Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam has not ruled himself out of contesting the upcoming Presidential Election
By Nigel Tan
Chief Editor
Now that former Foreign Minister George Yeo has ruled himself out of the upcoming Presidential Election, speculation is arife as to who the PAP will back as its candidate for the highest office in Singapore.
Mr Yeo was widely-tipped to be the PAP-backed candidate due to his 23 years of service as a PAP MP. He remains a member of the party’s influential Central Executive Committee, and commands a huge online following amongst young Singaporeans – with close to 90,000 fans on Facebook alone. Many of Mr Yeo’s supporters believe that he will be ideal for the role of President, given his familiarity with diplomatic protocol and the depth of his personal relationships with regional and international leaders cultivated over more than 7 years as Foreign Minister.
In addition, it was believed that Mr Yeo would attract a critical mass of sympathy votes, due to the perception that he was unfairly made to bear the brunt of his party’s unpopularity, losing his seat in the recent general election even though he was far from being the most unpopular PAP leader.
Former Foreign Minister George Yeo will not be contesting the Presidential Election
Now that Mr Yeo has confirmed that he will not be contesting the election, all eyes will be on Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, the former Deputy Prime Minister and current chairman of Singapore Press Holdings.
Like Mr Yeo, Dr Tan is seen as a gentleman, and is widely respected both domestically and overseas. He has not ruled himself out of the contest, but has not collected any eligibility forms or made any efforts to reach out to voters.
Other possible contenders include former cabinet minister Yeo Ning Hong, former Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi and senior diplomat Chan Heng Chee. Other names that have been mooted include the current President, S R Nathan, Temasek Holdings CEO Ho Ching and former Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng.
However, it is unlikely that the PAP will risk fielding either President Nathan, Mdm Ho or Mr Wong, seeing as all three individuals are going to be very unpopular choices who could possibly be defeated if there is a contest. The PAP establishment likely realises that the voters will be wary of voting in a President who has close ties to the PAP, and may instead look to back a candidate who has never been a party member or MP. It is also very certainly aware of the fact that an ex-PAP MP might not necessarily turn out to be a compliant President, given the party’s experience with President Ong Teng Cheong.
It is also possible that the PAP might not back any candidate at all, seeing as an endorsement from the ruling party could work against the candidate’s favour. The electorate is thought to favour a President who is impartial and independent, seeing as it will be his role to serve as the “second key” to Singapore’s reserves and hold the government accountable.
Other possible contenders, including Mr Lim Boon Heng, Professor S Jayakumar and Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed have all ruled themselves out of the running. Thus far, the only two individuals who have declared their intent to contest the election have been Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Mr Tan Kin Lian.
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First, PAP will not let Nathan to be President for another term because the “keeping-silent-but-still-work” behind the scene type of World’s Most Expensive President of 4.2 Million-Dollar a year has laready become a BIG Liability. LHL is not that stupid to let this “gagi buta” jet-setting at Singapore taxpayers’ expense Pre-Sident to stand again.
Tony Tan could not make the mark to be PM. He was out-voted within the PAP cadre when Goh Chok Tong became PM. He cannot become the next Pre-Sident because he has many questions regarding the GIC to answer to the people when the time comes. If he became the Pre-Sident, then his “sins” contributing to the losses of peoples’ money in GIC reckless investment losses in 2007/2008/2009 would be absolved. And LHL would have to answer for it. This is no can do.
I don’t think PAP would put up a present or past PAP member to be President. Nathan was a civil servant – Director SID. So most probably, this time round, another trusted top civil servant would fit the bill. Perhaps, people like Mr Lim Siong Guan or a Malay Guy.
Food for thoughts.
I hope the Elected Presidency does not beome a reward for ex-PAP loyalists who has chosen to retire for their past servitude and obedience to the ruling party.
Please, S R Nathan, please please please (x 10) contest the Presidential election!
You claimed that you have been doing work, so please stand for election and attempt to win a mandate! If you have the guts, if you are man enough, just contest the election and prove to the world that you can command the people’s support despite being unelected for 2 terms!
The reality is that if S R Nathan contests the election, he will be at a serious risk of losing his deposit!
I would prefer Tan Cheng Bock over the other 2 Tans
Don’t vote for Tan Cheng Bock, I know this moron too well. The company he worked for hire more Foreign Talents than the national average. Lots of local talents left the company because they have to spend lots of time solving problems created by those FT, and he can’t even protect his own Ah Tan’s family members’ jobs.
Wonder George Yeo is serious on his decision…..but hopefully this is “army tactic”, and last minute he will move in and wipe out those ugly/greedy old guys who want to be president
Most likely it will be a battle between 3 tans, Tan Cheng Bock, Tan Kin Lian and Tony Tan. With the opposition vote likely to be split, Tony Tan will most likely win.
Good, if that is the case I have no dilemma. Tan Kin Lian it is.
Tony tan pap candidate vs tan Cheng bock loose cannon.
The 3rd tan……tan kin lian will be disqualified for sure one way or other.
The best person for the job is LKY.
Need I say more?
Tony Tan? It was rumoured that he was involved in the LHL vs Dhanabalan “slapping” saga. Apparently he resigned from the cabinet in anger (along with Richard Hu and Dhanabalan himself) because of the way LHL behaved. I wonder if LHL will see Tony Tan as someone he can trust?
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A real pity that George Yeo is not going to contest. He is capable and well-suited for the job. He also has huge popularity amongst the youths. I think he would make a great President but I respect his decision.