The reason why Cheng Bock is holding back is that much of the powers of the President is be transferred to the Council of Presidential Advisors. A review began in Feb 2016, headed by CJ but unfortunately the review committee also includes couple of sycophants. One thing old man got wrong was instituting an elected office of the Presidency. It has become a joke every 5 years with Government having to cajole, pester and persuade capable individuals to run. 35% for the current incumbent is laughable. Till today no one can understand how Tan Jee Say qualified as a candidate when he clearly did not meet the onerous requirement.
The expectation is that the key powers of the Presidency will go to the Council as phase 1. Ultimately it will be revert back to a ceremonial head of state status and an individual of sufficient stature will be appointed. It will also make it easier to appoint a Malay which under the old system is overdue. By the way, the inability to appoint a Malay was made known to the review committee.
My sense is that Cheng Bock will either wait for Review report to come out in the 3rd qtr of the year or decline to stand if he thinks that it is lame duck position.
