Presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian, who has issued statements on the "smear campaign" going on against him, simply needs to get over his paranoia and deal with criticism better
By Tanya Wei
Contributor
Presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian has been going on and on about a supposed “smear campaign” that is being waged against him on the internet. Yesterday, he even told the mainstream media that the boyfriend of one of his ex-employees at NTUC Income had made “malicious statements” about him on several websites, and threatened to take legal action against this anonymous perpetrator.
The “slander” purportedly had to do with Mr Tan’s performance and conduct while he was CEO of NTUC Income. Apparently, he was accused of allowing a “favoured” manager to “traumatise” and “mistreat” this particular ex-employee. In addition, it was alleged that Mr Tan went for daily swims at the swimming pool on the sixth floor of his former office. The interpretation, or at least Mr Tan’s version of it, is that these terrible things he did were scandalous and demonstrates his lack of integrity – so much so that he is unfit for the office of President.
Well, Mr Tan never actually used those words. But you get the idea. He has over-reacted so incredibly that he runs the risk of lending credence to the very same criticisms that he intended to refute. Moreover, he also runs the risk of coming across as petty, seeing as he has made a mountain out of a molehill. Many politicians before him have been called a lot worse things, and many politicians after him will be as well. Even the Prime Minister, along with his two precedessors, have been immune to being called names on the internet. Despite their track record of using libel suits to silence their critics, neither has sued anyone over remarks made over the internet.
As it turns out, the “smear campaign” fell on its own sword anyway, because the swimming pool at the NTUC Income office building is located on the seventh floor. The CEO’s office, once occupied by Mr Tan, is located on the sixth.
And as for the alleged “mistreatment” during Mr Tan’s tenure, let’s get real – he was CEO for thirty years. There were bound to have been employees who felt unfairly treated during this period. Nothing to fuss about, especially when no one accused Mr Tan himself of mistreating her. If I feel unfairly treated by my boss, and my boss happens to be a blue-eyed boy of the CEO, that doesn’t make the CEO a bad person, nor does it imply any wrongdoing on his part. In fact, it would look extremely foolish if I were to hurl criticisms or accusations the CEO of my company just because one of his managers mistreated me. Everyone who has any iota of common sense can see this, so why can’t Mr Tan?
If Mr Tan wants to win over an increasingly sceptical electorate, he needs to demonstrate magnanimity and generosity of heart – not small-minded pettiness. He does not need to reply to every single criticism that is directed towards him, nor does he need to lose any sleep at night just because a handful of people have chosen to express their views on why he should not be elected. This is part and parcel of the public scrunity that comes with being a politician.
His rivals, Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Dr Tony Tan, have been strongly criticised as well – the latter, particularly, on this very website. Neither of them has had to issue statement after statement about a “smear campaign” or any other sort of conspiracy, and certainly neither of them has threatened any lawsuits, even though Dr Tony Tan has apparently not been shy about suing his political opponents in the past. This is campaign season, and both Dr Tans have been focusing on trying to present themselves as dignified, respectable and credible choices for the office of President.
But then again, Dr Tony Tan and Dr Tan Cheng Bock are both seasoned politicians. Both have stood in general elections. Mr Tan Kin Lian has not. But no one is going to cut him any slack just because he is an electoral rookie – as one cabinet minister said, standing for election to be President is quite different from standing for election to be an MP. Singaporeans won’t accept a petty, calculative, pedantic President. We have already shown the PAP that our society has moved on from the vindictive politics of the past.
The SDP candidate, Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, was the victim of a genuine smear campaign during the general election. When he was asked what he would do when he met Dr Vivian Balakrishnan – the man who brought his sexuality into the picture when he really shouldn’t have – he replied that he would “shake his hand and embrace him like a brother”. Now, that’s true magnanimity for you. Tan Kin Lian, who attended and spoke at a few SDP rallies in the lead-up to the general election, clearly ought to take a page out of Dr Wijeysingha’s book.
Mr Tan, there is no conspiracy, nor is there a smear campaign. There are no monsters under your bed. People are just debating their choices, which is an integral part of the democratic process and a sign of how far our society has come. It’s time you got with the program.
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The author is a Singaporean currently pursuing her postgraduate studies in the United States. She was previously a civil servant, but left in search of greener pastures in the private sector because she was disillusioned with the bureaucracy and rigidity within the civil service.
Agreed with all readers, TKL come across as someone petty. A Presidential candidate needs to be humble and gentle in spirit. Relaxed and polite even when the going is tough. We recalled Benjamin Sheares, he is polite and gentle. So is Wee Kim Wee. Singapore does not need a reactive & energetic a President. the gentle spirit with steadfastness in character and resolve. Tony and Cheng Bock, both come across as capable, able and gentle in spirit. With these odds stacked against you, wouldnt it be wise to preserve your reputation for 2016 general elections??.
