Ex-presidential candidate forms new political party

FORMER presidential candidate Tan Jee Say announced the formation of a new political party called Singaporeans First.

There are 11 founding members – among them architects, a retired army colonel and other professionals.

Another familiar face is psychiatrist Ang Yong Guan, who together with Tan contested the 2011 General Election on the Singapore Demo­cratic Party (SDP) ticket.

At a press conference to unveil the new party and its logo, Tan, 60, said his party will champion policies to build a fair society, strong families and an esteemed people, to create a “new narrative” for Singapore which focuses on not treating citizens as economic digits and offers a lot more social support and safety nets.

Dr Ang said the logo – a heart within a circle – symbolises that the party thinks with its heart.

Tan said the party would be registered after the press conference.

Tan won 25% of the vote in a four-way fight in the August 2011 presidential election. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network