Meeting at Speaker's Corner 18 Oct, 6-7 pm

[Ah Hai]

Re: Risky products: Fund managers must be accountable to investors

Loh Hon Chun said...

What's the role of a President in Singapore?

I only see him appear at charities, shake hands with citizens at Istana during open house, NDP and on a potrait displayed in Science Centre.

I agree it's a waste of your talent in becoming a President. Be an independent candidate.

hongjun

5:50 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I support you as EP. However I am not sure if an independent EP and a PAP Govt could work together successfully.

Is there any rule to disqualify an ex-EP from contesting a GE?

IMHO, better to think beforehand the best move. The country needs alternatives beyond 2012.

Dr. James Bok

5:51 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. Tan,
Singaporeans need changes and we need it fast!
You have full support to stand for next president.
Along the way, I will gather more signatures in the next days.

DL

6:36 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If Anuar Ibrahim can be in parliament I'm sure you can be an MP too!
As for President chances are slim to my thinking!
Poor Retirees are left to fend for themselves - high inflation has taken a toll on them as they like me are the silent sufferers today...they tell us to find jobs when in fact interviewers tell us to relax and enjoy your Golden Yrs.....so so sad!....everybody will grow old and cannot escape but don live in a MONEY TRAP WORLD!!!

7:11 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. Tan,
Go for the MP position as the EP position is a passive one. You can help more people if you can compete in a GRC than a single ward.

7:22 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr Tan,

I think to contest the Elected Presidency,you need to be a "endorsed by PAP" candidate. Otherwise you may face all kinds of hurdles even if you are supported by a 100000 signature petition. Take note of this reality here.

Maybe you should gather enough like minded credible people together, form a party and contest the next GE and aim to win 10-20 seats. This will have the most impact for your ideals than if you stand alone as independent candidate.

7:25 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I WILLGLADY SUPPORT YOU AND BRING IN MORE SIGNAURE TO REACH 100,000. It is not very difficult. Onc election is near about 6 months before hand get the movement going and I will help to spread the message. You must be willing and I am sure the support is there. Do you know why there is no election so far for President?

During the first election, PAP was shock to find that actually MR Ong Teng Cheong only won by 52%! With his experience and status, he could have easily won by 80%. why? Because Singaporean were not strongly belive in PAP putting his own man in the post! I voted for Mr Chua instead.

So after this incident, PAP will twit the system until there is no candidates available except the one voted by him.

In fact, PAP is so worry that MR Ong will stand in again after the saga with the government. They actually want him out and said that his health is an issue and if he so decided to run again, the PAP and NTUC will not support him!

So MR Tan think about it. If you want to make a difference, delcare it, I am very sure there will be enought 100,000 signatures or rather 200,000 signatures coming up. I am quite sure you will win it with at least 60% of margin than the one posted by PAP!.

Then we can have a real President elected by the people to safeguard our Reserve!

Yes we can, fired up and ready to go.
No points of having enough money and 60 years old staying outside the system. You can make more contribution, and Singaporean will stand to see a 60 years old come up to make a difference. It will inspire youngster to care about public policy and concern about our nation.

But do speak and discuss with your wife. She must be ready to be First Lady! and I am waiting for this day that there is an election and the people have spoken.

Fire Up and ready to go.

By the way good effort for the Minibond saga and I will be bring my son to Hong Lim park to hear your speech.

Lim CY

7:34 PM
Blogger black feline said...

Please keep fit and gather all your forces NOW..till the BIG DAY! I want to be part of the history in the making! We need this moment!

8:01 PM
Blogger sarpork said...

the sph reporter chose a very ugly photo of you for that article.

i suppose future reportings will be as biased?

8:06 PM
Anonymous Davemeet1 said...

Can I suggest someone start a signature 'blog' to gather the 100,000 signatures or more to let Mr Tan knows that Singapore needs people like him to be the EP or MP. Once the blog is done, let the media knows. Singapore really needs an alternative like Obama says 'MAKE THE CHANGE'. Mr Tan, my family will support you - will garner others as well.

8:15 PM
Blogger AlphavilleSG said...

Dear Mr Tan Kin Lian,

I have already signed the petition.

It is a hard road ahead, but in the same manner Obama started with little support from his bid for Presidency, a virtual unknown to the general public.

It is a steep climb, you will have to rely on volunteers, people who can hope for a change, for the better and turn that belief, into a reality.

Against the tide, the PAP government has never taken lightly to allow just ‘anyone’ to stand for Presidency, maybe it is the case of President Ong Teng Cheong, pursuing his legally obliged role too stringently. Or to paraphrase what he had lamented, it might be unwise to have one person vest all the power to check on the government, that would required a person of utmost integrity.

Such a person is hard to come by. To its effectiveness as the role of president requires, it is even harder for the government to contemplate letting someone who had opposing views to stand.

I read from this article and from your blog that it seems, your intention is to see the government do the right thing for the benefit of all Singaporean, we all do. I hope if we give you the mandate, you can keep that promise.

Good Luck.

9:51 PM
Anonymous Collin Ng said...

Mr Tan
I am not convinced to give you a vote yet, perhaps you may want to post your comment on my blog, http://tockkong.blogspot.com to clear my suspicion of you.

9:59 PM

 

[Ah Hai]

Re: Risky products: Fund managers must be accountable to investors

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr Tan,

I am very sure you will get the 100k supports needed. Please tell me how I can register to give you that support.

AL

10:03 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr Tan KL

Be it the EP or as an MP, you have my support. but i seriously feel that to be an EP would be to walk into a trap. Firstly the selection process is one way to make sure that the EP is one endorsed by them. Taking that route could lead to 2 things 1. either u get disqualified from teh game even before u started 2. they let u win, then they do all they can to obstruct u, thus rendering u powerless and then making u look incompetent.

Better to become an MP either by forming a party or to join an opposition. Its time to think of leveraging. with ur ability, u can do alot, but think about it, its not just so much about how much u can do at this stage but also how much u can rally. as the saying goes that deep calls to deep, u may be the catelyst to stir up similar people as yourself who wants to do something for singapore and singaporeans without checking how many millions they will be paid first. Or if u join an opposition, u can leverage on their existing network and resources no matter how small, and they can also benefit from your experience, your abilities as well as your reputation.

Dont be an EP or independent or NMP, u cant do this alone. Its time to leverage and make a sustainable impact.

10:37 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr Tan,

I am very confident that you will get your 100K signatures and I am for it too. However, there are many sacrifices that you would have to go through, hope you know what I meant as far as those who are previously being eliminated through underhand methods by the old fart and his party. However, I believe you will be prepare and do all things possible to get there, myself and all the rest are behind you all the way.


tiredsingaporean

11:21 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr Tan,
you have my support

BH

11:39 PM
Anonymous Patriotic Singaporean said...

SINGAPOREANS THIS IS IT! THIS IS THE MOMENT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR! THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW! WE NEED TO SUPPORT TAN KIN LIAN IN THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS!

WE NEED A MORE COMPASSIONATE GOVERNMENT!

TAN KIN LIAN FOR PRIME MINISTER!

11:49 PM
Anonymous Matt said...

dear mr. tan,
im a 24 yr old uni undergrad and you totally have my vote if you run. better still, run under a new flag.
many young ppl simply wont enter politics against the PAP because they know they will definitely get slaughtered. we need a general like you who isnt crazy like a bull in a china shop, nor is quiet and submissive. with the sad passing of JBJ the future of singapore politics look very bleak.
you neednt stay long in the field, just sow the seeds, it will make the difference. do not worry about backlashes, if your conscience is clear, the people will be on your side.

