Veteran politician Tan Cheng Bock’s opposition party, the Progress Singapore Party, has been formally registered according to the Registry of Societies’ website. The party, which was registered last Thursday (28 Mar), is expected to make a formal announcement this week.
Commenting on the registration of his party in Facebook, Dr Tan said: “Progress Singapore Party is registered – For country, For people.’
He added: “I am pleased to share that our party “Progress Singapore Party” has been formally registered but still have to submit our party symbol for formal approval. This submission is only possible after formal registration. This will be the last step before we launch the party. I will let you know when the time comes so that you can celebrate with us.
It has been a long journey for us and I thank all in my team who have worked so hard to make it possible.’
Progress Singapore Party is registeredFor country, For peopleI am pleased to share that our party "Progress Singapore…
Posted by Dr Tan Cheng Bock on Sunday, 31 March 2019
Last month, Dr Tan – a former ruling party MP who served in Parliament for over two decades announced that he is returning to politics and that he is registering a new opposition party with 11 other “like-minded Singaporeans”.
Interestingly, the group who filed the application to start the party include other ex-PAP cadres like Dr Tan.
Dr Tan revealed that he decided to form his own political party due to a sense of duty he felt towards Singapore, after hearing their concerns and fears during his interactions with ordinary Singaporeans on the ground.
Explaining that he chose to form his own party instead of joining an established opposition banner, leading an opposition coalition, or running as an independent since he felt that this was the “right” route for him, Dr Tan said that he looks forward to “working with others in the opposition who are passionate about putting country first – before either party or self.”
He added: “At 78 years, I have a short window that I intend to use (sic) mentoring and developing future Parliamentarians who will work for the good of our nation.”
In a more recent speech that was shared on social media, Dr Tan asserted that he wants to re-enter parliament because he seeks accountability and transparency over the reserves and the Central Provident Fund (CPF). He said:
“I go in because I want accountability. I want transparency. What’s happening to our reserves? Are our reserves all gone? Don’t know. What happened to our CPF?
“Now these things, we all can shout until the cows come home [but its] no use, if you’re not in the House.” –TISG
https://theindependent.sg.sg/tan-cheng-bock-says-he-wants-to-re-enter-parliament-to-seek-accountability-about-cpf/