Dear Mr Tan, just want to let you know that you have many ‘silent supporters’ who are not netizen (therefore not expressing their positive views via internet) nor have the time or money to assist you in this coming PE race (as trying hard to make ends meet). These people include my parents, relatives and friends. We often talked about this PE and 1 thing for sure, all our votes will go to you. We believe you will be the people’s President if elected. There will be negative remarks by those who support others but please do not be disheartened by them, continue to keep your spirit high, we thank you for stepping forward (despite the difficulties) and will pray for your success (for the sake of Singaporean especially those less fortunate one).
I agree with the writer. In his zest to defend himself, what more done over the web, he is seen as defensive and lack strategic acumen. I have written to his blog to tell him about this, I hope he sees beyond petty squirmishes. He really does not need to defend every criticism, he needs to pick his battle. He needs to set his agenda, and get others to respond to his agenda, not the other way round. I see him commenting about everything big or small, all over the place, every where, every time. I am actually quite disappointed by the way he presents himself.
I share the same view as you. As a matter of fact, his style is very similar to Goh Meng Seng. Both of them have the habit of commenting on all matter, even the kacang putih ones.
TKL has the tendency to dislike remarks, even those made out of goodwill, that set contrary to his ‘ideals’. Anything said that is not to his favour will always be bad, and he detest them. My personal opinion is that he is excessively petty too concerned about his image, not that he has a very good one. Birds of the same feather flock together, that is why GMS is helping out to run his presidential campaign. Looking at GMS FB, there are way too many postings of little little insignificant comments. To borrow your words, he is all over cyberspace, engaging in the minutest matters with netizens. Very lacking in BIG outlook. So I reckon TKL is not too far off GMS standard in this aspect. One can read about GMS’ post on TKL campaigning in his blog.
TKL does come across as rather petty in comparison to the other candidates..
Ganesh, you can find the replies to your questions in the statements found in my website, http://www.easyapps.sg/tklep.
Apparently, TKL’s strategist and advisor is GMS.
If he wants to improve his public image, he should really stop listening to GMS advice. Many opposition supporters don’t have a good impression of GMS so it is no surprise that they don’t have a good impression of TKL.
The last thing he wants is to be perceived as the “GMS-backed candidate”.
What is TKL’s relationship with GMS? What is GMS motive in resigning from NSP Sec-Gen post and now becoming TKL election strategist? Is he trying to be a puppet master? Didn’t he promise that if he loses GE2011, he will leave for Hong Kong?
I don’t know TSC motive for this article and the tone.
TKL don’t need enemies if he has a ‘friend’ like you.
I for one don’t see anything wrong with TKL defending or
reacting thus.
TT wouldn’t dare to defend himself about his relationship and actions while with the GIC because its all on record and true. If TT dared to open his mouth, SHIT would flow OUT!
Tony Tan does not need to defend himself because he has the ruling party machinery and the full weight of the MSM to paint a positive image of him. No attempt has been made to go after Tan Cheng Bok because he has many friends in the ruling party. He was a member of GCT’s team. TKL however does not enjoy none of the advantages of his opponents. Hence the need for him to react strongly to adverse comments from people trying to put him in a negative light.
Great gahmen website. Keep up the good work!
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Dear Tanya
Don’t worry. I have a good night’s sleep.
I ignored the comments until many people told me that their friends received e-mails that were being circulated widely and had formed a bad impression of me through these lies.
Many people who do not know me do get influenced by these emails.
Some of the remarks made against me are from people who are supporting other candidates – and I ignore them. I said earlier, you can support other candidates but do not need to insult me.
so sorry for you … but keep going we are counting on you for a a good
representation … keep your spirit and head high
Wow, is that really Tan Kin Lian?
If it is really you, I think your paranoia has really become extreme. Why do you find it necessary to reply to every single negative remark made about you? Why did you tell your supporters on Facebook to post positive remarks whenever they encountered any negative remarks? Don’t you realise that handling criticism is part and parcel of political life? You chose to be a candidate in an election, so why can’t you accept public scrunity? No one accused you of cheating, lying, stealing, killing etc. They simply said you used the swimming pool on the 6th floor (even if you did, so what?) and that fell flat on its face because the swimming pool is actually on the 7th floor. Next, they said that you ‘favoured’ certain managers who in turn treated staff unfairly. Even if you did, so what? Every single manager in the world has their own favoured staff. LKY has his favoured ministers. Teachers have their favoured students. Nothing wrong with that. So why do you need to go all out to defend yourself? Can’t you see that by taking such an extreme approach, you are simply serving to prove the “smears” right?
