Dr. Ang Yong Guan: From the Army to the Assembly
In 2020, the veteran psychiatrist‑colonel, Dr. Ang Yong Guan, was gearing up for his third run for Parliament—his third table‑topping mission under a new banner.
Three Parties, Three Campaigns
- 2011: First time in the political arena, representing the Singapore Democratic Party.
- 2014–2015: Co‑founder and chairman of Singaporeans First (SingFirst); ran again in 2015.
- 2020: Latest entrant, now marching alongside Progress Singapore Party (PSP).
When Ang made the leap to PSP in April, the crowd gasped – a classic “who is this new guy?” moment. He’s been riding shotgun with PSP’s peeps, including the well‑known Dr. Tan Cheng Bock, on city walkabouts.
Why He Turned Politically Skittish
He’s candid about the shift: a disillusionment with the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) direction, especially the “sky‑high” ministerial salaries. Before diving into politics, he was a hands‑on community leader in Kembangan, assisting then‑PAP MP George Yeo. That experience did little to calm the fire in his chest.
From Second Hand to First‑Hand
When PSP formed last March, Ang hopped into a conversation with Dr. Tan. By August, he sent over his CV, asking, “Let me join the party that can lift me up to Parliament.” He noted SingFirst was “inactive,” and at the annual general meeting, he formally walked the walk out of it. By February, he was officially part of PSP.
2011, 2015, 2020: A Quick Political Snapshot
- 2011: The opposition gained momentum.
- 2015: A downturn, largely because the PAP’s revered founders left the stage. Ang attributes that to a “transferred gratitude” wave: people saying, “We loved the founding hero—now let the Pediasonic genus step in!” That surge helped PAP snag 70% of the vote.
- 2020: The battle’s nature has changed. This election is a messy, “e‑campaign” marathon, where Ang notes that the experience from hard‑ground campaigning feels a bit like being “hand‑tied behind your back.” It’s a new kind of battlefield.
SPACIES? Not Really
Recent safe‑distancing rumors? PSP’s chief, Tan, assured no attendance fines. Ang declares PSP will follow the guidelines faithfully but wants the enforcement to stay consistent. He says, “I get a little uneasy when it feels inconsistent.”
Takeaway: Dr. Ang might be older, but his political game’s far from stale. He’s toggling between his psychiatric precision, military rigour, and a decade of party level‑ups—consistently proving that lives change and so do politicians.
