Not the Presidential Election poll

[batman1]

Ng Kok Song highlights difference between ‘government-endorsed’ candidate and one who is not​

Presidential hopeful Ng Kok Song (second from right) and his fiancee Sybil Lau (third from right) posing for a wefie with patrons during a visit to Seah Im Food Centre on Aug 13. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Isabelle Liew

AUG 14, 2023


SINGAPORE - As a “non-government-endorsed candidate”, presidential hopeful Ng Kok Song has been turned down by some organisations he had approached to visit as part of his community engagement efforts.
Mr Ng, 75, said this in response to a question from the media during a visit to Seah Im Food Centre on Sunday.
“There’s a difference between being a government-endorsed candidate – you know who I’m referring to – and a candidate like myself, independent. Me, Mr George Goh, Mr Tan Kin Lian,” he added.
Apart from Mr Ng, who was previously chief investment officer of GIC, the other three presidential hopefuls are former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam; Mr Goh, an entrepreneur; and Mr Tan, the former chief executive of NTUC Income.
Besides getting turned down by some organisations, Mr Ng said: “When you’re a government-endorsed candidate, you will see VIP treatment. When you are not... you’ll get NIP treatment. What is NIP? Not important.
“That’s the reality because business organisations, even civic organisations, they do not want to offend the Government.”
But thankfully, the playing field is levelled when he goes to hawker centres and wet markets, Mr Ng said, adding: “I’m so encouraged by the reception that I get from ordinary people.”

Mr Ng, who was in public service for 45 years and held posts in GIC and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, again stressed the difference between being in the establishment and the political leadership.
“It was not right to say every person who serves in the public service is affiliated to the ruling party,” he said, in response to comments made by Mr Tan on Saturday. Mr Tan had said that if Mr Goh and himself are both found to be eligible to run for president, one of them should step down and support the other candidate to “avoid splitting the non-establishment vote”.
Mr Tan also said he decided to contest to offer Singaporeans a chance to vote for someone who is independent of the ruling government.


Mr Ng on Sunday also visited the Huang Clan Association, where he participated in a dialogue with clan members.

Mr Ng Kok Song (centre) at a dialogue at the Huang Clan Association on Aug 13, 2023.With him are the association’s emeritus adviser Ng Poh Wah (left) and its president Wong Kuek Phong. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Speaking to the media after the dialogue, he said safeguarding Singapore’s reserves is “not a simple matter”, and that other presidential candidates will have to prove they have a sufficient grasp of the responsibilities involved.
“We mustn’t assume that it’s an easy thing. And that is why the criteria have been set such that whoever wants to be the president must be competent. And secondly, that person must be trustworthy in terms of character,” he said.
“Because of my experience having worked 45 years in helping to build up the reserves, I understand the intricacies of the reserves. For that matter, I think Mr Tharman also understands. But it is something which I think other candidates will have to prove.”

Mr Ng was asked during the dialogue what his competitive advantage was over the other three candidates.
Responding, he cited his independence from the ruling party, his familiarity with the reserves and that he understood what it was like to be poor, having had to work to support his family when he was in university.
“So, the other candidates, Mr George Goh is a businessman, and Mr Tharman comes from a professional background. Nothing we can do about that, that’s the way we are. I feel that because of my background, I can empathise with the people of Singapore.”
Asked at Seah Im Food Centre on Sunday what he thought about the Elections Department (ELD) discouraging in-person rallies, Mr Ng said the ELD has good reasons for doing so, and that he would explore the possibility of holding an online rally to explain to the public his views and reasons for standing in the election.
He also said he hopes to reach out to young people by encouraging them to be financially literate and to pursue entrepreneurship.
“A habit of saving gives you financial security and gives you more freedom in life. For example, if you have a job where you cannot tolerate the boss, you can quit and live on your savings or accept a lower-paying job,” he said.
And when starting a business, young people should be willing to put money into it, and not rely on loans from others, he added.
Mr Ng said: “You want people to support you in your enterprise, but how much are you willing to put in yourself?”
He added: “These are things that we can help our young people to develop. It will give them more confidence and prepare them for the future so that they can exploit opportunities that lie ahead of us.”

Mr Ng was accompanied by his fiancee Sybil Lau at the food centre, where he spoke with stallholders and residents. Ms Lau sits on several boards, including SG Enable, a registered charity for persons with disabilities.

Presidential hopeful Ng Kok Song and his fiancee Sybil Lau having beef noodles during a visit to Seah Im Food Centre on Sunday. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
On how his relationship with Ms Lau, 45, has changed since he launched his bid for the presidency, Mr Ng said: “I don’t think it will be possible for someone to go into such an arduous campaign without the support of their wife or their partner.
“I’m so happy Sybil understands my reasons why I’m standing for the presidency, that I want to serve the people of Singapore and therefore, she wants to support me in this campaign at some sacrifice to her privacy. But we’re prepared to make that sacrifice in order for me to serve the people of Singapore.”

Wow,NKS smiling all the time,saliva dripping from his mouth.

 

[sbfuncle]

Wow,NKS smiling all the time,saliva dripping from his mouth.

Nks although he is old but he is young at heart. He can gel with young people with his good command of English. He is a old hipster.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

What the president can or cannot do: ELD explains​

Under the Constitution, the president is the head of state and the symbol of national unity. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

Syarafana Shafeeq

August 22, 2023

SINGAPORE - The Elections Department (ELD) has released an explanatory note on the role of the president, which has been seen by the candidates of the presidential election to ensure they understand the position.
The three contesting for the presidency are former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song, former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian.
The three made a statutory declaration on their nomination paper that they have read the explanatory material and understand the president’s role under the Constitution.
An ELD spokesman said: “Candidates have signed an undertaking to campaign for election as president in a manner that is dignified, decorous and consistent with the president’s position as the head of state and the symbol of national unity.”
Under the Constitution, the president is the head of state and the symbol of national unity. He presides over important national events, such as the National Day Parade and the opening of Parliament, and exercises custodial powers.
The president also stands above party politics and therefore, cannot be a member of a political party.

How the president works with Parliament and the Cabinet​

The Cabinet has the general direction and control of the Government, and makes and implements policies. The Cabinet is led by the prime minister, who must command the confidence of Parliament.

The Cabinet as a whole is collectively responsible to Parliament and, in turn, Parliament is responsible for scrutinising and passing legislation.
The Cabinet and Parliament are ultimately accountable to the electorate for the laws and policies that they make.
The Constitution requires the president to act on the Cabinet’s advice in exercising his functions, except in specific areas where the Constitution empowers the president to act in his discretion.

The president’s custodial functions​

The Constitution confers on the president a number of custodial powers.
These powers enable the president to veto certain proposed measures, notwithstanding the advice tendered by the Cabinet. These custodial powers fall into three broad categories.
The first category concerns Singapore’s past reserves that were not accumulated during the present term of the Government.
The president is empowered to vet, and can decide to veto measures taken by Parliament or the Government that he considers would draw on past reserves.
For example, the president can refuse to assent to a Supply Bill passed by Parliament if, in his opinion, the Bill would draw on the Government’s past reserves. This extends to key statutory boards like the Housing Board (HDB), Monetary Authority of Singapore and Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board, as well as key government companies such as Temasek and GIC.
The president can disapprove the budgets and transactions of these entities if he considers that they draw on the entities’ past reserves.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC
Countdown to PE2023: All you need to know
Ng Kok Song, Tharman, Tan Kin Lian officially in three-way race in presidential election
The second category concerns the public service. The president can veto appointments to key public offices, such as the Chief Justice and the judges of the Supreme Court, and the Commissioner of Police.
The president can also veto the removal of individuals from these appointments.
The third category serves a protective function. The president can authorise an investigation by the director of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau if the prime minister refuses to give such authorisation.
The president’s concurrence is required for a person to be detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) if the ISA advisory board recommends against the detention.
The president can also cancel or vary a restraining order made under the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act if the Cabinet’s advice was contrary to the recommendation of the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony.
When exercising the first two categories of custodial powers, the president must consult the Council of Presidential Advisers.
If the president exercises a veto contrary to the recommendation of the Council, Parliament can vote to overrule the president. A motion to overrule the president must be supported by not less than two-thirds of the total number of MPs (excluding nominated MPs).

