‘What happened?’ Singaporeans ask after Stephanie Tan announces she’s leaving PSP due to ‘differences in opinion’
SINGAPORE: In a social media post on Monday (July 6), Stephanie Tan, who had contested under the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) in GE2025 and had been a member of its Central Executive Committee, announced that she was leaving the party due to “differences in opinion.”
Ms Tan was first introduced to the public last year when she was fielded by PSP at Pioneer SMC. Though she lost to the People’s Action Party’s Patrick Tay, who won over 65% of the vote, she was well-received by many in Singapore, who had expressed hopes that she would be a valuable opposition voice.
In her announcement, she wrote that her goal when she joined PSP in 2023 was to “contribute to greater vibrancy and discussions on important issues which matter to Singaporeans.”
While she called her three years in politics “a fulfilling journey” and expressed the hope to continue to contribute to the country, she added that “it will no longer be through PSP due to differences in opinion in the direction of the Party.”
Ms Tan thanked the party’s volunteers who have been there for her in the past three years, as well as the Singaporeans who voted for her or helped with her campaign last year
“Thank you for your support, love and encouragement,” she wrote.
She also had a special shoutout of thanks for Tan Cheng Bock, the former PAP MP who had founded the party along with 11 others in 2019.
Addressing Dr Tan, she wrote, “Thank you for understanding and for respecting my decision. Thank you for inspiring me to do good work and encouraging me until this day. You set the example not just by what you say, but by what you do, even when no one is looking.”
Ms Tan is by no means the first high-profile PSP member to leave the party. Among others, former candidates Gigine Wong, Terence Soon, and Kala Manickam also left PSP in the past few years.
In 2022, Kumaran Pillai, who is the publisher of The Independent Singapore, stepped down as the party’s communications head and took a leave of absence.
Dr Tan and former Non-constituency MP Hazel Poa stepped down from the CEC after last year’s elections, which ended with no wins for the party. Dr Tan remains an adviser for the party.
What Singaporeans are saying
Many commenters on Ms Tan’s post expressed surprise and disappointment with her announcement.
“Why leave? You got 35% against a veteran who has been in the same spot for ages. I was hoping to see you around in the next election and vote for PSP again,” wrote one.
“This is really surprising as you have been doing such a good job. So promising,” added another.
A third commented, “What happened? Thought it is ok to have different views within a party!”
Some, however, asked whether she would be joining another political party.
As one wrote, “Joining PAP, WP or SDP next? Regardless of party, should like to see you at next GE and getting a seat in parliament.” /TISG
Read also: Singaporeans encourage PSP’s Stephanie Tan to keep going one year after GE2025
This article (‘What happened?’ Singaporeans ask after Stephanie Tan announces she’s leaving PSP due to ‘differences in opinion’) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.