The Progress Singapore Party's secretary-general Tan Cheng Bock went for a walkabout on Saturday, June 27 at 726 West Coast Food Centre, located in the West Coast GRC where he will be contesting.

During his visit, Tan spoke to reporters and gave them many quotable quotes that were subsequently reproduced on CNA and Today.

Besides saying that he is confident of his team's chances there, he also touched on a number of topics.

Here are the things he said at the walkabout.

On going where he is confident winning

“I don’t go anywhere if I don’t win. That’s a philosophy you must know. And I’m back here because I know the area very well,” Tan said.

“I’ll welcome any competitor, no problem. I’m quite confident of this area because I’ve served this area for many years.”

Tan was MP for Ayer Rajah single member constituency (SMC) for 26 years, when he was with the People's Action Party (PAP).

In his last GE in 2001, he won a whopping 88 per cent of votes in his SMC against the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Tan's ward is now part of West Coast group representation constituency (GRC).

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat visited Tan's old ward in the morning as well, with Minister for Communications and Information Iswaran and Foo Mee Har, the PAP's MP for the ward.

On warm reception at West Coast

“I was quite cheered today by the reception," said Tan.

“When I came in, I could feel the vibe that many of them still recognise me and many of them asked me to come back and I said: ‘Okay, I’ll try.’”

Tan also said the outpouring of support is an indication that Singaporeans believe a party like his has come to “give them hope”.

Tan is likely to be part of a five-member team with Jeffrey Khoo, Hazel Poa, Leong Mun Wai and Nadarajah Loganathan.

On Lee Hsien Yang's involvement

“In politics, things change. In politics, timing is important, and in politics, how I move, I don’t tell you,” Tan said.

“Whether he wants to join as a candidate or not... is also up to the party."

On PSP fielding a diverse set of candidates

“Look at every candidate now with a changed view... It doesn’t mean that the criteria set by the PAP is the best criteria for Singapore, but unfortunately that is the thinking of many Singaporeans -- it must be like this then they would be a good candidate,” Tan explained.

“You must give people a chance, let them see how they can perform.”

“Our candidates come from all walks of life. Simple people can bring very good knowledge to Parliament because they know the ground,” Tan also said.

On the increase in donations to PSP

Tan said he has not yet looked at the donation numbers closely, and was unable to disclose how much of an increase in donations the PSP received since Lee Hsien Yang announced on June 24 his formal membership in the party, which had occurred a few months prior.

Lee Hsien Yang’s son, Li Shengwu, has made a donation to both PSP and the Workers' Party, saying that Singapore needs a strong opposition to prevent abuse of power.

But Tan said Lee Hsien Yang had joined the PSP because he believed in the party’s vision.

Tan said: “His father was one of the great leaders who helped build this country. He knew his father. As a son, he wants to make sure this country doesn’t disintegrate. He is not very happy with his brother’s performance."

Tan added: “So he came and talked to me and he believes in what I want to do. He believed that I always value accountability. We felt that there wasn’t much accountability.”

On transparency

Tan said both he and Lee Hsien Yang felt that the appointment of people into various institutions in Singapore is “very open for questioning”, and that various issues lack transparency.

Tan cited the salary of Ho Ching, the chief executive of sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings, as an example.

Ho is the wife of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

It has only been revealed that her compensation is neither the highest within Temasek, nor is she amongst the top five highest paid executives in the firm.

On his relationship with Goh Chok Tong

“We’ve got to thank him. We are still friends. We may have political differences, but I think we have to maintain that sort of relationship to show to the world that well, politics is politics, friendship is friendship," Tan said.

Goh is 79 years old, and he made the decision to retire as MP three days ago.

In a letter sent to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Goh stated that his decision was made "after much thought and a heavy heart".

Tan added: ”So I hope he will have a very good retirement, he can continue playing his golf.”

“For me, my main concern is people like you, the younger generation… And this Covid-19 pandemic really reinforces my determination to really do what I can in my autumn years, I call it. My spirit is still strong,” Tan also said.

Top photo via PSP West Coast