PSP celebrates Singapore’s 54th ‘birthday’ by inducting its 540th Member
As the country celebrates National Day with parades, floats and fireworks, Singapore’s newest political party, Progress Singapore Party (PSP) marked August 9th, Singapore’s 54th “birthday,” by welcoming its 540th member.
On its Facebook page, PSP posted photos of its members, clad in the red and white shirts bearing the party’s logo, celebrating with a cake wherein the words “Happy National Day” was written, with 5 lit candles in one row, and the 4 in another.
Two seventeen-year-olds were inducted into PSP, bringing the total of members to 540.
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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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"Take Courage and Let’s Work Together": Dr Tan Cheng Bock
As I stand before you, I cannot but feel honoured and humbled that so many Singaporeans want me to lead a political party. At my age, my friends urged me to retire and enjoy life. But I am happy and glad I did not heed their advice. I chose this option because I believe I am able to do something for the country. So it is indeed an honour.
The task ahead is a challenging one, but I love this country, like many of you. So to shy away from doing something, especially when I am aware that something isn’t right, will not be true to myself. That is not my style.
When I know something is wrong, I want to make it right.
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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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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 Tan Cheng Bock launches new opposition party
Presidential Election, Oxley Rd saga key issues that show 'drastic change' in PAP
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Creating jobs, lower voting age among issues Progress Singapore Party aims to champion at next General Election
Creating jobs, helping displaced workers find jobs and lowering the voting age are among the issues the new Progress Singapore Party (PSP) - which held its public luanch on Saturday (Aug 3) - aims to champion at the next General Election (GE).
PSP, founded by former People’s Action Party (PAP) member Tan Cheng Bock, organised two sessions of its launch event on Saturday at Swissotel Merchant Court. During the launch, the party again introduced its central executive committee members, which included secretary-general Dr Tan, assistant secretary-general Lee Yung Hwee, S Nallakaruppan and Abdul Rahman.
Ms Hazel Poa and Ms Michelle Lee, both of whom have contested in previous General Elections under the National Solidarity Party (NSP) and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) banners, rounded off the team.
related: Tan Cheng Bock says new party will be 'unifying alternative' for Singapore
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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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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”!”
MParader 18 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
Tan Cheng Bock calls on Singaporeans to support his party to bring an evolution of change for the betterment of the country
During the official launch of the Progressive Singapore Party (PSP) last Saturday (3 Aug) at Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, founding Secretary-General of PSP, calls for Singaporeans – young and old – to come forward and join him “in making a difference to Singapore”.
Dr Tan, a former People’s Action Party (PAP) member of parliament for 26 years, greeted the supporters of the party in the packed ballroom that afternoon before sharing his thoughts on the current state of affairs in Singapore, and what his party aspires to address in the future, such as rising cost of living, healthcare delivery system, fertility rate, and employment.
Speaking as a medical doctor who had suggested ways during his time as a MP, to improve the healthcare system in Singapore, Dr Tan said, “No one should have to sell their house to pay for medical fees.”
related: Tale of two RI classmates who joined PAP
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New Singapore opposition party launched as polls loom
Speaking to hundreds of supporters at a hotel ballroom and live on social media, the 79-year-old Tan decried what he said was a climate of fear preventing people from speaking up. He also claimed there was an "erosion of trust" between the government and citizens due to lack of transparency, independence, and accountability.
Beneath Singapore's gleaming skyscrapers "is an underlying tale of disquiet," he said, adding, "we cannot allow this current style of managing the country to go unchallenged".
The group joins a handful of other parties seeking to take on the dominant PAP, but the fractious opposition -- which has just six out of 89 elected seats in parliament -- is not viewed as a serious threat.
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New Singapore opposition party backed by PM's brother launched
A new opposition party seeking to challenge the government in Singapore has been launched amid speculation that a general election due by 2021 could be announced earlier. Politician Tan Cheng Bock, a 79-year-old retired medical doctor, on Saturday launched the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), which is backed by the estranged brother of the country's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
"The style of government has changed, the processes of government have gone astray, because there has been an erosion of the three pillars of good governance - transparency, independence, and accountability," Tan told a group of supporters. He said there was a lack of "open political discourse" and claimed people were "fearful of publicly criticising the government". "People fear for their jobs, their promotions, their grants, their rental premises, and getting sued," he said.
