There has been an “erosion” of transparency, independence and accountability within the Government, said Dr Tan Cheng Bock on Friday (Jul 26), explaining the reasons behind his decision to set up a new political party.
“I believe the processes of good governance have gone astray,” said Dr Tan, the secretary-general of the new Progress Singapore Party (PSP), at a press conference held at Swissotel Merchant Court on Friday. “I worry because I see the foundations of good governance eroding. Specifically, there is an erosion of transparency, independence and accountability.
“Yet these are the three foundations for creating trust between the Government and the people ... This means a robust system of checks and balances. This is what the people of Singapore want and this is what they should have - so that we can continue to hold our heads high and be proud of our system of Government.”read more
MParader 17 hrs
Tan Cheng Bock says that Lee Kuan Yew invited him to join the PAP. Ouch! He omits to say that I put his name up to LKY. Surely I deserve some credit — or rather, blame — for who he has become now?
“For Country, For People”. He has conveniently left out “For Me”!
Tan Cheng Bock was my classmate in Raffles Institution. I have known him close for over 60 years. It saddens me to see how he has “lost his way”. He is like Don Quixote tilting at windmills. --- gct
ESM Goh says Tan Cheng Bock has “lost his way”; blames himself for who Tan has now become
In a startling Facebook admission today, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong wrote that Dr Tan Cheng Bock has “lost his way”.
At the public launch of the Progress Singapore Party on Saturday (August 3), Dr Tan briefly mentioned how the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew had invited him to join the People’s Action Party (PAP) years ago. However, ESM Goh griped, “Ouch! He omits to say that I put his name up to LKY”.
The Emeritus Senior Minister continued, rather harshly, “Surely I deserve some credit — or rather, blame — for who he has become now?” ““For Country, For People”. He has conveniently left out “For Me”!” ESM Goh remarked.
related:
ESM Goh on Tan Cheng Bock: I deserve some credit or blame for who he has become
Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong shared his thoughts about Tan Cheng Bock’s recent speech on how the late Lee Kuan Yew persuaded him to join the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).
Said Goh in a Facebook post on Aug. 4:
“Tan Cheng Bock says that Lee Kuan Yew invited him to join the PAP. Ouch! He omits to say that I put his name up to LKY. Surely I deserve some credit — or rather, blame — for who he has become now? “For Country, For People”. He has conveniently left out “For Me”!”
Dr Tan Cheng Bock 19 hrs
My Speech
Dear Singaporeans,
The Progress Singapore Party was officially launched yesterday (3 Aug 2019). I attach a copy of my speech and hope you will take the time to read it.
https://psp.org.sg/take-courage-and-lets-work-together-dr-tan-cheng-bocks
Thank you always, for your kindness and support.
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Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s Speech for Press Conference 26 July 2019
Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, we have invited you here today to mark the inauguration of the Progress Singapore Party:
- It has taken a while to get here and yet – we are only at the beginning.
- Making the decision to set up a new political party in Singapore was not easy. In my many walkabouts, I spoke to many different Singaporeans.
- They expressed a desire to have a credible alternative to the current ruling party. They feel that the current system is imbalanced.
- Many are concerned that a government with an overwhelming majority in Parliament is going to fail to take in different perspectives, different ideas and just push through their policies without due consideration of sentiments from the people and the longer-term consequences.
- I’m not a young man anymore, I am 79 years old this year. After the last Presidential Election, I thought to retire from politics and rest.
- Furthermore, I’ve already served in Parliament for 26 years as a Member of Parliament. I have spent a great deal of my life in public office.
- But as I sat back and watched what has been going on in Parliament, and in our political system – I am concerned.
- I believe the processes of good governance have gone astray. I worry because I see the foundations of good governance eroding. Specifically, there is an erosion of transparency, independence and accountability. Yet these are the three foundations for creating trust between the government and the people.
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Dawn of a new era in Singapore politics
Tan Cheng Bock secretary general of the newly formed Progress Singapore Party no longer believes in the ethos that drives the dominant PAP of today. PAP is no longer the party that it once was. Decay, political or otherwise, has set in and like a good doctor, Dr Tan thinks a surgical strike is what it takes to keep the ruling party in check.
