Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat Throws His Two‑Cents into Tan Cheng Bock’s New Party Pivot
Singapore – After former People’s Action Party (PAP) MP Tan Cheng Bock announced he’s not just retiring – he’s trying to restart politics by launching the Progress Singapore Party – Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat stepped up on the sidelines of a community event in Tampines and gave Singaporean voters a polite nudge: it’s up to you to decide who gets to serve you best.
Heng’s Take: “Let the People Choose”
On Sunday, January 20, Heng, the former first assistant secretary‑general of the ruling PAP, addressed a crowd of community members with a tone that was both calm and measured.
- He acknowledged that Tan forming a new party was “a development that is not totally unexpected.”
- He put the decision firmly in the hands of the electorate, saying, “Singaporeans will have to decide on who can serve them better, and I will leave Singaporeans to make that judgment.”
It’s a first‑time public appearance by a PAP leader to comment on Tan’s move, and Heng’s statement underscores the printer‑friendly idea that Singapore’s voters still have the final say.
What Tan is Up To
Last Friday, at 78, Tan revealed he had applied for the official registration of the Progress Singapore Party. The new party brings together 11 “like‑minded Singaporeans,” some of whom once stood behind the PAP banner.
He’s not new to the political scene: a former six‑term MP who retired from public life in 2006, Tan also got a taste of the presidential race in 2011, narrowly losing to Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam. In that same year, he left the PAP entirely.
With the next general election looming by April 2021, Tan’s fresh bid adds a splash of unexpected drama to Singapore’s political calendar.
Other VIP Interactions
Minister K. Shanmugam – who also serves as Law and Home Affairs Minister – shared a comedic slice of his morning routine. He mentioned bumping into Tan at the Chong Pang hawker center and nearby cafés.
- Shanmugam joked that he “told Dr Tan to come more often” to boost local business.
- He took a picture with the political veteran and posted it on Facebook.
Meanwhile, Tan now had a breakfast photo in Chong Pang, featuring former National Solidarity Party acting secretary‑general Hazel Poa, who ran in the 2011 general election — a snapshot that has yet to be confirmed by Ms Poa herself.
Bottom Line
In short, the interplay between Heng, Tan, and Shanmugam paints a picture of a political landscape that’s still very much alive. Whether this new party will shake up the status quo remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Singapore’s voters have the power to pick who gets the reins — and the choice is now undeniably on their desks.
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