PSP Chairman, Dr Tan Cheng Bock Grooms 71YO Francis Yuen to be Next Chief; Tan Cheng Bock Remains as ‘Firgurehead’

Besides making a white cat famous, the 2020 general elections here saw the rise of many political superstars.

The most notable, perhaps, was Jamus Lim, master debater and serial heart thief.

Another was Reform Party’s Charles Yeo, who made some primary school students feel better about their grasp of Mandarin after he spoke in that language during a political constituency broadcast.

me trying to wrap up my chinese oral to the examiner who's unimpressed #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/ADc4C5WUn9

— YEOLO™ (@tzehern_) July 3, 2020

But perhaps the politician who resonated most with the youth was, surprisingly, the oldest candidate in the elections – Dr Tan Cheng Bock.

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chief grew in popularity among young voters by speaking their language on social media.

He became an Instagram sensation, and is probably the oldest “hypebeast” in the world.

Now, after his first election as PSP chief, Dr Tan is handing the reins to another member.

PSP Chairman, Dr Tan Cheng Bock Grooms 71YO Francis Yuen to be Next Chief; Tan Cheng Bock Remains as ‘Firgurehead’

PSP will now be helmed by former Republic of Singapore Air Force colonel Francis Yuen, after Dr Tan stepped down from his post as secretary-general.

The party said, however, that Dr Tan will remain chief for some time to groom Mr Yuen.

Despite handing over the reins, the party still views Dr Tan as the “moral authority” within the party.

“As long as he’s around, (members) will still see him as a figurehead of the party… whatever title you give him”, PSP spokesperson Kumaran Pillai said.

While Mr Yuen is being groomed by Dr Tan, he will take up an executive role in the party.

This will involve day-to-day functions like budgeting, appointments, and disciplinary matters.

As Mr Pillai noted, these typically come under purview of a secretary-general.

Other Changes Within Party

Besides this unexpected move, several other changes were made to the party’s central executive committee (CEC) line-up:

• Mr Wang Swee Chuang, the party’s former chairman, has been appointed vice-chairman
• Ms Kayla Low, a new member of the CEC, is now the party’s treasurer.
• Mr Phang Yew Huat, also a new member of the CEC, has been named assistant treasurer.
• Other members of the CEC are Mr Leong, Mr Pillai, Ms Peggie Chua, Ms Hazel Poa, Dr Ang Yong Guan, Ms Jess Chua, Ms Wendy Low, Mr Harish Pillay and Mr Taufik Supan.

PSP Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai said everyone within the party agreed that Mr Yuen was the one to “lead PSP to the next level”.

“Francis will lead and galvanise the party while (Dr Tan) concentrates on strengthening external support for PSP,” he said.

Featured Image: Facebook (Yuen Kin Pheng/Progress Singapore Party)