I'm tested, trusted, true: Tony Tan
by Ng Jing Yng and Teo Xuanwei
04:45 AM Aug 18, 2011
SINGAPORE - Describing himself as "Tested, Trusted, True", Dr Tony Tan said his past experiences will help him steer Singapore through the financial uncertainty lying ahead.
These are among the messages that Dr Tan, 71, will share with Singaporeans through his campaign postcards and video as his candidacy for the Presidential Election was made official yesterday.
At a press briefing in Koufu food court at Toa Payoh Central, the former Deputy Prime Minister said he would work with the Government to improve policies if elected. He also wants to represent Singapore not just at home but abroad by raising the profile of the nation overseas.
Raising issues formally and informally - such as education - is also on his agenda, through meetings with the country's leaders. "(The President) can put forward his views on what are the concerns of the people on Government policies, of course recognising that it is the PM and the Cabinet which make the decision," Dr Tan said.
In the meantime, the head of state can contribute in areas of social harmony, community bonding and raise social awareness, by promoting non high-profile charities, highlighting charitable causes and also reaching out to the middle-class and their needs.
Over the next eight days of campaigning, Dr Tan plans to "build a bond with each Singaporean" through avenues such as walkabouts, forums and social media.
His campaign collectibles, which include fridge magnets, were designed to be "useful", and all the items bear his signature square-framed spectacles logo - which Dr Tan said signifies foresight and vision for the future.
Hundreds of supporters turned up yesterday morning at the Nomination Centre to support Dr Tan as he submitted his papers.
During his two-minute speech - which was marred by booing - Dr Tan stressed that "the President must be above politics" and urged Singaporeans to spread word about the importance of the Presidential Election and how it is different from the General Election.
"The President must work with the Government, all political parties and civil society to do his best to advance Singapore forward, and that is what I will do," he said.
He also boasted an impressive list of assentors: Hyflux Group chief executive Olivia Lum, Ho Bee Group chairman and chief executive and immediate past president of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chua Thian Poh, Ambassador-at-Large Gopinath Pillai and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Joseph Sheares, the son of Singapore's second President Benjamin Sheares.
Dr Tan said he had "no difficulty persuading them" for their roles, and that his proposer, seconder and assentors are a "representative sample of what constitutes Singapore".
But whoever the winner will be in this four-cornered fight, Dr Tan said: "The President is the President for all Singaporeans, not only for the Singaporeans who have voted for him but also for those Singaporeans who have not voted for him."
The Government is not endorsing any presidential candidate this time round.
At a press conference on the Presidential Election on Tuesday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong described Dr Tan as being "eminently qualified and a very good candidate". Earlier in June, in response to media queries, Mr Lee had said that he has no doubt that Dr Tan would be "a unifying figure for all citizens" and will bring "honour and credit" to Singapore if he is elected Singapore's next President.
Dr Tan said yesterday: "I am of course very grateful for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's comments and his personal endorsement of my candidacy for the presidency."
However, Dr Tan reiterated his independency in the Aug 27 election.
"I do not have the backing of any political party neither am I seeking the backing of any party," he said.
Meanwhile, three more union clusters yesterday pledged their endorsement of Dr Tan for the presidency.
Collectively, the 21 unions from the transport and logistics services, marine and machinery engineering, and infocomm and media clusters represent about 112,000 workers.
by Ng Jing Yng and Teo Xuanwei
04:45 AM Aug 18, 2011
SINGAPORE - Describing himself as "Tested, Trusted, True", Dr Tony Tan said his past experiences will help him steer Singapore through the financial uncertainty lying ahead.
These are among the messages that Dr Tan, 71, will share with Singaporeans through his campaign postcards and video as his candidacy for the Presidential Election was made official yesterday.
At a press briefing in Koufu food court at Toa Payoh Central, the former Deputy Prime Minister said he would work with the Government to improve policies if elected. He also wants to represent Singapore not just at home but abroad by raising the profile of the nation overseas.
Raising issues formally and informally - such as education - is also on his agenda, through meetings with the country's leaders. "(The President) can put forward his views on what are the concerns of the people on Government policies, of course recognising that it is the PM and the Cabinet which make the decision," Dr Tan said.
In the meantime, the head of state can contribute in areas of social harmony, community bonding and raise social awareness, by promoting non high-profile charities, highlighting charitable causes and also reaching out to the middle-class and their needs.
Over the next eight days of campaigning, Dr Tan plans to "build a bond with each Singaporean" through avenues such as walkabouts, forums and social media.
His campaign collectibles, which include fridge magnets, were designed to be "useful", and all the items bear his signature square-framed spectacles logo - which Dr Tan said signifies foresight and vision for the future.
Hundreds of supporters turned up yesterday morning at the Nomination Centre to support Dr Tan as he submitted his papers.
During his two-minute speech - which was marred by booing - Dr Tan stressed that "the President must be above politics" and urged Singaporeans to spread word about the importance of the Presidential Election and how it is different from the General Election.
"The President must work with the Government, all political parties and civil society to do his best to advance Singapore forward, and that is what I will do," he said.
He also boasted an impressive list of assentors: Hyflux Group chief executive Olivia Lum, Ho Bee Group chairman and chief executive and immediate past president of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chua Thian Poh, Ambassador-at-Large Gopinath Pillai and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Joseph Sheares, the son of Singapore's second President Benjamin Sheares.
Dr Tan said he had "no difficulty persuading them" for their roles, and that his proposer, seconder and assentors are a "representative sample of what constitutes Singapore".
But whoever the winner will be in this four-cornered fight, Dr Tan said: "The President is the President for all Singaporeans, not only for the Singaporeans who have voted for him but also for those Singaporeans who have not voted for him."
The Government is not endorsing any presidential candidate this time round.
At a press conference on the Presidential Election on Tuesday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong described Dr Tan as being "eminently qualified and a very good candidate". Earlier in June, in response to media queries, Mr Lee had said that he has no doubt that Dr Tan would be "a unifying figure for all citizens" and will bring "honour and credit" to Singapore if he is elected Singapore's next President.
Dr Tan said yesterday: "I am of course very grateful for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's comments and his personal endorsement of my candidacy for the presidency."
However, Dr Tan reiterated his independency in the Aug 27 election.
"I do not have the backing of any political party neither am I seeking the backing of any party," he said.
Meanwhile, three more union clusters yesterday pledged their endorsement of Dr Tan for the presidency.
Collectively, the 21 unions from the transport and logistics services, marine and machinery engineering, and infocomm and media clusters represent about 112,000 workers.
