Presidential Election 2011

[Oppsgal]

hypergatak:

My personal views of the 3 candidates so far:-


Only Mr Tan Kin Lian has a more rounded view of the role of the President, primarily to protect the reserves. He also added his view on his view on public servitude and the willingness to forgo part of his salary.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock only mentioned about playing the mediatary role between the government and the people.

George Yeo is flip-flopping on his decisions. One moment, he seems decided not to run for Presidential election, the next, he says that he is praying for wisdom. Before he left for Taiwan this Monday morning, he mentioned that he will get his young friend to collect the form if the writ of election is issued, the very afternoon, he called his young friend to collect the form (even though the writ of election is not issued yet, I think). I have the impression GY does not really know what he wants. I would not have the confidence that he would have the conviction to stand up against PAP in protecting our nation's reserves. No doubt, he may be a People's President, carrying baby, doing exercises with residents in the park, etc,.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_677084.html

Donate salary to charity :?

Only 3 candidates?

:faint: don't know who to choose. Does this election got any impact on how Singapore will perform, like GE?

[Oppsgal]

starlight1968sg:

Mr Tan KL does not carry any politics background and perhaps more down to earth like a commoner? Also, look at how he has helped in \"mini bomb\" saga.

But is \"FORMER NTUC Income Chief\"... Not sure about the \"down to earth like a commoner\".

[verykiasu2010]

just my personal opinion on Tan KL


while he was NTUC Income CEO, there were many things that he could have done for the common people wrt insurance needs. it is within his power

after he ‘left’ NYUC Income, he has lots of criticism on the government of the day and its policies, and esp insurance matters.

in such situation he has yet to earn my respect

[rosemummy]

verykiasu2010:

just my personal opinion on Tan KL


while he was NTUC Income CEO, there were many things that he could have done for the common people wrt insurance needs. it is within his power

after he 'left' NYUC Income, he has lots of criticism on the government of the day and its policies, and esp insurance matters.

in such situation he has yet to earn my respect

I agree. Following his sudden \"retirement\", he seems to have an axe to grind. He said that he will consider running only if someone else start a petition and at least a certain number of people support it. The number is way short of what he wanted. I think only in the hundreds. Yet he's still running. Isn't he also flip-flopping?

But I see nothing wrong with people changing their mind following feedback. A leader should be receptive to feedback. And the number of people urging George Yeo to run is overwhelming. Easily tens or hundreds of times more than the other 2.

[On the ball]

TKL has all the while stated his intention to run for EP. My take is that he use the mini bond saga to set the stage for Singaporeans to know him ‘better’. He has his own agenda. To me, he suddendly became quite vocal after he ‘left’ INCOME after 30 years! Not my choice.

GY may be popular but PAP linked. So, many don’t like it. Hope he won’t run, not sure if he can get over it if he gets defeated.
TCB, best choice among the 3 at the moment. Has a mind of his own.
Maybe, government may soon introduce the former Speaker of Parliament. That’s why he quit and did not stand for GE 2011. Time for a Malay EP. Jaya is out as just had an Indian EP. Looks like it will be quite hotly contested.

[Oppsgal]

On the ball:

TKL has all the while stated his intention to run for EP. My take is that he use the mini bond saga to set the stage for Singaporeans to know him 'better'. He has his own agenda. To me, he suddendly became quite vocal after he 'left' INCOME after 30 years! Not my choice.

GY may be popular but PAP linked. So, many don't like it. Hope he won't run, not sure if he can get over it if he gets defeated.
TCB, best choice among the 3 at the moment. Has a mind of his own.
Maybe, government may soon introduce the former Speaker of Parliament. That's why he quit and did not stand for GE 2011. Time for a Malay EP. Jaya is out as just had an Indian EP. Looks like it will be quite hotly contested.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_673256.html

\"FORMER Member of Parliament\"?

[Angelight]

http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4916060


Nathan said he won't run for a third term due to his age, but now said he has not decided. Another flip-flopping?

Interesting comments from him. Quote: \"People say ’this old man, what the hell is he still there, wanting to do it?’ Some others think I’m doing nothing, so it’s a waste of time for them to think of me.\"

Should a president talk (swear) like that? You decide...

[Daddy D]

Are you clueless on what our President can/cannot do?

