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GE2020: Tan Cheng Bock to lead PSP team in West Coast GRC, Lee Hsien Yang not among candidates for now

SINGAPORE — The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) announced on Friday (June 26) its line-up of General Election (GE) candidates for all the nine constituencies it will be contesting, with party chief Tan Cheng Bock leading a team in West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

The Progress Singapore Party announced its line-up of General Election candidates for all the nine constituencies it will be contesting, with party chief Tan Cheng Bock leading a team in West Coast Group Representation Constituency.

The Progress Singapore Party announced its line-up of General Election candidates for all the nine constituencies it will be contesting, with party chief Tan Cheng Bock leading a team in West Coast Group Representation Constituency.

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SINGAPORE — The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) announced on Friday (June 26) its line-up of 24 General Election (GE) candidates for all the nine constituencies it will be contesting, with party chief Tan Cheng Bock leading a team in West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Mr Lee Hsien Yang, who was formally inducted into the party on Wednesday and is the brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, was not named among them.

TODAY asked Dr Tan about Mr Lee’s exclusion in the candidate line-up.

Dr Tan would only say that the list was complete, but added: “But let me remind you, in politics, change can happen. Candidates can be switched all around, you know. So you will just have to wait and see.

“You can speculate as you do now, very good. But always remember what I say — the confirmation comes from me.”

The party said the candidates who will be fielded at the respective constituencies are:

West Coast GRC: Mr Leong Mun Wai, Ms Hazel Poa, Mr Jeffrey Khoo, Mr Nadarajah Loganathan, Dr Tan Cheng Bock

Tanjong Pagar GRC: Ms Wendy Low, Mr Harish Pillay, Mr Michael Chua, Mr Terence Soon, Mr Abas Kasmani

Chua Chu Kang GRC: Mr Francis Yuen, Dr Tan Meng Wah, Mr Abdul Rahman, Mr Choo Shaun Ming

Nee Soon GRC: Mr Bradley Bowyer, Mr Damien Tay, Ms Kala Manickam, Mr Sri Nallakaruppan, Mr Taufik Supan.

Marymount Single Member Constituency (SMC): Dr Ang Yong Guan

Yio Chu Kang SMC: Ms Kayla Low

Kebun Baru SMC: Mr Kumaran Pillai

Pioneer SMC: Mr Lim Cher Hong

Hong Kah North SMC: Ms Gigene Wong

PSP assistant secretary-general Leong Mun Wai told TODAY that the party had chosen these constituencies based on a combination of mathematics and political strategy, with the ultimate aim of denying the ruling People’s Action Party a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

At the press conference, he noted that the opposition parties must win 32 of 93 seats in the new Parliament to achieve this aim.

“With the Workers’ Party (WP) holding six seats in Aljunied and Hougang, we need 26 seats more,” he said, adding that he hopes Singaporeans will vote to keep the WP in these constituencies. 

“I suggest (voters) look around for the best three five-men GRCs, two four-men GRCs and three SMCs, giving you 26 additional seats,” he said. 

Asked why PSP is fielding 24 candidates instead of 26, Mr Leong said: “We are not so arrogant to think that we can win all 26. Other alternative parties also have good people, so we hope we make a concerted effort this time.”

He added that voters need not worry that the People’s Action Party (PAP) will be voted out of government, as Singapore has a “winner-takes-all” electoral system.

He cited as an example the 1963 GE, when the PAP took 73 per cent of the seats despite only securing just under 47 per cent of the total votes.

“The PAP will still form the Government after our polling day after July 10… So just feel free to vote without fear,” he said.

“The Government is not going to fall. All they need is some alternative views and pressure to prevent groupthink from brewing there. Fellow Singaporeans, don’t shortchange yourself. You deserve better.”

He added: “This GE is like cat mountain durian. Bao jiak.” 

The term “bao jiak” literally means something is “sure to be delicious”. Mr Leong was referring to how this election is one where voters can have two good things at one time.

Mr Leong, who was formally introduced by the PSP as one of its candidates on Friday, said he is now in politics not because he holds a grudge against the establishment, but because he wants to be able to offer alternative views in Parliament “just in case they might have missed out something”. 

For instance, he said, he wants to raise the issue of how Singapore’s free trade agreements with other countries sometimes have unintended consequences on small businesses and workers.

“We can excuse that. Human beings are not perfect, but change they must, and not pretend that things are all right.”

Related topics

SGVotes2020 Singapore General Election Progress Singapore Party PSP candidates PSP

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