PSP's Gigene Wong resigns as party member

SINGAPORE: Progress Singapore Party’s (PSP) Gigene Wong said on Wednesday (Jul 27) that she has resigned as a member and head of the party’s HQ administration, adding that she wants to take care of her father who has dementia.

Ms Wong contested the Hong Kah North Single-Member Constituency in the 2020 General Election against the People's Action Party's Amy Khor. Dr Khor won 60.98 per cent of the vote. 

The decision to resign was a tough one, said Ms Wong.

“My father has dementia and I want to take care of him. Also, I’m in a continuing studies course,” she said in a Facebook post.

"Even so, I hope to help more people in other ways. As long as we have a sincere heart for the country for the people, it doesn’t matter where you are, which party you are in," she added, thanking people for their support.

PSP's secretary-general Francis Yuen said the party understands her situation and regretfully accepted her resignation.

"Looking after her father is the right priority," he added.

Before venturing into politics, Ms Wong spent 20 years working and living in China, with roles in multinational companies.

She previously said she had heeded a call by PSP founder Tan Cheng Bock to return to Singapore and enter politics.

Earlier this year, PSP’s Kumaran Pillai stepped down from his role as communications chief and party spokesman, citing health concerns stemming from a frozen shoulder he sustained in 2020.

Party treasurer Kayla Low resigned in October last year due to new job requirements involving long business trips, and former election candidate Brad Bowyer resigned following backlash to his views comparing vaccination-differentiated measures to the Holocaust.