
SINGAPORE -- Politics is heating up here now that a former presidential candidate has announced the formation of a political party to challenge the ruling party's dominance, igniting speculation about an early general election that could take place this year.
The announcement on Friday by Tan Cheng Bock, a former stalwart of the city-state's ruling People's Action Party, caused a political earthquake. Tan revealed a plan to form Progress Singapore Party, which is to include "some" ex-PAP cadres.