Tan Jee Say, who was a SDP candidate at the May general election, is the first Presidential candidate with strong and direct links to the opposition
By Philip Chew
Contributor
Singapore’s inner-circle establishment elites might have been forgiven for thinking that they had the Presidential Election all figured out with the entry of Dr Tony Tan into the race.
But Tan Jee Say has thrown a spanner in the works by announcing his intention to run for the Presidency, in a move that may politicise the Presidential Election in a way that the ruling People’s Action Party might not have been prepared for.
Up until now, all the frontrunners – Dr Tony Tan, Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Mr Tan Kin Lian – have been, in some way or another, linked to the PAP. Dr Tony Tan was a former Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Tan Cheng Bock was a PAP MP for 26 years, and Mr Tan Kin Lian was a PAP cadre member for 30 years, even though the latter two have been trying hard to distance themselves from the ruling party and portray themselves as independent.
Mr Tan Jee Say, however, stood as a candidate for the opposition Singapore Democratic Party in the General Election earlier this year. He is the first of the Presidential hopefuls to have direct links to an opposition party, and in his press statement to announce his candidacy, accused the PAP of losing its “moral compass”. Despite the constitutional limitations of the role of President, Mr Tan feels that the President should be someone with the “moral authority” to “prick the government’s conscience”.
Specifically, he took issue with the rising cost of living, high ministerial salaries, liberal immigration policies and the building of the two integrated resorts, citing them as examples of the PAP having failed the country. His statement read:
“It is time we prick their conscience, even if it means reminding them again and again. A President directly elected by the people will have the moral authority to remind them of their lapses. The President shall be the conscience of the nation.”
The current election rules require all Presidential candidates to be independent, with no affiliation to any political party. The other candidates have indicated that they want the election to be a “dignified” affair, with a contrast between the capabilities of individual candidates taking precedence over their political views – especially since the government has repeatedly emphasised that the President has no capacity to pursue his own political agenda nor any role in the policy-making process.
However, the entry of Mr Tan Jee Say in the race may result in the contest being framed as a political one, with a direct “PAP vs Opposition” theme that would be reminiscent of the recently-concluded General Election. As a result, Mr Tan Kin Lian and to some extent Dr Tan Cheng Bock may also be under pressure to justify their “opposition” credentials more directly, in order to avoid the risk of being perceived as fence-sitters.
As a result, things could get uncomfortable for the PAP, seeing as they have to date failed to capitalise on the goodwill built up as a result of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s apology and promise of reform during the General Election campaign.
In the two months that have passed since the election, public housing prices continued to spiral out of control, with HDB Design-Build-and-Sell Scheme (DBSS) flats being offered for as high as $880,000. In addition, the impending public transport price hike has also not been received well, particularly because service standards have not seen much improvement in recent years. Voters may want to deal the PAP another blow by electing a President who will serve to check the government’s power; in fact, some netizens have expressed that they will vote for the candidate who is most likely to “create trouble” for the PAP.
Of course, there is always the option of disqualifying Mr Tan Jee Say, in case he proves to be too much for the establishment to handle. Strictly speaking, Mr Tan does not meet the stringent criteria set by the Presidential Elections Act. Candidates are required to have served as a minister, permanent secretary, chief justice, attorney-general, accountant-general, or chairman or CEO of a company with $100 million paid-up capital.
Strictly speaking, Mr Tan did not hold any of the aforementioned positions. However, he was the Managing Director (equivalent to CEO) of John Govett Asia Private Limited, an asset management firm operating under a license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The company did not have a paid-up capital of $100 million, as the MAS did not require them to do so. However, Mr Tan managed more than $100 million in assets – which, in his opinion, is equivalent to having paid-up capital of $100 million. Even so, the Presidential Elections Committee will have final discretion as to whether or not to approve his candidacy.
If the committee decides to disqualify him, however, there could be a significant backlash, with votes swinging away from the establishment’s choice of candidate – Dr Tony Tan. As such, Mr Tan Jee Say’s entry into the Presidential Election race is more than the PAP establishment bargained for, and they will now have their hands full trying to figure out how best they can manage the delicate situation.
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Mr Tan Jee Say,an economist,thinks differently.
Unfortunately with my knowledge I am not able to say whether his economic proposal can work.
I am very interested to see a debate on this important,of course I know PAP has write him off as this economist knows nothing.