Public role​

The public role of the president reflects the constitutional powers and duties of the office. As the head of state, the president is the symbol of national unity.
The president must be, and be seen to be, politically neutral. The president has no independent political role and must not get involved in political or controversial issues.
This way, the president stays above the political fray.
Publicly, the president must speak and act in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet, especially when expressing views on legislation or government policy. The exception is matters related to the president’s custodial powers, where the president acts in his discretion, and is naturally entitled to explain to the public how he has exercised, or intends to exercise, these powers.
In private discussions with the prime minister, the president can share his advice freely, but these discussions must remain confidential.

Examples of what the president can or cannot do​

While the president can veto appointments to key statutory boards like the CPF Board and HDB, he cannot appoint his own preferred candidates to these key appointments.
The president can veto Supply Bills that draw on the Government’s past reserves, but he cannot veto Bills that increase tax rates.
The president can deliver the address at the opening of Parliament, which is drafted by the Government and sets out the Government’s agenda, but he is not allowed to express public views on legislation or government policy without being advised to do so by the Government.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Tan Kin Lian says criticism over his ‘pretty girls’ Facebook posts part of smear campaign​

Presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian said nobody had expressed discomfort over his remarks in the 10 years that he had been putting up such posts. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Zhaki Abdullah

August 22, 2023

SINGAPORE - Presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian, 75, once again defended his Facebook posts on “pretty girls” on Tuesday, after his successful nomination at the People’s Association headquarters.
He described recent criticism that he had objectified women in his online posts as a smear campaign orchestrated by his competitors for the presidency and the ruling People’s Action Party.
He said that nobody had expressed discomfort over his remarks in the 10 years that he had been putting up such posts.
On Tuesday morning, Mr Tan had put out a media statement that initially said the criticism over his Facebook posts were from an attack group “from a political party that is now backing my strongest opponent”, without providing more details.
The statement also said that should his “top opponent” be involved in the smear campaign, Mr Tan “would now consider him to be unfit to be the president of Singapore”.
Mr Tan subsequently amended his statement to remove these points.
Following the thank-you speeches by the presidential candidates, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam said he was glad that Mr Tan had withdrawn the suggestion that he was involved in any smear campaigns.

“It certainly goes against everything I represent, which I’ve stated repeatedly: the need to focus on candidates’ ability to contribute to Singapore, avoid smear campaigns of any sort,” said Mr Tharman, 66. “Clearly, I have nothing to do with it. But I’m very sure that no one backing me has anything to do with it either.”
Mr Tan, however, said he had been subject to smears for “more than 10 years”.
“These smears, of course, come from one political party,” said the former NTUC Income chief executive after his thank-you speech. “I say (to) that political party: You are in power. You want to ask people to unite. You want to ask people to trust the government. Is this the way to behave?”

Mr Tan had in recent days drawn flak for his occasional references on Facebook to “pretty girls”, “pretty joggers” and “pretty slim girls”. A TikTok video that compiled some of these posts has been seen more than 338,000 times since it was put up over the weekend. His past comments have also made the rounds on platforms such as Reddit.
His dismissal on Monday of criticisms over his posts drew a response from the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) that questioned whether the issuance of a certificate of eligibility for him to contest the election was tacit approval of behaviour that objectifies women.
The Presidential Election Committee said in a statement on Monday night that the issuance of a certificate to Mr Tan did not amount to an endorsement of his social media posts.
On Tuesday, Mr Tan said the posts had been put up over a period of 10 years, and had been viewed by more than 100,000 people with “no one” expressing any discomfort over his remarks.
“On this election, suddenly somebody... says ‘I feel uncomfortable’. But there are more than 100,000 people who watched the posts over 10 years. Why do you feel uncomfortable now?” he asked.
Mr Tan said it was “a concerted effort to smear” him.
Asked who he thought was behind such an effort, he said: “They are most likely my competitors.”

Mr Tan said he had spoken to Mr Tharman at the nomination centre, and that the former senior minister had assured him that he was not behind the criticism, nor would he allow such behaviour from his team.
“But of course, I’m not too sure whether he knows what somebody else (is) doing on his behalf,” said Mr Tan.
He acknowledged that he had described some women in his posts as pretty girls, but that there was nothing wrong with that.
“The pretty girls take the effort to dress up to be attractive, and when I say that they are quite attractive, most of them actually feel quite happy,” he said. “I don’t know why somebody would want to use that as a negative point.”
Mr Tan then said that the media had taken something “quite frivolous (and) made it into a big issue”.
Earlier in the morning, Mr Tan told The Straits Times at his home that he had become quite stressed in recent days because of criticisms over his social media activity, which he described as a “very malicious attack”.
“The media was part of it, my opponent in the political party is part of it. It’s very despicable,” he said.

Some who had turned up to support Mr Tan at the nomination centre said they saw nothing wrong with his social media posts.
People’s Power Party founder Goh Meng Seng, who was at the PA headquarters on Tuesday morning, said Mr Tan’s posts were simply about being candid and posting what he was feeling in the moment.
“What has Mr Tan done wrong?” he asked, adding that the furore over the posts was missing the bigger picture about Mr Tan’s candidacy.
On Monday night, Mr Tan reiterated that he saw nothing wrong with “appreciating pretty girls”.
“I’m sure the girls also appreciate good-looking men, so there’s nothing to be so upset about,” he said in a Facebook livestream where he took questions from supporters. “Maybe the people who are upset were not the pretty ones.”
At the interview following his thank-you speech on Tuesday, Mr Tan said he wanted to write to Aware to ask the gender equality group what exactly they found offensive about his posts, “but I got no way to reach out to them”.
“In case some other ladies, after reading this, think that they are uncomfortable, I want to apologise to them,” he said. “I have no (such) intention.”

 

[steffychun]

Kok for me.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

How the voters will vote (updated):

For Tharman Shanmugaratnam
PAP supporters
The establishment i.e. civil servants who depend on the PAP for their iron rice bowl
The labour unions members. The NTUC will announce its endorsement of Tharman as President.
Businessmen and professionals who do not want their businesses and jobs to be affected by political disruptions
Most Pioneer and Merdeka generations who voted for Lee Kuan Yew their whole lives.
About half of the women who object to Tan Kin Lian objectifying pretty woman
Half of the women who are not pretty
Half of the women who are jealous of Cybil Lau
The Indian voters
The other minority races: Malays, Eurasions, and Others


For Ng Kok Song
The pro-establishment but anti-PAP
Moderates and neutrals who do not want a pro-PAP nor an anti-PAP candidate
The remaining half of the women who object to Tan Kin Lian objectifying pretty woman and
also support Sybil Lau for being able to find such a rich sugar daddy
The other half of the women who are not pretty
Half the Chinese voters