12:17 AM
Blogger Concerned said...

Go for the MP, especially with a few like-mind people and contest in a GRC.

12:27 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Go for it Mr Tan, we'll support you for sure !

Let PAP know that our nation is not for ELITES ! Its for all of the people of Singapore.

PAP & ELITES better wake up now. Learn to be humble like Mr Tan.

12:41 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

IF YOU CAN BRING INCOME TO HAVE SUCH A SUCCESS AS A CEO,YOU CAN HELP PAP TO HAVE EVEN MORE SUCCESS IN SINGAPORE IN INVESTMENT,IN CARING FOR SINGAPOREAN,IN MAKING THINGS SIMPLE TO SINGAPOREAN,IN BRING BACK OUR VALUES TO THE YOUNG,IN ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU SAID IN YOUR WEDSITE WHICH I HAVE BEEN SEEING SINCE THE BEGINING. IN YOUR OWN WAYS,YOU HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE EXPOSURE ,THE HEART,THE HEALTH,THE DETERMINATION TO MAKE THINGS WORKED FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS.I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOU.PLEASE LET YOUR WIFE KNOW THAT.YOU CAN AND SHOULD DO BIG THINGS.WE NEED YOU!SIR!!.THINGS ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND.WE DONT LET OUR OLD CITIZEN LOSE THEIR HARRRRRD EARD MONEY!AND TURN BANK INTO LIKE A CASINO.I BELIEVE YOU KNOW HOW HARD TO EARN $300 IN THE PAST RIGHT.WHY IS IT LIKE THAT.I DONT KNOW.SOMETHINGS IS WRONG.I HAVE BEEN A ORGANISER IN INCOME BEFORE AND HAVE HEARD YOU SPEAK,YOU MAY NOT KNOW ME AT ALL BUT MAY BE YOU CAN BE OUR,MY ELECTED PRESIDENT.I WISH...............................................
12:55 AM

 

[Ah Hai]

Re: Risky products: Fund managers must be accountable to investors

Monday, November 24, 2008
Low compensation offered by HLF
Dear Mr Tan,

I have received some updates from HLF regarding the Minibonds.

Both of my elderly aunts (one is mid 70s, the other is 59) have both received the calls from HLF last week regarding the "compensation" regarding to their MiniBonds investment. The total sum invested was $90,000, and HLF actually proposed to return them $250 each to compensate for their losses. This is outright ridiculous! HLF had clearly taken their money thru mis-selling, and now they are offering $250 each as good-will! Both of my aunts rejected this compensation and seeks to bring this case up to FIReC.

Thank u for everything u hv done for us!

Anne
Posted by Tan Kin Lian at 5:11 AM

 

[Ah Hai]

Re: Risky products: Fund managers must be accountable to investors

Monday, November 24, 2008
Strategy on credit linked notes
My next step is to help the investors to identify suitable lawyers to take up a legal case on the misrepresentation in the advertisements and prospectus on the credit linked notes.

It is possible to identify a group of investors who have been misled by these materials and to claim for a full refund, based on the misrepresentation of the product.

The investors will have to identity the grounds of misrepresentation and to discuss it with the lawyer.

I hope that this will encourage the distributor to offer a fair settlement out of court. A fair settlement in my view should be 50% of the amount lost by the investor, i.e. both parties share the loss equally.
Posted by Tan Kin Lian at 8:03 AM

 

[Ah Hai]

Petition Form for Elected Presidency

Monday, November 24, 2008
Petition Form for Elected Presidency

Note: If you do not wish to disclose your full NRIC, you can show the first 3 digits as XXX.

If you wish to help to collect 100,000 signatures, please print this form and get 20 signatures.

www.tankinlian.com/forms/epsingapore1.pdf

Please scan the completed form (with 20 signatures) and send to the e-mail address shown, i.e. [email protected].

Sign the online petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/TKLFPO1/petition.html

Volunteers to help in getting signatures:
http://www.petitiononline.com/VTHTKL1/petition.html
Posted by Tan Kin Lian at 10:27 PM 34 comments

 

[Ah Hai]

Re: Petition Form for Elected Presidency

Anonymous said...

the form would be scanned, why not sign it on line?

3:17 PM
Blogger mel said...

8 second survey - Elected Presidency - TKL
YES , NO ?

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pRBvVOyafi_N_EBHn0i5pYw

3:23 PM
Blogger a said...

I suggest you go for the presidency as you will be in a better position to question the Government. As MP you will be one lone voice raising questions which will be recorded and forgotten, and cannot effect any changes. Also more of us can vote for you as P whereas we cannot vote for you as MP as 90% will not be in the same constituency.

Also when you take on a ward there will be other factions that will dilute the vote, so go for the Presidency and give us more transparency.

5:44 PM
Blogger Loh Hon Chun said...

There are too many petitions going on for the same purpose. Can we just have one?

The one from google spreadsheet does not have personal info and I would think it is not as ideal as the one from petitiononline.

One question I have is how PetitionOnline handles all the privacy info like NRIC, Name, etc. Hope these info will never be made public and be exposed to unwanted crimes.

hongjun

6:07 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr.Tan,
you need to place in on top of your blog so people can see it.

7:29 PM
Anonymous LSK said...

My guess is non Singaporean should not sign this petition as this might raise problem for Mr. Tan in the future when the petition is scrutinised.

8:11 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am disappointed that you are going for elected presidency if the people want you to lead them to.

You can't do much for the people as president.

I am in the opinion that you can do far more for the people if you be elected to be a member of parliament instead.

10:07 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anyway.. It makes no difference whether MP or President, you might not be able to survive long. Politic can be a ruthless game.. might not suit you.. please reconsider..

What you are doing currently, is best suit you..

10:40 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Seems that Mr Tan is very quick to exhibit his political ambition...

11:00 PM
Anonymous Yan Siyu said...

Dear Mr Tan,

Your previous entry has 81 comments (too many) mine will be buried in those.

I m not too sure if anyone has mentioned this. Aside from the Title that has an distorted angle using words like "REVEALS" and "AMBITIONS"

I wish to highlight the photo that they use! No offense or pun, they have chosen a photo that showed you frowning (with the multiples wrinkled lines on the forehead, a queer angle, and with a somewhat crooked smile)

To be honest, if i hadnt know you, or some common folks who never read about the good deeds you had done over the past years (started with the educational blog to the DBS high 5 notes saga) that photo would have "turn" them off. I did a check with my maids who i told them to just go based on the looks; they shaked their head vigorously.

Well, i think you are def. not in favor with the local press, and we know who owns the media in Singapore. =p

(In no way am i commenting how you look, just the way the photo was purposely taken and represented with the headlines in the SUNDAY TIMES)

Wish you all the best, i ll be printing and getting the signatures from my frens and family. = )

11:04 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Post this in all major news forums e.g. stomp, asiaone forum. Should be able to generate more attention by getting Xiaxue or Dawn Young to endorse Mr Tan. Anyone is a close pal of these gals?

11:10 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr Tan,

I think you have no intention of going for MP or EP. That's why you stated 100000 target which may be quite impossible.

It's like some people quote a very high price to certain customers because they do not want their business.

Or if I do not really want to do something another way of saying it is I will do it if pigs can fly.

11:37 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Mr. Tan,
Please include Chinese/Malay/Tamil translations on the form so that the older than 62 and uneducated also could read.

12:14 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am in for the petition.

12:41 AM
Anonymous NoOption said...

I want to communicate this message to Mr. Tan, "Please Stay away from Politics" but the online petition doesn't have the option. Could you please provide this option.


