If you have even the slightest bit of interest in local politics, you'd know that Lee Hsien Yang has made a number of well-publicised appearances with Tan Cheng Bock.

Lee Hsien Yang, who is the younger brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, even congratulated Tan on forming his new political party, the Progress Singapore Party (PSP).

It's little wonder that Singaporeans are curious if Lee Hsien Yang will have a bigger part to play in the next chapter of Tan's political journey.

Will he, won't he?

Tan, the former PAP MP and member of its Central Executive Committee, faced the media on July 26 during the inauguration of his new party.

During the press conference, Straits Times editor Kor Kian Beng addressed the elephant in the room.

After asking about the recruitment of PSP candidates, he added:

"Also could you share whether Mr Lee Hsien Yang is in the mix?"

Lee Hsien Yang is free to join, but on PSP's own terms

In reply, Tan said:

"As for Lee Hsien Yang, I think Lee Hsien Yang and I are good friends. You all have seen him walking around with me. And I must say that if he wants to join me, he is always free to join me. As long as he must adhere to my, PSP's terms."

Tan further elaborated on the principle of Lee joining, but on the party's "own terms":

"Because many people have thought he is coming to join me because of his own personal agenda. He must make it clear, what is his agenda and what does our PSP stand for.

And I'm very clear about that, and he knows. So if he ever joins, he must join on my terms."

This suggests that the two men must have discussed the possibility of teaming up, if Lee is aware of Tan's conditions for membership.

Still, anything can happen in the run-up to an election, which must take place before April 2021.

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Top image by Andrew Koay and Lee Hsien Yang's FB page.