"There have been many lapses, including loss of transparency, independence and accountability in recent years. We do not know how Ho Ching and the spouses of ministers have come about to hold key appointments. We need to know what is the criteria for appointment of key positions,”“The ruling party has gone astray. It has failed to take in different perspectives and this may lead to negative consequences in the long term,” stressed Dr Tan. Dr Tan said the ground sentiments are sour and it reflects the current mood of the people. He said that the time is ripe to bring in a sea-change in the political landscape.
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Lee Hsien Yang: Today’s PAP is no longer the PAP of my father. It has lost its way
Mr Lee Hsien Yang (LHY), son of late founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and brother to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, expressed his support for the newly formed Progress Singapore Party headed by former PAP MP, Dr Tan Cheng Bock.
In a Facebook post on Sunday evening, Lee backed Dr Tan’s party and echoed his sentiments that the ruling party has “lost its way”.
“I wholeheartedly support the principles and values of the Progress Singapore Party. Today’s PAP is no longer the PAP of my father. It has lost its way.”
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Lee Hsien Yang July 28 at 7:01 PM
I wholeheartedly support the principles and values of the Progress Singapore Party.
Today’s PAP is no longer the PAP of my father. It has lost its way.
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‘PAP has lost its way’: Estranged brother of Singapore’s PM Lee Hsien Loong backs new opposition party
Lee Hsien Yang, the brother of Singapore’s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong. Photo: Agence France-Presse
Lee Hsien Yang, the estranged brother of Singapore’s prime minister has backed a new opposition party, the latest incident in a bitter feud in the city state’s first family.
The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) was formed by Tan Cheng Bock, a former stalwart of the ruling party, to contest elections due by 2021. Tan has been seen in recent months with the prime minister’s younger sibling, Lee Hsien Yang, local media reported, sparking talk of an alliance.
On Sunday, Lee wrote on Facebook: “I wholeheartedly support the principles and values of the Progress Singapore Party. Today’s PAP is no longer the PAP of my father. It has lost its way.”
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Lee Hsien Yang says he ‘wholeheartedly’ supports principles, values of new Progress Singapore Party
The younger brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday (Jul 28) said he “wholeheartedly” supports the principles and values of the new Progress Singapore Party (PSP).
In a Facebook post, Lee Hsien Yang added that the People’s Action Party (PAP) had “lost its way”.
“I wholeheartedly support the principles and values of the Progress Singapore Party,” wrote Mr Lee. “Today’s PAP is no longer the PAP of my father. It has lost its way,” he said, referring to Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
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Lee Hsien Yang declares support for Tan Cheng Bock’s party, says PAP has ‘lost its way’
Mr Lee Hsien Yang on Sunday (July 28) said on Facebook that he supports “the principles and values” of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) led by Dr Tan Cheng Bock — two days after Dr Tan was asked at the party's inaugural press conference if Mr Lee could potentially contest the next General Election (GE) under its banner.
On Friday, Dr Tan said he would be prepared to take Mr Lee, whom he described as a good friend, provided that Mr Lee’s “philosophy is the same as mine, and he does not allow his personal agenda to come into my PSP”.
In his brief remarks on Facebook, Mr Lee did not comment on Dr Tan's invitation but echoed the former People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament’s criticism of the ruling party. “Today’s PAP is no longer the PAP of my father. It has lost its way,” said Mr Lee, who is the brother of Prime Minister and PAP secretary-general Lee Hsien Loong.
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I 'wholeheartedly' support the Progress Singapore Party: Lee Hsien Yang
Lee Hsien Yang, the youngest child of Singapore’s late first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, has given the fledgling Progress Singapore Party (PSP) his full backing.
In a post on his Facebook page on Sunday evening (28 July), the 62-year-old said, “I wholeheartedly support the principles and values of the Progress Singapore Party.”
Echoing PSP chief Tan Cheng Bock’s claim that the foundations of good governance in the People’s Action Party (PAP) have been eroded, he added, “Today’s PAP is no longer the PAP of my father. It has lost its way.”
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Singapore PM's brother backs new opposition party
The estranged brother of the Singaporean prime minister has backed a new opposition party, the latest incident in a bitter feud in the city-state’s first family.