Cos' I am...

http://www.istana.gov.sg/content/istana/thepresident.html
\"Prior to 1991, the President was appointed by Parliament and had a largely ceremonial role. In January 1991, the Constitution was amended to allow for the election of a President by the citizens of Singapore. The elected President will hold office for a fixed term of six years. Under the revision, the President is empowered to veto government budgets and key appointments to public office. The President must, however, consult the Council of Presidential Advisers before he takes a decision on some of these matters...\"

http://www.istana.gov.sg/content/istana/presidentsoffice/cpa.html
\"The Constitution of Singapore was amended in 1991 to give the Elected President custodial and discretionary powers to safeguard the reserves of the Government which were not accumulated by the Government during its current term of office. It is obligatory for the President to consult the Council before he vetoes the budgets of the Government and key government-linked bodies and the appointments of government nominees to key posts. The Council comprises six members and two alternate members...\"

After reading so much... what our President can/cannot do?
What are we voting for?
:? :? :? :?

[Daddy D]

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_677471.html

\"THE possibility has emerged that former deputy prime minister Tony Tan might be a candidate in the upcoming presidential election.
Although he has not said anything to the effect that he would run, his answer to a question at a media briefing yesterday has raised the slightest of hints that he has not ruled it out....\"

Getting interesting now... :rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah:

[verykiasu2010]

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110608-0000315/Although-Ive-been-quiet,-Ive-been-doing-work


PORT LOUIS (Mauritius) - After 12 years in office as the Republic's second Elected President, Mr S R Nathan - who has yet to decide whether to run for a third term - indicated yesterday that he had many thoughts on the role and how he has performed it, including the highlights and challenges of his tenure and criticism that he had been \"doing nothing\".

But Mr Nathan, 87, who was speaking to the Singapore media at the end of a state visit to Mauritius, would not elaborate despite repeated requests from journalists - at least not now, not when the country is poised for its most hotly-contested Presidential Election to date.

Mr Nathan said all will be revealed in his memoirs, which are expected to be published in September. \"When that book is published, you will know that, although I've been quiet, I've been doing work.\"

Mr Nathan said his age was a factor he would consider when deciding whether he would contest the election. He added: \"I have to think of my age. People say, 'This old man, what the hell is he still there, wanting to do it? Some others think I'm doing nothing, so it's a waste of time for them to think of me. But all this noise will always be there in the world. You have a sense of what you want to do and you just do it because if you listen to the world, your work will never be done.\"

Mr Nathan acknowledged that there is a perception that he had not been as aggressive in his approach as his predecessor, the late Mr Ong Teng Cheong, who was Singapore's first Elected President.

Said Mr Nathan: \"There are voices saying that but I can't answer them. I know the limitations of the Constitution and what you have to do. So I'm not there in a boxing match.\"

Mr Nathan declined to be drawn into whether the role of the elected presidency has to evolve in response to the new political landscape. Doing so would be unfair, he reiterated, as it is for the presidential hopefuls \"to think what they want to do and to face the realities\" eventually.

Former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian, who confirmed that he will put himself forward for election, has proposed to clarify the role of the President, should he be elected.

On Mr Tan's plans, Mr Nathan said: \"You must remember that the Presidency operates on the Constitution - and what is possible and what is not possible is determined by that ... I won't want to belittle his enthusiasm. If he can do it, good luck to him.\"

Still, Mr Nathan pointed out that the elected presidency has to \"strike roots\" as well as \"adjust to changing situations\". He added: \"It's a new institution and Singaporeans must understand that there's a difference between that institution and the executive Government.\"

On his work over the past dozen years, Mr Nathan said: \"Often I ask myself: What have I done? (I have) done nothing ... It's hard for me to quantify. I mean it's not like building a housing estate and saying I've got so many units and so on. We can't ... It's a very intangible thing. :stompfeet: :stompfeet: :stompfeet: You may have to go round (asking) the people in the heartland and see how many of them were satisfied with whatever I did or whatever I did not do.\"

And it is the heartlands that the presidential hopeful will have to appeal to, Mr Nathan noted. He said: \"Each one should have a fair chance of presenting their viewpoint, of convincing the heartlands that they are the most suitable person to lead them. Most of my time over the last 12 years, I've endeavoured to develop a bond with the people of the heartlands and I value that very much.\"Additional reporting by Hoe Yeen Nie