Tan Cheng Bock and Hazel Poa step down from PSP’s top decision-making body – 1v1 Video Chat & LIve Streaming & Influencer Subscription

By Ang Hwee Min

SINGAPORE: Progress Singapore Party (PSP) announced on Saturday (Jul 5) that party founder Tan Cheng Bock and former secretary-general Hazel Poa have stepped down from its central executive committee, the party’s top decision-making body.

Dr Tan will be succeeded as party chairman by Mr A’bas Kasmani.

Despite their resignations from the committee, both Dr Tan and Ms Poa remain members of the party. They were part of PSP’s slate in West Coast GRC during the 2025 General Election.

The party also confirmed that treasurer S Nallakaruppan has stepped down from his position but will remain in the party.

To refresh its leadership, PSP said it has co-opted three new members into its central executive committee: Mr Sani Ismail, Mr Lawrence Pek and Ms Stephanie Tan.

Mr Leong Mun Wai will remain as secretary-general of the party.

PSP lost in all six constituencies it contested in the 2025 polls, ending its five-year presence in parliament through Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) seats held by Mr Leong and Ms Poa after their near-win in West Coast GRC in 2020.

In particular, PSP’s flagship West Coast-Jurong West GRC team – comprising party founder Tan Cheng Bock, Mr Leong, Ms Poa and newcomers Sumarleki Amjah and Mr Ismail – received 39.99 per cent of the vote, losing to a People’s Action Party team led by Minister for Education Desmond Lee.

In the 2020 General Election, Ms Poa contested under PSP in West Coast GRC West Coast GRC as part of a high-profile PSP team led by Dr Tan, alongside Mr Leong Mun Wai, Mr Nadarajah Loganathan and Mr Jeffrey Khoo. The team garnered 48.32 per cent of the vote – the best performance by a losing opposition team.

That led to Ms Poa and Mr Leong being appointed NCMPs, bolstering PSP’s visibility and their individual profiles.

GE2025 DISAPPOINTMENT

Given this, expectations were high going into the 2025 election. The poor showing – an eight-point drop – was met with disappointment within the party.

Mr Leong described the results as “very shocking”, adding that the PSP would study the results “seriously and humbly” and reconsider how it can gain further trust from Singaporeans.

A few days later, he wrote in a Facebook post that the results were “disappointing” but did not signal the end for the party.

“Our call for checks and balances, an inclusive society and fairer opportunities for all remains unshaken. We will regroup, reflect, and return stronger.”