But he was a scholar trained in a top university,he is better than me and many Singapore citizens.I will like to hear how smart people can counter his proposal and debate with him face to face.
Everything is just pointing at one major question. What is Tan Jee Say’s motive for standing for election first as a SDP candidate and now as a SDP-endorsed independent presidential candidate??
could it be that he was dissatisfied that he was not promoted in the civil service? After ex-PM Goh Chok Tong said that he could not make it as a permanent secretary? Or could it be that he was not selected to be a PAP MP?
Why does he have such a big axe to grind with the PAP?
I think ppl like u are talking nonsense. He is so brave to stand up for singaporeans. What is there to grind about pap than a genuine heart to lead Singapore to the right direction as a moral leader which pap has brought upon us for decades? Please think logically.
I think Singaporeans do not want a PAP president, but I also think Singaporeans do not want a SDP president.
The president must be neutral and non partisan.
Although TJS is non PAP, he is very closely linked to SDP. It may work against him.
Nani, can you stop insulting non PAP people? It is clear you are extremely pro PAP, seeing you have posted so many pro PAP comments in many different articles. Maybe you were hired or just ignorant.
So anyone who is pro-PAP is either “hired” or “ignorant”? The 60.1% of voters who voted for the PAP were either “hired” or “ignorant”? Please don’t be under any illusions, the PAP is the party that commands MAJORITY support in Singapore. Like I said many times before, the sentiments on the internet are different from the sentiments on the ground. The silent majority of PAP supporters are quietly going about their own affairs and most of them are not active on the internet, but that does NOT make their views any less important.
It is simply childish that all these pro-opposition netizens claim that anyone who is objective or pro-PAP is either “hired”, a “mole”, “linked to PAP” or simply “ignorant”.
By the way, I am not extremely pro-PAP. I disagree with some PAP policies too. I am just against irresponsibility and Tan Jee Say is someone who is irresponsible. That’s all. I am anti-anyone who wants to make use of Singapore and Singaporeans to further their own agenda.
“Agenda” is such a PAP word. Just saying.
I think you are very navie as you said PAP has majority suport in Singapore. My friends vote for PAP because they are afraid. If they have a fair election then result will shows. 1. remove the serial numbers (most civil servant fear most)
2. remove GRC
3. fair coverage by local newspapers
4. no money hand oot before election (senior citizen like the money handout.
Then you must set your myopic eyes on the PAP instead of TJS who has not accumulated anything by decit and who has not caused untold hardship to original Singaporeans.
Which planet are you from ? I suspect you are NOT a Singaporean
Nani is an elitist from ACS(I) and drives a BMW and lives in Grange Road. He bragged about his Grange Road condo and also revealed his salary a long time ago. Nani, do you dare reveal your salary publicly once again please?
There is no way he can emphathise with the average Singaporean. To him, whatever you say here, is just rubbish “noises” regardless of whether you have a point or not. To him, he want only to maintain the status quo because he is afraid of losing his privileges.
Tan Jee Say has stated that he had an economic plan that would cost $60billion to implement. He also stated that he is aware of the limitations of the ceremonious office of president. He said that he wants to know if there is indeed $60 billion in the reserves if at all. He did not say that he is standing for president to draw $60 billion for a plan which we all know needs many levels of approval and clearance, if at all it is to be implemented. The reserves are safe. How much is there really is a mystery to be solved.
Liz, again I have to ask you, what is it exactly that you want?
You don’t want a PAP president, does this mean you think it’s OK to have a SDP president?
Do you think it’s ok for the president to be openly pro-SDP and champion SDP’s causes like gay rights, while deliberately making trouble for the PAP? And this would be fair?
You want the President to cause trouble by demanding to know how much is in our reserves? Let me ask you, why does the President need to know? Why does anyone need to know? We have a system where the government MUST be self-sufficient during each 5 year term. It must generate enough revenue for its whole budget during those 5 years and no money can be drawn from the reserves without the President’s permission.
Isn’t that robust enough for you?
Or do you just want a political president who will sabotage the system?
Tony Tan resigned from PAP to stand for elections.
Dr Tan Cheng Bok resigned to stand for elections.
Tan Jee Say resigned from SDP to stand for elections.
Let Singaporeans decide.
Taufik,
How is asking questions trouble? If the PAP is honest and above board, all they need to do is provide the evidence. It will speak for itself.