The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) was formed by Tan Cheng Bock, a former stalwart of the ruling party, to contest elections due by 2021. Tan has been seen in recent months with the premier’s sibling, Lee Hsien Yang, local media reported, sparking talk of an alliance.
On Sunday Lee posted on Facebook: “I wholeheartedly support the principles and values of the Progress Singapore Party.”
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Lee Hsien Yang voices full-throated support for Progress Singapore Party, says PAP “has lost its way”
Ending months of speculation as to whether or not Lee Hsien Yang, the second son of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and younger brother of current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, would openly support the opposition to the party of his father, the People’s Action Party (PAP), Lee Hsien Yang has released full-throated and unequivocal support for Progress Singapore Party (PSP).
This newly-registered party was founded by Dr Tan Cheng Bock, a former PAP MP, as well as several other former PAP members. Lee Hsien Yang wrote in his Facebook account in the early evening hours of Sunday, July 26,
“I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THE PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF THE PROGRESS SINGAPORE PARTY. TODAY’S PAP IS NO LONGER THE PAP OF MY FATHER. IT HAS LOST ITS WAY.”read more
Singapore PM's brother backs opposition party in election twist
The Singapore prime minister's estranged brother has thrown his support behind a newly-formed opposition party in an intriguing twist ahead of elections expected to be held as soon as this year.
In Facebook comments made late Sunday, Lee Hsien Yang said the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) - led by his brother Lee Hsien Loong and founded by his father Lee Kuan Yew - had "lost its way".
His comments come amid a bitter feud with his brother over what to do with their late father's house, and an election which some analysts say could be months away and must be held by early 2021 at the latest.
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PSP: Let Lee Hsien Yang stand in Tanjong Pagar
Just one week before he launches his Progress Singapore Party on 3 Aug, Dr Adrian Tan Cheng Bock held a press conference on 26 July where he offered some preliminary comments on why he is re-entering politics at the age of 79. Even as voters note his reasons, they would naturally ask themselves what exactly can the former MP for Ayer Rajah and nearly-elected President do to strengthen or shake up the local political system.
Everything can be reduced to three expectations coming out of his press conference. The first is, not impossible, but tough – Dr Tan is entering the fray to help persuade voters to put enough Opposition MPs in Parliament to deny the ruling People’s Action Party a two-third majority power to change the Constitution without support from other parties.
We have 89 elected MPs in the present Parliament. To gain more than one-third of the seats, the Opposition has to win around 30 seats. How would the Opposition do that? I give one plausible scenario, by no means the only one. Of course, others will come up with other possibilities, including regarding the National Solidarity Party and the Singapore First Party as strong contenders.
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Tan Cheng Bock and the Lee Hsien Yang factor
In what is likely to be his last shot at active politics, former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock went for the jugular.
Aiming his gun at Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the 79-year-old retired doctor known for his cautious, considerate and considered style of politics said at a press conference to launch his Progress Singapore Party (PSP) last Friday (26 July), “As you all know, Temasek is part of our reserves. We want to know how that selection process was made…There must be many of you who were wondering why, for example, the wife of our Prime Minister has been appointed to be the CEO of Temasek.”
It was that rare occasion when he tackled the man rather than the ball. In the process, the good old doctor drew a decisive political marker by kicking the ball into the court of PM Lee and his wife, Ho Ching, and putting the disquiet about her controversial appointment right back onto the political stage.
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Good governance eroding, says Tan Cheng Bock
Asked to elaborate on his criticisms of the Government, he cited three issues: Appointment of ministers' spouses to top roles; the changes to the Elected Presidency in 2016 to ensure minority representation, which led to the 2017 Presidential Election being reserved for Malay candidates; and the 2017 parliamentary debate on the fate of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's house at 38 Oxley Road.
He said the appointment of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's wife, Ms Ho Ching, as chief executive of Temasek had left many "wondering why", alluding to a lack of transparency. "As you all know, Temasek is part of our reserves. We want to know how that selection process was made," he added.
Soon after Ms Ho became executive director in 2002, then Temasek chairman S. Dhanabalan said she was appointed on merit and not family connections.
