Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim resigned from his political positions on July 20, 2026, following a "lapse of judgment" in his interactions with a female member of the public. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated that a review of the evidence revealed that Faishal's conduct fell short of the standards expected of him.
The incident came to light when the woman emailed the Prime Minister's Office, detailing her interactions with Faishal. Both parties made allegations of harassment, leading to a police investigation. After consulting with the Attorney-General's Chambers, it was determined that no criminal offense had been committed by either party.
Despite the absence of criminal charges, Faishal acknowledged that his conduct did not meet the standards expected of a political office-holder and Member of Parliament. He resigned from his positions as Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, and Member of Parliament for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.
Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Defence and Sustainability & the Environment, has been appointed as the new Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs. The People's Action Party (PAP) has stated that no by-election will be held for the Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, as only one of the five elected Members of Parliament has resigned.
This incident underscores the importance of transparency and accountability among public officials. The swift response by Prime Minister Wong and the PAP reflects a commitment to uphold high standards of conduct within the government. The appointment of Zaqy Mohamad aims to ensure continuity in the leadership of the Muslim Affairs portfolio.