PSP announces new CEC ahead of GE2025, elects youngest ever member at 29

Progress Singapore Party (PSP) has elected a new central executive committee (CEC), its top decision-making body, ahead of General Election (GE) 2025, which must be held by November.

PSP announced its CEC line-up during its party conference on Mar. 20, although it has yet to specify the members' roles.

Amongst the 12 individuals elected, six are new CEC members.

The youngest of them is 29-year-old Lim Ngee Tong Samuel.

A PSP spokesperson confirmed with Mothership that Lim is the youngest CEC member to be elected since its inception in 2019.

New CEC members

According to PSP, 12 members were elected from 24 nominees for the new CEC.

They are:

• Tan Cheng Bock, 84
• A'bas bin Kasmani, 71
• Anthony Neo Woon Cheem, 57 [New]
• Hazel Poa Koon Koon, 54
• Joseph Wong Chee Fong, 68 [New]
• Leong Mun Wai, 65
• Lim Ngee Tong Samuel, 29 [New]
• Low Wei Ling Wendy, 48
• Phang Yew Huat, 65
• S Nallakaruppan, 60 [New]
• Soh Zheng Long, 36 [New]
• Tee Kow Loke, 50 [New]

These members will serve for two years till March 2027.

PSP 'always ready' for GE: Leong

When asked by the media how the CEC election results speak to PSP's readiness for GE2025, Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Leong Mun Wai said that the party "is always ready".

However, he declined to share further details, citing the need for further deliberation within the CEC.

Similarly, he did not comment on whether PSP will be having a new Secretary-General.

Poa, who is also an NCMP, assumed the role of PSP's Secretary-General in February 2024, taking over Leong, who stepped down to take responsibility for a Pofma correction order.

Leong was the first new CEC member to walk out of the photo-taking session for the new CEC.

After the session, he and Tan, who is PSP's chairman, were seen shaking the new CEC members' hands.

PSP's plans for GE2025

During a walkabout at Clementi 448 Market and Food Centre on Feb. 23, Tan reaffirmed that he will be contesting in GE2025.

The former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayer Rajah Single-Member Constituency (SMC) said he "cannot shirk that duty" to contribute to Singapore.

Tan served Ayer Rajah SMC for 26 years from 1980 to 2006, when he was still a member of the People's Action Party (PAP).

On Mar. 16, PSP held its first walkabout at Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre after the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee released its report on the electoral boundaries for GE2025.

Over 30 PSP members, including Tan, Poa, and Leong, attended the event and engaged residents at the hawker centre.

When asked at a post-walkabout media doorstop if PSP would be contesting in the West Coast-Jurong West Group Representation Constituency (GRC), where Taman Jurong is part of this GE, Tan said the party will leave its options open.

Nevertheless, Tan stated that if he ends up contesting in the ward, the area is not new to him, and he will bring along "a lot of historical perspectives" and past contributions, such as chairing the Jurong Town Council.

At the same time, Poa also shared that PSP was "quite encouraged" by the "very warm" reception by Taman Jurong residents at the walkabout.

While Taman Jurong was a "PAP stronghold" in GE2020, PSP will "rise to the occasion" after the ward has been carved out from Jurong GRC and added to West Coast-Jurong West GRC, she added.

Top image via Zheng Zhangxin/Mothership