Chitchat President - Recommended Changes

[Hans168]

It is also a good idea to read the full report to see how the commission approached the issues and why they made those recommendations There are some powers that do not have to be referred to the CPA and therefore do not go for a Parliamentary override if the President does not agree. These includes protective powers such as the detention under ISA and some historical discretionary powers. But these are not the important when it comes to functions of the executive.

It obvious that the Terms of reference framed not only the issues to be considered but also indicated what the broad conclusions should be or least thats what the Commission took it to be. The Commission also seem to have worked on the basis of pragmatism and efficiency rather than one of checks and balances. The use of the "pragmatic" has appeared a number of times. Written and oral contributions are cited and covered quite extensively throughout the report but my sense is that they were not material in any sense of the word in the way in the report.

It also interesting that IPS had done 2 previous surveys prior to the latest one commissioned by CNA. All 3 surveys are not consistent. Its interesting that one of the contributors cited IPS first survey that showed that when it comes to selections national leaders, the country was more colour blind. I won't be surprised that this submission just have triggered someone asking CNA to commission the latest survey and the result was the opposite.

One trivia was quite amusing - the tenure of the Presidential Advisors in the Council. Currently the first term is 6 years and the second is 4 years and the reason for the second shorter tenure is one of heath. It means that we have in our council members we are fragile individuals who are close to dying. In essence 12 years is not a realistic scenario that these advisors are expected to see out Though these are expected to be wise men of age and experience and seen the vagaries of life, it quite interesting that they are expected to be fragile in heath. The Commission recommended 6 years for re-appointments and using the consistent theme of "pragmatism" more or less suggested that if he is incapacitated due to health or death, appoint someone else to complete the term.

The other interesting item was that Commission felt that first past the post was best way to register a mandate even if it well below 50%. A run-off was rejected.

after LHL gave the Terms of Reference, he phone S Menon saying to him......... well you know what you hv to do....... just remember Chan Sek Keong

 

[Hans168]

Singaporeans in the main know what the results are going to be. The interest and speculation is how creative and devious the members of these bodies come-up or conjure the ways and means to give a semblance of professionalism and independence. No where in the report does it say why an EP is important to have the checks and balances in the event of a rogue govt - which was and is the entire reason for the EP in the first place and change to the constitution. Instead the report went into pragmatism, efficiency, and protection of the function of the executive without even they realising it that it also protects a rogue govt.

What the COI was formed for the Mas Selamat escape, they said they will form an Independent body but nevertheless appointed a Dep Sec of MHA to sit on it. They could easily have picked a Dep Sec from any other ministry but they did not. We all knew that it will spin a tail and they delivered a "confluence of factors" verdict despite it involving one individual and one event in a confined space of time.

Yes........... it has been decided that Halimah Yacob be prez and then the commission formed and given its charter
simple as that BUT LHL has no balls to say or do it directly

 

[Hans168]

Has to be be for 2017. After 2017. The market cap to be increased to 1billion

datz where Ho ching comes in............. 100 billion oso no problem

 

[Hans168]

I'll vote for Kin Lian, at least he has Boss's twitching eyes!

sadly the choice may NOT be available, so the next best is cast void vote or boycott voting

 

[Hans168]

It is all one big wayang when the CPA is govt appointed and the EP has to follow the recommendation of the CPA. It shows the govt has never been truthful about wanting independent safeguards. So the question is why go though all the trouble of having an EP when the previous ceremonial appointment president system was working fine

datz the hard truth

 

[Brightkid]

Just curious.
The CPA report and recommendation took months to review and prepare. Yet on day of making it public, CNA issued an acceptance-in-principal, and defended the recommendations.

From timeline perspective, it seems that CNA and possibly the cabinet would had all along been deeply involved with the CPA, leading up to the public announcement.

So, question are:
- the 'recommendations' is what CNA wanted?
- CPA is just a front so the recommendations is to be seen as independent?

If so, how independent can a recommendation be if it was influence (I did not said 'prepared') by an political party who is incumbent govt? Not forgetting member of CPA were nominated by the govt themselves? The Election Department's decision on some infringement elections may throw some precedence before.