Yes, Tan Jee Say resigned from SDP to contest elections but don’t forget he contested in the GE 2011 under SDP. Tony Tan and Tan Cheng Bock did not contest in GE 2011 under PAP. So, there is no way that Tan Jee Say is independent. Alot of people are saying that they want a “non PAP” candidate. Why is it that they are then OK with a SDP candidate? An SDP candidate is not an independent candidate. Are there any doubts as to who is backing Tan Jee Say? Who will be providing him with the campaign support? Of course, it is the party which he used to belong!
But they did in previous elections and they too resigned from PAP not long ago.
Don’t you think it will be the same with the other three ? and from who’s grip Singaporeans are trying to free themselves from ?
@ Taufik:
Salaam Alaikum to you! Good to see another voice of reason on this site. I suspect that there are many SDP and WP moles on this site but at least it is not as bad as TR. Our system has been built up over many years and it has served us well. Today, Singapore is one of the most stable countries in the world. We cannot allow people like Liz to push their own hidden agenda to divide Singaporeans. We can’t compromise all the hard work that we have put in to build up our country. Political partisanship is divisive, but what is even worse is adopting populist policies that prey on the people’s ignorance just to score political points.
Nani, I have no hidden agenda. The only agenda I have is to see a Singapore that puts Singaporeans first. I want to a country where the young will enjoy the education that inspires them to do their best to realise their potential. I don’t want students mugging for grades and feeling empty and cheated when they lose out in the University admissions process to PRC students who could hardly construct an intelligible sentence in English. I want them to find viable careers here and not migrate never to return and leave their parents sad and lonely. Now, is that an insidious agenda? Anybody?
By the way, I don’t even flatter myself into thinking that I have the power, even remotely to DIVIDE Singaporeans. No.
Nani, thanks.
You are right. Singapore is one of the most stable countries in the world due to our unique system of democracy. As Tony Tan described it is “win” for PAP, “win” for opposition and “win” for people. The critics who are slamming this system are mainly western-influenced. We are Asian society. I see no reasons why we must be forced to conform to Western definition of democratic society. We are no longer a colony.
This “we are an Asian society” is a racist view espoused by our politicians because it suits them. Think about it.
If elected (though this is not likely), Tan Jee Say will cause a constitutional crisis. Everyone in Singapore knows that the President is not supposed to make policy. Tan Jee Say knows that too. Yet, he wants to pander to the ignorant masses by promising them all kinds of things that he cannot implement. Foreign workers? Cost of living? Ministers’ salary? That is all BEYOND the scope of the President. The President is there to safeguard the reserves and approve important public service appointments. The role of the President is similar to the British Queen. HM the Queen has overseen a transition from Conservative to Labour and back to Conservative governments. She did NOT try to influence public policy in any way. That is why she is well respected. Because she is neutral! I cannot imagine Tan Jee Say being neutral when he is quite clearly pro-SDP and anti-PAP. Some ignorant voters say “I will vote for the candidate who makes life tough for the PAP”. This is going to hurt the country badly because it will prevent the government from functioning and cause a political crisis. By suggesting to them that he can be an “alternative” policy voice, Tan Jee Say is a traitor. He is deeply irresponsible. In today’s Straits Times he talked about his $60 billion economic plan. What he needs to state is that he CANNOT implement this plan as President because the President cannot implement ANY economic plans!! However, he refuses to state this. This is deeply irresponsible and misleading!
He is using the people of Singapore to further his own selfish political ends.
This is why he is venal, sly and duplicitous, and even worse, he is a highly dangerous person who needs to be stopped at all costs!
I would like to see another constituitional crisis. One that would result in a Singapore that is more transparent, with true check and balance.
I said ‘another crisis’ because the constituition was always in a crisis when one dominant party is able to change it at will, as they see fit.