PAP is doing good things for Singaporean.

4:08 AM
Blogger Donaldson Tan said...

Hi

You have my support for whatever public office you are running. However, I would like to stress that you must not let GE be a distraction to your underlying social cause for the distressed investors, otherwise all may be lost.

5:00 AM
Blogger Donaldson Tan said...

NoOption,

You have the choice to not sign the petition at all. We vote not because what PAP did, but because we have a certain expectation of how our country would proceed towards the future.

PAP's track record is no evidence that PAP will continue to do a good job or that PAP's direction is what all Singaporeans aspire.

Unlike PAP, which rob options from citizens through presumed consent via the GRC, by refusing to sign the petition, your consent is not presumed.

6:05 AM

 

[Ah Hai]

Re: Petition Form for Elected Presidency

VS Lingam said...

Dear Mr Tan KL,

You have my vote.

I suggest you pls go for MP position, preferably leading a GRC at the next election. You (and your GRC team) can do more for sg grassroot ppl as an MP, rather than an EP or NMP.

It may be better if you stand as an independent, as there is still some phobia about opposition political parties. Independent candidates may contest a GRC, provided all independent members of your group stand as a team.

I see this as the best option if sg wants to have a serious, alternative, constructive voice in parliament.

10:10 AM
Blogger Solo Bear said...

Mr Tan,

I have commented a few times before that you have done a good job. I still feel that you are doing a fine job.

I don’t wish to dampen the mood, but I think it isn’t wise to do two major things at once. I feel that if you do wish to get into politics, it should be done AFTER the investor crisis is resolved, OR, when elections are called.

In doing both at the same time, there may be adverse effects, which are:

1. You opponents will wait eagerly like hawks, hoping for the killer move to pin you down that all your hard work at Hong Lim is really nothing but a prelude to garner popular vote, for your entry into politics.

2. You will be able to garner many supporters who have absolutely no interest in the credit crisis. They may then pressure you to divert your energy towards politics, rather than assist you in your original intent – ie to help the layman on the street to recover their losses.

It would sadden me if we get to see that your original intention to help the laypeople gets hijacked due to one or both of the reasons above.

The above are just my thoughts. Of course, the final decision is yours. In any case, it is a little too late to back off now. You have more or less committed yourself publicly.

Good luck and all the best to you.

10:17 AM
Blogger C H Yak said...

NoOption,

I believe the petition is a "opt-in" to support Mr. Tan in a democratic way. If you are for "Please Stay away from Politics" option, then just don't opt-in, stay away from signing to support him.

Think simply, and clearly like what Mr Tan K L always do. Why must your option "Please Stay away from Politics" be added to complicate, confuse and dictate to others your "option".

Don't think so "complicated-ly" to confuse others and dictate things to be done "top-down" like what our politicians quite oftenly do.

When you do things for the good of the general public, think "bottom-up" and be people-centric first.

10:28 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr Tan can be a EP or MP not nec Opp MP. He can be independent.

10:44 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr Tan

This is going to be a bit long.

I suggest you go for MP first. Get a single ward and run as Independent. Go for the exposure and explain to Singaporean why you are doing it. Do not form a opposition party, But stand as Individual, explain your manifesto and I am very sure Singapoean will understand! Your chance of wining is low but I said it is for exposure, go for rally, you surprise there will be people helping you along. I am very sure you will not loss your deposite.

After election (that say in 2011), Singaporean will know you better, than is time to run for Elected President. You will be stronger and believe that you can make a difference even at 60 years old and as you say why get yourself into trouble where you have enought money! I encourage you to fire up and ready to go and shown it to the youngster that there is much to learn than just look after their money pocket. The GE is to fire you up and brush up your political and rally skills improve your Chinese. I am sure people of your age malay is not a problems! Chinese is very important, that include dilects.

Above all, do talk to your wife, he must be ready to be First Lady, tell her that there are people who want an alternative voice like you. Singapore is getting harder to leave. I remember the good old days of 70 to early 80, things are cheap, we work hard, People trust the Government and we build HDB flats because we allow the government to do land acquisation at very low cost and built low cost house for us. Now look at the HDB price, my god! HDB going for 500K (brand new) in good location.
electrical bill going up while others are dropping!

Lucky we got Mr Khaw for health minister, he stop the spiralling cost and introduce the Mean Testing. He is a good man but who many of this type minister can we find! i am most worry when Mr Khaw is gone , they will use the Mean Testing and test it to the extreme.
I have not qualms with Mean testing, but use by government it will go the extreme. trust me, it will happen. Then it will be very sad! When the next young Health Minister come in.s

I leave in Woodland and I can tell you that he really do this job, constant visit, improvement in public areas, he got the Buddha Look and people give way to his Tao way of doing things. Unlike the rest, bulldoze and get objectives done and after 5 years wash hand and go to another ministry. Some new minister come in and CHANGE AGAIN. That what they call CHANGING WITHIN!

HA HA HA


So Mr Tan Fire Up and ready to Go
I have sign the petition although my wife advise me otherwise(because she a civil servant and I work in the GLC!) I just told her this got nothing to do with my daily job.

This is a bigger calling, I just don't the resume to do the job!

If you need help to run, I will be happy to apply leave and help you in whatever ways. carry table and chairs and doing simple jobs also can.

I write again next time to explain to you why your chances of winning is very good!

lim Cy





I will take leave to help you along,

10:59 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Tan,
I hope if elected President Donate 1/2 of your annual salary to the poor and needy/charities. During the President Charity Show.....make your Donations Life to start with!

JOJO

11:10 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Obama's Slogan "CHANGE WE NEED"
Suggest the other way round "NEED WE CHANGE?"
Nevermind MP OR EP ...keep trying!
With your stature and experience you surely can achieve your game to be EP or MP, unless ERP (Entry Restricted Presidency) is the only obstacle!

ST Reader.

11:30 AM

 

[Ah Hai]

Re: Petition Form for Elected Presidency

Anonymous said...

I don't know how to quite put this in a good manner across. Mr Tan, if you want to help the people out of altruist reasons, then please go ahead and run for the Presidency of Singapore or be a member of Parliament. No need to do all these petitions online / offline to garner support.

It's akin to saying this to us, "I don't want to lead but coz you people ask me to, I will lead". It's like shifting the responsibility of whether you want to run for presidency to us, the people. If that's the case, can I conclude that you are reluctant to lead us? If you want to run for presidency, just go ahead. Don't shift the onus of decision making to us. It'll just prove your critics right.

If you ask me whether you have my vote, I'll Keep in View first. That's because I want a candidate who WANTS to lead the people and help them and not someone who NEEDS to lead the people. A leader should lead because he has the abilities to and want to, not someone "reluctantly" petitioned to lead. My vote depends on whether my comment gets posted / how you respond to it.

Thoughts of a Concerned Citizen.

12:25 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It will be good to see if TKL fight for the oposition MP.
I am sure he will succes.

1:35 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Reading the newspapers, i had the feeling that Tan Kin Lian is torn between personal inclinations and family pressure (to stay clear and be safe rather than sorry in potential dirty political scenarios). so perhaps he made the petition as a means to find a reason this way or otherwise to give peace of mind. I can bet a $1000 that even without the petition, he will be an instant hit in the elections if he decides to be a candidate. Incidentally I support the petition 10000% and definitely vote for him.

1:48 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You have our vote Mr. Tan ! We need people like you who can be a voice for the common man. The current gahmen are too high up in their ivory tower to feel the pain of our struggle with the current high cost of living. Other countries are reducing GST and utitlities prices for example, what is our gahmen doing for us ?? All they do is to keep raising prices and raising their million dollar salaries !!

