Netizens list their choice for President

Netizens say Singapore's next President should be non-partisan and a non-PAP member.

When Yahoo! Answers asked netizens who they would like to have as Singapore's next President, many suggested ex-Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo, former Deputy Prime Ministers Dr Tony Tan and Professor S Jayakumar, and ex-Member of Parliament Dr Tan Cheng Bock.

Over 700 responses was received to the question posed: "Who should run for President?"

Among the names suggested by netizens, George Yeo's name was top on the list despite his retirement from politics.  Mr Yeo has held office at the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Industry and Foreign Affairs in the last 23 years.

However, he said in an earlier interview that he is a "free spirit" and "not temperamentally suited for the role", when asked if he will consider running for President.

In the past, walkovers for the Presidential Elections were common due to its rigid criteria. Although the role of a President is a ceremonial one, the strict criteria ensures that the President is a person of integrity and with exemplary moral standing.

Candidates have to be a Singapore citizen, above 45 years old, non-partisan and must have held key appointments in Parliament or other comparable positions in the last three years. According to election rules, the Presidential Election must be held before 31 August this year.

Yahoo! Answers user V. Raman chose Dr Tan Cheng Bock and said, "Dr Tan will be a very suitable candidate in all aspects. He is a professional, with years of experience in politics and with good character. He has been leading an exemplary life to be a role model to Singaporeans, provided he will be non-partisan and neutral irrespective of whichever party comes into power."

Thrushover suggested a Malay President and felt that since Singapore's first President,  Yusof Ishak, there has been representation from all other races except the Malays.
Zoul agreed and said, "Abdullah Tarmugi would be good because we need to consider the race rotation of the elected President. I believe having a Malay President is next."

Some users also suggested Lee Kuan Yew, who recently gave up his Minister Mentor role in Parliament.

According to Janey, she felt that Mr Lee should be made President because "he is the founder of Singapore."

Other names such as Yam Ah Mee, Nicole Seah and Jack Neo also surfaced.

A comment that received the highest rating came from philip. He said that Singapore People's Party Chiam See Tong should be the next President.

He listed down reasons such as "well-loved amongst Singaporeans" and "a credible man of great wisdom and humility" for his choice of Mr Chiam.

Do we need a President?

However, netizens also questioned the need for Singapore to have a President when the role is largely symbolic.

"No need for a Presidential role in this country. His or her job is to just safeguard this country reserves, somebody else in the ruling party can take this extra role, since all the top ministers' salaries are paid by taxpayers. It is a waste of taxpayer's money and this may well be put for other useful resources. At least, GST can be reduced and hence our cost of living," said simon.

Female President for Singapore?

Some netizens also called a female President for Singapore. They suggested Ho Ching, wife of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and CEO of Temasek Holdings to stand for President.

According to micguan, she fits the bill and qualifies for the role with her experience running Temasek Holdings.

typher2000 felt that another potential female President is author Catherine Lim, who is seen as someone who is "neutral in politics".

Another name suggested by netizens is Chan Heng Chee. She is currently a professor at the National University of Singapore and Ambassador to the US. She was previously Singapore's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

 

Source:http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/netizens-list-choice-pore-next-president-162712525.html

Detention of the alleged “Marxist conspirators”

We read with great concern about the post on Marxist Conspirator issues and Operation Spectrum.

This event happened long time ago when Dr Tan was only into his 2nd term as MP. The social political situation and threats faced by Singapore is very different from the present. There is nothing in the newspaper cutting being circulated which points to Dr Tan's involvement. He was just reporting verbatim as a Feedback Chairman on what he heard on the ground back to the government. Those people who circulated these unkind posts did not even bother to research the truth and facts which happened long ago.

What exactly is the purpose to bring this issues out at this time? Why not bring this issue out during the General Election for the Opposition parties to question the ruling party?

Dr Tan has been kind and transparent enough not to allow his administrator to censor or delete these very unkind posts on his Facebook page.

For those people who insists on pushing this issue at all cost instead of looking at what Dr Tan has done for the nation and the people of Singapore, let me share this illustration with you:

“Six blind men were trying to find out more about the elephant. One touched the tail and said it is like a rope, another touched the leg and said is like a tree

Guys if you want to get to know what the elephant looks like please stand further away and open your eyes.

See how the elephant looks like surrounded by lions.

If you want the elephant to move forward let go of the tail and take a step backward. You will marvel at how heavy a log it can lift with it's trunk.”

You are missing the big picture. Ask the big man in charge at that time and please don't try to poke at the kind man who was there to get feedback. Dr Tan sticks his neck out to run for President to heal the polarised Singapore which was evidenced after the recent General Election. He wants to be the unifying voice for Singaporeans regardless of race, language or religion. We should help him to do this by supporting what he stands for.

The President we are voting will not be a Yes man. Neither is he a man pleaser.

The question posed by these liberals is loaded and it takes much wisdom for the President not to get distracted.

Dr Tan’s Page at www.Facebook.com/TanChengBock.com is for people who believes in Dr Tan's righteousness and integrity.

Dr Tan is a wise man and a very season politician. I doubt he will bring himself to that level to answer unkind questions which were obviously loaded to cause a rift to our nation.

Go vote someone else who can give you the answer to your satisfaction to the detriment of our country.