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PSP wants to be a ‘credible alternative’ to PAP, but no regime change expected in next election: Tan Cheng Bock
When asked to elaborate on what he meant by the erosion of good governance in Singapore, he said that the Government has not been very transparent about how it appoints individuals, especially those related to political office holders, to important positions.
As an example, he cited the appointment of Ms Ho Ching — the wife of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong — as chief executive of the sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings.
“We are not questioning the credibility of these people who are there. But we are worried… because if your process is not transparent, there isn’t much accountability.”
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PAP leaders rebut Tan Cheng Bock’s comments, saying next GE will show which party has ‘better ideas’
The People’s Action Party (PAP) "fundamentally disagrees" with opposition leader Dr Tan Cheng Bock's comments that the ruling party has lost its way, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Saturday (July 27), adding that the next General Election (GE) will be a test for all parties to prove which has "better ideas and ability to deliver results".
Mr Heng was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a joint ministerial walkabout in Bedok South, part of East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC), with Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing and former Cabinet Minister Lim Swee Say, who is a Member of Parliament for the GRC.
Echoing Mr Heng’s comments, Mr Chan said that the PAP is not distracted by other political parties as its sights are fixed on working hard to meet Singaporeans’ needs and ensure the country stands out among its competitors.
related: PAP's leadership approach must be anchored on trust, unity and constructive politics: Heng
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PAP takes governance seriously, DPM Heng Swee Keat says as he rebuts Tan Cheng Bock
The People's Action Party takes governance and governing Singapore very seriously and has always worked hard to improve the lives of Singaporeans, with a track record to show, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Saturday (July 27) as he rejected Dr Tan Cheng Bock's assertion that the ruling party has lost its way.
DPM Heng said that the ministers have been working closely together as a team to tackle the concrete issues and major challenges facing Singapore, such as creating jobs for people as the economy restructures, and taking care of an ageing population.
Referring to remarks by Dr Tan, who said the ruling party had lost its way and eroded the foundations of good governance, DPM Heng said: "We fundamentally disagree with Dr Tan. But of course he's entitled to his opinions just as all Singaporeans are entitled to opinions."
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Tan Cheng Bock rebuts DPM Heng, cries as he speaks of political conviction
Tan Cheng Bock rebuts DPM Heng, cries as he speaks of political conviction
Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chief Tan Cheng Bock came out guns blazing against Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Heng Swee Keat on Saturday (3 August), calling his understanding of transparency “deeply flawed”.
Speaking at a public event at Swissotel Merchant Court to showcase the fledgling party, Dr Tan was responding to Heng’s remarks last month that the parliamentary debate on the long-running Oxley Road saga demonstrated the government’s transparency in key matters of governance. Addressing a packed ballroom of more than 500 people, the 79-year-old noted of Heng, “His idea of transparency is to have it debated in Parliament, surrounded by an overwhelming majority of his own men, with no right of reply from the other parties (Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling, siblings of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong).”
He added to applause, “It shows that his very understanding of transparency is deeply flawed.”
related:
Job security takes centre stage as former presidential hopeful Tan Cheng Bock launches new opposition party
Presidential Election, Oxley Road saga are key issues that show 'drastic change' in the PAP: Tan Cheng Bock
read more
Tan Cheng Bock’s PSP calls for lowering of voting age, prioritising citizens for jobs
HITTING BACK AT DPM HENG
At Saturday’s launch, Dr Tan also hit back at Mr Heng, the Deputy Prime Minister, for describing his remarks at a recent press conference as contradictory.
In a press conference last Friday, Dr Tan cited the PAP’s decision to debate a dispute between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his siblings over their Oxley Road home in Parliament as an example of a lack of transparency. Responding a day later, Mr Heng — the PAP’s first assistant secretary-general — said Dr Tan’s remarks were contradictory. That Mr Lee was prepared to debate the issue in the House demonstrated transparency, he said.
Wading into the matter again on Saturday, Dr Tan said Mr Heng’s understanding of transparency was “deeply flawed” and this was very troubling. “His idea of transparency is to have it debated in Parliament, surrounded by an overwhelming majority of his own men, with no right of reply from the other parties,” he said.
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Singapore PM Lee faces fight with new party backed by his brother
Lee Hsien Yang also described Tan as "the leader Singapore deserves"
A new party supported by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's estranged brother has officially formed in Singapore on Friday, in an attempt to shake up the city-state's politics after five decades of People's Action Party rule.
