People's Action Party (PAP) new candidate Ivan Lim has withdrawn from the 2020 General Election.

In a letter addressed to the party's secretary-general Lee Hsien Loong, Lim insisted that new allegations made against him after issuing clarifications are baseless.

Lim added that the controversy has eclipsed the core issues of what the election should be about — Singapore's future and the difficult steps the country has to take to emerge from Covid-19.

He also said that the controversy has caused intense pain and stress for his family.

Lee Hsien Loong: "The allegations spread like wildfire"

In his response, Lee told Lim that the controversy has been unfortunate.

"The allegations spread like wildfire online, eclipsing the serious life and death issues we must grapple with," he wrote.

In addition, Lee wrote that the nature of the campaign is such that there is no time for a thorough investigation.

Ending off his letter, Lee said that he respected Lim's decision to withdraw, and regrets that the latter's family had to bear such stress during the campaigning period.