Dr Tan Cheng Bock, the founder and chairman of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), stated his readiness to run in the upcoming General election (GE) during a press conference on Saturday (27 May).
The 83-year-old politician emphasized his determination to face the challenges of the 2025 election, stating that he never shies away from a fight.
“I always say, as long as I am relevant, I’ll be there. I never run away from a fight, and 2025 is a very challenging (fight).”
“I am so far still very, very prepared for (GE)2025,” he said when responding to a question seeking his clarification on whether he has any plans to run in the coming GE.
In the 2020 General Election, the PSP fielded candidates in nine constituencies, competing for a total of 24 seats. Notably, party founder Dr Tan Cheng Bock – a former People’s Action Party Member of Parliament – contested in the West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC).
Emerging victorious in a closely contested battle against the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) at that time, the People’s Action Party (PAP) team, led by S. Iswaran and Desmond Lee, only secured 51.69 percent of the votes.
Responding to a journalist’s question about the perception of PSP as an “old man party” and how the party plans to attract more young voters in the next election, Dr Tan acknowledged that the perception was indeed true.
“When they started the party, the only people who came forward were my friends and my old PAP members of my (former)Rajah (constituency).”
“But having said that, as a politician, you look after everybody. So that’s why we look for the young, the old, even the able And sometimes even disabled people.”
Dr Tan asserted the importance of every voice in Parliament and explained that PSP seeks to include both the young and the old, as well as individuals with disabilities, as long as they are capable.
“So I would not say that we’re only concentrating on the very young or very old. It’s a concept for all, and I think that is where we are heading.”
He highlighted the gradual changes within the party, mentioning the successive transitions in PSP’s Central Executive Committee.
A” for all” party
“The very young ones, you may not see them now, Is because we still have to see whether they are capable enough to hold positions. We’ll monitor them. We were actually not look after them. We will put them to the ground and see how they fare. ”
Looking ahead to the next general election, Dr Tan anticipated a diverse representation of young and old individuals from different races, including permanent residents who have become citizens.
“Anyone that take part, also can all races we have. If you go back to our Nee Soon GRC (in GE 2020), we have fielded English people. Indians, Malays, Chinese. Or so we are, a party for all.”
Dr Tan Cheng Bock further acknowledged the significant contribution of PSP’s young members, emphasizing their active involvement in managing the party’s operations.
“We have restructured the whole PSP and they have encouraged many young people to step forward. And I feel very old when I see them, but I’m proud of them. ”
Party Chief Leong Mun Wai highlighted the evolution of PSP’s support base over the past four years. While the party initially garnered strong support from the Merdeka generation, their outreach activities on the ground have enabled them to cultivate a broader base of support.
Additionally, he believed that the presentation of various policies by PSP’s Non-Consituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) Hazel Poa and himself in the Parliament has resonated with the older generation and younger Singaporeans.
