Shanmugam Sheds Light on Faishal Ibrahim Case, Says Messages Were "Inappropriate and Questionable"

Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam has shed more light on Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim's resignation, saying the former Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs was given a fair hearing and that his messages to a female member of the public were "objectively inappropriate and questionable"

According to Shanmugam, the woman later became angry after Faishal attempted to end the online interactions and subsequently emailed Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, attaching some of their messages and photos while alleging harassment by Faishal.

Faishal also alleged that the woman had harassed him, prompting the matter to be referred to the police for investigation.

Shanmugam said the matter ceased to be a "purely private, consensual matter between two individuals" once the complaint was made to the PM, making it necessary for the Prime Minister's Office to assess whether Faishal's conduct was appropriate for a political office holder.

The post comes amid a petition calling on PM Wong to reject Faishal 's resignation, with supporters describing him as a dedicated public servant who deserves a second chance.

Faishal resigned on 20 July as Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, Member of Parliament for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC and as a member of the People's Action Party (PAP), admitting in his resignation letter that there had been "a lapse of judgment" in how he handled the interactions and in failing to establish clearer boundaries.