Cheng Li Hui was once a rising star in Singapore’s ruling party, the People’s Action Party (PAP). She was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Tampines GRC in 2015, and appointed as a deputy district adviser to the PAP Women’s Wing in 2016. She was also an independent director of the supermarket chain Sheng Siong and a successful businesswoman in her father’s company, Hai Leck Holdings.
However, her political career came to an abrupt end in 2023, when she resigned over an affair with Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin.
Biography
Cheng Li Hui was born in 1976 (age: 46–47 years, as of 2023), the daughter of Cheng Buck Poh, the founder and executive chairman of Hai Leck Holdings, a provider of engineering, procurement, and construction services. She has three siblings. She studied at Bukit Panjang Government High School and Anglo-Chinese Junior College, and graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She later obtained a Master of Applied Finance degree from Macquarie University.
Cheng Li Hui Wiki/Bio
| Name | Cheng Li Hui |
|---|---|
| Born | 1976 (age 46–47) |
| Nationality | Singaporean |
| Education | National University of Singapore (BA) <br> Macquarie University (MAppFin) |
| Occupation | Businesswoman, former politician |
| Political party | Independent (2023–present) People’s Action Party (2015–2023) |
| Political office | Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC (Tampines East) (2015–2023) |
| Business positions | Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Hai Leck Holdings (2012–present) <br> Independent Director of Sheng Siong (2021–present) <br> Board Member of various companies |
| Parents | Cheng Buck Poh (father) <br> Goo Guik Bing (mother) |
| Siblings | Three |
| Personal scandal | Extramarital affair with Tan Chuan-Jin (2020–2023) |
| Social Links | Instagram- Not Available Wikipedia- @Cheng_Li_Hui Homepage- Sagalnews |
Business Career
Cheng Li Hui joined her father’s company in 1999, and rose to become the deputy chief executive officer of Hai Leck Holdings in 2012. She was also a board member of several subsidiaries and affiliated companies, such as Allied Construction, Hai Leck Engineering, Enzo Investment, Hai Leck Development, and Cheng Capital Holdings. She was responsible for overseeing the group’s operations, business development, and corporate strategy.
In December 2021, Cheng was appointed as an independent director of Sheng Siong, one of Singapore’s largest supermarket chains. She served on the board of NTUC Foodfare, a social enterprise that provides affordable and quality food, in 2019 until it merged with NTUC Fairprice, another social enterprise that operates supermarkets and convenience stores, in September 2019.
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Height, Weight
- Height: 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
- Weight: 54 kg (119 lb)
- Eye color: Black
- Body measurements: Not available
- Skin color: Fair
- Hair color: Black
- Shoe size: Not available
Political Career
Cheng Li Hui had 12 years of grassroots experience before entering politics. She helped out with the PAP’s Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS) at the Bukit Panjang Branch since 2003 and was a councilor in the Northwest CDC for over 10 years. She started volunteering in Tampines East in early 2015 and was fielded as a candidate for the PAP in the 2015 general election. She won the seat and became the MP for Tampines East, taking over from former minister Mah Bow Tan.
As an MP, Cheng was active in speaking up on various issues in Parliament, such as elective egg freezing, fertility treatments, infant care and childcare facilities, environmental issues, and women’s development. She was also appointed as a deputy district adviser to the PAP Women’s Wing in 2016, along with four other female MPs.
Spouse
According to the reports, Cheng Li Hui is not married and does not have a husband. She does not have any children either. She was single before getting involved in the scandal with Tan Chuan-Jin, who is married and has two children. The affair was confirmed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on July 17, 2023, and both Li Hu and Tan resigned from their parliamentary positions and the People’s Action Party on the same day. You can read more about Cheng Li Hui’s biography, family, career, and net worth from the links below:
Personal Scandal and Resignation
On July 17, 2023, Cheng resigned from her MP position and from the PAP, after it was revealed that she had an extramarital affair with fellow MP and Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin, who was married with four children. The affair was said to have started in November 2020 and lasted for more than a year. Both Cheng Li Hui and Tan Chuan-Jin issued public apologies for their indiscretions and expressed regret for letting down their families, constituents, and party.
Prime Minister and PAP’s Secretary-General Lee Hsien Loong confirmed the affair and the resignations in a press conference, and said that their actions were “unacceptable” and “incompatible” with the standards of the PAP.
He said that their resignations were “necessary” to “maintain the high standards of propriety and personal conduct which the PAP has upheld all these years.” He also announced that by-elections would be held for the vacant seats of Tampines East and Marine Parade GRC, where Tan Chuan-Jin was the MP for Kembangan-Chai Chee.
Public Reaction and Legacy
The news of Cheng Li Hui and Tan Chuan-Jin’s affair and resignations shocked and disappointed many Singaporeans, who had regarded them as respected and capable leaders. Some netizens expressed sympathy and forgiveness for them, while others condemned and criticized them for their moral lapses and betrayal of trust. Some also questioned the impact of the scandal on the credibility and integrity of the PAP, and the future of Singapore’s political landscape.
Li Hui’s legacy as a politician and a businesswoman is tainted by her personal scandal, which overshadowed her achievements and contributions. She was once seen as a role model for women and young people, who balanced her career and public service with grace and professionalism. However, she also showed that she was human and fallible, and made a costly mistake that cost her everything. She is now a cautionary tale of how power and fame can lead to temptation and downfall.
What did PM Lee Hsien Loong say?
- PM Lee Hsien Loong confirmed that Cheng Li Hui and Tan Chuan-Jin had an inappropriate relationship that started in November 2020 and continued until July 2023, despite his warning to them in February 2023.
- He said that their resignations were “necessary” to “maintain the high standards of propriety and personal conduct which the PAP has upheld all these years”
- He expressed his disappointment and sadness over the incident, saying that both Cheng and Tan were “valued colleagues and friends” who had “contributed much to Singapore and the PAP”
- He added that he hoped that they would “rebuild their lives and their families” and that he would “continue to support them as friends”
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $5 million |
| 2022 | $6 million |
| 2023 | $7 million |