3:21 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Tan,

I tried to sign the petition but failed. what do EP and MP stand for?

XH

3:36 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i do not support these petitions for Elected Presidency right now. Why? Because that means that there are 2 issues on the table fighting for attention at the moment.

1. The Original issue of investments/structured products etc which is still not resolved yet

2. The new issue of elected presidency

I feel that having them both at the same time will lessen the focus (both of the media) and of Mr. Tan yourself. It might be a better choice to focus on one first so more attention and resources can be devoted to it.

Further, the attn of both the media and the population can be focused more effectively instead of having Mr. Tan stand for 2 issues at the same time. My fear would be that the original issue (accountability of financial institutions and MAS) might be forgotten/ or the focus might lessen.

All the best Mr. Tan.

3:39 PM
Blogger C H Yak said...

Anonymous 12:25PM

Someone who WANTS to help the people "out of altruist reasons" may or may not be a good leader, and he could harbour his own hidden further agenda, say to earn a million-dollar salary. "WANT" signifies self-centredness. Self before 100,000 common people.

Someone who NEEDS to lead the people when given "100,000" signatures will quite certainly make a good leader who harbours no hidden agenda. The majority needs him to lead. He fights for the majority who are right.

100,000 signatures and votes can still defeat 1 supposedly hard-earned "bargaining" vote from a very concerned citizen. This is the beauty of true democracy.

In similar logics, you may give your vote just because you simply think you WANT to bargain in your agenda. (To Quote you : "My vote depends on whether my comment gets posted / how you respond to it"). And not because 100,000 others NEED you to give your vote. To these 100,000 your vote would seem im-material, and they do not NEED your 1 precious vote. LOL.

100,000 signatures and votes also signifies active citizenry. It means a NEED to vote in someone whom you think is a good leader who will fight for your beliefs and causes, and not just because you WANT to cast a vote because you are a concerned citizen.

3:48 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think going for MP is better. Being the president doesnt help change things. Building a credible opposition with the long term goal of taking over the goverment is more useful. Either way, I Support you!

4:47 PM

 

[Ah Hai]

smallvoice585 on November 25th, 2008 2.31 am

Dear Tan Kin Lian,
With due respect, sir, I believe that you are not ready for politics yet. Though you have been a PAP member for 30 years, you have not been engaged in any grassroots work in the last 20 years. You also have no experience in electioneering. You do not have a dedicated or well-organised support structure around you.

People know you to be a long-time CEO of NTUC Income for 30 years; recently as an on-line protester against insurance bonus cuts; and lately, as a champion of burnt financial product investors. I’m afraid that’s not enough to gain credibility as the next big thing in alternative politics. People need to know your stand, views and ideas on a full spectrum of political issues articulated consistently over a significant period of time. They need to see proof of a wider range of leadership qualities required in political office.

Of course, please do not misconstrue that I’m trying to discourage you.

But the 100,000 signatures that this article is calling for is in my view totally irrelevant. True politicians do not ask for a show of hands before entering the fray - they offer themselves as instruments for their beliefs and willingly submit themselves to the caprice of public opinion. That is, you do not ask for support before you commit, but you should commit first and see if you’re getting any support. If you are not ready for this uncertainty, then it speaks volumes about your dedication to your political cause.

Tan Kin Lian on November 25th, 2008 5.19 am

Hi smallvoice585
You are correct. I am not “ready” for politics …. in the conventional way. There are many examples of more capable people who came into politics during the past 20 years. Most of them did not survive. Only two did, and they have a lot of difficulty in building up their base of support.

You are also correct about the lack of a political machinery. It takes more than this political machinery for an alternative party to succeed- as it has to compete with the incumbent that has more resources beyond its own political machinery..

I wanted to take a different approach - to create awareness, to educate the public. The recent event involving the 10,700 investors of the credit linked notes show how bad things can be - that the government can just ignore the call to do the right thing and enforce the law.

If more people come forward to voice their views, it may wake up the current leaders and create the change that is desriable and good for the country. An important change is to recognise that the elected leaders should represent the people, and that a free contest is for the good of the country.

Many people said that an alternative party needs more than one person. How do you expect other people to come forward? They are not willing to sacrifice their career. They will be subject to discrimination. Maybe 100,000 signatures will change their mind.

Will my approach work? Some people think so. Others are sceptical. I am willing to give it a try. If it does not, I can go back and retire.
Posted by Tan Kin Lian at 5:24 AM

 

[Ah Hai]

Why I wanted 100,000 signatures

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Why I wanted 100,000 signatures
Discussion in www.theonlinecitizen.com
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2008/11/help-get-100000-signatures-for-tan-kin-lian-to-run/

 

[Ah Hai]

Re: Why I wanted 100,000 signatures

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Investors should see their Member of Parliament
I sent another e-mail to the investors to see their Member of Parliament in groups. I know that some investors had already seen their MP and the MP asked them to see the MAS or the financial institution or argued that they should have "their eyes open".

You can see the MP again. This time, ask the MP to do the "right thing" as the leader that represents you: The MP should:

1. Ask MAS what is the outcome of petition #1, asking MAS to investigate if there were any wrong doings by the financial institutions that created and marketed these credit linked notes? did these financial institutions breach the Securities and Futures Act and the Financial Advisers Act? What is the outcome of the investigation?

2. Ask how many investors had their cases resolved at the first leve, i.e. the financial institutions? How many cases were rejected by the financial instituions or made offers that were not accepted by investors? How many cases are still "waiting for decision"? How long does it take for the financial institutions to make their decision?

3. Ask MAS how many complaints have been lodged with FIDREC. How many cases have been decided by FIDREC? How many are still pending? How long does it take for FIDREC to handle these complaints?

It is the duty of your MP to ask these questions, on your behalf, to MAS or to ask them in Parliament.
Posted by Tan Kin Lian at 5:29 AM

 

[Ah Hai]

Re: Why I wanted 100,000 signatures

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Swiss petition for national referendum to end "corporate rip off"

We can learn from the Swiss.

Mr Minder has embarked on a truly Swiss course of action to prevent such excesses in the future. Using Switzerland's system of direct democracy, he has collected the required 100,000 signatures to hold a nationwide referendum to end, as he puts it, "the corporate rip off."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7741561.stm
Posted by Tan Kin Lian at 6:51 AM

 

[Leegimeremover]

Re: Why I wanted 100,000 signatures

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Investors should see their Member of Parliament
I sent another e-mail to the investors to see their Member of Parliament in groups. I know that some investors had already seen their MP and the MP asked them to see the MAS or the financial institution or argued that they should have "their eyes open".

You can see the MP again. This time, ask the MP to do the "right thing" as the leader that represents you: The MP should:

1. Ask MAS what is the outcome of petition #1, asking MAS to investigate if there were any wrong doings by the financial institutions that created and marketed these credit linked notes? did these financial institutions breach the Securities and Futures Act and the Financial Advisers Act? What is the outcome of the investigation?

. Ask how many investors had their cases resolved at the first leve, i.e. the financial institutions? How many cases were rejected by the financial instituions or made offers that were not accepted by investors? How many cases are still "waiting for decision"? How long does it take for the financial institutions to make their decision?

3. Ask MAS how many complaints have been lodged with FIDREC. How many cases have been decided by FIDREC? How many are still pending? How long does it take for FIDREC to handle these complaints?

