Mr Tang, a lawyer by profession, entered politics when he was returned unopposed in a Chua Chu Kang by-election.
PAP MP Alex Yam from Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC recounted in a Facebook post: “In the fiercely contested 1963 General Election, he was election agent to Comrade Yip Sai Weng in Toa Payoh, up against Barisan Sosialis strongman Wong Soon Fong. During one canvassing round, they were actually chased by gangsters wielding parangs.”
Later, when Singapore was newly independent, and the main opposition party Barisan Sosialis began withdrawing from parliament, Mr Tang stepped forward himself “amid the tumult”, entering parliament for Chua Chu Kang in 1966, Mr Yam said.
In 1968, Mr Tang was appointed as parliamentary secretary to the finance minister. Between 1970 and 1972, he served as minister of state for finance, and was deputy speaker of parliament from 1972 to 1981.
He was also PAP’s acting organising secretary from 1967 to 1977, and a member of the party’s central executive committee from 1976 to 1980.
At the 1993 May Day Awards, he received the Meritorious Service Award for his contributions to the labour movement.
Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said that Mr Tang had dedicated many years of his life to public service and to serving the community.
“He always made an effort to join us in our events when he could despite his age. His contributions and commitment to the residents will always be remembered,” Mr Gan said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
“He will be dearly missed.”
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