GE2020: Progress Singapore Party questions PAP’s decision not to send younger leader to live TV debate

• Dr Tan Cheng Bock says he was surprised to see Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the debate
• Debate doesn’t show if 4G leaders can take the stress, says PSP member
• Dr Balakrishnan responds that he is, in fact, in the 4G

 

SINGAPORE — Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chief Tan Cheng Bock said he was surprised that veteran politician Vivian Balakrishnan was the representative of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in the English edition of a live televised political debate, saying that the party missed an opportunity to speak to younger voters.

"One thing I noticed — how come no 4G? How come Vivian represented? Should be the 4G what, right?" Dr Tan asked, referring to the fourth-generation (4G) leadership team PAP has been grooming. 

“You should hear (from) the new people coming in, so I was quite surprised to find Vivian there, and not all the other 4G leaders.” 

The debate was telecast on Wednesday night. Dr Tan was speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, when he was on a walkabout at Bishan North Shopping Mall in Marymount Single Member Constituency (SMC). He was there with Dr Ang Yong Guan, 65, PSP’s candidate for Marymount SMC.

Dr Balakrishnan, who was foreign affairs minister before Parliament was dissolved, later responded and said that he is part of the 4G team.

The 59-year-old entered politics as a member of the third generation of PAP leaders, but he is expected to continue working alongside the party’s younger leaders as part of the 4G team.

The 4G leaders include Mr Heng Swee Keat, 58, Mr Chan Chun Sing, 50, Ms Josephine Teo, 51, and Mr Ong Ye Kung, 50, among others.

"I am the same age as Mr Heng, you all forget just because I have more grey hair," Dr Balakrishnan quipped when he was asked about it. 

He added: "Seriously, these labels don't matter. We are a team, we deploy ourselves and engage in activities for the sake of the team.” 

Dr Balakrishnan was speaking to reporters at a coffee shop in Bukit Panjang while having lunch with Mr Liang Eng Hwa, PAP's candidate for Bukit Panjang SMC. 

PSP’s representative for the English session of the debate was Mr Francis Yuen, 70, its candidate for Chua Chu Kang GRC, while PSP assistant secretary-general Leong Mun Wai, 60, its candidate for West Coast GRC, was fielded for the Chinese debate.

Dr Tan told reporters that he had decided to take a step back and let other PSP members speak more to the media instead, as “this election is for the younger lot, the future”.

At a separate walkabout in Tanjong Pagar GRC, Mr Michael Chua, who is PSP’s organising secretary and candidate, echoed Dr Tan’s sentiments, saying that PAP should have fielded a 4G leader for the English debate.

“It’s only through robust debate, whether balanced or unbalanced, that you’ll have a better sense of how well (the 4G leaders) can take the stress,” he said. “That is important in terms of trying to drive the national conversation and trying to demonstrate to the people that the 4G leaders are willing and capable of taking over.” ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JUSTIN ONG AND JANICE LIM

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