For Tan Kin Lian
All who voted against the PAP
The anti-establishment
The anti-vaxers like Iris Koh
Supporters of Tan Chuan Jin and Cheng Li Hui
Those who are not satisfied with the government's handling of the Ridout bungalow (K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan)
and S Iswaran corruption probes
The other half of the women who are jealous of Cybil Lau
The sandwiched middle-class who are impacted by the cost of living
Those who lost their jobs or university places to foreign talents
All those who want to know the exact size of Singapore's reserves
All the chee ko peks who like to look at pretty girls
Half the Chinese voters

Spoilt votes
George Goh and his supporters

 

[Hightech88]

For Tan Kin Lian
All who voted against the PAP
The anti-establishment
The anti-vaxers like Iris Koh
Supporters of Tan Chuan Jin and Cheng Li Hui
Those who are not satisfied with the government's handling of the Ridout bungalow (K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan)
and S Iswaran corruption probes
The other half of the women who are jealous of Cybil Lau
The sandwiched middle-class who are impacted by the cost of living
Those who lost their jobs or university places to foreign talents
All those who want to know the exact size of Singapore's reserves
All the chee ko peks who like to look at pretty girls
Half the Chinese voters

1. The sandwiched middle-class who are impacted by the cost of living
2. All the chee ko peks who like to look at pretty girls
3. Half the Chinese voters

These 3 alone already forms more than half of voters already, LOL.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Tan Kin Lian takes down smear campaign allegations​

Presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian speaking to the media before his visit to the ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre on Aug 23. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

Judith Tan
Correspondent

August 23, 2023

SINGAPORE - Presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian on Wednesday withdrew assertions that he was the target of a smear campaign that drew attention to some of his past social media activities, but declined to discuss the issue.
Mr Tan, 75, had published a statement on his website and on Facebook on Tuesday morning that said criticism that he had objectified women in some Facebook posts was a concerted effort by an attack group “from a political party that is now backing my strongest opponent”.
The statement was later amended to remove this allegation, as well as another point that Mr Tan would consider his “top opponent... unfit to be the president of Singapore” if the opponent was involved in the smear campaign. Mr Tan did not say who he was referring to.
On Wednesday morning, the statement could no longer be found on Mr Tan’s website.
Also not found were Facebook posts he had made on Tuesday that said he rejected “allegations and insinuations” made by the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) and that the gender advocacy group had “lost the respect of many people, including me, for being involved in gutter politics”.
Aware had questioned whether the issuance of a certificate of eligibility for him to contest the election was tacit approval of behaviour that objectifies women.
During his walkabout at the ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre on Wednesday, Mr Tan was asked about the deleted posts, but he declined to address the issue.

Instead, he spoke on what he believed was the soft power of the president’s office, drawing similarities with monarchies in other countries.
In countries with a king, queen, or sultan, the monarch’s role would be to convey “the feelings and aspirations” of the masses to the prime minister, he said.
He said that in Singapore, the president is elected by popular mandate “but after being elected he has to do the duty similar to, I think, a monarch”.

He added: “I may not be the monarch, but if I’m elected by 1 million people, (the) majority in this election, I will play that role, and that’s the role of a monarch.”
The former NTUC Income chief executive also addressed comments by “a law professor from a university” that he was pursuing an office that does not exist.
While Mr Tan did not say who he was referring to, Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan had earlier told The Straits Times that voters must be clear that they are voting for a candidate whose campaign reflects faithfully the presidency’s roles and powers, and not “for an office that does not exist under the Constitution”.
Mr Tan said he is clear that he is running for the office of the president; that the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) had issued him a certificate of eligibility; and that he had submitted a nomination as a candidate for the election and that his nomination was accepted by the returning officer for the election.
“I confirm I am pursuing an office that exists in the Constitution, and possibly the highest office in our land,” said Mr Tan on Wednesday.

He also reiterated that he does not intend to be an adversary to the elected government, and that he hoped to work in collaboration with the Government.
On Monday, following Aware’s statement, the PEC said that the issuance of a certificate allowing Mr Tan to contest the election did not amount to an endorsement of his social media posts.
“Any additional facts regarding a candidate which come to public attention after the candidate’s certificate has been issued, would be for the electorate’s consideration and assessment before casting their votes,” said the committee.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Candidates reminded not to mislead public on president’s role after Tan Kin Lian’s script edit remarks​

Presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian speaking to the media during his visit to Senja Hawker Centre on Aug 24. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

Osmond Chia

Aug 24, 2023

SINGAPORE -The Elections Department (ELD) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have pointed out inaccuracies in Mr Tan Kin Lian’s original presidential candidate broadcast script about the president’s role, as it reminded candidates not to mislead the public about the president’s duties.
On Thursday, ELD and IMDA said in a joint statement that Mr Tan’s original script had suggested that the president can provide guidance on the reserves’ investment strategies and influence government policy.
“After being notified of the inaccuracies, Mr Tan’s election agent had corrected them without objection,” said the release.
The statement came after Mr Tan had earlier on Thursday criticised IMDA for directing that three paragraphs of the script for his first presidential candidate broadcast be removed, and that he did “not agree with the decision but (had) no choice” but to relent.
All candidates, including Mr Tan, had signed a statutory declaration on their nomination papers to confirm that they had read the explanatory material on the President’s constitutional role, including the specific examples of what the President can and cannot do, said ELD and IMDA.
“The candidates also signed a voluntary undertaking on campaigning for the election in a manner that is dignified, decorous and consistent with the president’s position,” they added.
ELD and IMDA said: “We remind all candidates not to mislead the public about the president’s role.”

On Thursday morning, Mr Tan told reporters during a walkabout at Senja Hawker Centre at Bukit Panjang that IMDA had directed that he remove what he considered “the most important paragraphs of my campaign”.
Apart from how he intended to provide guidance on reserves investment, the three paragraphs mentioned cost of living, housing policy, and jobs.
“I consider (that) the IMDA does not have the authority to interpret the Constitution in their way, and ask for the statements to be removed,” he said. “I did not have time to argue about that and I removed these statements. I will deal with IMDA separately.“

On Tuesday, the three presidential candidates had declared in their nomination papers that they understand the role of the president under the Constitution, including that the president cannot publicly express any view on laws and Government policies except in matters related to the exercise of the president’s discretionary powers.
The candidates signed this declaration after they had read an explanatory note that sets out what the president can and cannot do.
For instance, the president can veto the expected long-term real rate of return proposed annually by the key statutory boards and key Government companies. But he cannot decide on investment policies of these investment entities.

On Thursday, Mr Tan also told the media that he had only one day to prepare and submit to IMDA the script of his broadcast, including vernacular translations.
“It was very rushed. How do you expect me, with many things to take care of with the campaign, to meet this requirement?” said Mr Tan. “It’s okay, I submitted.”
ELD and IMDA said in their statement that presidential candidates were informed of the timing of the broadcast and the rules on Aug 12, and were briefed on Aug 21.
The former NTUC Income chief executive added: “Some people suggested that I was misleading the people by promising them goals that I did not have the executive authority to deliver.
“I am not misleading the people. I had made it clear, in many statements, that I would be using the office of the president to convey to the government about the hardships faced by the people and about their aspirations.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Candidate broadcast​

I know how to be involved effectively without being disruptive: Presidential candidate Ng Kok Song​

Mr Ng Kok Song pledged to work constructively and impartially with the government of the day to further the interests of Singaporeans. ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO

Jean Iau

August 24, 2023

SINGAPORE - His experience growing the national reserves at GIC and having never joined any political party were two areas Mr Ng Kok Song stressed during his first presidential candidate broadcast on Thursday night.
The 75-year-old former chief investment officer of the sovereign wealth fund said in his 10-minute speech in English that he had spent his adult life building GIC as a world-class institution and steering it through many crises and complex economic realities.
He added that the time has come for the elected president to be one that is non-partisan and has not belonged to or been endorsed by any political party.
In line with his campaign slogan, United for our Future, Mr Ng said that the president is a symbol of unity for Singaporeans.
“We may have our differences of views and political affiliations, but differences must not become divisions in our society. There are many things we can do together as a society to help those in need and the underprivileged. We must stay united for the future.”
Here are five key takeaways from his speech:

1. Experience in safeguarding reserves​

Mr Ng echoed his Nomination Day speech on Tuesday in which he listed three of Singapore’s treasures.