It is the duty of your MP to ask these questions, on your behalf, to MAS or to ask them in Parliament.
Posted by Tan Kin Lian at 5:29 AM

Trust FIDREC to file and put your stuff in a corner and forget everything. They hope that you will give up in despair. So the best thing to do is for all the retirees to go to FIDREC and ask. The DBS wayang show should be clear they have no intention of returning any money. If you cut all DBS bonuses, there is more than enough money to repay all the mini bonds. But prostitutes like smoke salmon and caviar. So decide what you want to do. No need to give shameless prick LKY face. He never give you face and is constantly monitoring everyone to fix, so get back what belongs to you.

 

[Ah Hai]

Re: Why I wanted 100,000 signatures

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Suggestion: how to approach legal action
Dear Mr. Tan

I would like to suggest the followings:

1) Use the online petition, one for each product (Minibond, High notes ....), to gather all investors who are in favor in legal action

2) Call a meeting for all interested investors to have a preliminary discussion and to select a committee to conduct a feasibility study.

3) The meeting will identify the scope for the feasibility study.

4) The feasibility study may include :
a) study the sales brochures/newspaper advertisements/prospectus to identify common grounds for the law suit (consult financial experts/lawyers if necessary)
b) cost and return analysis
c) study other similar class action cases (US, Hong Kong, Taiwan …)
d) identify the parties for the law suit (Lehman Brothers, FIs, MAS…)
e) identify where to file the law suit (local or US)
f) work out an action plan

Pang

REPLY
I agree with you. I shall organise the survey (using online petiton) to gather the investors willing to take action.
Posted by Tan Kin Lian at 9:42 PM 6 comments

Anonymous said...

sounds army trained =)

9:46 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I support this. I read that in US, the investors were compensated, led by the federal government. But in S'pore ours let you fan for yourself. How can we small people handle the FI let alone the big US investment banks? I think LB, ML and MS should all be sued.

9:49 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

These my views, they may be correct, or they may be "correct".

1) Use the online petition, one for each product (Minibond, High notes ....), to gather all investors who are in favor in legal action

- Online petition nowsadays is like a silent protest in a gigantic fan filled shopping mall. Thats as much ripple effect it would be able create. Its so much yet so little and the problem is its strength is its weakness - anyone can see it, Including those who dont wan to see it.

2) Call a meeting for all interested investors to have a preliminary discussion and to select a committee to conduct a feasibility study.

- yes to meetings, yes to discussions, yes to committees
but we ALL know what gets done with committees in discussions at meetings. i suggest you find ONE or TWO Power Leaders. Meaning they talk, everyone listen AND accept

3) The meeting will identify the scope for the feasibility study.

- The Power Leaders will decide the scope, no argument.

4) The feasibility study may include :
a) study the sales brochures/newspaper advertisements/prospectus to identify common grounds for the law suit (consult financial experts/lawyers if necessary)

- reading or cutting stuff from any common sources would not be helpful, they had either been filtered, watered down or re-stated, simply they do not form an absolutely rock reliable source of information, at best they can be reference

b) cost and return analysis

- this can be done quite quickly
find out the range of the costliest expense for an all out legal proceeding (INCLUSIVE of possible countersues and counterclaims etc etc). keep asking every member of that group (or committee) until someone says its too much to bear. THATS your cut away line, its safe to assume any one below that line would be risk averse, any one above that would be risk inclined. the risk this entire committee would be undertaking.

c) study other similar class action cases (US, Hong Kong, Taiwan …)

- again like the media, cases and contexts are different, at best they are reference. even as sources of info their subjectivity and objectivity are questionable, unless actual parties involved there are equally involved here. tricky

d) identify the parties for the law suit (Lehman Brothers, FIs, MAS…)

- you can drag down anyone you like, but if you bite the Hand that actually fed you (or trying to), then be prepared for more enemies than allies future and present. as Forest Gump said, "You never know what you gonna get [in Life]" careful

e) identify where to file the law suit (local or US)

- this is a moot point think about it

f) work out an action plan

- get your prerogatives straightened out, have everyone chip in equally to meet up with the most expensive lawyer EVERYONE can afford and present your findings.

then disregard whatever that lawyer says, everyone chip in once again, look for the second most expensive fellow.

This is what it takes now.

Anything lesser means the margin of dismissal is higher by a step.

10:23 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i missed out an impt detail

First thing first, Everyone in that group pay a sum, invite One or Two renowned characters to lecture in securities, linked notes, and in most of the financial instruments found especially in the Asian markets. Speak to them, bomb them questions, get to the bottom of things but dont arrow them they are not the enemy. Can try all the major international institutions and education centres, ie invite Dept Heads, Executive Directors. PAY THEM PAY THEM PAY THEM to come and teach you what to think, what to pick up, what to say, what to respond in ANY financial dispute setting.

PLEASE, get your bearings straight!

12:06 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The difficulty is how to identify a good lawyer with reasonable legal fee.


Zhong

12:07 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

in the mean time, people should campaign ,gossip in Kopitiam..boycott...American Branded Products..Let tourists enjoy their own.

Otherwise, no message will get over to Paulson-Bush or New Obama-XXXX team.

suing will take years...Boycott is so effective.
1. Fly no boeing plane.
2. Eat no MacD,Pizza,...
3. Drink no cocacola...
use no VISA MASTER...
what else?
wthout these, we cannot die..

4:15 AM

 

[Ah Hai]

Re: Why I wanted 100,000 signatures

Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Petition Form for Elected Presidency
Note: If you do not wish to disclose your full NRIC, you can show the first 3 digits as XXX.

If you wish to help to collect 100,000 signatures, please print this form and get 20 signatures.

www.tankinlian.com/forms/epsingapore1.pdf

Please scan the completed form (with 20 signatures) and send to the e-mail address shown, i.e. [email protected].

Sign the online petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/TKLFPO1/petition.html

Volunteers to help in getting signatures:
http://www.petitiononline.com/VTHTKL1/petition.html
Posted by Tan Kin Lian at 10:27 PM

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

the form would be scanned, why not sign it on line?
3:17 PM
mel said...

8 second survey - Elected Presidency - TKL
YES , NO ?

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pRBvVOyafi_N_EBHn0i5pYw
3:23 PM
a said...

I suggest you go for the presidency as you will be in a better position to question the Government. As MP you will be one lone voice raising questions which will be recorded and forgotten, and cannot effect any changes. Also more of us can vote for you as P whereas we cannot vote for you as MP as 90% will not be in the same constituency.

Also when you take on a ward there will be other factions that will dilute the vote, so go for the Presidency and give us more transparency.
5:44 PM
Loh Hon Chun said...

There are too many petitions going on for the same purpose. Can we just have one?

The one from google spreadsheet does not have personal info and I would think it is not as ideal as the one from petitiononline.

One question I have is how PetitionOnline handles all the privacy info like NRIC, Name, etc. Hope these info will never be made public and be exposed to unwanted crimes.

hongjun
6:07 PM
Anonymous said...

Mr.Tan,
you need to place in on top of your blog so people can see it.
7:29 PM
LSK said...

My guess is non Singaporean should not sign this petition as this might raise problem for Mr. Tan in the future when the petition is scrutinised.
8:11 PM
Anonymous said...

I am disappointed that you are going for elected presidency if the people want you to lead them to.

You can't do much for the people as president.

I am in the opinion that you can do far more for the people if you be elected to be a member of parliament instead.
10:07 PM
Anonymous said...

Anyway.. It makes no difference whether MP or President, you might not be able to survive long. Politic can be a ruthless game.. might not suit you.. please reconsider..

What you are doing currently, is best suit you..
10:40 PM
Anonymous said...

Seems that Mr Tan is very quick to exhibit his political ambition...
11:00 PM
Yan Siyu said...