The Progress Singapore Party, led by political veteran and former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock, will contest the next general election which must be called by early 2021. "I worry because I see the foundations of good governance eroding," Tan told reporters at a news conference held to announce the launch of the party. "Specifically, there is an erosion of transparency, independence and accountability."
Tan apparently has the backing of Lee Hsien Yang, the premier's younger brother. In January, when Tan announced his intention to establish a party, the younger Lee posted on Facebook: "I have known Cheng Bock for many years and he has consistently put the interests of the people first. We are fortunate that he has stepped forward to serve Singapore."
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Singapore Opposition Says ‘Fake News’ Law May Be Used as Muzzle
The leader of a new opposition party in Singapore is worried the government may use a recently passed law aimed at blocking fake news to muzzle the group ahead of general elections expected by early 2021.
Speaking at press conference for the incorporation of his new Progress Singapore Party, Tan Cheng Bock, a former member of parliament for the People’s Action Party, said he was “very concerned” the government would use the law -- which has been criticized for being too sweeping -- to suppress content that advocates dissenting views.
“I worry it might be used during this general election and we might have our websites all closed down, then we would be in trouble,” Tan said, adding if such content were removed during the election cycle, he would have no recourse until after it was done. “I cannot even defend myself.”
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Erosion of good governance the reason he started new political party, says Tan Cheng Bock
Singapore's process of good governance has gone astray with the erosion of transparency, independence and accountability, said former People's Action Party MP Tan Cheng Bock on Friday (July 26) as he outlined why he had decided to start the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) to fight against his previous party.
At a press conference ahead of his party's official launch next Saturday (Aug 3), he told a room full of reporters: "After the last presidential election, I thought I should retire from politics and rest. I've already served in Parliament for 26 years as an MP. I've spent a great deal of my life in public office.
"But as I sat back and watched what has been going on in Parliament and in our political system, I am concerned. I believe the processes of good governance have gone astray. I worry because I see the foundations of good governance eroding.
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Will Cheng Bock’s appeal to the Merdeka generation work?
“I didn’t change; the PAP changed.”
Later, he referred to the FamiLEE fight over the fate of the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s Oxley Road House. Parliament, he said, shouldn’t be used as a platform to air family disputes, referring to the Parliamentary session in July 2017 held for PM Lee Hsien Loong to answer questions of abuse of power, accusations levelled by his two siblings.
Another example he gave: the constitutional changes to the office of the elected presidency to include multi-racial representation which, when it was first conceived, was a position based on merit. He probably had this in mind when he spoke about the ball always being passed to the courts to make decisions which should be within Parliament’s ambit; he had unsuccessfully challenged the G’s decision to date the timing of the elected presidency in such a manner as to require a Malay president.
So is Singapore’s newest political party the last throw of the dice by a 79 year old with an axe to grind against former party comrades? He would have joined the Workers’ Party or the Singapore Democratic Party if so, he said in answer to a question about being labelled a PAP “traitor”.
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Tan Cheng Bock on Progress Singapore Party's plans
Progress Singapore Party Secretary-General Tan Cheng Bock said on Friday (Jul 26) at a press conference that he would reveal a "broad picture" of his party's plans at its launch on Saturday, Aug 3. When asked about specifics, Dr Tan said he would not reveal all as "that is a strategy".
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Progress Singapore Party's Tan Cheng Bock on how he thinks the PAP has changed
In a press conference held on Friday (Jul 26), Progress Singapore Party's Tan Cheng Bock, an ex-People's Action Party (PAP) MP, explained why he thinks the PAP has changed.
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Lee Hsien Yang is "always free" to join Progress Singapore Party: Tan Cheng Bock
Progress Singapore Party Secretary-General Tan Cheng Bock responded to questions about his party's candidates on Friday (Jul 26) at a press conference. He added that the brother of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is "free" to join PSP if he wants.
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PSP would welcome Lee Hsien Yang as long as he sticks to party's terms: Tan Cheng Bock
The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) would welcome Mr Lee Hsien Yang, should the brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong decide to join its ranks, its Secretary General Tan Cheng Bock said on Friday (Jul 26).