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Singapore’s reserves and national savings formed its first treasure, while the harmony between different races, religions and communities; and effective, corruption-free public administration were the second and third treasures.
While he said that the Government has done well in keeping these treasures safe so far, he questioned what would happen if something went wrong with Singapore’s governance.
Mr Ng noted that he had spent 45 years in public service investing Singapore’s reserves at GIC and the Monetary Authority of Singapore and leading the development of Singapore’s financial services industry through the creation of the Singapore International Monetary Exchange and Wealth Management Institute.


“I have spent my life building GIC as a world-class institution and steered the GIC through many crises and complex economic realities,” said Mr Ng.
“I will bring to bear the experience needed to safeguard our treasures and the commitment to build up Singapore’s institutional independence.”
MORE ON THIS TOPIC
Presidential candidate broadcast: Ng Kok Song’s speech in full
Countdown to PE2023: All you need to know

2. Non-partisan candidate who can check the Government and knows how it works​

Mr Ng, who has never been a member of any political party, emphasised that the elected president must be above the partisan politics of Parliament.
He pointed out that Singapore had thus far elected presidents who have been affiliated to or been endorsed by the ruling political party.
“An ‘ownself check ownself’ system is not reliable. We need an external check functioning like an independent external auditor in good corporate governance.”
He pledged to work constructively and impartially with the government of the day to further the interests of Singaporeans.
“I will not engage in megaphone diplomacy but neither will I shy away from asking important questions, however difficult those may be. I understand how the government machinery works, and I know how to be involved effectively without being disruptive,” he said.

3. A president who unites​

Mr Ng said that the president is the symbol of unity for Singaporeans.
He advocated doing well, doing right and doing good for Singaporeans.
This encompasses resilience of mind and body; doing right and living by a code of integrity; and doing good by building a more caring and kinder society.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC
Ng Kok Song not accepting donations, funds presidential campaign from personal savings
I am standing for president to protect three national treasures: Ng Kok Song

4. Giving voice to young, old and vulnerable communities​

On doing good, Mr Ng said that he said that he had advocated for and contributed to palliative care, the disability sector, children’s charities, and animal welfare groups over the years.
“I pledge to give my voice to the youth, to the elderly and to the vulnerable communities so that no one may be left behind in Singapore’s progress,”

5. Expanding Singapore on the international stage​

Mr Ng said he will use his connections to help Singapore expand its network globally.
He said: “Over the course of my career, I have engaged many government leaders, corporate executives and investors from around the world.
“These are valuable global networks that I can leverage on in Singapore’s interests.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Candidate broadcast​

I’ll never waver from purpose, independence of mind: Presidential candidate Tharman Shanmugaratnam​

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam pledged to give active attention to the traditional and longstanding roles of the president. ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
Kok Yufeng, Correspondent

Aug 24, 2023

SINGAPORE - In his first candidate broadcast of the presidential election, former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam sought to emphasise his independence of mind and the need to have respect for all – the theme of his campaign.
Addressing voters in English on Thursday evening, Mr Tharman, 66, pledged to give active attention to the traditional and longstanding roles of the president, by serving as a unifying figure at home and advancing Singapore’s interests abroad.
He said he would also draw on his knowledge and reputation for independent thinking, to safeguard the nation’s reserves and the integrity of its public service.
He noted that now, more than before, Singapore must deepen its solidarity.
“I believe I can now best serve Singapore not in politics, but as your president, standing above politics,” he added.
Here are five key takeaways from his speech:

1. Go beyond government policies​

Mr Tharman said the more than two decades he spent working on the ground has deepened his commitment to making Singapore a fairer, more compassionate and inclusive society.


However, while government policies are important in achieving this, he said it goes much deeper than that.
Highlighting seniors, caregivers, mature workers and young families, Mr Tharman said it is about knowing that if one group of people loses hope, all Singaporeans will have less hope as well.
He added: “It is about the respect and friendship we extend to each other, regardless of our background and educational achievements; regardless of race or religion, or any other differences.”

2. Diversity, not division​

Mr Tharman said the elected presidency will become more important as the challenges that Singapore faces will grow – reiterating a point he made during his thank-you speech and subsequent media interview on Nomination Day.
Painting a picture of an increasingly divided and unstable world, he noted that global crises are already breaking out more often, and they will test all countries, especially smaller ones such as Singapore.
Domestically, Mr Tharman said the Republic is becoming a democracy with more diverse views, which is “inevitable and healthy”.
“But our real challenge as Singaporeans is to ensure that this diversity of views does not lead us to a more divided society, like many others.”

3. Culture of respect​

Mr Tharman said there is a need to strengthen the culture of respect for all Singaporeans in years to come.
Noting that this cannot be achieved from the top down, he said his mission is to support initiatives on the ground.
He called on Singaporeans to respect:

• Every skill and job
• Those who start life with a disadvantage, those with special needs, and anyone who needs a second or third chance
• Senior citizens, and extend care and friendship to the growing number of people who live alone
• All who need support to preserve their mental well-being
• Homemakers, including those who want to return to the workplace after some years of looking after the family
• Different views and political leanings
• Talents in the arts and sports
• Different faiths

4. Promote S’pore’s interests and fulfil constitutional duties​

In an increasingly turbulent world, Mr Tharman said Singapore must never become just another small country.
“If you elect me as president, I will also build on both my experience in Government and my international standing to promote Singapore’s interests, and to project our voice of reason,” he added.


He said he would be thorough and impartial in fulfilling the constitutional duties of the president as well.
This is with regard to keeping the public service honest and first-rate, as well as the prudent use of the reserves, which Mr Tharman said give Singapore significant advantage in a profoundly uncertain future and must be made to last.
“In holding the ‘second key’ to our reserves, I will ensure they serve the interests of today’s generation of adults still working or retired, as well as the young who do not yet have a vote, and future generations of Singaporeans,” he said.

5. Independence of mind​

Summing up, Mr Tharman said he will not only bring deep expertise and long experience to the presidency, but also an independence of mind that he has held onto throughout his life, and his belief that Singapore can be a fairer and better society.
“They are what I have been known for, both within and outside government,” he added.
Recounting how he made his way up the public service as a non-scholar to the highest levels, Mr Tharman said his path has never been predictable or assured.
“While the president stands apart from the Government, and does not make policies, I will never waver from this purpose in my life and independence of mind as I fulfil my duties.”
He added: “I am an optimist in our future.”

