Speaking to journalists at Bishan North Shopping Mall on Thursday morning, Mr Tan said he grew up in a single-parent household and receiving an SAF scholarship had changed his life.
He said he is standing for election because he hopes to build a better Singapore, with “a lot of challenges now facing us”.
If elected, he will fight for better education policies, greater support for SMEs and workers, and stronger community care, said Mr Tan in a press release issued by PSP.
“I believe in empowering people to write their own life stories – just as Singapore once empowered me. I want to help build a better Singapore where we leave no one behind.”
Party founder and chairman Tan Cheng Bock, who was present on Thursday, said he persuaded Mr Tan to enter the race.
“Tony is a very humble person – very quiet, soft-spoken. He caught my attention not because he’s the better half of Hazel, but because of the kindness he displayed,” Dr Tan said.
“He was very reluctant at first, because his wife is already involved. I told him when the country calls, you must come out.”
TAN CHENG BOCK, S NALLAKARUPPAN LIKELY CANDIDATES
Dr Tan and Mr S Nallakaruppan, who was a PSP candidate in Nee Soon GRC in the last election, were on a list of potential candidates published by the Elections Department on Apr 16.
This means that the two have paid their election deposits and are likely to stand.
When asked if he would run in the upcoming election, Dr Tan, who turns 85 in a few days, said: “If the spirit is strong, you must stand. And for us, people of my age, if they can do something for the country, they must continue to give what they know back.
“Although I’m going to be 85 soon in a couple of days, I will be able to contribute and I still think that I can contribute. And I’ll bring young people to join me.”
