Members of Parliament (MPs) have been on fire in the news recently. And there has been yet another addition.
Tin Pei Ling, MP for the MacPherson Single Member Constituency (SMC), will leave Singaporeans’ favourite ride-hailing company, Grab Singapore.
MP Tin Pei Ling Leaving Grab After Seven Months’ Tenure
On Thursday (17 Aug), Tin Pei Ling announced her departure from Grab after spending only seven months in a corporate development position.
We hope she took the public transport home that day; anything else would have seemed like a conflict of interest type of situation, if you know what I mean.
“It has been an invaluable experience for me at Grab, as it was an opportunity for me to return to the private sector, to broaden my horizons, hone new skills and allow me to make a contribution in a different way,” the 39-year-old shared on her LinkedIn post.
Ah, of course, this is from a LinkedIn post. Where else would you see people talking as if they were permanently living a job interview?
The MP also added that her experiences at the ride-hailing company would be something she would “continue to hold dear and be thankful for.”
Understandably so lah. I’m also immensely grateful for Grab whenever I wake up late for work.
MP Tin Pei Ling Commencing New Job at FinTech Company on 1 October
So, what’s next for the MP?
Well, MacPherson residents, don’t get too excited; the MP won’t be spending the extra time playing mahjong with your ah ma.
Tin shared that starting 1 October, she will take on a leadership position in strategic partnerships and business development at a FinTech company.
According to Tin’s LinkedIn post, the FinTech company aims to “pioneer innovative advancements in the payment industry.”
Perhaps they’ll be the ones to solve the problem of butter fingers accidentally transferring $500 instead of $50 on payment apps.
Grab has also confirmed Tin’s departure and expressed its support for the MP, adding: “We fully support Pei Ling’s aspiration to take on a more front-facing role and look forward to her continued championing of tech innovation in Singapore.”
Ah, an amicable breakup of sorts.
Regardless, we can never be sure of how amicable this “breakup” was, given that the abrupt announcement and prior circumstances paint a suspicious picture.
You might remember that earlier in January this year, the MP and Grab found themselves in Singaporeans’ crosshairs after the MP joined Grab as its Singapore director of public affairs and policy.
If you don’t see the problem yet, just read that again—an MP serving as a private company’s public affairs and policy director; the conflict of interest seems apparent.
Nine days later, Tin was moved to a corporate development position instead, given the challenges of wearing both hats, as the People’s Action Party (PAP) puts it.
That’s one way to admit to conflict of interest without admitting to conflict of interest. Tai Chi masters, for real.
You can read more about the earlier Tin Pei Ling saga here.