But, Mr Tan added, Mr Lee would have to “adhere” to the party’s terms.
“Lee Hsien Yang and I, we’re good friends,” said Mr Tan at a press conference held at Swissotel Merchant Court, where he was outlining the reasons for setting up his party.
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Current governance going “astray” from “transparency, independence, and accountability” a catalyst behind setting up PSP: Tan Cheng Bock
Watching “the processes of good governance” in Singapore going “astray” was the catalyst behind the establishment of Progress Singapore Party (PSP), said veteran politician and ex-People’s Action Party (PAP) cadre Dr Tan Cheng Bock on Fri (26 Jul).
Seen together with other members of PSP’s first Central Executive Committee, Dr Tan told reporters at the Swissotel Merchant Court today that such a phenomenon runs contrary to “the three foundations for creating trust between the government and the people”, namely “transparency, independence, and accountability”.
He also revealed that the “many different Singaporeans” he had spoken to during his multiple walkabouts have “expressed a desire to have a credible alternative to the current ruling party”, as they “feel that the current system is imbalanced”.
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Presidential Election, Oxley Road saga are key issues that show 'drastic change' in the PAP: Tan Cheng Bock
The constitutional amendments that reserved the Presidential Election for a minority candidate and the government’s handling of the Oxley Road saga are the key issues that show the People’s Action Party (PAP) has lost its way, said former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock at the launch of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) on Friday (26 July).
Alluding to the special Parliamentary session in July 2017 that was called to address accusations by Lee Hsien Yang and his sister Lee Wei Ling against their older brother Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Dr Tan noted that Parliament is meant to be a place that sets laws for the country and constitutional amendments.
“But when you use Parliament as a place where you debate your family issues, to me, that is not correct,” said the 79-year-old PSP’s secretary general of the two-day debate that concluded that PM Lee had not abused his power, as alleged by the younger Lees.
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Tan Cheng Bock: The foundations of good governance in S’pore have eroded
“I believe the processes of good governance have gone astray”
Elaborating on his stance, Tan said there had been an erosion of transparency, independence and accountability — the foundations that created trust between the government and the people.
He added that Singapore is in need of a good political system that requires a strong system of checks and balances.
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Dr Tan Cheng Bock: “I don’t want to be Prime Minister. I want to help Singaporeans”
The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Chief Dr Tan Cheng Bock announced the official launch of his party to the media at a press conference on July 26.
In answering a question about whether his name was tied to the party, Dr Tan said, “I don’t want to be Prime minister. I want to help Singaporeans to come together”.
He added, “I have a very short time frame and I have to do it quickly”.
related: Tan Cheng Bock reveals what kind of politician he thinks Lee Hsien Yang will be
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Tan Cheng Bock talks about Lee Hsien Yang, election strategy and fake news laws
At a press conference announcing the launch of the Progress Singapore Party, party chief Tan Cheng Bock was asked for his views on, among other things, the effect of the proposed fake news laws on the next General Election (GE) and whether the economic uncertainty could affect the way Singaporeans vote. He also responded to questions on his election strategy, including whether Mr Lee Hsien Yang — who has been seen publicly with Dr Tan on several occasions — could join his party. Here is his take on the various issues:
- FAKE NEWS LAWS
- HOW ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY COULD AFFECT VOTING
- ELECTION STRATEGY AND LEE HSIEN YANG
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Singapore opposition party fears use of fake news law in election
The leader of a new Singapore opposition party said today he was concerned that an anti-fake news law, which rights groups fear could stifle free speech, may be used in upcoming elections.
The city-state, which has been ruled by the People's Action Party (PAP) since independence over half a century ago, passed the law in May. Singapore is due to hold its next national ballot by early 2021, although analysts say it could come as soon as this year. The PAP has never seen its vote share drop below 60 per cent and currently holds all but six of 89 elected seats in parliament.
“I am concerned about this law. Worried that it'd be used during this general election,” Tan Cheng Bock, a former PAP lawmaker and presidential candidate, said at the launch of his new Progress Singapore Party. “We might have our website portals down and then we will be in trouble,” he said.
