Hyflux's Simon Tay resigns as independent director

This came after some differences related to his post on WongPartnership’s exit.

Hyflux's Simon Tay has voluntarily resigned as the embattled water treatment firm’s independent director starting 7 February, according to an SGX filing. Consequently, he has ceased as a member of its risk management and investment committees.

He cited his “inability to fulfill his duties” as the reason for his resignation. The company also mentioned unresolved differences related to his comments on WongPartnership discharging itself from representing Hyflux.

On 2 February he said in a Facebook post that he will rescue himself and not take part in discussions and decisions in Hyflux about WongPartnership, where he is currently a senior consultant. He also expressed to have been saddened by the law firm’s decision to discharge itself.

Also read: Hyflux appoints Clifford Chance and Cavenagh Law as legal advisors

However, Hyflux’s lawyers Clifford Chance and Cavenagh Law replied that he did not rescue himself nor objected to the company’s announcement that it has lost confidence and trust in WongPartnership.

“It would appear that despite having agreed to rescue yourself from any discussion relating to WongPartnership, you consider it appropriate as an independent director, to discuss that very same matter publicly,” Cavenagh Law said.

Tay is also currently an associate professor under the National University of Singapore’s Faculty of Law and a chairman of Singapore Institute of International Affairs.