Dear Mr Tan,

Your previous entry has 81 comments (too many) mine will be buried in those.

I m not too sure if anyone has mentioned this. Aside from the Title that has an distorted angle using words like "REVEALS" and "AMBITIONS"

I wish to highlight the photo that they use! No offense or pun, they have chosen a photo that showed you frowning (with the multiples wrinkled lines on the forehead, a queer angle, and with a somewhat crooked smile)

To be honest, if i hadnt know you, or some common folks who never read about the good deeds you had done over the past years (started with the educational blog to the DBS high 5 notes saga) that photo would have "turn" them off. I did a check with my maids who i told them to just go based on the looks; they shaked their head vigorously.

Well, i think you are def. not in favor with the local press, and we know who owns the media in Singapore. =p

(In no way am i commenting how you look, just the way the photo was purposely taken and represented with the headlines in the SUNDAY TIMES)

Wish you all the best, i ll be printing and getting the signatures from my frens and family. = )
11:04 PM
Anonymous said...

Post this in all major news forums e.g. stomp, asiaone forum. Should be able to generate more attention by getting Xiaxue or Dawn Young to endorse Mr Tan. Anyone is a close pal of these gals?
11:10 PM
Anonymous said...

Mr Tan,

I think you have no intention of going for MP or EP. That's why you stated 100000 target which may be quite impossible.

It's like some people quote a very high price to certain customers because they do not want their business.

Or if I do not really want to do something another way of saying it is I will do it if pigs can fly.
11:37 PM
Anonymous said...

Hi Mr. Tan,
Please include Chinese/Malay/Tamil translations on the form so that the older than 62 and uneducated also could read.
12:14 AM
Anonymous said...

I am in for the petition.
12:41 AM
NoOption said...

I want to communicate this message to Mr. Tan, "Please Stay away from Politics" but the online petition doesn't have the option. Could you please provide this option.


PAP is doing good things for Singaporean.
4:08 AM
Donaldson Tan said...

Hi

You have my support for whatever public office you are running. However, I would like to stress that you must not let GE be a distraction to your underlying social cause for the distressed investors, otherwise all may be lost.
5:00 AM
Donaldson Tan said...

NoOption,

You have the choice to not sign the petition at all. We vote not because what PAP did, but because we have a certain expectation of how our country would proceed towards the future.

PAP's track record is no evidence that PAP will continue to do a good job or that PAP's direction is what all Singaporeans aspire.

Unlike PAP, which rob options from citizens through presumed consent via the GRC, by refusing to sign the petition, your consent is not presumed.
6:05 AM
Anonymous said...

NoOption,

Have you opened your eye wide enough when you said "xxx is doing good things for Singaporeans"? Perhaps you are just greedy with the little good things (small cash handouts) tossed by xxx from time to time.
9:28 AM
Anonymous said...

I agree that Mr Tan has no intention of being EP or MP. The 100,000 target will be difficult to achieve.
9:42 AM
VS Lingam said...

Dear Mr Tan KL,

You have my vote.

I suggest you pls go for MP position, preferably leading a GRC at the next election. You (and your GRC team) can do more for sg grassroot ppl as an MP, rather than an EP or NMP.

It may be better if you stand as an independent, as there is still some phobia about opposition political parties. Independent candidates may contest a GRC, provided all independent members of your group stand as a team.

I see this as the best option if sg wants to have a serious, alternative, constructive voice in parliament.
10:10 AM
Solo Bear said...

Mr Tan,

I have commented a few times before that you have done a good job. I still feel that you are doing a fine job.

I don’t wish to dampen the mood, but I think it isn’t wise to do two major things at once. I feel that if you do wish to get into politics, it should be done AFTER the investor crisis is resolved, OR, when elections are called.

In doing both at the same time, there may be adverse effects, which are:

1. You opponents will wait eagerly like hawks, hoping for the killer move to pin you down that all your hard work at Hong Lim is really nothing but a prelude to garner popular vote, for your entry into politics.

2. You will be able to garner many supporters who have absolutely no interest in the credit crisis. They may then pressure you to divert your energy towards politics, rather than assist you in your original intent – ie to help the layman on the street to recover their losses.

It would sadden me if we get to see that your original intention to help the laypeople gets hijacked due to one or both of the reasons above.

The above are just my thoughts. Of course, the final decision is yours. In any case, it is a little too late to back off now. You have more or less committed yourself publicly.

Good luck and all the best to you.
10:17 AM

 

[Ah Hai]

Re: Why I wanted 100,000 signatures

Anonymous said...

I agree that Mr Tan has no intention of being EP or MP. The 100,000 target will be difficult to achieve.
9:42 AM
VS Lingam said...

Dear Mr Tan KL,

You have my vote.

I suggest you pls go for MP position, preferably leading a GRC at the next election. You (and your GRC team) can do more for sg grassroot ppl as an MP, rather than an EP or NMP.

It may be better if you stand as an independent, as there is still some phobia about opposition political parties. Independent candidates may contest a GRC, provided all independent members of your group stand as a team.

I see this as the best option if sg wants to have a serious, alternative, constructive voice in parliament.
10:10 AM
Solo Bear said...

Mr Tan,

I have commented a few times before that you have done a good job. I still feel that you are doing a fine job.

I don’t wish to dampen the mood, but I think it isn’t wise to do two major things at once. I feel that if you do wish to get into politics, it should be done AFTER the investor crisis is resolved, OR, when elections are called.

In doing both at the same time, there may be adverse effects, which are:

1. You opponents will wait eagerly like hawks, hoping for the killer move to pin you down that all your hard work at Hong Lim is really nothing but a prelude to garner popular vote, for your entry into politics.

2. You will be able to garner many supporters who have absolutely no interest in the credit crisis. They may then pressure you to divert your energy towards politics, rather than assist you in your original intent – ie to help the layman on the street to recover their losses.

It would sadden me if we get to see that your original intention to help the laypeople gets hijacked due to one or both of the reasons above.

The above are just my thoughts. Of course, the final decision is yours. In any case, it is a little too late to back off now. You have more or less committed yourself publicly.

Good luck and all the best to you.
10:17 AM
C H Yak said...

NoOption,

I believe the petition is a "opt-in" to support Mr. Tan in a democratic way. If you are for "Please Stay away from Politics" option, then just don't opt-in, stay away from signing to support him.

Think simply, and clearly like what Mr Tan K L always do. Why must your option "Please Stay away from Politics" be added to complicate, confuse and dictate to others your "option".

Don't think so "complicated-ly" to confuse others and dictate things to be done "top-down" like what our politicians quite oftenly do.

When you do things for the good of the general public, think "bottom-up" and be people-centric first.
10:28 AM
Anonymous said...

Mr Tan can be a EP or MP not nec Opp MP. He can be independent.
10:44 AM
Anonymous said...

Mr Tan

This is going to be a bit long.

I suggest you go for MP first. Get a single ward and run as Independent. Go for the exposure and explain to Singaporean why you are doing it. Do not form a opposition party, But stand as Individual, explain your manifesto and I am very sure Singapoean will understand! Your chance of wining is low but I said it is for exposure, go for rally, you surprise there will be people helping you along. I am very sure you will not loss your deposite.

After election (that say in 2011), Singaporean will know you better, than is time to run for Elected President. You will be stronger and believe that you can make a difference even at 60 years old and as you say why get yourself into trouble where you have enought money! I encourage you to fire up and ready to go and shown it to the youngster that there is much to learn than just look after their money pocket. The GE is to fire you up and brush up your political and rally skills improve your Chinese. I am sure people of your age malay is not a problems! Chinese is very important, that include dilects.

