'I cannot shirk that duty': PSP's Tan Cheng Bock, 84, will contest in upcoming General Election

Progress Singapore Party (PSP) founder and chairman Tan Cheng Bock has reaffirmed his desire to contest in the upcoming General Election.

He made the announcement during a walkabout at Clementi 448 Market and Food Centre on Feb. 23.

The 84-year-old has repeatedly confirmed that he would be contesting.

"If you believe in active ageing, I shouldn't retire, right? Because if you all think age is not a problem, I'll be around," Tan previously said during his walkabout at West Coast Food Centre on Jan. 27.

Both walkabouts Tan attended at Clementi 448 Market and Food Centre and West Coast Food Centre are located within Jurong and West Coast GRC respectively.

The retired doctor had previously made clear his intention to contest again in electoral politics, as he had said back in July 2023 that he is going to run again, and it will likely be in the West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) as he did in the 2020 GE.

Tan said he was walking in the Jurong GRC on Feb. 23 as the West Coast is “too big” and that there could be a possible redrawing of the electoral boundaries.

The next GE is due to be held in Singapore no later than November 2025.

Tan will continue to run "so long as he is relevant"

Tan said that so long as he is relevant and feels that he can contribute to the country, he will continue to run.

"I cannot shirk that duty,” Tan added, as reported by CNA.

When questions about his health arose from the media, Tan said, “Look at me, I can still talk to you, I can still answer questions.” 

He also mentioned that he goes for annual medical check-ups, and his "last medical was ok".

Leading a team of around 20 PSP members at the walkabout at Clementi 448 Market and Food Centre, Tan was accompanied by Non-Constituency Members of Parliament Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa, the party’s secretary general.

Other PSP candidates, including West Coast GRC team’s Jeffrey Khoo, Tanjong Pagar GRC team’s Harish Pillay, and Pioneer SMC team’s Lim Cher Hong were also present.

When asked if 36-year-old Stephanie Tan, a new face spotted standing alongside Tan, would be a candidate in the upcoming General Election, the founder of Progress Singapore Party gave a cryptic answer: “Are you asking me my secret? I’m not telling you, you will see it on Nomination Day.” 

A PSP newsletter revealed that the 36-year-old graduated from the Faculty of Law at the National University of Singapore and is currently a full-time housewife.

PSP founder Tan remarked that the party’s philosophy is to bring in “new people”, because “our country (has) got to be run by new people” and "they will be the ones who craft all the policies for the future".

Tan was previously a Member of Parliament for Ayer Rajah SMC from 1980 to 2006 when he was with the People's Action Party (PAP).

After leaving the PAP, Tan founded the PSP and served as secretary-general from 2019 to 2021, and as a chairman since 2021.

Top image via PSP Facebook