Tony Tan also was strongly criticised on Satay Club, Temasek Review, sammyboy, CNA forum and more. Did you see him going all out to defend? And also, did you see him threaten to sue anyone?
Mr Tan Kin Lian, please refrain from using threats of lawsuits. You have tried to distance yourself from the PAP. Yet you are using the oldest trick in the PAP play book that even the PAP doesn’t dare to use anymore. As a PAP cadre for 30 years, don’t tell me you can’t understand why the PAP is so hated? So since you were an insider and you know what mistakes they made, why are you still repeating those mistakes despite having severed ties with PAP?
I hope this provides you with some feedback.. just my two cents.
Mr Tan
Can you please clarify the following once and for all:
1) As a PAP cadre for over 30 years, why have you decided to suddenly quit the party and openly challenge it?
2) What role is Goh Meng Seng playing in your campaign? Is he the chief campaign strategist as speculated? Are you endorsed by NSP?
3) Why did you speak at NSP and SDP rallies during GE 2011 campaign, but not other parties like WP or SPP? What is your personal party affiliation? How close are you to NSP and SDP leaders? Do they back your candidacy?
4) Why are you now trying to represent the “opposition” even though you were a PAP member for so long?
5) Why are you seeking donations of $200k? What is the money going to be spent on? Will you give a full public account of the expense? If you intend to take up lawsuits against the ex-employee who defamed you, will this be using your own money or the campaign money?
6) Do you own 8 properties, as speculated by certain people on the sammyboy forum?
If you are doing all this because of GMS advice, may I humbly suggest you start making up your own mind and ignore GMS. He is not exactly the most well-liked politician. You are better off getting LTK or Sylvia to advise you.
If elected, will you be appointing GMS to the Presidential council of advisers?
Kin Lian, don’t worry. We will support you. Have confidence and don’t give up. Politics is not an easy game. But if you persevere, the fruits of victory will be sweet.
Yes, just ignore this writer… who apparently is unable to understand the circumstances. TT has the whole PAP machinery to back him. If this guy is slandering against TT, one cannot imagine if he would already be hung by the balls by TT.
Freedom of speech goes along with responsibility. Without responsibility, it becomes and abuse which should rightly be checked.
I’m not too sure who’s “ma[king] a mountain out of a molehill” here.
If one had read the newspaper report carefully, one would have realised it was not Tan Kin Lian who gave the interview.
The report was written based on a post that Tan Kin Lian made on his blog. This makes sense because he was responding, on the Internet, to allegations made about him on the Internet.
The writer of this article may also want to take a step back and consider the possible reasons behind AsiaOne’s decision to publish the article too, of which there might be many, such as:
* Slow news day, hence an article based on a blog post without reinforced quotes or clarification via an interview?
* An attempt to give somewhat equal coverage of all potential PE candidates?
* Or… to give readers the same impression that the writer has of Tan Kin Lian now?
After all has been said and done, however, I’m personally questioning the reasons why the writer chose to write about this subject and frame the subject in this manner too…
Not to mention that Asia One is under SPH. You know who heads SPH?
Well put.
I know Mr Tan and he prefers to ignore negative comments and prefers to emphasise the positive. In this case, the instigator has been repeating the one-sided allegation in many forums. Surely a response is not out of order.
If TKL he does not have the temperament to be President, so is Tony Tan.
Perceptions, particularly intentional smears aimed at hurting someone’s reputation, may go wrong if left un-attended. TKL’s policy of engagement may be right.
If attacks are on work matters and HR policies, probably it is OK to leave un-engaged. If it is on “characters”, I believe even a honest layman would jump if attacks are untrue.
Given TKL’s strong “values” driven personality, better not try …..
I won’t be surprised if TKL finally withdraws from the race citing one of the following reasons
(a) The so-called smear campaign was affecting his family (try to look like a victim)
(b) Singaporeans failed to raise enough funds for his campaign (try to look betrayed)
(c) Give way to Tan Cheng Bock to avoid a three-cornered fight (try to look generous)
Tan Kin Lian is paranoid and has a very petty character. He really needs to get over his ego. The allegations made against him are not exactly earth shattering. Basically, he is just proving his critics correct… he does not have the temperament to be President.
The slur is obvious and definitely motivated by either the TCB or TT sides. I don’t see anything wrong with TKL responding the way he does. He is basically giving notice to that malicious character assassin that if he don’t desist, he will be in for the big jump. Fair warning by all account.
Why should TKL allow such liberties? If he gives that joker an inch he would demand a yard.
Don’t change my support for TKL one bit for the info of that assassin.