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New Singapore opposition party opens door to PM’s brother
A former stalwart of Singapore’s ruling party Friday opened the door to the prime minister’s estranged brother joining his new opposition group, amid a bitter feud in the city-state’s first family.
Tan Cheng Bock has formed the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) to contest elections due by 2021 and has been seen in recent months with the premier’s sibling, Lee Hsien Yang, sparking talk of an alliance.
Business executive Lee Hsien Yang and his sister have been embroiled in an acrimonious feud with their elder brother, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, over the fate of a century-old family bungalow.
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Brad Bowyer joins Tan Cheng Bock’s Progress Singapore Party
Brad Bowyer, former member of People’s Voices (PV), took to his Facebook on Monday (15 July) to announce that he has joined Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s Progress Singapore Party (PSP).
“It is time Singapore stopped regressing and started PROGRESSING again. I am proud to be part of this movement,” he wrote.
Mr Bowyer initially served as Lim Tean’s Shadow Minister for National Development at PV, but abruptly left the party on March 24 just days after the announcement of his position.
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Trolls and bots
Singapore’s Ministry of Law did not immediately respond to questions. The government has said the measure is designed to equip Singaporeans with facts so they can engage in public discourse and not to suppress information.
“Free speech should not be affected by this bill,” Law Minister K. Shanmugam said in parliament in May. “We are talking here about falsehoods, we are talking about bots, we are talking about trolls, we are talking about fake accounts, and so on.”
Under the proposed law, government ministers would be able to order a correction to be carried alongside a false or misleading claim, and material not in the public interest to be taken down. If someone disagreed, they could take their case to the courts.
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Lee Hsien Yang vouchers "Cheng Bock is the leader Singapore deserves
Lee Hsien Yang described Tan as "the leader Singapore deserves"
In a message of congratulations to Dr. Tan Cheng Bock, who announced on Friday, January 19, that he is returning to the political sphere with the Progress Singapore Party, Lee Hsien Yang called Dr. Tan “the leader Singapore deserves.”
This latest salvo seems particularly pointed, given that Lee is the younger brother of Singapore’s current Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong.
His post reads:
- “Congratulations to Tan Cheng Bock and the Progress Singapore Party. I have known Cheng Bock for many years and he has consistently put the interests of the people first. We are fortunate that he has stepped forward to serve Singapore.
- I only recently learned that Cheng Bock had his first clinic at Ama Keng at the far end of Lim Chu Kang Road, a remote and poor area. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was very close to where I used to serve as a young armour officer at Sungei Gedong.
- Today, Cheng Bock will groom future Parliamentarians who will serve our country and people before party or self. This is good for the future of Singapore. Cheng Bock is the leader Singapore deserves.”
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“Fair, balanced and objective” Straits Times strangely silent about Lee Hsien Yang’s criticism of People’s Action Party
Yesterday (28 July), the Prime Minister’s younger brother Lee Hsien Yang has voiced his support for the newly forms Progress Singapore Party (PSP) headed by former People’s Action Party MP Dr Tan Cheng Bock. Mr Lee’s support expressed in a Facebook post also criticised the ruling party as having ‘lost its way’.
Surprisingly, one of Singapore’s mainstream media outlets, Straits Times, seems to have forgone reporting this particular piece of news. While Channel NewsAsia (CNA) and TODAY did report on Mr Lee’s support for PSP and criticism of his brother’s ruling party, it appears Straits Times has decided not to cover it. That’s strange considering any comment by Mr Lee, as brother of PM, would be of interest to the rest of the country.
We had reported earlier in July that there seems to be some sort of media blackout in relation to Mr Lee Hsien Yang which is surprising given he is a member of Singapore’s most prominent family – brother to the Prime Minister and son of Singapore’s founder. Every little move by any of the Lee’s tend to be reported widely on mainstream media but it appears that the spotlight over Lee Hsien Yang is dimming rather drastically.
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Singaporeans can no longer accept out-of-touch rulers who call for people to fight each other while themselves are insulated from the effects of their poor, outdated policies
Singapore and Singaporeans are trapped in a flawed and failing system that is enriching a few at the expense of the many while dividing them, putting them in competition with each other and blaming them if they don’t get ahead in a loaded system as they slowly sink in to poverty and hardship.
