Progress Singapore Party (PSP) candidates must walk in various districts to study and understand the ground sentiments, the Party’s chief Dr Tan Cheng Bock emphasized on Sunday (21 June), adding that the candidates must earn their votes for the upcoming general election (GE).
Dr Tan was speaking to members of the media during the Party’s walkabout at the Teck Whye Market – which located at the Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) – on Sunday.
Although he noted that the Party has been to many places including to Nee Soon GRC, he did not confirm with media on the wards that his party candidates would be fielded.
“You see my principle is that they must never expect to be voted, they must earn their votes. So to earn their votes, they must walk the ground,” Dr Tan remarked.
The PSP’s chief pointed out that the candidates must study every aspect of the ground, including knowing the people on the ground and the food that they eat.
By doing this, the candidates would better understand the needs of the people and at the same time, it will give more exposure to the PSP name, Dr Tan explained.
“I think where they are going to be fielded is not important now,” he noted. “They should get the name of PSP out there and let the people see the type of person they are, who may one day come and represent the place.”
“So I’m not gonna fix them to all be here,” Dr Tan added.
He hinted that the Party’s members have been studying a few places for “quite a long time”, even before the PSP was set up on 28 March 2019.
Citing his walkabout experience before launching the PSP last year, Dr Tan said that he has visited “every trail” and walked on grounds such as to the HDB blocks, shopping centres and the malls.
“Many people think that they know the ground, but actually they don’t. You must really spend time. Don’t assume, let people see you, then they’ll know that you’re actually serious,” he stated.
Meanwhile, one of the PSP’s candidates, Francis Yuen Kin Pheng – who also present during the walkabout with Dr Tan – said that 75 per cent of the households opened their doors and warmly welcomed the PSP members.
“Some of them shared the issues that they are facing with us, but we didn’t spend too much time on each family because we want to be mindful of the social distancing rules and respectful of their time too,” he told the media.
Noting that there is “chemistry” between the Party members and the people, Mr Yuen said that he hopes to interact with the residents more often.
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Mr Yuen was one of the first slate of candidates that Dr Tan introduced on Thursday (18 June). The other five candidates that were introduced are including Gigene Wong, 54; Hazel Poa, 50; Sri Nallakaruppan, 56; Bradley Bowyer, 53 and Muhammad Taufik Bin Supan, 40.
Dr Tan noted that these candidates from different races are selected from all walks of life, with some of them not taking the usual academic route but nevertheless managed to create success in their lives.
