GE2020: Tan Cheng Bock 'surprised' to see Vivian Balakrishnan at live TV debate instead of 4G leader

In response, Vivian said he is also a 4G minister and the same age as Heng Swee Keat.

Julia Yeo | July 02, 2020, 05:00 PM

Progress Singapore Party (PSP) secretary-general Tan Cheng Bock said he was "surprised" that Vivian Balakrishnan was sent as the People's Action Party (PAP)'s representative for the live TV political debate on July 1.

'Surprised' PAP did not send younger 4G leader

While speaking to reporters during his walkabout at Bishan North Shopping Mall in Marymount Single Member Constituency (SMC) on July 2, the 80-year-old said he was "surprised to find Vivian there, and not all the other 4G leaders", Today reported.

Tan said he had decided to take a step back and let his other party members interact more with the media instead, saying that the election was for "the younger lot, the future".

For the televised debate on July 1, PSP fielded Francis Yuen, 70, for the English edition, while PSP's assistant secretary-general Leong Mun Wai participated in the Mandarin edition of the debate.

He said that it was a missed opportunity for PAP to speak to younger voters.

Vivian says he is a 4G minister

When asked by Straits Times why a younger 4G minister was not sent by the PAP to the televised debate in English, veteran politician Vivian Balakrishnan answered: "I am a 4G minister; I'm the same age as Mr Heng."

Heng refers to deputy prime minister Heng Swee Keat.

Both Vivian and Heng are 59 years old.

Vivian added that such labels did not matter to PAP as they work as a team.

Top image via Rachel Ng, CNA/YouTube