Tan Cheng Bock Not Taking NCMP Seat Even If He Can Have It; Calls it a ‘Ploy’

By
Ashley Seek
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10 July is almost upon us.

And if you don’t know why that’s huge news, it’s because it’ll be the 2020 General Election for Singapore.

This year’s battle is not just the usual main players of PAP and the Worker’s Party but also the Progress Singapore Party (PSP).

Everyone’s fighting for a seat in the Parliament, and they’re fighting hard.

Refusing The Opportunity

But what if we told you for some, it’s a little more complicated than that?

According to CNA, PSP secretary-general Tan Cheng Bock said he will not take up a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) seat if the opportunity arises.

He even called it a ploy to entice voters from opposition parties.

But…why is this the case?

Firstly we need to know what an NCMP is.

It basically allows the “best-performing losers” from the opposition to enter Parliament after a General Election.

This would allow opposition parties to have a seat regardless and the scheme has been around for 36 years.

Dr Tan agrees with the Worker’s Party in speaking up against it.

He feels that it is a plot to get people to vote for the PAP since it’ll guarantee opposition party candidates regardless.

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Does Not Mind Others Taking It

Still, this is just what he believes.

Dr Tan also states that he would not deny fellow party members taking the slot if the chance comes.

“I won’t take but if my men want to take I’ll let them take because I have been to Parliament. I enjoyed Parliament being a proper elected MP. If the new ones feel that they want to have a feel of what Parliament is like, I won’t stop them.”

He still feels that being in Parliament and having the experience is still an “experience they must go through.”

Even during his stint with the PAP from 1980 to 2006, Dr Tan always spoke out against the Nominated Member of Parliament scheme.

“I opposed the NMP scheme very, very strongly and I stated my case in Parliament, objected to it and voted against it. That has been my stand,” Dr Tan said.

He then adds that he feels it should be more than just a chance to talk in Parliament and that one should always have a base.

Contesting Nee Soon GRC

Dr Tan did say, however, that the PSP will be continuing to contest the Nee Soon GRC.

“When we decided to come to Nee Soon (GRC), it was non-negotiable already. When we decided to go to Yio Chu Kang (SMC) also, it was also non-negotiable. Because we know our ground.”

And things are really getting aggressive on the frontlines.

Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam had said that PSP seemed “half-hearted” in their efforts.

This prompted Mr Brad Bowyer, one of the PSP’s candidates for Nee Soon GRC, to say online that they might have been ‘horse traded’.

However, Mr Shanmugam then cited a Straits Times report, claiming the PSP had given up Nee Soon to the Reform Party (RP).

Mr Bowyer then claims he has no knowledge of this and would check with his party.

“I want to make it clear to the citizens of Nee Soon, that we have been totally committed for months … my whole team has been preparing for months.”

And how does Mr Shanmugam follow up? With his most recent Facebook post on 2 July.

Amongst other things, he claims that most of Mr Bowyer’s statements have been dishonest and untrue.

Still, Dr Tan has stepped in to defend his party and said that he did not want to quarrel about the issue.

He said that he has told those in his party to keep on pushing despite such setbacks.

“Your primary reason is to go there to win, to represent the people there.”

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Ashley Seek
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