was seen by some as a misjudgment in navigating his dual roles as an MP needing to be on the ground and a public figure expected to set an example during a national crisis, leading to perceptions of entitlement or of flouting the spirit of the rules.		Netizens questioned the legitimacy of his role, pointing out that he was not wearing the official red armband or pass issued to appointed SDAs. Critics also noted that his "walkabout" appeared to contravene the PAP's own directive to suspend all on-the-ground activities and market visits to comply with lockdown measures. The incident was seen by some as a misjudgment in navigating his dual roles as an MP needing to be on the ground and a public figure expected to set an example during a national crisis, leading to perceptions of entitlement or of flouting the spirit of the rules.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":12">https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/mp-seah-kian-peng-explains-visit-market-after-facebook-post-playing-role-safe-distancing</ref>

	In response to the backlash, Seah provided an explanation. He stated that he had been at the local community club to sign documents and, as the CEO of NTUC FairPrice, was also checking on the operations of nearby supermarket outlets as part of his job. He said he made his observations while walking through the estate and urged the public not to "politicise this matter".		In response to the backlash, Seah provided an explanation. He stated that he had been at the local community club to sign documents and, as the CEO of NTUC FairPrice, was also checking on the operations of nearby supermarket outlets as part of his job. He said he made his observations while walking through the estate and urged the public not to "politicise this matter".<ref name=":12" />

	=== Debates on the Speaker's Impartiality ===		=== Debates on the Speaker's Impartiality ===
	Following his election as Speaker, a role that demands strict neutrality, Seah's long-standing affiliation with the ruling PAP became a subject of public debate and online skepticism. Critics and opposition supporters have argued that a Speaker drawn from the ranks of the governing party may face inherent challenges in being perceived as fully impartial. Some have pointed to instances in Parliament where question time involving opposition MPs was perceived to have been ended abruptly as evidence of potential bias.		Following his election as Speaker, a role that demands strict neutrality, Seah's long-standing affiliation with the ruling PAP became a subject of public debate and online skepticism. Critics and opposition supporters have argued that a Speaker drawn from the ranks of the governing party may face inherent challenges in being perceived as fully impartial. Some have pointed to instances in Parliament where question time involving opposition MPs was perceived to have been ended abruptly as evidence of potential bias.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":13">https://www.reddit.com/r/singapore/comments/1etev3v/ive_called_on_people_fairly_and_consistently/</ref>

	Seah has publicly addressed these concerns, stating his conscious effort to apply parliamentary rules fairly and consistently to all members, regardless of their party affiliation. He has emphasized that his duty is to uphold the dignity and decorum of the House and to ensure that proceedings are conducted in an orderly manner.		Seah has publicly addressed these concerns, stating his conscious effort to apply parliamentary rules fairly and consistently to all members, regardless of their party affiliation. He has emphasized that his duty is to uphold the dignity and decorum of the House and to ensure that proceedings are conducted in an orderly manner.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":13" />

	== Other Appointments, Awards, and Personal Life ==		== Other Appointments, Awards, and Personal Life ==