This is not just a local issue, it is also a global one, with the self-serving Neo Liberal economic model that has become the story and religion of the central bankers and elites around the world at the heart of it. A system that the current People’s Action Party (PAP) has fully embraced and is endeavouring to defend even while it is being rejected and thrown off almost everywhere else.
While they owned all the methods of information this narrative could be sold to the people and while the negative effects were not widely felt that narrative was accepted with little question. Now with the advent of social media, the challenges of income inequality and a disrupted and changing economic and geopolitical model causing stress, fear and dislocation that narrative is being seen through for the flawed system it is.
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Tan Cheng Bock “humbled” by Singaporeans’ enthusiasm as tickets to PSP launch party are fully taken up
Veteran politician and former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock today (19 Jul) took to Facebook to express gratitude for the “warm and enthusiastic response” from Singaporeans as he announced that all tickets to Progress Singapore Party (PSP)’s launch on Sat (3 Aug) have been taken up in “a few short hours”.
Dr Tan, who is also the founder of PSP and an ex-People’s Action Party (PAP) cadre, also apologised to those who had “missed the opportunity” to snap up tickets to the event, and added that there “will be more opportunities for engagement” with him and PSP in the future.
The launch will comprise two sessions, namely a morning one from 9am to 12pm and an evening one from 1.30pm to 4.30pm as a means to “accommodate more people”, with each session having a maximum capacity of 500 people.
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Dr Tan Cheng Bock Page Liked · July 19
UPDATE: 19 July 2019 3:25pm - ALL TICKETS HAVE BEEN GIVEN OUT
In a few short hours, all tickets to the launch were taken up. Dear Singaporeans, thank you for this encouraging response. My team and I are humbled by your warm and enthusiastic response. If you had wanted to be here and missed the opportunity to get a ticket, I do apologise. There will be more opportunities for engagement and I look forward to meeting you then. Thank you once again.
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Veteran journalist says Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s words ring of sincerity unlike many other politicians
Veteran journalist Bertha Henson has noted that Dr Tan Cheng Bock – a former People’s Action Party (PAP) parliamentarian who has formed his own opposition party, the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) – is “like a dog who refuses to let go of his bone.”
Ms Henson is a heavyweight editor who spent 26 years at Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), mainly working for SPH’s flagship English publication, The Straits Times. She now serves as part-time lecturer at the Communications and New Media Department at the National University of Singapore.
In an opinion piece published by Yahoo Singapore, Ms Henson shared her thoughts about the PSP press conference that took place last Friday (26 July). Having attended the event, the journalist noted that the meeting was different from the press conferences other opposition parties have organised in the past.
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Doctor, PAP MP and presidential candidate: 5 things about Tan Cheng Bock
Dr Tan Cheng Bock announced on Friday (Jan 18) that he had taken the first step to forming his new Progress Singapore Party by applying to register it.
Many will remember that he lost narrowly to Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam in the 2011 presidential elections. He was also a long-serving community doctor and active People's Action Party (PAP) MP.
Here are some other facts about the 78-year-old who is making a return to politics:
- HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
- A VILLAGE DOCTOR, AND MORE
- PEOPLE'S ACTION PARTY
- RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT - TWICE
- KEEPING ACTIVE, MEETING PEOPLE
There’s no nepotism in Temasek and GIC: DPM Heng Swee Keat tells Swiss newspaper
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat was interviewed by Swiss newspaper, Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), last Fri (17 May)
During the interview, Heng who is also the finance minister, was asked many pointed questions by the Swiss newspaper. He was asked about the one-party regime in Singapore, despite Singapore having elections.
“Would not the time be ripe for more democracy and more political competition?” NZZ asked.
Heng maintained that Singapore has free and fair elections. He said numerous parties participated in the last election and in 2011 five Members of Parliament from the People’s Action Party lost their seats.
It saddens me to see how Tan Cheng Bock has lost his way
Dawn of a new era in Singapore politics
Launch of Tan Cheng Bock's Progress Singapore Party
Tan Cheng Bock's new party will be 'unifying alternative' for Singapore
A 'Tan Cheng Bock & Lee Hsien Yang' Collaboration?
An Opposition alliance under Tan Cheng Bock
Is the ground sour?