 

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Candidate broadcast​

Grant me strong mandate to provide independent perspective: Presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian​

Mr Tan Kin Lian said if elected, he will perform the two key duties of the president diligently, honestly and to the best of his abilities. ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO

Chin Soo Fang
Senior Correspondent

Aug 24, 2023

SINGAPORE - Presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian said he is participating in the election to give Singaporeans a chance to choose a president who is independent of the ruling Government.
He asked voters to give him a strong mandate so he can provide an independent perspective, as he acts in collaboration with the ruling Government to deal with the challenges of the future.
The 75-year-old former NTUC Income chief was speaking to voters at the first scheduled 10-minute presidential candidate broadcast on Thursday.
His message was broadcast across 19 free-to-air television and radio channels covering the four official languages.
Mr Tan launched his presidential bid with the theme Bring Back Trust, Give Us Hope on Aug 11. The second-time presidential candidate took 4.91 per cent of the votes at the 2011 election.
Here are five key takeaways from his speech:

1. Perform presidential duties without being an adversary of the Government​

Mr Tan said if elected, he will perform the two key duties of the president diligently, honestly and to the best of his abilities – reiterating his speech after being formally nominated as a candidate on Nomination Day.

The two duties as set out in the Constitution are to safeguard Singapore’s past reserves and to protect the integrity of the public service.
Mr Tan also emphasised that he does not intend to be an adversary to the elected Government, and instead hopes to work with the authorities to fulfil his duties.
“With the knowledge and experience from 30 years as the chief executive officer of NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative, I am confident that I will be able to perform these two key duties well.”

2. Ensure prudent investment and use of past reserves​

On the first duty, Mr Tan said the Republic’s past reserves comprise a large sum “that probably runs into several hundreds of billion dollars, maybe more”.
It is vitally important that the reserves are invested soundly to produce a good rate of return over the long term and are not exposed to high risk, he added.
Besides ensuring that the reserves are prudently invested, Mr Tan said he intends to work with the Government to make certain that the money is used wisely for the benefit of current and future generations.

3. Key public service appointments to include those with practical experience​

On the second duty, Mr Tan said it is important that Singapore has the right people at the top levels of its public service.
Different types of people – both those with talents and those with practical experience – are needed to form a good team, and he said he wants to see individuals who have gained knowledge and practical experience over many years of dedicated service, be given the opportunity to advance to positions of leadership.
“I will be influenced by these factors in approving the recommendations of the people to be appointed into the top levels of our public service,” he said.

4. Rekindle spirit of unity and pride that Singaporeans felt 50 years ago​

Mr Tan said his vision is to build a nation where the people are united and live in harmony.
People will be cohesive when they feel financially secure and are able to look beyond their immediate concerns and think about the greater good of our society, he said.
“This was the spirit of unity and pride that Singaporeans felt 50 years ago,” he added. “We need to rekindle that spirit.”

5. Pledge to stay in touch with ordinary people​

Mr Tan said he knows “the hardship and aspirations” of Singaporeans. Having come from a humble background, he said he has been in close touch with ordinary people throughout his life.
If elected as president, Mr Tan said he intends to keep it that way to best fulfil the duties of the office.
“I believe that I can perform my duty best, if I am in touch with the pulse and heartbeat of the people.”

 

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Tan Kin Lian plays the nationalistic card.
Quote: "Tan Kin Lian said on Friday morning that Singaporeans may prefer to “have a chance” to have a president and First Lady who were both born in Singapore."

Commenting on others’ tactical statements not my style, people can judge for themselves: Tharman​

Presidential candidate Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his wife Jane Ittogi greeting patrons at Amoy Street Food Centre on Aug 25. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

Syarafana Shafeeq
UPDATED

August 25, 2023

SINGAPORE - Presidential candidate Tharman Shanmugaratnam said he would rather not comment on tactical statements made by other candidates, and prefers to let people judge for themselves.
He was responding to the media, who had asked for his comments on fellow candidate Tan Kin Lian. Mr Tan said on Friday morning that Singaporeans may prefer to “have a chance” to have a president and First Lady who were both born in Singapore.
During his walkabout at Amoy Street Food Centre on Friday, Mr Tharman pointed out that the life story of Mr George Goh, who was disqualified from the presidential race, is a good example.
He said: “The fact that he was born in Malaysia... started off poor, worked very hard, came to Singapore and succeeded... It has always been the Singapore story.”
Commenting on any particular statements by other candidates is not his style, he added. “My life is an open book, everyone knows me.”
On the topic of supporting civil society and community efforts, the former senior minister said it is important to build confidence in those who are underprivileged.
Mr Tharman said: “Confidence doesn’t come naturally. When you are poor and disadvantaged, you cannot underestimate how people can lose confidence and feel that they being looked down upon.

“So, earn their trust, respect them and help them to develop themselves.”
This has been the passion for his wife and him for many years, and he now wants to scale that up, he added.
“It is not easy to overcome a disadvantaged background. You have to stay with people through their lives and give them real confidence in themselves, I believe strongly in that.”
When asked about his campaign budget, Mr Tharman said it is well within the Elections Department’s requirements.
“The good thing about Singapore is that we have, if not the tightest, one of the tightest rules anywhere in the world on spending money in politics. We should stick to that.”
He said that his is a low budget, and he had spent “much less” on social media compared with some other candidates.
When asked about a Facebook post speculating that there was a hidden message in his “ong lai” or pineapple campaign symbol – in other words, that he could be the second coming of former president Ong Teng Cheong – Mr Tharman said he had a high regard for Singapore’s fifth president.
“But you know, this is the hungry ghost festival period. I’m very careful about invoking spirits, let’s give respect to all our ancestors and not mess around.”
On how he hopes to stand out from other candidates, Mr Tharman said: “I’m not a newcomer, I’m a known entity. What you see is what you get.”

 

[k1976]

Why no Ah Tiang and Uncker Bok

 

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Tan Cheng Bock endorses Tan Kin Lian’s presidential bid​

(From left) Mr Tan Jee Say, presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian and Dr Tan Cheng Bock at People’s Park Food Centre on Aug 27, 2023. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Chin Soo Fang
Senior Correspondent

Aug 27, 2023

SINGAPORE – Former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock, 83, has thrown his support behind one-time rival Tan Kin Lian’s bid for the Istana.
At a press conference on Sunday morning, Dr Tan said he was endorsing Mr Tan’s campaign in his personal capacity, as they are “comrades who share a common vision (of) an independent president”.
Dr Tan, who is chairman of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), said voters should not “get distracted by many, many issues”, and should focus on the the purpose of the election.
This is to find an independent person for the Istana that will take care of the reserves and ensure that the country is run by people of quality, he said.
“Somebody who’s with the establishment, I always suspect that this collusion, together with the establishment people, maybe makes them very uncomfortable if they choose to take decisions that is contrary to what the establishment people want,” said Dr Tan, without elaborating.
Dr Tan is the second former presidential candidate to stand with Mr Tan Kin Lian, 75, who has also been endorsed by Mr Tan Jee Say.
In the 2011 presidential election, Dr Tan garnered 34.85 per cent of the vote, Mr Tan Jee Say secured 25.04 per cent, while Mr Tan Kin Lian received 4.91 per cent. Dr Tony Tan won with 35.2 per cent of the votes and became Singapore’s seventh president.

At the press conference, Mr Tan Kin Lian was asked if he planned to appoint both Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Mr Tan Jee Say to the Council of Presidential Advisors (CPA), should he become president.
The CPA advises the president on the exercise of his custodial powers. Of its eight members, three are appointed at the discretion of the president, three are appointed by the prime minister, and one each is appointed by the chief justice and chairman of the Public Service Commission.
Mr Tan said he was quite sure that both his one-time competitors “share the same vision of an effective independent president”.

