PSP says Tan Cheng Bock no longer sec-gen but remains 'figurehead'; grooming Francis Yuen, 71, as next chief
SINGAPORE — Dr Tan Cheng Bock has been appointed chairman of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) as he handed over the post of secretary-general to Mr Francis Yuen.
- The Progress Singapore Party said Dr Tan Cheng Bock, its new chairman, would still be the “moral authority” in the party
- Mr Francis Yuen, who was named secretary-general, said it was an honour to take on the role
- He added that Dr Tan would continue to help the party and is not retired
SINGAPORE — Dr Tan Cheng Bock has been appointed chairman of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) as he handed over the post of secretary-general to Mr Francis Yuen.
The party said on Thursday (April 1) that Dr Tan, however, remains party chief as he grooms Mr Yuen, who was previously assistant secretary-general, as his successor.
PSP spokesperson Kumaran Pillai said that Dr Tan, 81, was still the “moral authority” within the party, despite handing over the secretary-general role.
“As long as he’s around, (members) will still see him as a figurehead of the party... whatever title you give him.”
He added that Dr Tan was grooming Mr Yuen, 71, to be the next leader of the party and that Mr Yuen’s new post was an executive role for now.
“It will involve day-to-day functions like budgeting, who to be appointed where, and disciplinary matters. All these come under (the role of) secretary-general,” said Mr Pillai.
The appointments were decided at a meeting of PSP’s central executive committee (CEC) on Wednesday evening.
Speaking to TODAY over the phone, Mr Yuen said that it was an “honour to take on this role and get the trust of the party, especially Dr Tan”.
“The secretary-general role is to lead the party but, at the same time, it is also my responsibility to continue to groom new leaders to come forward.
“It’s not about me staying there for a long, long time; it’s about me making a contribution to build up the party, both in strength of leadership and as the party of choice,” he said.
Mr Yuen, a Singapore Armed Forces scholar, was a lieutenant-colonel with the Republic of Singapore Air Force. He sits on the board of two foreign firms, including Huarui Aerosystems, a United States-Chinese joint venture dealing with the manufacture of aero-structure for commercial aircraft.
He added that Dr Tan would be a “tremendous mentor”.
“Dr Tan will help me and the party (with) his reputation and his ability to meet the ground. He will definitely be there; he’s not retired, that’s for sure.”
TODAY's attempts to contact Dr Tan were unsuccessful.
Wednesday’s meeting was held after the party’s CEC election on Sunday, attended by 65 party members.
It took place amid rumours of infighting within the party, which were refuted by PSP’s Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Leong Mun Wai.
Mr Leong told the media on Sunday that there were “no troublesome events” at the election and party unity was not in question.
Here are the other changes to the party’s CEC line-up:
Mr Wang Swee Chuang, 70, the party’s former chairman, is now vice-chairman.
Ms Kayla Low, 44, a new member of the CEC, has been named treasurer. She was a candidate in the Yio Chu Kang single-member ward at last year’s General Election.
Mr Phang Yew Huat, 61, a businessman in the early childhood education sector, is assistant treasurer. He is also a new member of the CEC.
The other members of the CEC are Mr Leong, 61; Mr Pillai, 58; Ms Peggie Chua, 61; Ms Hazel Poa, 50; Dr Ang Yong Guan, 66; Ms Jess Chua, 37; Ms Wendy Low, 44; Mr Harish Pillay, 61; and Mr Taufik Supan, 41.
In July last year, Mr Leong and Ms Poa, who is also an NCMP, stepped down from party leadership positions to focus on their parliamentary duties. Mr Leong was PSP’s assistant secretary-general and Ms Poa was its vice-chairman.
The party said on Thursday that Mr Pillai and Mr Taufik were co-opted into the CEC. Mr Taufik was a former General Election candidate in the Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency.