(Bloomberg) -- A Singapore lawmaker appointed to run Grab Holdings Ltd.’s government relations department last week was abruptly moved to a different role within the tech company after a public backlash over potential conflicts of interest.

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Tin Pei Ling from the ruling People’s Action party had previously said that she can keep her two roles separate. While members of parliament are allowed to hold private sector jobs in the city-state, the practice has drawn much debate online this time around.

The change-up marks an unusual about-face for the ruling party, which had publicly endorsed Tin’s appointment and whose word is typically final. The government of the small city-state has been sensitive to public debate on issues that could challenge its integrity and status as a financial hub.

The PAP said in a Facebook post that it didn’t initially object when Tin informed the party that she would take up the role at the local ride-hailing and food delivery giant. However, earlier this month — following the extensive public comments — the party had discussed the matter with the lawmaker again to “understand better the scope of her duties.”

“It then became clear to the party that she would be expected to engage regularly with government ministries and agencies on public policy issues on behalf of Grab,” the PAP said. “While she would make it clear that she was engaging in her private capacity and not as a PAP MP, there could still be challenges in carrying out these responsibilities, especially under the current circumstances.”

Tin has since discussed the matter with Grab and informed the PAP that her role at the company has been changed to a director of corporate development, a position in which her primary duties won’t involve government relations in Singapore.