The highly unpopular incumbent, President S R Nathan, is not likely to seek a third term as he is already 87
By Nigel Tan
Chief Editor
Less than a month after the conclusion of the 2011 general election which saw an unprecedented interest in political affairs in a country normally known for its apathy, Singapore is gearing up for a second election in three months.
A Presidental Election must be held before August 31, and candidates may begin the arduous process of applying for Certificates of Eligibility from this week.
The internet has been abuzz with chatter as to who the candidates might be. Presidential Elections are usually low-key affairs thanks to the largely ceremonial role of the office in question, with the last two elections resulting in walkovers. But Singaporeans would be very disappointed – even outraged – if there is no contest for the third time in a row.
Dr Tan Cheng Bock was the first to throw his hat in the ring, declaring his intention to run for President last week. Dr Tan, a former PAP MP for 26 years, was dearly loved by his residents in Ayer Rajah – they returned him 6 times with incredible margins, topped by his record-breaking victory with a whopping 88 per cent of the vote in 2001. Despite his affiliation with the PAP, Dr Tan was known for courageously speaking his mind during Parliamentary debates, resulting in several heavyweight ministers – including Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Dr Goh Keng Swee – having their feathers ruffled.
If he contests, Dr Tan will not be the PAP-backed candidate. He has since resigned his membership of the party and was seen attending an opposition National Solidarity Party rally during the recent hustings. He has said that after two successive walkovers, he wants Singaporeans to have a choice. He has also pledged to hold the government to account if elected – something that he already has a track record of doing throughout his 26 years in Parliament.
However, some netizens are still skeptical as to Dr Tan’s independence, pointing to his former PAP affiliations as a sign that he could prove to be a compliant figure who will not robustly hold the government to account.
Another non-establishment candidate who is widely tipped to be a candidate is former NTUC Income CEO Tan Kin Lian. Mr Tan was much more heavily associated with the opposition during the recent general election, appearing as a guest speaker at rallies held by the NSP as well as the Singapore Democratic Party.
He has been active in the community for a number of years, famously organising rallies at the Speakers’ Corner to address the concerns of out-of-pocket investors during the Lehman Brothers mini-bond crisis during the recession of 2008.
Unlike Dr Tan, Mr Tan has no past affiliation with the PAP, and as such is more likely to be seen as an “opposition” candidate. A Facebook page called “Tan Kin Lian for President” has been set up, presumably by supporters of Mr Tan, and has attracted close to 400 “likes” even though Mr Tan himself has not yet formally announced his intention to contest.
Mr George Yeo, who enjoys tremendous popular support despite losing his seat in the recent GE, has said that he will not run for President
What is even more intriguing is who the PAP’s choice of candidate will be. Various names have been mooted, including former office holders George Yeo, Lim Boon Heng and Zainul Abidin Rasheed. All three have ruled themselves out of the running, with Mr Yeo memorably saying that he was a “free spirit” and hence was not suited to the role of President. Other possible names include former cabinet ministers Yeo Ning Hong, Abdullah Tarmugi and S Jayakumar – none of whom have ruled themselves out as of yet.
The incumbent, President S R Nathan, is not likely to seek a third term as he is already 87 years of age. Moreover, he is thought to be highly unpopular and as such will face a struggle to gain re-election if there is a contest. A straw poll conducted in 1999 – the year of Mr Nathan’s election – he was placed well behind his predecessor Ong Teng Cheong, but Mr Ong eventually decided not to contest for health reasons. In 2005, he was once again returned unopposed because Mr Andrew Kuan failed to obtain the Certificate of Eligibility required in order for candidates to stand.
Opinion on the internet seems to be divided as to who is best-placed to become Singapore’s next President. Opposition supporters who want a non-PAP candidate to check on the government seem to be divided between Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Mr Tan Kin Lian, whereas others have suggested that they would support neither.
The calls for candidates to stand for election have ranged from the interesting to the absurd – there are murmurings that Singapore is ready for its first female President in Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, and some have suggested that recently-retired Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong would be best-suited for the role. Another name that has frequently been mentioned is Aljunied MP Chen Show Mao, though the prospect of Mr Chen vacating his Parliamentary seat just months after winning it is nigh-on impossible.
In order for candidates to receive a Certificate of Eligibility, they must be at least 45 years of age, qualified to be an MP, and have served either as minister, chief justice, permanent secretary or speaker, or as chairman or CEO of a company with paid-up capital of at least $100 million. In addition, candidates may not be members of any political party.
Hey Nigel,
Can’t you get simple facts right? TLK has openly said he was a member of PAP for many yrs.
If you can’t get simple facts right, how can you be trusted in yr analysis?
I nominate Chiam See Tong !
forgot to add:
Tan Cheng Bock maybe popular, but I think this guy is a coward who like to use power given to him. A nation’s president must have a brave heart.
we already had 2 indian presidents, one was always drunk, this present one brought in more indians into singapore than acceptable and cause so much social issues, even to the local singapore indians, enough is enough. Please la, no more indians.
If the majority of the population is chinese, then elect one chinese please, and hope this one is as brave as our late President Mr. Ong.
Be logical, this is not racial issue, it’s about survival.
My Presidential List
1) Tan Cheng Bok
One of the female Ch 8 newsreader ( any one )
2) Lim Kay Tong
3) Satay Wahid ( if he is still alive)
4) Henry Thia
5) Danny the Democratic Bear
6) George Yeo
7) Bobby Tonelli
9) Papaya Sisters ( anyone )
10) Yam Ah Mee
Singaporeans should not gamble when it comes to the presidency. We are not choosing our MP. We are choosing our president. We need someone with the right sort of calibre. Tan Cheng Bock performed ably as an MP but he lacks the experience of running a ministry. George Yeo would be the best choice, but unfortunately he is not interested. We could go for someone like Lim Boon Heng, Yeo Ning Hong, Wong Kan Seng or Dhanabalan. These are all very well-respected former ministers with international stature.
i say Dhanabalan. Guy missed on PM role as LHL took over, maybe EP before he hits the ground. Plus done much, even took slaps which whole SG knows abt(TQ GCT).
