PSP ramps up walkabouts in West Coast GRC after Iswaran’s resignation; Tan Cheng Bock, 83, doesn’t rule out standing in next GE

SINGAPORE — The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) is ramping up walkabouts in the West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) amid hopes that former Transport Minister S Iswaran’s resignation as Member of Parliament (MP) there will increase the party’s chances during the next General Election (GE). 

PSP’s chairman Tan Cheng Bock, who told reporters this on Saturday (Jan 27) outside the West Coast Market Square following a walkabout in the area, also did not rule out the possibility of running in the next GE, which must be called before Nov 23, 2025.  

Dr Tan, who is 83, said: “If you believe in active ageing, I shouldn’t retire, right? Because if you think that age is not a problem, I’ll be around.” 

When pressed by reporters about whether this meant that he will be contesting at the next GE, he replied: “I never say no.” 

At the last GE in 2020, the People’s Action Party (PAP) team helmed by Iswaran edged out PSP’s team helmed by Dr Tan, garnering 51.69 per cent of the votes.

Iswaran resigned as minister and MP earlier this month two days before being charged with 27 offences for corruption, obtaining valuables as a public servant and obstructing justice.

Dr Tan acknowledged that while Iswaran’s departure would hopefully boost PSP’s chances, it was not the only factor determining how they fare in the GRC.  

“Of course, we hope (Iswaran’s resignation) will help us, but I think that depends on the electorate, how we perform,” said Dr Tan, who was former MP of Ayer Rajah Single Member Constituency (SMC) under the PAP banner for 26 years, before the SMC was absorbed into West Coast GRC in 2006. 

Dr Tan added that with Non-Constituency MPs Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa representing the party in Parliament, there have been more avenues for the electorate to assess PSP’s performance. 

“We want Singaporeans to assess us first, show that we have substance, we got value for them and also for the country,” he said. 

When asked if PSP’s West Coast team will change or stay the same for the next GE, Dr Tan said that more details will emerge closer to the elections. 

NMPs Ms Poa and Mr Leong, who were also at the walkabout which covered a number of stops along West Coast Road, echoed Dr Tan’s sentiments. 

“The election is not going to be decided by one event, it’s a whole package of things. We hope over the last few years, that the residents have found us an even more credible party,” said Mr Leong, who is also PSP’s secretary-general. 

“It doesn’t matter if Iswaran is around or not around, we will still contest.”

Mr Leong added that PSP will step up their visits to the area from monthly to weekly. 

Agreeing, Ms Poa said that Mr Iswaran’s case is just one factor behind whether PSP performs well at the next GE. 

“In politics, in elections, there are many factors affecting the results, and it will be complacent of us to actually think that just because of this one incident, we get a better chance at getting into parliament,” she said. 

“I think we don’t want to make that mistake.” 

The PSP walkabout, where a group of about 30 members were giving out mandarin oranges ahead of Chinese New Year, also coincided with a PAP walkabout at the market, where PAP new face Chua Wei-Shan, an entrepreneur, and about 15 PAP members were speaking to residents.   

Dr Tan and Ms Chua shook hands and exchanged pleasantries before parting ways.