Above all, do talk to your wife, he must be ready to be First Lady, tell her that there are people who want an alternative voice like you. Singapore is getting harder to leave. I remember the good old days of 70 to early 80, things are cheap, we work hard, People trust the Government and we build HDB flats because we allow the government to do land acquisation at very low cost and built low cost house for us. Now look at the HDB price, my god! HDB going for 500K (brand new) in good location.
electrical bill going up while others are dropping!

Lucky we got Mr Khaw for health minister, he stop the spiralling cost and introduce the Mean Testing. He is a good man but who many of this type minister can we find! i am most worry when Mr Khaw is gone , they will use the Mean Testing and test it to the extreme.
I have not qualms with Mean testing, but use by government it will go the extreme. trust me, it will happen. Then it will be very sad! When the next young Health Minister come in.s

I leave in Woodland and I can tell you that he really do this job, constant visit, improvement in public areas, he got the Buddha Look and people give way to his Tao way of doing things. Unlike the rest, bulldoze and get objectives done and after 5 years wash hand and go to another ministry. Some new minister come in and CHANGE AGAIN. That what they call CHANGING WITHIN!

HA HA HA


So Mr Tan Fire Up and ready to Go
I have sign the petition although my wife advise me otherwise(because she a civil servant and I work in the GLC!) I just told her this got nothing to do with my daily job.

This is a bigger calling, I just don't the resume to do the job!

If you need help to run, I will be happy to apply leave and help you in whatever ways. carry table and chairs and doing simple jobs also can.

I write again next time to explain to you why your chances of winning is very good!

lim Cy





I will take leave to help you along,
10:59 AM
Anonymous said...

Mr. Tan,
I hope if elected President Donate 1/2 of your annual salary to the poor and needy/charities. During the President Charity Show.....make your Donations Life to start with!

JOJO
11:10 AM
Anonymous said...

Obama's Slogan "CHANGE WE NEED"
Suggest the other way round "NEED WE CHANGE?"
Nevermind MP OR EP ...keep trying!
With your stature and experience you surely can achieve your game to be EP or MP, unless ERP (Entry Restricted Presidency) is the only obstacle!

ST Reader.
11:30 AM
Anonymous said...

I don't know how to quite put this in a good manner across. Mr Tan, if you want to help the people out of altruist reasons, then please go ahead and run for the Presidency of Singapore or be a member of Parliament. No need to do all these petitions online / offline to garner support.

It's akin to saying this to us, "I don't want to lead but coz you people ask me to, I will lead". It's like shifting the responsibility of whether you want to run for presidency to us, the people. If that's the case, can I conclude that you are reluctant to lead us? If you want to run for presidency, just go ahead. Don't shift the onus of decision making to us. It'll just prove your critics right.

If you ask me whether you have my vote, I'll Keep in View first. That's because I want a candidate who WANTS to lead the people and help them and not someone who NEEDS to lead the people. A leader should lead because he has the abilities to and want to, not someone "reluctantly" petitioned to lead. My vote depends on whether my comment gets posted / how you respond to it.

Thoughts of a Concerned Citizen.
12:25 PM
Anonymous said...

It will be good to see if TKL fight for the oposition MP.
I am sure he will succes.
1:35 PM
Anonymous said...

Reading the newspapers, i had the feeling that Tan Kin Lian is torn between personal inclinations and family pressure (to stay clear and be safe rather than sorry in potential dirty political scenarios). so perhaps he made the petition as a means to find a reason this way or otherwise to give peace of mind. I can bet a $1000 that even without the petition, he will be an instant hit in the elections if he decides to be a candidate. Incidentally I support the petition 10000% and definitely vote for him.
1:48 PM

 

[Ah Hai]

Re: Why I wanted 100,000 signatures

Anonymous said...

You have our vote Mr. Tan ! We need people like you who can be a voice for the common man. The current gahmen are too high up in their ivory tower to feel the pain of our struggle with the current high cost of living. Other countries are reducing GST and utitlities prices for example, what is our gahmen doing for us ?? All they do is to keep raising prices and raising their million dollar salaries !!
3:21 PM
Anonymous said...

Mr. Tan,

I tried to sign the petition but failed. what do EP and MP stand for?

XH
3:36 PM
Anonymous said...

i do not support these petitions for Elected Presidency right now. Why? Because that means that there are 2 issues on the table fighting for attention at the moment.

1. The Original issue of investments/structured products etc which is still not resolved yet

2. The new issue of elected presidency

I feel that having them both at the same time will lessen the focus (both of the media) and of Mr. Tan yourself. It might be a better choice to focus on one first so more attention and resources can be devoted to it.

Further, the attn of both the media and the population can be focused more effectively instead of having Mr. Tan stand for 2 issues at the same time. My fear would be that the original issue (accountability of financial institutions and MAS) might be forgotten/ or the focus might lessen.

All the best Mr. Tan.
3:39 PM
C H Yak said...

Anonymous 12:25PM

Someone who WANTS to help the people "out of altruist reasons" may or may not be a good leader, and he could harbour his own hidden further agenda, say to earn a million-dollar salary. "WANT" signifies self-centredness. Self before 100,000 common people.

Someone who NEEDS to lead the people when given "100,000" signatures will quite certainly make a good leader who harbours no hidden agenda. The majority needs him to lead. He fights for the majority who are right.

100,000 signatures and votes can still defeat 1 supposedly hard-earned "bargaining" vote from a very concerned citizen. This is the beauty of true democracy.

In similar logics, you may give your vote just because you simply think you WANT to bargain in your agenda. (To Quote you : "My vote depends on whether my comment gets posted / how you respond to it"). And not because 100,000 others NEED you to give your vote. To these 100,000 your vote would seem im-material, and they do not NEED your 1 precious vote. LOL.

100,000 signatures and votes also signifies active citizenry. It means a NEED to vote in someone whom you think is a good leader who will fight for your beliefs and causes, and not just because you WANT to cast a vote because you are a concerned citizen.
3:48 PM
Anonymous said...

I think going for MP is better. Being the president doesnt help change things. Building a credible opposition with the long term goal of taking over the goverment is more useful. Either way, I Support you!
4:47 PM
ttg said...

hi Kin Lian,

I've followed your blog ever since you started championing for the minibonds investors. I respect you for what you have done.


My hope is that you don't be a reluctant politician. We've got one too many of such examples already in Singapore and it sucks. Imagine taking home millions of dollars of tax-payer's money, and justifying their non-action by convincing themselves that they had to sacrifice to get into such positions.

The petition is lame. There is no shame in wanting to serve Singapore. If you openly say you want to run for office, I will respect you for that and will vote for you. I'll even donate to your campaign (is it legal?). Please don't run for office just because XXX number of people asked you to. Does it mean that if your popularity drops below XXX, you will no longer want to serve ?

Show us your commitment, and we will give you our support !

ttg
10:15 PM
Anonymous said...

If you stand for GE. You'll be chopped and run down by the ruling party.They'll dig your past for misdeeds and discredit you. They'll sue you until you're bankrupt if you slander them.They'll leave no room for you to manoeuvre and breathe. If you have to attack them,attack their policies and not their personalities.A word of caution: Don't loose your head when the crowd reponses to your
speeches.
10:47 PM
VS Lingam said...

I think Mr Tan KL's figure of 100k votes is arbitrary. It does not mean that if he gets 99,999 votes he will not run for MP. I feel that even if he gets about 50k votes (or slightly less) he should go for it.

