SINGAPORE – In a notable turn of events for Singapore's opposition, the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) elected six new members to its top decision-making body, the Central Executive Committee (CEC), on March 20. This election marked a significant refresh in the party's leadership, with 24 candidates competing for 12 positions.

Among the returning members to the CEC are Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP) Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa, alongside party chairman Tan Cheng Bock, Mr. A’bas Kasmani, Ms. Wendy Low, and Mr. Phang Yew Huat. They will be joined by the newly elected faces: Mr. Samuel Lim, 29; Mr. Anthony Neo, 57; Mr. S. Nallakaruppan, 60; Mr. Soh Zheng Long, 36; Mr. Jonathan Tee, 50; and Mr. Joseph Wong, 68.

In a striking development, eight members of the previous CEC were not re-elected. This group included Dr. Ang Yong Guan, Mr. Harish Pillay, Mr. Jeffrey Khoo, Mr. Nadarajah Loganathan, and Mr. Lim Cher Hong. Notably, all except Dr. Ang had sought re-election.

The election results were determined by 90 party cadres, who comprise the PSP's core members. The new CEC is set to co-opt two additional members, expanding to a 14-member body. Subsequently, they will choose leadership roles, including the coveted position of party leader and secretary-general.

The newly elected CEC will serve until March 2027. Mr. Leong, who was seen leaving party headquarters post-election, revealed that the PSP plans to announce its new leadership positions, including the secretary-general, shortly. The party is said to be “always ready” for the upcoming general election.

Analysts speculate that the race for the secretary-general position is primarily between NCMPs Ms. Poa and Mr. Leong. Ms. Poa previously held the position prior to this election. If Mr. Leong returns to the leadership role, it will be a historical fifth change in the party's leadership since its founding in 2019.

Mr. Leong's departure from the secretary-general role in February 2024 came following a correction direction issued under Singapore's fake news law due to a controversial social media post. Many within the party anticipate his bid for leadership against Ms. Poa, who previously served as the party's vice-chairman.

The PSP's emergence in the political arena has been marked by competitiveness. In the 2020 General Election, the trio of Dr. Tan, Mr. Leong, and Ms. Poa represented the PSP's West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) but narrowly lost to a team from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), led by former transport minister S. Iswaran. Nevertheless, this narrow defeat enabled Mr. Leong and Ms. Poa to enter Parliament as NCMPs.

Looking ahead, the PSP is gearing up to contest several constituencies in the impending general election, particularly in the newly redrawn West Coast-Jurong West GRC and nearby Chua Chu Kang GRC. Although the party's slates in these areas have yet to be finalized, excitement is brewing among supporters as they anticipate crucial developments from the PSP.

Stay tuned for further updates as the PSP unveils its new leadership and prepares for what promises to be an electrifying political contest!