Speaker of Parliament formally announces vacancy of Hougang seat

SINGAPORE: Speaker of Parliament, Michael Palmer made a formal announcement in parliament on Tuesday on the vacancy of the Hougang seat.

Mr Palmer told the house that former MP Yaw Shin Leong has informed parliament that he has decided not to appeal against his expulsion from the Workers' Party.

At the Parliament sitting on February 17, Mr Palmer had informed members that the clerk of Parliament had written to Mr Yaw to inform her in writing by February 24 if he intends to appeal against or challenge his expulsion from the Workers' Party.

Mr Palmer told members of the House then that the decision on the vacancy of Mr Yaw's seat in the house will be taken when his reply is received or if he doesn't reply by the deadline.

Mr Palmer said: "In accordance with clause 2B of Article 46 of the constitution, I have to therefore inform honorable members that the seat of the member for Hougang became vacant from the evening of 14 February which was when he was expelled from the political party for which he stood in the 2011 GE."