I’m not sure what you’ve been reading, but…
He doesn’t say he wants to implement it himself, but rather that he would support the government if they wanted to do so. It’s not the same thing…
By the way lots of people don’t respect the Queen’s role. And if they do, it’s most certainly not because she’s neutral. This is a strawman argument
You waited for this for many years. You know sometimes the fight is long, hard and bitter. You have suffered many a slight and opportunities have passed you by. They were good at their game and they could make the people cower to them. Once in a while, you regained your hope only to lose it again and again. They paid well, some said. They built fast, a few praised. They are indispensable, others claimed. They are the best, the majority decided. There were many days and nights you have looked up and with a sad heavy heart and agonised: When will things change? Will the manipulators never suffer defeat? Will they ever get their just desserts? And all alone, you pine away in a system in which you can exercise a choice but are powerless to effect a change. They say the odds were 60/40. And the odds never favoured you while the majority always failed you. This time there is a glimmer of hope. A man has stepped forward–he was with them, but he was not one of them. He knows them well, yet is different from them. He was disloyal, they accused. He was not really good enough, his former master opined. I did my best, he affirmed. He was led astray, the majority insisted. We stood for the people, he countered. He was pro-gay, some griped. They too are people, he reminded. Oh you lost, some jeered. But we returned from oblivion, he recounted. Today he left his party to take a path that may reward him with the duty to serve a country in ways never before known. Life seldom gives second chances and even if it did, people seldom accepted a detractor. Today, Tan Jee Say has asked for the chance to traverse a path that offers more hurdles than headways. He may be sincere, he may be right, but will people choose him to fight for their side? I wish him success to journey’s end. In this battle of the Tans, his quest is not going to be easy. Yet, if I were to choose one, I will choose him.
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Wrt the rise in public transport fares to me is primarily about obscene profits reported by these companies at the expense of the public. Earlier this year one of them reported a 50+% increase in profit as compared to last year. In my opinion this level of profit is disgusting. LKY himself said for an investor to invest they would need a minimum of 8% returns on investment. This being the case I will be generous and say that these “public service” companies should not exceed 15% year on year profits. Even with the rise in operating costs they do not need another increase in fares so that they can maintain their 50% profit increase for next year.
@Nani – “venal, sly and duplicitous”,
There you go again…you’ve outdone yourself this time with 3 adjectives at one go to degrade (slander even?) the man! So tell me, are you here just to flaunt your vocabulary skills rather than offer a decent open minded view?
Now there is a TAN Dynasty for Presidency against the LEE Dynasty of PM and MM.
I hope that TKL,TCB or TJS gets elected.
This is 100 percent better than having a PAP backed candidate.
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All the talk about qualifying and disqualifying the candidates may have missed an important point……all the members of the committee vetting the candidates must declare their political affiliations to any political party…past and present…to ensure there is fairness in making the decision.
Just as the candidates must not belong to any political party, I believe all the committee members must similarly NOT be members of a politica party.
Tan Jee Say is venal, sly and duplicitous. He is not someone who should be trusted. How can he claim to be independent when he was an SDP candidate in the GE? None of the other 3 candidates contested in the GE under any party banner. Tan Jee Say is trying to push his own selfish agenda and will do anything to achieve his ends. Everyone could see that his SDP association was no more than a marriage of convenience. He and Chee Soon Juan made very strange bedfellows. How can we trust such a person?
Is there any question as to whom you (Nani) can only trust? No one else but your beloved PAP.
Nani,
It’s time for your evening worshipping prayers to LKY.
Don’t miss your timing, you won’t dare offend your great one. If not you will regret and repent.
Can we trust Tony Tan? Look at his relationship with Lee Kuan Yew:
http://veritas-lux.blogspot.com/2011/06/nepotism-cronyism-1-how-tony-tan-is.html
People have said that they are wary of electing a PAP president.
But we should be wary of electing an SDP president too. TJS is openly associated with SDP. It means that his views will mainly be associated with SDP’s policies. Do we want a president who is pro-gay, pro-minimum wage, pro-welfare, pro-street demonstrations?
Nobody who seek a political office is completely free from political association. One that is not known to ever express a political view is probably unknown to voters. How is such a one to seek office?
So the reality is, we have to select according to their manifesto and their ability and suitability for that office in the present climate.
So it is not unreasonable that voters are vary of someone who is closely associated with the PAP at this point in history.
So this is what we are faced with now:
Tony Tan: 100% PAP, 0% Opposition
Tan Cheng Bock: 50% PAP, 0% Opposition
Tan Kin Lian: 30% PAP, 70% Opposition
Tan Jee Say: 0% PAP, 100% Opposition
Interesting to see the whole spectrum
Sorry I meant Tan Cheng Bock is 50% PAP 50% Opposition
This is great news for all Singaporeans. The other 3 Tans all have links to the PAP. This Tan has no links to the PAP at all, in fact he is openly from the SDP camp. Tan Kin Lian is in trouble now because Tan Jee Say will take away all the opposition votes. TKL is in an awkward position now due to his negative PR (caused mainly by himself). If TJS really wins over the 40% opposition voters, TKL could lose his deposit!