Well, I may be asking the obvious. But this, besides the many other white papers such as the 6.9M population white paper, clearing showed without a 1/3 non-incumbent parliament to scrutinize and if need be stop the passing of the bill, the citizens are just sitting ducks waiting to be roasted. But the sad part is 69.9% thinks estate upgrading is more important that their (and their future generations) lives, just like a frog only cares there's water to swim in, nevermind the water is in a pot over a fire!

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

Parliament only needs a simple majority to overrule the president in the event he acts contrary to the CPA.

This is clearly a weakening of the presidential custodial role and effectively places power squarely back in parliament as far as the reserves are concerned.

Chua mui hoong, in possibly the biggest fit of illogical propaganda, had the nerve & temerity to actually call it a strengthening of the EP. She thinks we cannot understand English or at least is betting majority out there don't.

What an absurdity!

Chus mui hoong's explanation on the heightened eligibility criteria is also telling. All her points clearly apply to tan jee say even if no names were mentioned.

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

The EP has to have left the company in good shape. Poor TJS.

 

[mojito]

The recommendations are necessary because sinkies are stupid. 30% voted for someone who nearly bankrupt his own company under his watch. How to be proper steward of our country's reserves? Now more better. Sinkies get to choose between any second hand car models so long as it is white.

 

[red amoeba]

Why waste the time on this Hoo ha. Erect a wooden block in Sri Negara n paint it yellow brown or black depending on the race you need.

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

Why waste the time on this Hoo ha. Erect a wooden block in Sri Negara n paint it yellow brown or black depending on the race you need.

Most succint and to the point comment in this thread!

 

[scroobal]

I had a second read of the report as a second read always throws out things you missed out and sometimes gives you a different perspective. These are are my observations.

1) The terms of reference did not call for a review of EP. I guess I must have assumed it was a review. It in fact it asked the Commission to look into 3 things and the areas within the 3 were narrow in nature in the first place.
(a) Qualifying criteria for EP
(b) Minority participation
(c) Power of CPA

2) No where was the very basis of having an elected President addressed - providing checks and balances against a government that has turned rogue or gone out of the reservation.
In fact the Commission without realising it has issued a report that goes towards addressing a rogue President. I don't think even the Commission as a body or as individuals have realised that they had done that. I suspect it was case of seeing the trees for the forest.

So instead of safeguarding our reserves and the actions of a potential rogue government, the report has become one where the recommendations covering qualifying criteria of a Presidential candidate, the composition of the CPA and the introduction of Parliamentary override clearly goes towards addressing a potential rogue President.

Chapter 6 of the report is particularly a good read as it goes into detail and in depth on how to address a President if he does not play ball in line with the Govt's expectations. Do bear in mind is that the role, the composition and intent of the CPA has had recommendations to enhance its functions and in some respects overshadows the importance of the Office of the President though it continues to remain behind the scenes.

Chapter 6 also shows the Commission was struggling to keep the Office of the EP in the picture but ended up building safeguards in the CPA. Do bear in mind that the CPA even if the recommendations are adopted has qualifying criteria that will allow at least 95% of Singapore citizens above the age of 35 to be nominated for the role. So much for maintaining the high standards.

3) The lack of citation, and or evidence of studies and research that was relied upon or consulted for the report was quite a surprise. Citations were for those who made return or oral representation and they were many. In fact without these citations, the report would have been a couple of pages only. How did they pick $500m million stakeholders equity for the qualifying threshold is a question that is going to be asked. How many people would be in this pool? Will then the default be having to pick from the pool of Government and political leaders. 3 IPS surveys were cited but these were not reproduced in the report which would have been helpful for anyone reading the report.

If an MNC saw such a report from its staff with very little evidence to support their recommendations, I am not even sure if it will be accepted.

 

[The_Hypocrite]

sadly the choice may NOT be available, so the next best is cast void vote or boycott voting

It will be a walkover.. Another Nathan

 

[yahoo55]

Tan Jee Say still wants to contest the EP and whack PAP for changing the rules to get rid of the competition. I voted for him in the last PE election.


http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...residency-equivalent-to-changing/3111046.html

Proposed criteria for Elected Presidency equivalent to ‘changing the rules to get rid of the competition’: Tan Jee Say

Updated 08 Sep 2016 18:20


SINGAPORE: Tightening the eligibility criteria for contesting the Elected Presidency is the equivalent of “changing the rules to get rid of the competition,” said former presidential hopeful Tan Jee Say on Thursday (Sep 8).