“They will be excellent candidates to the council,” he said. “I’ve not asked them this question yet, so we have to wait for Sept 1, for me to be elected.”
Prior to the press conference, Dr Tan accompanied Mr Tan Kin Lian at a walkabout at People’s Park Food Centre on Sunday.
At one point, Mr Tan Kin Lian was flanked by both Dr Tan and Mr Tan Jee Say, as they waved to the press and well-wishers at the food centre.
Dr Tan is the latest opposition politician to back Mr Tan Kin Lian’s presidential campaign. Others include his seconder Lim Tean, founder of People’s Voice (PV), and Mr Prabu Ramachandran of PV, his principal election agent.
On Sunday, former PSP member Brad Bowyer and Ms Michelle Lee, formerly from the Red Dot United political party, were also spotted at the walkabout.
Mr Tan Jee Say, who founded now-defunct political party Singaporeans First, is Mr Tan Kin Lian’s proposer at this presidential election. Mr Leong Sze Hian and Dr Michael Fang, both PV candidates at the last general election, are respectively an assenter and a volunteer with Mr Tan Kin Lian’s campaign team.

A poster bearing the faces of (from left) Dr Tan Cheng Bock, presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian and Mr Tan Jee Say seen at Chin Swee Road on Aug 27. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

On whether being backed by two prominent opposition figures here - Dr Tan and Mr Tan Jee Say - could throw into question his independence as president, Mr Tan Kin Lian said he intends to be an independent president who takes into account all input.
“I do treasure all inputs from other sectors of the people that convey the right information about what is happening on the ground,” he said.
Mr Tan also pointed to his record of expressing an independent view on government policies as a private citizen.
“So the fact that I’m independent in my thinking is not an issue,” he said.
During the press conference, Dr Tan was asked what he thought of Mr Tan Kin Lian’s campaign so far, including Mr Tan’s allegations that he was the target of a smear campaign by his opponents and the ruling party, and the controversy over Mr Tan’s Facebook posts about “pretty girls”.
Dr Tan said “gutter politics have been issues (that are) very defamatory to the individual’s standing”.
He noted that candidates in this election went through a stringent qualification process and were issued certificates of eligibility by the Presidential Elections Committee to show they have the financial ability to be president, and that they are characters of good standing.
“This is an approval stamp by the committee in-charge, so what else can we say?” said Dr Tan. “Then you better question the authorities who approve the candidates how come there are still slip-ups, and so on.”

(From left) Mr Tan Jee Say, presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian and Dr Tan Cheng Bock pose after the press conference held on Aug 27. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Dr Tan was a People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament who held the Ayer Rajah seat for 26 years from 1980 to 2006, when his stronghold was absorbed into West Coast GRC.
He announced his second presidential bid in 2017 but failed due to the Government’s decision to reserve the election for Malay candidates. He also did not meet the criteria of helming a company with $500 million in shareholder equity.
Dr Tan then founded the PSP in 2019. At the 2020 General Election, he contested West Coast GRC as part of a five-member team with Mr Jeffrey Khoo, Ms Hazel Poa, Mr Leong Mun Wai and Mr Nadarajah Loganathan.
The PSP team secured 48.31 per cent of the votes in West Coast GRC against a PAP team comprising Mr S Iswaran, who was then Minister for Communications and Information, Mr Desmond Lee, who was Minister for Social and Family Development, Ms Foo Mee Har, Mr Ang Wei Neng and Ms Rachel Ong.
Asked whether he was worried that endorsing Mr Tan Kin Lian would impact the PSP’s performance at the next general election, Dr Tan said there is always a risk in every decision.
But he believes that Singaporean voters will view how the PSP and its two Non-Constituency MPs have performed, and vote accordingly at the next general election, which must be held by 2025

 

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Opposition politicians backing Tan Kin Lian ‘dishonour the presidency’: Ng Kok Song​

Presidential candidate Ng Kok Song told reporters during a visit to Tampines Round Market and Food Centre that it is a problem when presidential candidates are being endorsed by political parties. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

Isabelle Liew

Aug 27, 2023

SINGAPORE - Opposition party politicians are “ganging up” to support presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian, said Mr Ng Kok Song, calling it a “very unhealthy and worrisome development”.
Speaking to the media during a visit to Chinatown Complex on Sunday afternoon, Mr Ng, 75, said: “They are dragging the presidential election into gutter politics. I think that’s quite shameful. How can you dishonour the presidency by making this presidential election into gutter politics? We should not dishonour the office of the president.”
He was commenting on former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock, 83, who on Sunday morning announced that he was endorsing Mr Tan for the presidency. Mr Tan Jee Say, who founded now-defunct political party Singaporeans First, is also supporting Mr Tan Kin Lian at this presidential election.
Both Dr Tan and Mr Tan Jee Say, who contested the presidential elections in 2011, said they were supporting Mr Tan Kin Lian in their personal capacities, and not as opposition politicians.
Mr Ng, a former chief investment officer at sovereign wealth fund GIC, said: “What happened this morning is going against the spirit of the constitution.”
He added that the presidential election should not be politicised, and that Mr Tan is confused between a presidential election and a general election.
But he also noted that not all opposition parties are involved in the polarisation of the election.

”I think the people of Singapore will begin to realise that you do not want to vote for a candidate who is going to be manipulated by several opposition parties who are supporting you.
“We must prevent the presidency from being manipulated by any political party.”
Mr Ng had earlier told reporters during a visit to Tampines Round Market and Food Centre on Sunday morning that it is a problem when presidential candidates are being endorsed by political parties, stressing that he is the only non-partisan candidate running for president.

Fellow candidate, former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, is “endorsed by the Government, by the People’s Action Party”, he added.
Mr Ng said: “It is very important for us to safeguard the integrity of the public service because you do not want a president who is beholden to any political party, you do not want a president who can be manipulated to serve the political agenda of any political party.”
On Saturday, Mr Tharman had stated that he is not endorsed by any political party, and that it would have been a pity if former president Ong Teng Cheng and Dr Tan, who were both PAP members, were ruled out from consideration because of past affiliations.
Asked if he would be changing his campaign strategy following the endorsement of Mr Tan by Dr Tan and Mr Tan Jee Say, Mr Ng said it reinforces the message that the presidential candidate should be non-partisan.

Mr Ng said the presidential election should not be politicised. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Mr Ng, who was in public service for 45 years and held posts at GIC and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, said despite being the underdog, he had come forward to give Singaporeans a chance to vote.
He also wanted to encourage capable, trustworthy people who do not have political affiliations, to contest in the election.
“I think this is very important to us in order to safeguard our reserves,” he added.
As a “non-partisan candidate”, Mr Ng said he has faced setbacks such as civic and business organisations rejecting his requests to visit.

Mr Ng was accompanied by his fiancee Sybil Lau at Chinatown Complex where he handed out campaign flyers on Aug 27, 2023. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
He said he decided not to put up physical banners and posters as he lacked the manpower resources to do so, and because he wanted to be environmentally friendly.
Mr Ng also cautioned against using the term “establishment” as that would refer to people in public service. Instead, people should use the word partisan or non-partisan, he said.
Mr Ng was accompanied by his fiancee Sybil Lau, 45, at the food centre on Sunday, where he handed out his campaign flyers to stallholders and residents.
Asked to comment on remarks made by Mr Tan, who on Saturday said it would be better having a president appointed by Parliament as the current system meant his hands were tied on issues, Mr Ng said: “I don’t think we should get into a hypothetical discussion. We should just play by the rules as they are.”

