“””Ex-Driver Claims MP Leon Perera’s Alleged Affair Was Known for Years”” “

For 11 years, “Tan” (not his real name) served as Leon Perera’s personal driver, shuttling the Member of Parliament (MP) and his family to various events. In a recent interview with AsiaOne, the 80-year-old driver, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that Workers’ Party (WP) member Nicole Seah was often a passenger during his rides with Perera.

“They spoke quietly, and I saw them holding hands through the rearview mirror,” he recounted. According to Tan, he had witnessed what he believed was an inappropriate relationship between the two, expressing disappointment with both Perera’s actions and the lack of intervention from WP leadership.

A 16-second video clip surfaced on social media on July 17, showing Perera, 53, and Seah, 36, holding hands in a restaurant. The clip spurred WP to issue a statement acknowledging the video and indicating that they were looking into the matter, though they refrained from naming either Perera or Seah. Both senior WP members are married with two children each.

Tan described his relationship with Perera as close, likening it to that of a father and son. He claimed to have informed WP MPs Sylvia Lim and Gerald Giam about the alleged affair in 2020 and eventually reported it to WP leader Pritam Singh. Despite his efforts, Tan said, no action was taken. Instead, in 2021, Perera terminated Tan’s employment, citing an inability to use GPS effectively — an excuse Tan disputes.

Throughout his employment, Tan claimed to have driven Perera to hotels in the Orchard and Tanglin areas, including occasions where he allegedly saw Seah arriving or leaving. Tan said he witnessed displays of affection between Perera and Seah, describing hugs and goodbyes outside a shopping mall in Orchard Road.

Reflecting on his efforts to alert the party to the issue, Tan expressed frustration with WP’s response. “I tried to help Leon by going to him (Pritam),” he said, noting that his concerns were ignored. Dismissed in 2021, Tan said he was later reminded not to disclose any details to the press, the public, or on social media. Despite this, he decided to come forward, unafraid of any potential legal action, claiming he is simply “telling the truth.”