Tan Kin Lian risks losing the support of the pro-opposition bloc because of perceptions that he is unreceptive towards criticism
By Tanya Wei
Contributor
Presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian, who just one month ago was seen as the overwhelming choice for most opposition supporters because of his promise to be a “People’s President” and to speak up for ordinary citizens, is fast losing support because of perceptions that he is petty, egotistical and is intolerant of criticism.
Mr Tan, who spoke at rallies held by the National Solidarity Party and Singapore Democratic Party during the general election campaign in May, has been openly associated with former NSP leader Goh Meng Seng and has criticised many government policies even though he was once a long-serving PAP cadre member. He shot to prominence in the aftermath of the financial crisis because of the advocacy work he did with victims of the Lehman Brothers mini-bonds saga, arguing that investors should be compensated by banks who sold them the investment products without adequately explaining the risks.
It was widely believed that Mr Tan would be the favoured candidate of opposition supporters because he would provide an independent voice against the PAP-led establishment – especially since the other two candidates, Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Dr Tony Tan, were both former PAP MPs. His popularity shot through the roof when he pledged to donate more than half of his salary if elected.
However, Mr Tan has since been involved in spats with several netizens, accusing them of “smearing” or “discrediting” him with false rumours. He even threatened to take legal action against someone who criticised his conduct while he was the CEO of NTUC Income, even though the “smears” merely alleged that he had shown favour to a particular manager who in turn treated certain staff members badly.
One forumer on the popular Sammyboy Forum, who goes by the nickname “scroobal”, has started several threads on why he does not believe that Mr Tan should be elected as President. In particular, he expressed his opinion that Mr Tan was trying to play down his past association with the PAP, and that Mr Tan’s over-reaction to online criticism reflected poorly on him.
More recently, Mr Tan wrote to Ravi Philemon, the editor of The Online Citizen, expressing his pleasure and accusing Mr Philemon of “taking a stand” against him. Mr Philemon vehemently denied writing anything to discredit Mr Tan, saying that he only reported the opinions of others who had criticised Mr Tan.
As someone who aspires to hold the highest elected office in Singapore, and who is prepared to contest a three-cornered election battle in order to do so, it is genuinely shocking that Mr Tan is completely unable to tolerate or withstand criticism. The other two candidates have also had mud slung in their direction in the past month or so, but they have not found it necessary to try and refute every single criticism that has been made against them.
Mr Tan has also allegedly exercised heavy-handed censorship on his own blog and social media pages – users have reported that individuals have been banned for posting negative comments about him, and at least one was openly rebuked by him and told to stop visiting the website.
Because his inability to handle criticism has come across as petty, Mr Tan has alienated many voters, and risks losing the support of the pro-opposition voting bloc. If Mr Tan truly wants to show that he has what it takes to be a “People’s President”, then he must first of all demonstrate that he is receptive to different views, even if some of these views are critical.
If he blocks out the voices of dissent and listens only to the sounds that he wants to hear, then he will be not that much different from the PAP after all – despite his repeated assertions that he has no association with the party.
–
“Tide turns against Tan Kin Lian” becomes “Tide turns against Tanya Wei” in Temasek Review Emeritus.
Read :-
http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/07/12/tide-turns-against-tan-kin-lian/
@Bad Character “Just look at this rationally. TKL is the only one issuing threats about suing people if they criticise him.”
There is hell alot of difference in meaning between the words “critise” vs “smear” on a person’s character or even “libel”.
It is distasteful to criticise when one can’t even understand what he means or is writing.
Sorry for the typo…“criticise” vs “smear” on a person’s character or even “libel”.
Just look at this rationally. TKL is the only one issuing threats about suing people if they criticise him. That is a fact. No other Presidential candidates have threatened netizens with defamation suits. It’s so ironical because such defamation suits to silence dissidents are the hallmark of PAP. Also, I don’t like the sneaky ways he try to discredit other candidates, for instance, telling the media he wants to talk to TCB to ask him to step down. He thought the netizens would rally behind him and pressure TCB to step down? And also indirectly saying that those critical elements are TCB supporters, insinuating that TCB has a smear team. I thought that was so underhanded and scheming. I thought both TCB and TT has played a cleaner game so far.