Mr Ng said he decided not to put up physical posters due to lack of manpower and because he wanted to be environmentally friendly. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

 

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How the voters will vote (updated):

For Tharman Shanmugaratnam
PAP supporters
The establishment i.e. civil servants who depend on the PAP for their iron rice bowl
The labour unions members. The NTUC will announce its endorsement of Tharman as President.
Businessmen and professionals who do not want their businesses and jobs to be affected by political disruptions
Most Pioneer and Merdeka generations who voted for Lee Kuan Yew their whole lives.
About half of the women who object to Tan Kin Lian objectifying pretty woman
Half of the women who are not pretty
Half of the women who are jealous of Cybil Lau
The Indian voters
The other minority races: Malays, Eurasions, and Others


For Ng Kok Song
The pro-establishment but anti-PAP
Moderates and neutrals who do not want a pro-PAP nor an anti-PAP candidate
The remaining half of the women who object to Tan Kin Lian objectifying pretty woman and
also support Sybil Lau for being able to find such a rich sugar daddy
The other half of the women who are not pretty
5% of the Chinese voters, because NKS cannot speak Chinese
Cat lovers

For Tan Kin Lian
All who voted against the PAP
Tan Cheng Bock, Tan Jee Say, Michelle Lee and their supporters
The anti-establishment
The anti-vaxers like Iris Koh
Supporters of Tan Chuan Jin and Cheng Li Hui
Those who are not satisfied with the government's handling of the Ridout bungalow (K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan)
and S Iswaran corruption probes
The other half of the women who are jealous of Cybil Lau
The sandwiched middle-class who are impacted by the cost of living
Those who lost their jobs or university places to foreign talents
All those who want to know the exact size of Singapore's reserves
All the chee ko peks who like to look at pretty girls
90% of the Chinese voters

Spoilt votes
George Goh and his supporters

 

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Presidential candidates discuss reserves, independence and unifying Singaporeans​

Goh Yan Han
Political Correspondent

Aug 28, 2023

SINGAPORE - The three candidates in the race to be Singapore’s next president spent an hour on Monday night discussing the use of the nation’s reserves, their independence, and how they would unify the nation and navigate the future, often citing their careers and experience to bolster their points.
Former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song, 75; former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66; and former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian, 75, were speaking at a live forum aired on CNA, which began with an explanation on what the elected president can and cannot do.
The session kicked off with two minutes per person to answer a question on what would make them the most qualified candidate.
Mr Ng said he offered three qualifications – competence and experience from his time at GIC and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, his non-partisan status, and his being a person of trust and responsibility.
Mr Tharman said that while he respected his fellow candidates’ strengths, neither of them brings “the breadth and depth of experience that I have”.
He cited his experience internationally across various fields including pandemic preparedness and human development, as well as his experience in government and extensive experience with the reserves. “Put quite simply, I know the whole system of safeguarding and using the reserves inside out. No one can fool me.”
Mr Tan pointed to his 30 years as chief executive of NTUC Income.

He said he was responsible for overseeing the investment of the insurance fund, which is relevant experience for safeguarding the reserves, and had to appoint senior people to the top levels of management.
Asked what factors they would consider before unlocking the past reserves, Mr Tharman said the president must be able to understand the nature of the crisis.
He must also consider if the money is spent wisely and distributed fairly.

Mr Tan said he would consider if the use of the reserves is in the interest of the people, and whether it is a proper use of the reserves.
Mr Ng said he would ask about the total size of the reserves, the assumptions that the Government was making regarding the crisis, and if the Government had exhausted the possibility of raising revenues from elsewhere.

The presidential candidates spent an hour discussing the use of the nation’s reserves, their independence, and how they would unify the nation and navigate the future. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Politicising the election, representing Singapore internationally​

The moderator, Ms Otelli Edwards, then asked how they would convince voters they are not politicising the election, and will exercise powers without fear or favour.
Mr Tan said he did not believe in politicking, which would take away time from understanding and solving the problems at hand, such as the low birth rate.
“We should focus on the problem, and use all available resources and knowledge, to see what is the best way to solve the problem.”
Mr Ng reiterated that he does not belong to any political party.
“There’s no better safeguard to have a non-politicised presidential election, (than) to have candidates who do not have any political affiliations,” he said.
Mr Tharman, who answered the question last, said he wanted to “avoid simple labels”.
He said candidates should be assessed on their character, whether they have a spine, their track record, and whether they can keep the trust of the people electing them.
Going by labels of having been a member of a political party is “extremely simplistic” and would rule out past presidents like Mr Ong Teng Cheong and Dr Tony Tan, as well as former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock, he said.
Asked what unique traits they had to help them represent Singapore globally, Mr Ng said he had travelled extensively while at GIC, forming friendships with policymakers, businessmen and corporate executives.
Mr Tharman said he would use his international experience to build relationships if elected president.
“But there’s an additional characteristic (and) that has to be the Singapore way and the Singapore voice of reason,” he said.
The Singapore leadership style is to find common ground, respect differences of position and find ways of bridging, he added.
Mr Tan said he had travelled yearly for board meetings and conferences, and taken time to understand the culture, history and languages of different countries, even “songs of many languages”.

Unifying Singaporeans, overcoming challenges​

On how he would be a unifying figure, beyond the ceremonial and community roles of the president, Mr Ng said he wanted to encourage more interracial help.
He brought up his campaign logo – a hand palm with five fingers meant to signify the various races – and stressed the need to develop empathy for those from other communities.
Mr Tharman said that in the next phase of development, Singapore has to go beyond celebrating diversity and respecting differences, and “become more Singaporean together”.
He added that he would focus on finding common ground in a more diverse democracy.
Mr Tan said the most important factor is that people should feel financially secure and hopeful in their lives. “Then people (have) got more time to think beyond themselves... then they become more unified.”
Asked what major challenges Singapore will face, and how they would help Singaporeans to cope, Mr Tharman highlighted that the world is becoming more divisive.
“We’ve got to create space for Singapore internationally, with both today’s friends as well as those who could be tomorrow’s friends,” he said.
Singapore, he added, also has to start preparing to adapt and respond to climate change. This is a challenge that the president has to be on top of, as the reserves may be required for long-term investments.
Mr Tan said that Singapore has its “own internal problems”, such as being a costly place to live in.
He said the Republic must find ways to bring down the cost of properties, wages and business costs, so that it can be competitive in the world.
Mr Ng said domestically, the challenge is that the younger generation is becoming more cynical and less trusting of government.
The Government has to restore trust among the people, by putting right whatever has gone wrong in terms of its standards of trust and integrity, he said.
While there is external geopolitical conflict, “as long as we stay united as a nation, we will be able to deal with the risks of the international environment”.

When asked what he wanted to tell voters before they head to the polls on Sept 1, Mr Tan said in his closing remarks that in carrying out the constitutional duties of the president, he would examine each recommendation on the use of past reserves and appointment of public service officers critically.
He would use the power of the president to call for a commission of inquiry when needed, to ensure there is transparency and accountability in the Government and public service.
He added that his main concern is for the young people of Singapore, who have to compete for jobs against foreigners and deal with the high cost of living and housing. He would “collaborate and work with the Government to find a better way to solve these problems”.
At this point, the moderator reminded viewers that the president cannot publicly express views on legislation or government policy, without being advised to do so by the Government.
Mr Ng said Singapore needs a president who is competent, experienced and trustworthy, and above all, a president who is non-partisan.
He called on Singaporeans to examine his motivations for joining the race – not for fame or money, but out of a genuine desire to serve his country.
Mr Tharman said he requested “every Singaporean respectfully to vote for me on Friday as a vote for an optimistic future”.
It is easy to be pessimistic when looking at everything happening in the world, or even at happenings in Singapore, he said.
“But when we look at Singaporeans, we become optimistic, when we look at what we’re capable of,” he said, citing national sprinter Shanti Pereira’s sporting achievements and Ms Stephanie Fam, a playwright with cerebral palsy.
“I’ve been serving Singapore my entire life, through public service and even before. You will not get surprises with me. What you see is what you get,” he said, closing off the forum.

