Presidential Elections 2017

[Zeit]

Jworld:

she's MP. Not Minister.

Oh, now she's ex-MP.

Jworld, Speaker of Parliament is same rank as a Minister. In her case, perhaps a junior one with lower compensation.

Before becoming Speaker of Parliament, she was MOS for MCYS (MSF) after General Election 2011. MOS is an office holder position: 政务部长 也是一种初级部长 but without full ministerial privileges.

[janet88]

so it’s TT’s last time appearing at NDP today.

[starlight1968sg]

janet88:

if PE voting is held on a saturday, does that mean Monday will be a off in lieu public holiday?

i need the time to revise with daughter for her year end exam. 6 subjects

Can't recall if Mon will be off in lieu

[starlight1968sg]

Hope the announcement will be made soon and all can set into actions

[janet88]

starlight1968sg:

Hope the announcement will be made soon and all can set into actions

i would like to know who the candidates for PE are...representing singapore and shaking hands with world leaders...hmmm, must have one who has IQ and EQ.

[Zeit]

mum_sugoku:

Zeit:

[quote=\"mum_sugoku\"]

1. Barely a year before PE, set up a committee to decide that, after all of us are already so used to \"regardless of race, language or religion\", race - as well as language and religion for purpose of deciding the ethnicity/eligibility of potential EP candidate - suddenly must be regarded when it comes to selecting our President!

1. I'm in principle agreeble to this reserved PE thingy,

Not me though. Because I believe our minority compatriots would have no problem getting elected into office BY MERIT. Hence, there really is no need to specially reserved the post for any particular race.

One good example would be the most recent BE in Bukit Batok: a minority (Indian) candidate had defeated a Chinese candidate by a comfortable margin.[/quote]I don't know if you've considered the babyboomers, PG voters and even former Malaysian Chinese among the silent majority. True, post-65ers may not care about the candidates' ethnic group. For instance, if I've to pick between Mdm Halimah and Tan Kin Lian, of course I go for Mdm Halimah. But if her contenders are George Yeo and Tharman, I willl pick the men lah!

You've mentioned Murali (and perhaps JBJ). Not sure if it's a good litmus test because in GE and BE, voters look for the party brand, rather than the person's race. In PE, all candidates are non-partisan (except those freshly resigned ones!).

As for why I'm ok with a reserved PE, it's cos I think it's hard enticing and nudging qualified compatriots from the Malay community to run for PE. I've a few Malay PMET friends; most are peace-loving, moderate, private and highly content with their lives. Secondly, the bar is set so ridiculously high. How many Malays in the age group of 46-75 are in senior executive positions that qualify them for the PE? If they're not self-employed or post retirement, they won't take the risk. Who wants to be jobless in their 50s?

As such there's a need to give them this extra 'push' and reserved platform. It's the counting system I'm not pleased with...

[Zeit]

starlight1968sg:

Hope the announcement will be made soon and all can set into actions

Ahem. Looks like they all soft launched liao, even before TCB's appeal verdict's out and before they even get their eligibility certificates. LOL...

[Zeit]

janet88:

i would like to know who the candidates for PE are...representing singapore and shaking hands with world leaders...hmmm, must have one who has IQ and EQ.

Yah...no certificate of eligibility, no talk!

If there's a contest, well since they say the President only has a custodial role to play, I go for image/ disposition liao. Serious!

Don't believe the President can change or shake things up. I did read about Mdm Halimah's invaluable contributions to the labour movement, fight for single mothers and the Malay community...Nice. But, can she continue to champion those noble causes and introduce social programmes as President? She only needs to attend President Star Charity shows at Mediacorp, host citizens at the Istana open houses, open Parliament sessions, witness swearing in of new ministers, wear the Girl Guides uniform (while her hubby wears the Boy Scout uniform), etc. Basically all the diplomatic messages are not articulated through her but through the foreign ministry. hahaha

[mum_sugoku]

Zeit:

As for why I'm ok with a reserved PE, it's cos I think it's hard enticing and nudging qualified compatriots from the Malay community to run for PE. I've a few Malay PMET friends; most are peace-loving, moderate, private and highly content with their lives. Secondly, the bar is set so ridiculously high. How many Malays in the age group of 46-75 are in senior executive positions that qualify them for the PE? If they're not self-employed or post retirement, they won't take the risk. Who wants to be jobless in their 50s?

As such there's a need to give them this extra 'push' and reserved platform. It's the counting system I'm not pleased with...

You've just listed another reason why I'm against the reserved PE idea!

See the irony? I find them insincere. On the one hand, they claim they want minority representation, on the other hand, they set the bar so high that it's hard even for majority to qualify, not to mention the minority.

Yet, such requirement is not applicable if he/she happens to be ex-minister, ex-speaker.. :skeptical:

(Btw It would be a \"waste\" for Tharman to be President lah. I'd rather he be our PM instead. )

[Zeit]

I look at this hiatus-triggered model in a positive light. As you know, it’s ‘triggered’ only when a particular race isn’t elected for 5 consecutive terms. Which means it doesn’t stop the minorities from contesting in the next open PE 2023.


Once the Malay aspirants and the electorate move out of their comfort zones after this PE, i.e. have a term headed by someone Malay, someone else from their race would be encouraged to contest against the other races in the next open election in 2023. Historically they’re rather passive and apathetic in this area, thanks to the high quality of life in Singapore!