Is Tanya Wei even a real person? I’ve been Googling her for the last hour but I can’t find anything substantial to prove her existence or credibility as a writer.
Until she or The Satay Club can supply proof that Tanya Wei can be relied upon, I’m gonna just assume that this article, along with all her other articles (past and future), are rubbish.
@ Crispy
You said earlier :-
“almost all of TKL posts on FB and his blog, he makes references to “his supporter”.
“Could it be that this mystery “supporter” is in fact Goh Meng Seng?”
“Will NSP endorse TKL candidacy soon?”
Now you say :-
Did TKL instruct his supporters to come here and spam this page with pro-TKL comments that are actually just parroting his official party line?
Why do you use the words “parroting his official party line” when TKL does not belong to any political party…which party are you referring to and why do you wish to confuse others? You are saying with your own words or implying that all pro-TKL supporters belong to NSP due to GMS’s personal support for TKL. This is a wrong message which you constured in your own mind. I am surprised that you then ask TKL to explain your “own mind”.
I think you should explain your imagination and justify it before you express it here.
What is with this flood of manufactured pro-TKL posts?
Did TKL instruct his supporters to come here and spam this page with pro-TKL comments that are actually just parroting his official party line?
Can someone please answer whether or not TKL was suggesting that TCB set up a smear team to discredit him? As that seems to be exactly what TKL was trying to imply when he made his original comment on this page, which is still there for all to see.
TKL, if that is what you are suggesting, please say it openly and don’t hint here and there. Just state your true intentions. Can someone just clarify whether or not TKL is accusing TCB of orchestrating a smear campaign? It’s a simple yes or no question. If the answer is no, maybe TKL would like to clarify his comment?
Crispy,
I believe what TKL has said is that people who are smearing him tend to support TCB. This in way means this is a TCB smear team. More likely these are over-zealous grassroots people who support TCB but act independently. Another possibility is the army of unhappy insurance agents, who were deprived of their juicy fees when TKL opened multiple NTUC Income centres around town to allow people to buy insurance directly, bypassing the agents.
Sorry, a typo. I meant, this in NO way means this is a TCB smear team.
How credible is your headline?
From word of mouth among friends and colleagues, TKL seems to have more supporters than the other 2 Tans.
Everyone has his shortcomings. So far TKL seems to have handled his criticisms quite well.
You must be kidding
your a sad arse pinoy
Hear, hear!
It doesn’t matter whether Tan Kin Lian was not the best of boss when working in the NTUC.
It doesn’t matter that he WAS a member of the PAP.
What matters is that for the last few years Tan Kin Lian provided an alternate voice to the PAP, stood up for those who were sold the toxic Lehman Brothers mini-bonds.
With the PAP government having control over 90% of the parliament, the candidate who is furthest from the PAP gets my vote.
Dear Rational,
As your moniker suggests, you’re supposed to be rational. Here’s the definition of the word:
1. reasonable or sensible,
2. using reason or logic in thinking out a problem,
3. capable of reasoning, man is a rational being, and
4. sane, rational behaviour.
Supporting a Presidential candidate based solely on the fact that he’s “furthest from the PAP” is, IMHO, NOT rational. In fact, it’s downright irresponsible and dangerous.
Yes, he “stood up for those who were sold the toxic Lehman Brothers mini-bonds”, but did he follow through on this matter to the end? And what has he done to be the “alternative voice to the PAP”, pray tell?
Time to be a bit more rational here, no?
@ Daikon77. Tan Kin Lian did not claim to represent opposition voters. This is completely untrue. He wants to represent fellow Singaporeans – and be their voice to the Government. Furthermore, you have made several unfair criticisms about Tan Kin Lian, which is unbecoming.
crispy,
TKL has actually clarified about his rally speech. It’s in his blog, if you care enough to avail yourself. Surely a rational approach is to check before you speak. Otherwise, it’s not only ill-informed statements you are making, it’s also unfair. TKL is in it out of a desire to serve.
