A new opposition party backed by the estranged brother of Singapore's prime minister was launched Saturday in a fresh challenge to the government as speculation mounts elections could be called soon.

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) aiming to contest an election due by 2021 but widely expected earlier is led by Tan Cheng Bock, a medical doctor and former government stalwart who once ran for president and nearly defeated the establishment candidate.

The group has received the support of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's brother, the latest sign of a bitter falling out within the city state's first family over their father's legacy.

The rare row within <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-pm-lee-hsien-loongs-brother-backs-new-opposition-party-239046">Singapore's</a> elite erupted following the 2015 death of the men's father, revered founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, who led the country for three decades.

Under his People's Action Party (PAP), Singapore transformed from a gritty port into one of Asia's most advanced economies although authorities also faced criticism for curtailing civil liberties and free speech.

Speaking to hundreds of supporters at a hotel ballroom and live on social media, the 79 year old Tan decried what he said was a climate of fear preventing people from speaking up.

He also claimed there was an "erosion of trust" between the government and citizens due to lack of transparency, independence, and accountability.

Beneath Singapore's gleaming skyscrapers "is an underlying tale of disquiet," he said, adding, "we cannot allow this current style of managing the country to go unchallenged".

The group joins a handful of other parties seeking to take on the dominant PAP, but the fractious opposition which has just six out of 89 elected seats in parliament is not viewed as a serious threat.

However, backing from the premier's sibling, Lee Hsien Yang could provide a boost to Tan.

In January, a 62 year old business executive Lee, who did not attend the PSP launch, said in a Facebook post that Tan was "the leader Singapore deserves".

In a separate post, he wrote PAP had lost its way and was no longer the party of his father.

During a press conference last week, Tan said he may be willing to take Lee into the party formally.

Lee's&nbsp;association with the party can boost Tan's profile as "one of the 'nice' people to have represented the PAP during its glory days," said Michael Barr, a Singapore politics specialist at Flinders University in Australia.

"The presence of the prime minister's brother in, or at least on the fringes of an opposition party, is a reminder that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is not his father... and that this family is fractured over Lee Kuan Yew's legacy," Barr told AFP.

A Lee Hsien Yang candidacy under the PSP would be a "game changer" as it would "do immense damage to the brand of Lee Hsien Loong's branch of the family".

However, Singapore Management University law lecturer Eugene Tan said Lee Hsien Yang's support for the party is a "double-edged sword" as it could overshadow the PSP's agenda and focus attention on the family feud.

"The vision that Dr. Tan may have will become a sideshow. So it is a card that needs to be played very, very carefully," political analyst Tan told AFP.

The Lee family row centers on allegations made by the premier's siblings that he is seeking to block the demolition of a family bungalow to capitalize on their father's legacy something he has denied.

A new opposition party backed by the estranged brother of Singapore's prime minister was launched Saturday in a fresh challenge to the government as speculation mounts elections could be called soon.