"Singaporeans complain in whispers. Before talking, they look around to see if anyone is listening and hesitate to discuss government policies. But we should not behave like ostriches, burying our heads in the sand and pretending that nothing is wrong."
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PSP launch: Having your cake by looking at it
Dr Tan Cheng Bock said he could only reveal the cake but not its ingredients. So those who went to Swissotel Merchant Court hotel hoping for details about candidates and constituencies were disappointed. But I figured that he could at least talk about what type of flour he used, in terms of agenda and policy proposals. Alas, that was not forthcoming either.
All we got from the public launch of the Progress Singapore Party was its proposal to have the voting age lowered from 21 to 18, just as neighbouring Malaysia has done. Singapore is “behind the times”, said Ms Michelle Lee, a Central Executive Committee member given the job of connecting with the younger people.
Yes, this time, we got to hear from other members of the CEC, some of whom gave a short summary of the why and how they got involved in politics and the issues close to their hearts. They fielded some questions, but it was still Dr Tan who stole the show with a half-hour speech that was an expansion of his previous script when he met the media last week.
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Livestream of Progress Singapore Party’s launch
The Progress Singapore Party was launched by Founders Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Mr Lee Yung Hwee.
The two currently serve as Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary General.
At his party’s official introduction to the public on Saturday (Aug 3), Dr Tan listed issues he said were close to Singaporeans’ hearts – such as Central Provident Fund policies, healthcare costs, income inequality and cost of living – adding that he wanted to look into the issues extensively but with available data.
related: Tan Cheng Bock repeats: I still welcome Lee Hsien Yang to join PSP
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Tan Cheng Bock cries twice speaking about succession & party recruitment at PSP launch event
In a more-than-40-minute speech during the opposition party’s launch event on Saturday, Aug. 3, the veteran politician found himself pausing when touching on the issues of political succession in his newly-formed party, as well as at its tail-end.
Tan’s “genuine” fear - During his speech, he said he wanted to address the topic of his “succession plan”. “I said that one of my greatest fears was that I would no longer be around. Would PSP collapse? Would there be no more PSP? That fear was one of their considerations that held me back from forming a political party. It’s a genuine fear on my part.”
But he then explained the reason why he no longer held this fear. “But what has since happened is that many men and women came forward to join me. They wanted to build a stronger Singapore. They convinced me to come back and their presence gave me hope. And confidence.” At this point, Tan appeared overwhelmed with emotion and appeared to tear up.
related: Tan Cheng Bock proposes lowering voting age to 18 years old
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New Singapore opposition party launched as polls loom
A new opposition party backed by the estranged brother of Singapore's prime minister was launched Saturday in a fresh challenge to the government as speculation mounts elections could be called soon.
The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) -- aiming to contest an election due by 2021 but widely expected earlier -- is led by Tan Cheng Bock, a medical doctor and former government stalwart who once ran for president and nearly defeated the establishment candidate.
The group has received the support of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's brother, the latest sign of a bitter falling-out within the city-state's first family over their father's legacy.
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PSP can only help people take up issues if voted into Parliament, says Tan Cheng Bock at party launch
Progress Singapore Party founder Tan Cheng Bock promised Singaporeans that he would take up issues on their behalf, but said they would first have to vote his party into Parliament and deprive the People's Action Party of its two-thirds parliamentary majority.
At his party's official introduction to the public on Saturday (Aug 3), he listed issues he said were close to Singaporeans' hearts - such as Central Provident Fund policies, healthcare costs, income inequality and cost of living - adding that he wanted to look into the issues extensively but with available data.
"We must have the data, and the data means you have to get us into Parliament," he said to applause. "We must just not talk without good information, then people will respect us, and (see) we are really serious in what we want to do."
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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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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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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.
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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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?