What about, TT and TCB? Anyone asking about or questioning their motives? You and the other detractors here are showing your bias very clearly to others. I don’t believe you have to actually like a person or expect him to be perfect to support him as long as he shows credibility for the job. If you ask me I think TT is NOT committed at all from whatever limited statements he has made so far. There is simply NO substance in what he has said. The fact that he is in the middle of an area of great controversy – the GIC losses – makes him an extremely unsuitable candidate to represent us as president. If you vote him in you are sending a clear message that you support him and his fellow PAP leaders in what they have done. Think carefully I would advise.
Do you want another Nathan?
@ crispy
“Most importantly, could he clarify what role GMS is playing in his election campaign? And if this “supporter” is in fact GMS, why he has to refer to him as a supporter, and not just state “My friend Goh Meng Seng told me _________”?
Will NSP endorse TKL candidacy soon?”
TKL’s message about political affiliation is very clear during the Q&A session after yesterday’s press conference. He also has a statement “Reach out to all Singaporeans” in the campaign website and his Facebook page.
“I wish to reach out to all Singaporeans, regardless of the party that they supported in the general election. I wish to connect with Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasians and other ethnic groups as well as the new citizens, and to the older and the younger generations.”
TKL for President Web-site Link :- http://www.tkl2011.com/Information.aspx
TKL Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=158926897513304
It is funny that the article mentions scroobal as if it is some kind of reliable source. Want to know more about him/her? Just Google for “scroobal”.
Here are a couple of links:
http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?9924-Real-motives-of-Scroobal-the-perpetual-OUTRIGHT-LIAR
http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?17624-Beware-of-Scroobal
In almost all of TKL posts on FB and his blog, he makes references to “his supporter”. This “supporter” seems to be the source of his information and intelligence on the ground. He always beings a comment with “according to my supporter” or “my supporter told me”. I think many people are very curious and intrigued as to WHO exactly this supporter is. Since TKL claims that he is a completely independent candidate, I am naturally concerned that he seems to be influenced quite heavily by this “supporter”. Is there someone controlling TKL from behind the scenes? Many have said that Goh Meng Seng is TKL election strategist. Could it be that this mystery “supporter” is in fact Goh Meng Seng?
If this is the case, basically all aspect of TKL campaign is being planned by GMS. Is GMS making use of TKL as his proxy to further his own agenda?
Why is it that when TKL made some suggestions, a few days later NSP announced that it will be supporting similar proposals in terms of its policy manifesto… which is coincidentally in line with what TKL said?
Why did TKL appear on stage at NSP rallies during the GE to give speeches?
Could TKL elaborate more on the nature of his relationship with NSP and whether he has ever attended any party meetings?
Most importantly, could he clarify what role GMS is playing in his election campaign? And if this “supporter” is in fact GMS, why he has to refer to him as a supporter, and not just state “My friend Goh Meng Seng told me _________”?
Will NSP endorse TKL candidacy soon?
Pingback: Daily SG: 8 Jul 2011 « The Singapore Daily
@ DML “He owns the aggregator http://www.easyapps.sg/sgep/Latest.aspx…”
This SgEP portal started as the Singapore General Election Portal (SGEP) which was an aggregator of GE 2011 News. After GE 2011, we had since re-named it as the Singapore Social-Economic Portal (SgEP).
This portal provides a convenient place for Singaporeans to read about the social, economic and political issues in Singapore.
As noted :-
Any person who wish to contribute materials relevant to this website can send the material by e-mail to sgeportal@gmail.com. Contributors have to provide their particulars to the editor (for verification) but can request for a pen name to be used.
The articles need not be on the Presidential Election 2011.
It’s best to do your own due diligence. Go ask anyone who’s ever worked for TKL when he was head honcho of NTUC Income and you’ll learn that he’s a super-duper anal micro-manager, an attention monger (all ads has him in it), and has an ego so big you can’t put your arms around it (hence he can’t take dissenting views well).
I’ve also had the displeasure of meeting with him several times in the past and he came across as someone who is totally arrogant (he was still head honcho NTUC Income then). Can you imagine how he’ll be like if he got elected President? Heaven forbid!
Remember, this is also a man who bit the hand that fed him. And he took FULL ADVANTAGE of the Lehman situation to get back into the limelight (something that he craves for a lot but could no longer get as he was no longer head honcho NTUC Income then)
Would you like to have a turncoat become your president? Personally, I don’t. And having met the man, I am totally convinced that he really shouldn’t hold office of any kind.
