Former WP politician Tang Liang Hong remembered as ‘fearless’ figure after death at 90
Former Workers’ Party (WP) politician and lawyer Tang Liang Hong has been remembered as a polarising figure in Singapore’s political history following his death last year.
Tang died on 15 Sept 2025 at the age of 90, according to his obituary and reports by The Straits Times (ST).
He had been living in Hong Kong with his older daughter and her family since 2018.
Source: Death Kopitiam Singapore on Facebook
On Tuesday (15 Sept), Facebook page Death Kopitiam Singapore published a lengthy tribute reflecting on Tang’s political career, legal battles and family life.
The post described him as a figure remembered in sharply different ways, while highlighting his 1997 bid to enter Parliament and subsequent legal troubles.
Tang contested Cheng San GRC in 1997
Tang came to national prominence during the 1997 General Election, when he stood as part of a five-member WP team contesting Cheng San GRC.
Source: Alchetron website
The team was anchored by then-WP secretary-general J. B. Jeyaretnam.
They secured 45.18% of the valid votes, while the People’s Action Party (PAP) team won 54.82%.
Source: SG Elections website
During the campaign, PAP leaders accused Tang of being an “anti-Christian Chinese chauvinist”.
Tang denied the allegations and subsequently filed police reports against several PAP members, alleging that they had made false statements about him and could incite religious groups against him.
These events became a major part of the controversy surrounding the election.
Source: Discovery Don on YouTube
Faced multiple defamation suits after election
Following the election, Tang faced multiple defamation suits from PAP leaders.
Court records show that there were 13 defamation actions involving Tang.
In May 1997, the High Court assessed damages in the cases.
Tang was ultimately ordered to pay more than S$8 million in damages.
A later Court of Appeal decision reduced the overall award from the record S$8.08 million figure.
Tang subsequently left Singapore and lived overseas.
Source: NLB website
His departure became another defining part of the story surrounding his political career, with different accounts describing his circumstances as exile or as leaving the country amid the legal battles.
Remembered for 1997 political campaign
Death Kopitiam’s tribute described Tang as someone who believed in giving Singaporeans a political choice.
The post said he believed in “power to the people” and in elected representatives working for Singapore.
It also portrayed him as someone concerned with social justice and the welfare of vulnerable groups.
The post also highlighted his performance in Cheng San GRC, where the WP team’s 45.18% share of the vote was one of the stronger performances by an opposition team at the time.
His legacy remains contested
Tang has been remembered very differently by different groups.
Some supporters and commenters on Death Kopitiam’s post described him as a courageous figure who stood up for Singaporeans.
One commenter recalled attending the 1997 election rallies and described them as “electrifying”, mentioning Tang alongside Jeyaretnam and lawyer Francis Seow.
Source: Facebook
Another called Tang a “true hero who fought for the people”.
Meanwhile, others have historically criticised Tang’s conduct and political positions.
Source: Facebook
Death Kopitiam’s tribute itself acknowledged the sharply contrasting views of Tang, asking whether he should be remembered as a victim, fugitive, hero or martyr.
The page said his story had remained a “lightning rod” in Singapore’s political history.
Remembered as husband and father
Beyond his political career, the tribute highlighted Tang’s role as a husband and father.
His wife, Teo Siew Har, died in May 2019.
The couple had three children — one son and two daughters.
Death Kopitiam described Teo as having stood by Tang through the legal and political turmoil following the 1997 election.
The page said his children remembered him as their “Papa”, and as someone who had been an inspiration to them.
Tang was also active in educational and cultural organisations before and outside his political career.
He served as vice-president of the Hwa Chong Alumni Association from 1992 to 1994, chaired the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Management Committee from 1979 to 1991, and was on the Chinese High School Board of Directors from 1974 to 1996.
Tang’s story remains part of Singapore’s political history
Tang’s 1997 campaign, the controversy surrounding the election and the subsequent defamation proceedings remain among the more prominent episodes in Singapore’s political history.
His supporters and critics continue to interpret those events differently.
Death Kopitiam’s tribute concluded by focusing on Tang as a Singaporean, husband and father, rather than solely on his political battles.
“Today, a Singaporean has returned home,” the page wrote.
“His journey has now come full circle.”
Also read: Ex-WP candidate Tang Liang Hong passes away aged 90 from heart failure
Ex-WP candidate Tang Liang Hong passes away aged 90 from heart failure
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Featured image adapted from Alchetron website and Death Kopitiam Singapore on Facebook.
