Political experts believe that the Progress Singapore Party’s ( PSP) management change, which results in Mr Leong Mun Wai taking over the secretary-general position from Ms. Hazel Poa, is unlikely to have an impact on its appeal among voters.  ,
As the group prepares for the upcoming General Election, they added, the change signals domestic confidence in Mr. Leong’s leadership.  ,
On Wednesday night ( Mar 26 ), Mr. Leong was re-elected in place of Ms. Poa, who had previously served in the position from April 2023 to February 2024. Both serve as Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs ).  ,
Tan Cheng Bock, the party’s founder, told reporters at PSP’s headquarters that there was” no contest” for the position of secretary-general.
He said,” It’s just that Hazel wanted to pass the baton back to Mun Wai,” highlighting the party’s collective decision-making philosophy.  ,
Ms. Poa, who is now vice-chairperson, cited private agreements, including being a foster parent, as the justification for resigning.
” This layout fits us well,” she continued.
Dr. Tan Cheng Bock has re-elected as the president of the PSP since taking the secretary-general seats.  ,
POFMA ISSUE IMMEDIATELY TO CAST SHADOW
According to experts, the management change won’t alter the group’s center.  ,
According to independent political analyst Felix Tan, the party’s central executive committee ( CEC ) consists primarily of” core individuals that members trust and have confidence in.”
” I don’t believe that this change in leadership may affect how voters perceive the PSP,” he said.  ,
According to Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law at the Singapore Management University ( SMU), the party’s leadership is now clearly supported by a pair, including Dr. Tan Cheng Bock, Mr. Leong, and Ms. Poa.  ,
He claimed that” the pair have consolidated their hold on the group.” It’s business as usual for the PSP, according to bsp.
Some analysts raised doubts about the speed of management changes, though. PSP has gone through four shifts at the top since its establishment in 2019.
Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, said this might raise concerns about the group’s security.
According to Assoc Prof. Chong,” the PSP has to develop more consistency,” given the comparatively regular changeovers in older leadership.  ,
Prior to receiving a correction order under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act ( POFMA ), Mr. Leong had previously stepped down as secretary-general. However, according to experts, this event is improbable to be a significant issue when the election rolls.  ,
It is “already behind many of us,” according to Dr. Felix Tan.  ,
Dr. Teo Kay Key of the Institute of Policy Studies ( IPS) concurred, noting that Mr. Leong accepted responsibility by stepping down as secretary-general and resigning.  ,
She said,” It’s likely that during the GE, this won’t be viewed as a significant problem.”  ,
But, Assoc Prof. Chong claimed that voters may have divergent opinions after the POFMA season.
Some citizens might think it reflects a certain amount of Leong recklessness, he said. Others may think that what they perceive to be an at best vague law badly treated him.
LEONG’S LEADERSHIP PARTY CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Leong’s elevation suggests that the party is still comfortable in his leadership.  ,
According to IPS’ Dr. Teo, PSP individuals appear to view Mr. Leong as the de facto leader. She continued,” That would definitely help him as he begins to work on his GE2025″ plans.”
There should be” no doubt” that Mr. Leong’s resignation following the POFMA order, according to SMU Assoc Prof. Tan, “did not indicate any loss of confidence in his leadership.”  ,
Poa’s visit also doesn’t indicate a lack of trust in her, he continued.  ,
According to Dr. Elvin Ong, an associate professor with NUS’ social technology department, Mr. Leong’s re-election suggests that the majority of the party’s leading decision-making system still has faith in him as a leader.  ,
Dr. Teo, a representative for IPS, praised the comments made by the three PSP frontrunners on Wednesday evening and said the transition” seemed to have been very smooth.”  ,
The PSP is a group with clear path and leadership, she said, adding that the changes in the top positions may actually make voters aware rather than one with many problems in the party’s top ranks.  ,
However, Assoc Prof. Chong noted that there might be a perception that the group members would prefer Mr. Leong’s command to Ms. Poa’s with this leadership change.  ,
According to him,” The results of the election suggest that within the PSP, they believe Leong might be a better choice than Poa to lead their group.” They may favor a person who is more open and accessible in a management position.
NO CHANGE IN PSP’S Vote STRATEGY
Mr. Leong compared the transition to a “relay team” by claiming that the CEC desired him to lead the group’s election plan. However, he added, “little shift” has occurred because he and Ms Poa have been working closely up.
Experts endorsed that assertion. Dr. Felix Tan claimed that PSP’s election strategies will likely remain” as usual.”
He warned against “reading too much into this change.” It’s unlikely that the PSP techniques will undergo significant changes.
He continued,” Ms. Poa, along with Dr. Tan Cheng Bock and Mr. Leong, can work together to carry these ideas into the 2025 General Election.” She may have had these plans before resigning as secretary-general.  ,
Significant changes to PSP’s political strategy are unlikely, according to Dr. Ong, adding that significant strategy decisions are typically discussed and collectively taken into account. Whether Mr. Leong or Ms. Poa is in charge of the party.  ,
According to IPS’ Dr. Teo, giving the truncheon to Mr. Leong might have been a part of the preparations for the votes.  ,
It is possible that the PSP now has a plan in place that includes this transition, given how the whole process was conducted, she continued.  ,