Scroobal, is that you?
Who’s Scroobal? And no, I’m not him or it – sorry to disappoint
hi,
We have a great earful on stuffs from you guys against him.
It makes me wonder if you all are not ganging up against him
because he is the most credible of the 3 candidates in terms
of motivation to contest? The other two, esp. TT is so clearly
doing it because he has been ‘ASSIGNED’ by you know who
because it is only too obvious from his body language and his
glibly uttered words specially chosen to sound big but empty!
He talks about knowing our motivation and what concerns us!
You mean after so many decades and esp. the past few years
he still pretend that he don’t know? That is BS, when he himself
has had a hand in it. he is part and parcel of the team that has
made life what it is for us and this is the SPH man who would
have us believe he sincerely don’t know, when he is in charge
of the very instrument that controls the propaganda that is
spread with the pages of his newspaper everyday?
Truth is stranger than fiction!
That guy is full of hot air and I am not impressed with him at all. I have seen him in some TV forums and conclude he is just parroting off what other participants offered. If he claims to want to speak up for S’poreans, why did he not run for the last 2 GEs? I sense he is more an opportunist than anything, why only talk so much after he left NTUC? Which fits the mould of others who similarly are throwing stones after leaving that glass house. The EP is a joke, don’t take it seriously.
Actually it was worse.
He owns the aggregator http://www.easyapps.sg/sgep/Latest.aspx and it was ignoring articles not favourable to him. Only recently has this changed. This article appears there but if it had been written months ago, it would have been ignored.
Taz his pettiness and sense of fair play.
I am not a TKL supporter. I have yet to make a decision as to who I should vote for. Any objective bystander would note Satay Club’s enthusiasm for publishing unflattering articles concerning TKL. Satay Club should lighten up and try to look at the positives and negatives of all candidates running for the presidency.
Tanya Wei
I wish you had written to me to seek clarifications before you post your criticism of me. If you read the comments in my blog and facebook, you will find people who disagree with me, and their views are still posted. But they do so fairly and put their points in a cordial manner.
I have a few regular visitors to my blog and facebook who post views primarily to insult and mock me – and they do it persistently. My friends have identified some of these people to be supporters of another candidate (which is why I suspect the existence of a smear team). I have banned them from my blog and facebook – but ignore them if they post their views elsewhere.
I normally do not bother with smears against me posted in some websites – as few right minded people visit these websites anyway. When the smearer sends out mass emails to other people – it is a different matter. I get messages from friends who said that their friends received the e-mails and formed a negative opinion about me after reading the lies and fabrications. I just wanted to remind the smearer that the action is defamatory (quite apart from being unfair).
I loath legal action – and fortunately, the smearing has heeded my message and stopped the malicious action.
I do not wish to pass any comments about Ravi Philemon, who used to be my friend. I will let other people judge him.
To you Tanya, I like to ask you to consider your own role in this matter. I hope that you will be right minded and do not encourage people who abuse the internet to further their bad intentions.
Tan Kin Lian:
Your paranoia seems to be growing worse by the day. Are you suggesting that Tan Cheng Bock has set up a team and instructed them to post negative remarks about you? Because this seems to be what you are hinting at, but you won’t say it outright. Instead you are relying on vague insinuations. This is a serious allegation and I think it is irresponsible of you to say that you “suspect” the existence of a smear team and then attribute it to “another candidate” without naming who it is. We all know what you are getting at here. You asked Tanya to direct all criticisms at you before posting it publicly. Well, have you clarified with Tan Cheng Bock privately regarding this so-called smear team? Why are you accusing him of such acts without proof?
Kin Lian – this contributor to Satay Club apparently has knives for you, so you should just ignore such writers. Your supporters and people who really know you will write in to rebut writer with such low integrity. I don’t see this writer doing any piece on TT ot TCB when there are so many negatives about them, so it is obvious why she is writing as such.
It is apparent that there are different views on you blog but the writer chose to ignore. I myself have written differing views there but note your request to be cordial and non personal.
To you, I suggest you ignore this writer after this, whose shallow writing, even after there are so many threads as to why you reacted to the smear, which she seems to conveniently omit.