Speaking to Channel NewsAsia, Mr Tan, who contested the 2011 Presidential Election, suggested that all those who have qualified to contest previously should be allowed to contest again.

Mr Tan won 25 per cent of the vote in the 2011 election, putting him in third place. Under the new criteria proposed by the Constitutional Commission in its report released on Wednesday (Sep 7), it is likely that Mr Tan and his fellow candidate in the 2011 election Dr Tan Cheng Bock would not qualify to run for the presidency.

He said if the Government is sincere about not having ulterior motives for implementing change, it could introduce a “grandfather clause”. Such a clause was enacted in some Southern states of the US between 1895 and 1910. It gave those who had enjoyed the right to vote before 1866 or 1867, or their lineal descendants, an exemption from educational, property or tax requirements for voting.

Mr Tan also questioned the need to further tighten the eligibility criteria, saying that there is “nothing wrong” in having more people contest the Elected Presidency. “We should be happy that we are giving the people a bigger pool to choose from, rather than restricting it further.”

“It’s like saying that since we have too many lawyers and only those lawyers with a first-class honours degree can practice law,” he said. “You’re making it very elitist, and less representative of the population of Singapore.”

- CNA/lc

 

[batman1]

Singapore is a fake.Singapore is not a democracy.Singapore is a totalitarian/dictatorial state.A fake electioneering system for GE and EP skewed and manipulated to entrench the corrupt PAP in power.Look at the bumbling idiotic PM,he was more worried that if PAP lost power,he would have to return his overpaid salaries and bonuses to the state i.e. his personal financial loss.KNNCCB !!!!!

 

[scroobal]

Its highly likely that the next one will be reserved for the Malay minority category so Tan Kin Lian will be out. After that he will gone past the 15 yr qualifying mark and will be out for good.

Seems like they were thorough in their approach if that was the plan.

My only concern is that they let Tan Kin Lian have another stab at presidency? Are they not worried about protest votes going to him like what happens to Chua Kim Yeow whose only 2 pathetic TV broadcasts garner a 40% vote bank.

 

[Brightkid]

Its highly likely that the next one will be reserved for the Malay minority category so Tan Kin Lian will be out. After that he will gone past the 15 yr qualifying mark and will be out for good.

Seems like they were thorough in their approach if that was the plan.

If the govt will to implement a policy with retrospective implications, i.e., this recommendation to be backdated and thereby next election reserved for a minority EP election, it scare the hell out of any long term geniune companies!

Then Sinkapool will really be sunk, if it not already.

 

[RandomNexus]

Its highly likely that the next one will be reserved for the Malay minority category so Tan Kin Lian will be out. After that he will gone past the 15 yr qualifying mark and will be out for good.

Seems like they were thorough in their approach if that was the plan.

Oh I must have underestimated MIW. Certainly, they are always ahead of everyone, and time and again, they have it figured out.

It will all depend whether Tan Kin Lian declare interest, and if he does, they will act on their arbitrary clause?

To ensure a contest to show some "legitimacy", they will put up 2 Malay candidates. Halimah will be a shoo-in and maybe Abdullah Tarmugi might be in the running as the other candidate.

 

[scroobal]

Companies both local and foreign know full well that the PAP is a friend of business and will go out of their way to treat them well. It is easier for a total stranger say from Italy with less then average command of English to fly to Singapore, setup a company and run a pizza joint in less than 3 weeks than it is for someone who lost his job to apply for aid from the Govt. The number of forms, the visit to the home to check what are the assets in your home etc.

The companies know full well that they should not dabble in local politics and it is not in there interest to do so.

If the govt will to implement a policy with retrospective implications, i.e., this recommendation to be backdated and thereby next election reserved for a minority EP election, it scare the hell out of any long term geniune companies!

Then Sinkapool will really be sunk, if it not already.

 

[Devil Within]

Elected President is like self-masturbation. It only make you feel good but actually did nothing meaningful.