 

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Presidential election shaping up into partisan contest, say analysts​

Presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian flanked by PSP chairman Tan Cheng Bock (left) and SDP member Tan Jee Say during his walkabout in Chin Swee Road on Aug 27. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Tham Yuen-C and Kok Yufeng

Aug 28, 2023

SINGAPORE – The 2023 Presidential Election is shaping up into a partisan contest, with several prominent opposition figures coming out in support of candidate Tan Kin Lian, said political observers and analysts.
This has politicised the election into a contest pitting the opposition against the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), even though the president is meant to be above the political fray, they added.
Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chairman and founder Tan Cheng Bock on Sunday endorsed former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian, 75, joining others such as Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) member Tan Jee Say and Peoples Voice (PV) chief Lim Tean.
Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Mr Tan Jee Say had turned up at a walkabout to stump for Mr Tan Kin Lian, declaring that they shared a “common vision” for an independent president. The trio had contested the 2011 Presidential Election, which former deputy prime minister Tony Tan won.
The PAP, meanwhile, has not endorsed any candidate. But former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, is seen as being linked to the ruling party, having just resigned in July to contest the presidency.
National University of Singapore (NUS) sociologist Tan Ern Ser said the election is “no longer about the qualities and suitability of the three candidates for the role of president, but between two options: the PAP and non-PAP”.
“This shouldn’t be the case, but it has shaped up to be so, especially with the appearance of an opposition slate,” he added.

Other opposition politicians backing Mr Tan Kin Lian include People’s Power Party chief Goh Meng Seng and former PV candidate Leong Sze Hian.
Singapore Management University (SMU) law don Eugene Tan said the Constitution and the Presidential Elections Act do not prohibit such endorsements, but added that it would not be in keeping with the nature of the presidency as a unifying institution.
“When politicians, regardless of whether they are from the ruling party or the opposition, start to portray that presidency as a political prize to be captured, I think we are severely compromising and undermining what the presidency is all about,” he said. “Effectively, it means the president could become a political player.”

Institute of Policy Studies senior research fellow Gillian Koh noted that Mr Tan Kin Lian has already hinted that if elected, he may nominate Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Mr Tan Jee Say to the Council of Presidential Advisers.
She added that the result of these political associations is that voters will see the presidential election as a proxy for the next general election, and a referendum on the PAP government.
“They might say one thing, but they know that the real political effect is to generate a strong anti-PAP sentiment around the presidential election,” she said.

Elected presidency politicised from the start​

Other observers, such as constitutional law expert Kevin Tan, said the presidential elections have been “politicised from day one”.
He pointed to how the PAP had put forward then deputy prime minister Ong Teng Cheong as a candidate in the first presidential election in 1993 and persuaded former accountant-general Chua Kim Yeow to run against Mr Ong, so there was a contest.
In the 2011 presidential race, Mr Tan Jee Say had support from various opposition figures, including then National Solidarity Party politicians Nicole Seah and Steve Chia, as well as Mr Vincent Wijeysingha, Mr Ang Yong Guan and Dr Paul Tambyah, who were all involved with SDP at the time.
NUS associate professor of political science Chong Ja Ian said the presidency may be technically non-partisan, but remains political.
“The role is an elected one, it pertains to state resources, the symbolism of the state, and responsibilities, even if the presidency has curtailed discretion. These qualities make the position political by nature, even if the people running for office and who hold office do not have a formal political party membership,” he said.
He added that it is not surprising that political parties would be tempted to lay out some sort of position and may want to weigh in.
Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst at Solaris Strategies Singapore, said the polarisation of ground sentiment is being capitalised on, and some voters may treat the presidential election as a general election to show displeasure towards the government of the day.
NUS’ Prof Tan said: “I reckon both the candidates and other politicians, as well as supporters, see the stakes as very high, and they feel strongly about wanting to see their preferred outcome becoming a reality, and they believe that this presidential election offers a good opportunity for this to occur.”

Dr Kevin Tan noted that the ruling party has thrown its weight behind its preferred candidate in earlier presidential elections.
However, SMU’s Associate Professor Tan said that while the PAP had endorsed Mr Ong in the first presidential election, the Government has since come to realise that its support is not ideal, and has not explicitly endorsed any candidate.
He added that while any candidate coming from the Government will always be seen as having some form of tacit endorsement, the PAP has not given Mr Tharman an explicit endorsement in the same way that Dr Tan Cheng Bock has for Mr Tan Kin Lian.
Mr Tharman did not have any current or past politicians on his team of proposers, seconders and assenters, “because he is very conscious that he wants to draw that line, that his political affiliation has ended”, said Prof Tan.

Will Tan Cheng Bock’s support move the needle?​

Observers were mixed on whether Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s endorsement would have an impact at the polls.
SMU’s Prof Tan said it is no surprise that presidential hopeful Ng Kok Song, 75, has come out strongly against it, due to his positioning as the only non-partisan candidate in the race. He said because of Dr Tan’s support, there may be voters who decide to back Mr Tharman instead of Mr Ng come Friday to avoid splitting the pro-establishment vote.

At the other end, Dr Tan’s endorsement has essentially signalled to the anti-establishment segment of the electorate that their support should go to Mr Tan Kin Lian, he added.
Mr Ng, the former GIC chief investment officer, slammed the move by Dr Tan Cheng Bock on Sunday, adding that the opposition party leaders involved with Mr Tan were “dragging the presidential election into gutter politics” and dishonouring the office.
“There’s a danger that (Mr Tan Kin Lian’s) going to be manipulated by those leaders of the opposition parties,” Mr Ng added on Monday.
Prof Tan said he would not be surprised if Dr Tan’s endorsement has little effect.
“For voters who are undecided and have trouble with Mr Tan Kin Lian’s views on a variety of issues, I think Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s endorsement will not shift the needle,” he said, adding that fair-minded voters will find it hard to understand Dr Tan’s backing given the accusations of misogyny and racism from some quarters against Mr Tan Kin Lian.
Dr Tan had stated that he was supporting Mr Tan Kin Lian in his personal capacity.
On Monday, a PSP spokesman said it is not endorsing any candidate in the upcoming election, and that any support by any member for a candidate is in his own personal capacity.
However, NUS’ Prof Tan said it is hard to see Dr Tan endorsing Mr Tan Kin Lian purely as an ordinary voter, given his position as chairman of a political party and the fact that he and Mr Tan Jee Say were seen garlanded and campaigning with the candidate.

Political analyst and Nanyang Technological University associate lecturer Felix Tan said he expects Dr Tan’s endorsement to have some significance, given his sizeable following.
However, it may also complicate things for his supporters, as they may not all feel the same way about Mr Tan Kin Lian as a presidential candidate, he said.
With four days left until Singapore heads to the ballot box, analysts say it is ultimately for the voters to decide which candidate is reasonable and preferable to them.
Dr Chong reckons that the election being politicised is not necessarily good or bad. “It all depends on how the contestation plays out—whether it is above board, even-handed, competitive, and, in the case of elections, voters are able to act upon their choices freely and have those choices matter,” he said.
“It is obviously helpful if voters are fully informed about the responsibilities and limitations of the office they are voting to fill. However, voter education needs to take place consistently and over the long term, rather than in the heat of an election period, where there may be information overload.”
Dr Koh, meanwhile, urged voters to put aside considerations about party politics when electing Singapore’s ninth president, and to leave these considerations for the next general election, which is due by 2025.
She added: “This is a most difficult topic to delve into, but hopefully will be part of our maturation process as a smart electorate.”