A new opposition party backed by the estranged brother of Singapore's prime minister was launched Saturday in a fresh challenge to the government as speculation mounts elections could be called soon. The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) aiming to contest an election due by 2021 but widely expected earlier is led by Tan Cheng Bock, a medical doctor and former government stalwart who once ran for president and nearly defeated the establishment candidate. The group has received the support of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's brother, the latest sign of a bitter falling out within the city state's first family over their father's legacy. The rare row within Singapore's elite erupted following the 2015 death of the men's father, revered founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, who led the country for three decades. Under his People's Action Party (PAP), Singapore transformed from a gritty port into one of Asia's most advanced economies although authorities also faced criticism for curtailing civil liberties and free speech. Speaking to hundreds of supporters at a hotel ballroom and live on social media, the 79 year old Tan decried what he said was a climate of fear preventing people from speaking up. He also claimed there was an "erosion of trust" between the government and citizens due to lack of transparency, independence, and accountability. Beneath Singapore's gleaming skyscrapers "is an underlying tale of disquiet," he said, adding, "we cannot allow this current style of managing the country to go unchallenged". The group joins a handful of other parties seeking to take on the dominant PAP, but the fractious opposition which has just six out of 89 elected seats in parliament is not viewed as a serious threat. However, backing from the premier's sibling, Lee Hsien Yang could provide a boost to Tan. In January, a 62 year old business executive Lee, who did not attend the PSP launch, said in a Facebook post that Tan was "the leader Singapore deserves". In a separate post, he wrote PAP had lost its way and was no longer the party of his father. During a press conference last week, Tan said he may be willing to take Lee into the party formally. Lee's association with the party can boost Tan's profile as "one of the 'nice' people to have represented the PAP during its glory days," said Michael Barr, a Singapore politics specialist at Flinders University in Australia. "The presence of the prime minister's brother in, or at least on the fringes of an opposition party, is a reminder that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is not his father... and that this family is fractured over Lee Kuan Yew's legacy," Barr told AFP. A Lee Hsien Yang candidacy under the PSP would be a "game changer" as it would "do immense damage to the brand of Lee Hsien Loong's branch of the family". However, Singapore Management University law lecturer Eugene Tan said Lee Hsien Yang's support for the party is a "double-edged sword" as it could overshadow the PSP's agenda and focus attention on the family feud. "The vision that Dr. Tan may have will become a sideshow. So it is a card that needs to be played very, very carefully," political analyst Tan told AFP. The Lee family row centers on allegations made by the premier's siblings that he is seeking to block the demolition of a family bungalow to capitalize on their father's legacy something he has denied.

New Singapore opposition party launched as polls loom

The estranged brother of the Singaporean prime minister has backed a new opposition party, the latest incident in a bitter feud in the city-state's first family.

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) was formed by Tan Cheng Bock, a former stalwart of the ruling party, to contest elections due by 2021.&nbsp;

Tan has been seen in recent months with the premier's sibling, Lee Hsien Yang, local media reported, sparking talk of an alliance.

On Sunday Lee posted on Facebook,&nbsp;"I wholeheartedly support the principles and values of the Progress Singapore Party".

"Today’s PAP is no longer the PAP of my father. It has lost its way", he said.

He did not elaborate further or say whether he would join the new party.

Business executive Lee and his sister have been embroiled in a feud with their elder brother, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, over the fate of a century-old family bungalow.

The rare public falling out within the city-state's elite erupted following the 2015 death of their father, Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew.

The PAP has governed Singapore for decades and the weak opposition is not viewed as a threat, but backing from a senior member of the Lee family could provide a boost to Tan.

A former PAP lawmaker, Tan resigned from the party in 2010 and unsuccessfully ran for president the following year. He will formally launch his party next week.

The prime minister, 67, has said he will lead the PAP at the next polls before handing power over to leader-in-waiting, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat.

The estranged brother of the Singaporean prime minister has backed a new opposition party, the latest incident in a bitter feud in the city-state's first family.

The estranged brother of the Singaporean prime minister has backed a new opposition party, the latest incident in a bitter feud in the city-state's first family. The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) was formed by Tan Cheng Bock, a former stalwart of the ruling party, to contest elections due by 2021. Tan has been seen in recent months with the premier's sibling, Lee Hsien Yang, local media reported, sparking talk of an alliance. On Sunday Lee posted on Facebook, "I wholeheartedly support the principles and values of the Progress Singapore Party". "Today’s PAP is no longer the PAP of my father. It has lost its way", he said. He did not elaborate further or say whether he would join the new party. Business executive Lee and his sister have been embroiled in a feud with their elder brother, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, over the fate of a century-old family bungalow. The rare public falling out within the city-state's elite erupted following the 2015 death of their father, Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew. The PAP has governed Singapore for decades and the weak opposition is not viewed as a threat, but backing from a senior member of the Lee family could provide a boost to Tan. A former PAP lawmaker, Tan resigned from the party in 2010 and unsuccessfully ran for president the following year. He will formally launch his party next week. The prime minister, 67, has said he will lead the PAP at the next polls before handing power over to leader-in-waiting, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat.

Singapore PM lee hsien loong’s brother backs new opposition party

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New Singapore opposition party launched as polls loom

Singapore PM lee hsien loong’s brother backs new opposition party