As a political darkhorse, one has to gauge ground support before embarking on this job. Of course, if you standing with the ruling party, you can walk into parliament easily riding on the coattails of the veteran politicians. Mr Tan KL does not have that luxury.

It is pointless if you have the interest to lead but no one wants to follow. Sun Tzu said "A general cannot fight and win a war without soldiers".
10:49 PM
Anonymous said...

How I wish there are some 10 to 20 or even more Tan Kin Lians who can come forward and work together to form a political party to contest the next GE.

This will be heaven for Singapore's future!

So the potential Tan Kin Lians among you, please don't just sign the petition but also to step forward to be counted!
11:08 PM
Anonymous said...

Has EP got a role to play in governing, and interfering into policy or omissions by ministries?
we have seen President Ong T.C. scuffle with PM years back but what happen?
EP has no active but a passive role to play.
11:31 PM
singaporeshortstories.blogspot.com said...

Hi Mr Tan,

Many Thanks for taking a step to consider standing for election for the Presidency of Singapore!
12:41 AM
Anonymous said...

Mr. Tan someone comparing your call with President elect Obama. I think they don't know it took 29 long years for you to realize PAP is not doing good for Singaporeans. Why such a long time to realize this?

While I appreciate whoever has intention to help Singapore and Singaporeans, but I urge you to show the people you have commitment and capability to run for public office before putting up any online campaign.

If they let you continue at Income, what could be your stand?
3:51 AM
Anonymous said...

From Zaobao Forum:
http://luntan.zaobao.com/viewthread.php?tid=127603&extra=page=1


《陈钦亮发起100万签名请愿竞选总统》
作为一个公民，应该了解自己国家的政治制度，知道政府是如何产生？如何行使权力？更重要的，是知道作为公民，我们有什么权利和应该如何保护自己的权利？

知道这些，我们才能够更好的作出判断 － informed decision. 就好像是否要支持陈钦亮先生的请愿书？我们就大概要了解MP－ member of parliament, 和EP－ elected president 的区别。

国会议员的职权大家比较清楚。现在说说民选总统的职权，民选总统的职权主要有：

（1）准许内阁动用历年来的储备金

（2）批准重大人事案 － 最高捡察长，大法官，公务员首长，贪污调查局局长，三军总司令，陆 海 空军总长，政联公司董事会主席，公共服务委员会主席，stat board 首长。

（3）签署国会通过的法案成为法律

（4）批准预算

也就是说， 民选总统可以否决总理的重大决定， 包括拒绝人事任命，拒绝批准会用到过往的储备金的预算。这是有形的职权。

无形的影响力，在于总统是全民选举出来的，所以某种程度上来说，是得到了全国人民的委任，可以直接诉诸民意。如果总统对于政府的政策有强烈的反对意见，就算他没有权力阻挠，也可以通过他的影响力形成民间的舆论和压力。

当初设立民选总统就是为了限制总理的权力。

=================================

请愿行动在陈钦亮的网站之Petition Form for Elected Presidency

以上都是Public information。有兴趣者可以登陆这个网站看到新加坡的宪法和所有其他的法律：

http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/
================================
关于部长和高级公务员的薪水不是由总统而是由国会决定的。

政府的权力主要体现在三个方面：

（1）立法权 － 制定法律的权力，批准预算，在国会

（2）司法权 － 审判法律案件，解释法律条文，在法院

（3）行政权 － 在内阁（总理，内阁部长，公务员，警察，军队）

总统的职权是设立来限制了总理重大人事任命的权力，和动用国家诸备金的权力。所以总统不能决定或者限制部长的薪金
12:11 PM
Anonymous said...

I will vote for you only if you manage to win compensate for the minibond victims. All action and no results is not enoughion
12:25 PM
Anonymous said...

12:25 PM,

Since you will only vote for Mr Tan if he win compensation for all Minibond victims, may I suggest that you in turn should give Mr Tan your guarantee that he will receive the votes from all the Minibond victims if he does win.

Whether you want to vote for Mr Tan or not is a personal choice and decision, coming straight from the heart. If you start attaching strings to whatever you do, you are no better than a cold blooded mercenary.

Moreover, the Minibond fiasco is like dancing a tango. You need two persons to dance. If Mr Tan does all the dancing but the government prefer to keep still (silent and motionless), then you can't blame Mr. Tan for not producing result.

Sure, I empathize with you because I am also one of the Minibond victims but we must all be clear headed to be able to differentiate what is righteousness and what is practicality.

Cyril
6:59 AM

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

Minibonds, Pinnacle Notes and such: What constitutes mis-selling?

ANYONE who represents the 'vulnerable' group of investors seeking redress from financial institutions and brokerage firms will know it is difficult to prove 'mis-selling'. These institutions lay the burden of proof on investors who are mainly senior citizens with little education to understand the meaning of difficult terms. At interviews, they are given a long questionnaire, with staff helping those who are illiterate to fill in the blanks, and to tick responses to leading questions, often resulting in the prognosis that there was no 'mis-selling'.
What constitutes 'mis-selling'? It is not just false representations at the point of sale. To me, it is also misleading representations in newspaper advertisements and circulars, cajoling the man in the street to buy.

Consider a few of these simplified one-liners :

- 'Mini-bond'

- 'Invest on the shoulders of giants'

- 'Total returns payable unless a credit event occurs' in any of these six or seven AA-rated giants

- 'Good low-risk alternative to term deposits' (appearing in circulars to clients)

Now, if you modestly wish to diversify from less than 1 per cent return on your bank deposits, would you not consider this supposedly low risk product? And what are these giants? AA-rated corporations, and in the case of one Pinnacle Notes series, even entities like 'People's Republic of China' and 'Republic of Korea', among others. In many of these notes, none of these entities has suffered a credit event, yet the notes are now worth next to nothing. Why?

The truth is, these products have been creatively and deceptively mis-packaged. These notes are not 'mini-bonds' (a misleading misnomer) nor tied to credit worthiness of six or seven underlying AA-rated reference entities. The products are instead credit insurance swaps against these entities, tied to a basket of 100 or more collateralised debt obligations, all leveraged with low buffer margin. You may lose your capital, even if the six or seven entities do not fail, or if the arranger goes bust.

The regulators have a moral responsibility to investigate such misleading and grossly simplified marketing materials aimed at retail investors. How could these products have been approved to be marketed this way in the first place? Even those with CFAs and degrees in finance cannot understand these products, much less the average investor.

The vulnerable group deserving of compensation should also include widows and the disadvantaged. They bought with their life savings, wrongly told they were 'investing on the shoulders of giants', a deceptively low-risk proposition. They have been grossly misinformed of the risk implications.

Lin Xiao Fen (Ms)

 

[Ah Hai]

Thursday, November 27, 2008
An apology to Chee Soon Juan and his sister
I refer to this posting:
http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2008/10/protest-outside-dbs-headquarters.html

The posting in my blog was written by somebody else in CNA forum. I reproduced the mesaage in my blog but overlooked to mention the author. It gave the wrong impression that the message was written by me.

I wish to apologise to Chee Soon Juan and his sister for the damage that is caused to them by the statement, “what many stupid and selfish politicians in Singapore have done and seek self destruction.” This statement came from the original posting (by someone else).

I do not personally share this sentiment and wish to acknowledge their personal sacrifice in fighting for what they believe in.
Posted by Tan Kin Lian at 7:08 AM

 

[Ah Hai]

Thursday, November 27, 2008
Lost the sense of bonding and togetherness
http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2008/10/lost-sense-of-bonding-and-togetherness.html
Posted by Tan Kin Lian at 7:25 AM