Changes underway in Singapore’s smaller opposition parties as leaders quit

Changes underway in Singapore’s smaller opposition parties as leaders quit Progress Singapore Party and People’s Power Party have been hit by leadership resignations after poor showings at last year’s poll The once-promising Progress Singapore Party (PSP), led by ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) defector Tan Cheng Bock, was dealt an “existential blow” on Monday, analysts say, following the resignations of two central executive committee members. Stephanie Tan, 38, was a newcomer who ran in the election, while Samuel Lim, 30, was the youngest-ever member to be elected into the committee. Also on Monday, People’s Power Party (PPP) announced its secretary general, Goh Meng Seng, had been replaced by William Lim Lian Chin. Goh had said he would step down after his team’s dismal showing in the four-way contest in the Tampines constituency. “Leadership changes might be afoot given that it has been just over a year after the general election, and the various parties might be looking at how they want to position themselves for the next GE,” said Teo Kay Key, senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies. Tan announced her exit on social media, saying: “It has been such a fulfilling journey and while I remain hopeful to continue contributing to Singapore, it will no longer be through PSP due to differences in opinion in the direction of the party.”