Nominated MPs Raj Joshua Thomas, Syed Harun Alhabsyi resign from posts

Two Nominated Members of Parliament – lawyer Raj Joshua Thomas and psychiatrist Syed Harun Alhabsyi – resigned on Feb 14, the first time any NMP has done so before the end of his term.

- Ng Wei Kai and Goh Yan Han

Parliament informed MPs about their resignations on Feb 14 in separate e-mails seen by The Straits Times. Their biodata was removed from the Parliament website the same day.

The move has fuelled speculation that they could be fielded as candidates in the coming general election.

The e-mails, signed off by Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, state that both men resigned at around noon.

Mr Seah said that, in accordance with the Constitution, both seats are vacant with effect from the time of resignation.

A formal announcement to the House will be made at the next Parliament sitting, he added.

When contacted for comment, Dr Syed Harun referred ST to his Facebook post, which had his resignation letter attached.

In the letter, Dr Syed Harun said it would be most appropriate that he resign as he intends to "explore opportunity for political service".

Though there is much that nominated and elected MPs contribute together to parliamentary proceedings, their representative roles in the parliamentary process are distinct and different, he said.

"I have learnt much in this journey and, truly, it has been a great honour and my deep privilege to have served in this capacity," he added in his post.