The best candidate is George Yeo. He appears serious about wanting to reform the PAP’s style of government. Too bad, the Aljunied residents did not give him a chance to do it. But if he can change his mind and run for President, he might be given that chance.
Ideal EP Candidates Fm Blogs:
S Danabalan (man never got the chance of elections or PM; also rumoured “Slap”))
1) Dr Tan CB (Gd)
2) Tan Kim Lian (Gd)
3) Dr Richard Hu
4) Dr Umarajan (fm blogs ex retired director with MOH)
5) JY Pillay
6) Janice Chua (likes power & title)
7) Peter Lim (Remiser King) – Need Good Luck fm guy
9)Dr See Ai Mee (Proven track record in washing hands -handy when shaking “Pariah countries heads”)
10)Dr Lee Wei Ling ( Sentimental reasons as lady offspring of “Mother” of SG)
11) Abdullah Tarmugi ( Ex Speaker as toned down role similar as his previous role:
only higher level)
Let us see
Dude President Nathan needs to enjoy his money a bit within left years in life, give the the guy a break. Seeing all that obscene money and unable to do anything must make the man sick. Let him have his break.
What is the point of having a president who will make life more difficult for the government? I think Singaporeans need to ask themselves what they really want. Do they want debates, discussions, disagreements to the point that the government cannot get on with the day-to-day admin of the country? Or do they want a strong government that can make policies to benefit the country? Ong Teng Cheong was a disruptive president who distracted the government from its more important job: creating jobs, growing the economy, improving the country. People criticise S R Nathan but it is precisely because of his co-operative attitude that Singapore was able to bounce back so strongly from the economic crisis. We don’t have time to waste on bickering and politicking in Singapore. The government needs to be supported by everyone so as to ensure that things get done.
YESMAN rite?
/// Unlike Dr Tan, Mr Tan has no past affiliation with the PAP, and as such is more likely to be seen as an “opposition” candidate. ///
Nigel, the above statement is wrong. Tan Kin Lian was a member of the PAP for over 30 years, withdrew his membership in 2008.
http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=1304
http://hunboon.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/tan-kin-lian-for-singapore-president/
/// Unlike Dr Tan, Mr Tan has no past affiliation with the PAP, and as such is more likely to be seen as an “opposition” candidate. ///
Nigel this is wrong. Tan Kin Lian was a member of the PAP for over 30 years, withdrew his membership in 2008.
http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=1304
http://hunboon.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/tan-kin-lian-for-singapore-president/
Brigadier General George Yeo’s claim of being a “free spirit” is somewhat questionable.
George Yeo’s infamous quote in Feb 1994 is probably more par for the course:
“Remember your place in society before you engage in political debate…
Debate cannot generate into a free-for-all, where no distinction is made between the senior and junior party…
You must make distinctions -
What is high, what is low, what is above, what is below,
and then within this, we can have a debate, we can have a discussion…
people should not take on those in authority as ‘equals”
Spoken like a true soldier.
Jawohl Mein Fuhrer!
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Yu-foo yee shoon will be an interesting choice. she will garner the female votes and chinese-speaking votes, a potential winner. Tan cheng bock will face a tough fight.
/// Unlike Dr Tan, Mr Tan has no past affiliation with the PAP ///
Sorry, Nigel, I think Tan Kin Lian has past affiliation with the PAP – please check with him.
Yeah, pretty sure Tan Kin Lian was a PAP member until very recently. This was in the news a couple of years back when he started a petition to support his Presidential campaign.
Yes, this came out when he started his petition to run for President a couple of years back.
The choice is between: Tan Kin lian, Ho Kwon Ping, Ngiam Tow Dow, Hussien Mutalib
I’m fed up of the idiots who are calling for Chen Show Mao to run for President. These requests are just lame and totally moronic.
1) The candidates for the presidential election can’t come from ANY party. There will not be a PAP candidate vs a WP candidate. All will be independents.
2) If you are an MP, you can’t contest the election. So, in order to contest, Chen will have to vacate his seat in Aljunied (possibly triggering a by-election) and also resign from the WP. I don’t think that Chen Show Mao, who is a Rhodes scholar, would do something so idiotic as to vacate his Parliament seat just 1 month after getting elected??
3) If for some incredible reason he does decided to do something that stupid, how will it reflect on him and on his party? Both will have zero credibility in the eyes of voters. How would Aljunied residents feel if he were to abandon them after just 1 month? He would be the shortest-serving MP of all time.
4) If he were to run for President he will NOT be campaigning on the WP platform. THere will be no WP rallies. No WP flags. LTK, Sylvia etc won’t be helping him.
Therefore, I would appreciate if idiotic people would stop their lame and ignorant calls for Chen Show Mao to run for President.
Please let it not be Nathan again. If he wins by walkover yet again, it would be an absolute mockery. I can’t think of a single person who supports the guy. I think that if he were to stand as a candidate against Tan Cheng Bock or Tan Kin Lian, there is a real possibility that he might lose his deposit. I’m not even kidding. No one likes him, and I mean absolutely no one.
Dear Flaming Fox,
Well Said i totally agree with you….
You are wrong. Nathan will vote for Nathan!!!