Tan Cheng Bock, 85, says PSP 'tried their best' & will be back in 5 years, but he won't be running

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) held its thank-you walkabout at various parts of Singapore on May 10.

At the first segment of the walkabout, party chairman Tan Cheng Bock, secretary-general Leong Mun Wai, and vice-chairperson Hazel Poa were seen greeting residents at West Coast Market.

Tan, who turned 85 during the general election campaign period, said at a doorstop that the party would return in five years' time, hopefully with "a younger team".

"We're not running away," said Tan.

"It's been a good journey for us, and for the younger people... so at the end of the day, we didn't do that well. I don't want to blame anybody now.

But the important thing is we're just looking forward to see how we can train our younger chaps to understand what is politics and what is it like to represent the people."

Staying in politics?

Asked if he planned to stay in politics, Tan, who previously said this would likely be his final election, demurred.

"I took part in this election because I was hoping to bring more younger people into Parliament," he said.

"For me, I'd already gone into Parliament for 26 years. But I want the younger people to be given that chance.... Well, I tried my best, I think maybe they think we are not ready."

But he added that his teammates should not be discouraged, and gave the example of the Workers' Party (WP), which took around 60 years to gain 10 seats.

"Never mind, we will learn and come back next round," he said.

Lianhe Zaobao reported that Tan said he is not contesting in the next general election, but he is also not retiring.

Reflect, regroup, return

Leong also addressed reporters and said the party would "reflect, regroup, and return".

He added that the party would share its full plans for its future once these are ready.

Despite being the best-performing losers in GE2020, PSP lost both its Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) seats this election.

The seats have been assigned to the WP.

After the release of the sample count results post-Polling Day, Leong said the results were "shocking" and that the party would review its strategy.

Tan, while expressing his disappointment, called it a "dignified" and "robust" contest and thanked his opponents at West Coast-Jurong West GRC.

Top image by Mothership