Presidential candidate Tan Jee Say accepted an invitation to a "good luck tea" at the Hainanese Clan Association
By Nigel Tan
Chief Editor
Presidential candidate Tan Jee Say accepted an invitation from the 800-member Hainanese Clan Association to a “good luck” team at 3.00 pm today.
However, the clan association – which is the first one to express support for any candidate other than government-endorsed Dr Tony Tan – stopped short of officially endorsing Mr Tan Jee Say. The association’s spokesperson explained that its constitution does not allow it to “indulge in any political activity”, so its members are free to vote for the candidate of their choice.
Association president Tan Boon Hai also told reporters that the specific clause in its constitution prohibiting political activity was added at the advice of the Registry of Societies in April this year when the association updated its constitution. Association members, however, told reporters from Channel NewsAsia that they are proud to have a Presidential candidate as a fellow member.
Several other clan associations, as well as NTUC-affiliated trade unions, have officially endorsed Dr Tony Tan.
Mr Tan Jee Say, who was a former high-flying civil servant and banker, stood as a candidate for the opposition Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) at the General Election in May this year. He resigned from the SDP to contest the Presidential Election, and insists that it is important for the President to provide checks and balances on the ruling party.
Mr Tan will be continuing his outreach efforts this weekend by breaking fast with the Muslim community at Geylang Serai and going for a walk/jog at East Coast Park on Sunday morning. He will also be holding a rally at Toa Payoh Stadium on Tuesday evening.
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The author is Chief Editor of The Satay Club
Wat u can do? How many voter?
Waz a “good luck team”, Nigel?