As with Ravi, it is dufficult to understand why he is posting views, and only the negative ones about you on is blog and THEN claim that it is NOT is view. For what purpose is then re-posting on his blog for. I don’t see him doing any of this with TT or his favorite TCB. So again, I will suggest that you ignore such writers, and let the people judge for themselves.
Tan Kin Lian, you have asked Goh Meng Seng to attack other candidates on your behalf. Isn’t this hypocritical behaviour? And when others post negative comments on your Facebook, you unfriend them. There have been so many postings on other people’s Facebook pages reporting how you have unfriended them – this is petty behaviour of the worst kind. And your former employees have also blogged unfavourably about you – why not reply to their criticisms?
Hi George
What is yr proof TKL asked Goh Meng Seng “to attack other candidates”? Isn’t this hypocritical behaviour too ?
TKL,
Are you suggesting that Tan Cheng Bock is behind the so-called “smears”? If you think so, please state it outright and not make these veiled suggestions. It is a simple yes or no issue. Did Tan Cheng Bock set up a “smear team” or not? And do you have any evidence to back up your claims?
Congratulations, Mr Tan, Yahoo has a bigger picture of yours compared to Mr Tony Tan. You beat him by 25227 bytes. So happy for you, and your picture is at the top of the article some more. So exciting. I will vote for Mr Tan.
Did you see it? It is here : http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/tan-kin-lian-applies-eligibility-certificate-under-special-093316464.html#mwpphu-container
Read this report and the views of netizens
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/tan-kin-lian-applies-eligibility-certificate-under-special-093316464.html#mwpphu-container
Yahoo FTP : Tan Kin Lian applies for eligibility under special clause
Great link… shows what other netizens think of TKL, unalike our writer up there.
Conference Speech – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beE1OhBb40g
Q&A Part 1 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqkrvLPsdJw
Q&A Part 2 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa0ab-9qXVI
Q&A Part 3 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwxUV_hAP_Q
Q&A Part 4 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o85UuXtAz-4
Q&A Final Part – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-ckgKxuJHg
Is this closeness between Tony Tan and the PAP Government and Party then too close for comfort? Let me illustrates and query further.
Read :- Presidential Election Watch Part II – Tony Tan As EP – Too Close For Comfort ?
http://de-leviathan.blogspot.com/2011/07/presidential-election-watch-part-ii.html
TSC, sorry, something is wrong with my pc. Saw the earlier post after few tries of ‘Refresh’.
TSC, Why delete my earlier comment?
It is hilarious situation when this candidate swear by his words that he is as independent as that sore thumb (pun intended) sticking out of his hand. He took pain to impress us that he is not associated with the PAP and their policies. However, in one of his replies to netizen, he boasted of his contribution during the early days in Marine Parade GRC working under GCT (then still do not have Emeritus in his title) that he was instrumental in starting the grassroots and its policies on the ground.
Lets us give him the benefit of doubt that he is indeed ‘independent’.
BUT he spoke so aggressively during the last GE under the flagship of SDP and NSP. So, how to be independent? Don’t get me wrong, I voted for the opposition during the last GE. What really pissed me off is that he keep insisting that he wants to make changes as the president and we all know that under the current constitution, he CAN’T. Unless the constitution is changed (which NSP is now initiating something to it), he is jolly well just a paper president. He knows it.
He claimed that the reason why he did not want to run for MP is because he DOESN’T want to run a town council. Hmmm…… the size of his feet must be huge! that the town council shoe size is not fit for him, only country size.
I have doubts in his intention to run for presidency. And I will not vote for him. Attention seeker.
“Attention seeker”.
LOL! One must always be wary of how one’s words can be turned on one’s self, Stephanie.
TKL should not claim to represent opposition voters. He is not fit to do so.
Obviously he is trying to position himself as the “opposition endorsed candidate” just like TT is the PAP endorsed one. He hopes that he will automatically win over the 40% who voted for the opposition at GE2011, meaning that he will need just 10% more swing votes to win the election.
However he may disagree with the PAP policies, his actions and behaviours are eerily similar to the old school PAP leaders.. petty, intolerant of criticism, vindictive, only want to hear positive comments.
Cool story, bro.