We are glad that there is a level headed person who wrote this in the Online Citizen webpage:

Yes, in 1987 Dr Tan seemed to have supported the detention of the alleged ‘Marxist conspirators’, but I believe that like most Singaporeans (including me) at that time, he believed the misinformation that was fed to him by the government of Singapore.  But what’s notable is that even then, Dr Tan did not brush aside those that detracted from his views (and the views of most Singaporeans at that time) by labelling them ‘Marxist sympathisers’, but instead acknowledged them as “solid citizens”.

Source :http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/05/picking-up-where-ong-teng-cheong-left-off/

Picking off where Ong Teng Cheong left off

Ravi Philemon /

I said on my Facebook page a few days ago that “I am one of the many Singaporeans who urged him (Dr Tan Cheng Bock) to stand for the upcoming Presidential Election.”

I think that it is important to say why I support Dr Tan’s bid for the elected presidency.

Let me start by saying that I am not very young (neither am I that old), so I have followed Dr Tan’s work as a backbencher in Parliament and he has always struck me as an MP who speaks from his heart.

For example, in 1988, Dr Tan who then headed the Government Parliamentary Committee for Education, suggested that the government consider extending CPF’s Extended Investment scheme to include education. He argued that education should be considered an investment in human resources which would result in a better educated, better skilled and better quality workforce.

Then Minister for Labour, Dr Lee Yock Suan, opposed it because he feared that CPF savings of members may be squandered in expensive studies at unknown foreign universities. The then MP for Kebun Baru, Mr Lim Boon Heng, objected to Dr Tan’s proposal on the basis that it was a populist move.

Dr Tan rebutted Mr Lim then by saying, “The MP for Kebun Baru called this a popular move, a popular issue.  Is it because you think it is popular, you think it is wrong to bring it up? Or are popular decisions wrong decisions?”

Dr Tan also spoke up against Singapore hospitals becoming more profit-oriented.  This he believes will alter the practice of medicine and the values of some doctors, leaving the door open to abuse. Noting that the 1993 White Paper on Affordable Health Care used the term ‘industry’ to describe medicine, Dr Tan lamented, “Medicine is (now) treated less as a profession and more as an industry.”

In 2005, during the re-emergence of dengue in Singapore, Dr Tan spoke up against the shortage of hospital beds.  He said, “If you say you have no choice but to turn away patients because of lack of beds and other resources, you haven’t planned enough.”

In 1993, when the government of Singapore, went on an overdrive on upgrading, Dr Tan urged restraint in basic areas like housing, education and health.  The government, he said, must continue to provide three-room apartments and ensure that there are sufficient ‘C’ class and ‘B2′ beds in public hospitals.

As far back as 1999, Dr Tan highlighted the growing resentment of Singaporeans towards ‘foreign talent’ in Parliament.  He urged the Government to tone down its insistence on the value of attracting foreign talent, “in order to protect our citizens and give them a better chance”.

In July 2002, when the Minister for Transport decided to hike public transportation fares, Dr Tan was one of the few in Parliament who urged a review of the price hike.

Yes, in 1987 Dr Tan seemed to have supported the detention of the alleged ‘Marxist conspirators’, but I believe that like most Singaporeans (including me) at that time, he believed the misinformation that was fed to him by the government of Singapore.  But what’s notable is that even then, Dr Tan did not brush aside those that detracted from his views (and the views of most Singaporeans at that time) by labelling them ‘Marxist sympathisers’, but instead acknowledged them as “solid citizens”.

More importantly, I urged Dr Tan to consider standing for the Presidential Election and intend to support him in his bid because as MP Inderjit Singh rightly said, “For Presidential Elections, there’s always been a candidate that the Government supports … it’s quite clear that we will be fully behind this person so it will be very awkward (to have Dr Tan in the contest).” This makes it even more important for ordinary Singaporeans like me to support Dr Tan in the contest.

In a culture where it is natural for any backbencher not to criticise the policies of their bosses aggressively (perhaps with an eye on the front bench and their own career path), Dr Tan is a rarity. His ears are on the ground, he is intellectual, he speaks his mind and he has won the respect of many Singaporeans.

The late President Ong Teng Cheong said in an interview, “Even in my last year as president, I was still not being informed about some ministerial procedures.”  I hope that Dr Tan, if elected, will finish this unfinished job of President Ong.

Why I support Dr Tan’s bid to be the Elected President of Singapore is because I believe what Dr Tan recently said, that he will be a “unifying figure for all Singaporeans of whatever political affiliation, race or religion.”

 

Source: http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/05/picking-up-where-ong-teng-cheong-left-off/

Voting for President is not a political contest

There are a few people who expressed their concerns about the fact that Dr Tan used to be a Pap member.

Read what Dr Tan did when he was in Parliament at www.tanchengbock.org and http://tanchengbock.blogspot.com

He happened to be from PAP in the past but which party could he be in in those days.?

Would it have made a difference if he had joined xyz party? The PAP camp would then come up and say 'But he is Non Pap person' . There is no end to this party rift.

Regardless of language, race or religion and regardless of party affliation We are Singapore! Let's do the right thing and vote the best person for the job to represent what Singapore stands for.

The General Election is over and the people have voted for who they want or do not want to be in Parliament.

Remember voting for elected President is NOT a party or political exercise. We are not going to vote for who to be our government. That has already been decided recently.

Is about voting for the best man who reresents what Singapore stands for. A righteous, wise, kind, caring, approachable , level headed person who can unify every hearts, minds, ranks regardless of race, party, language or religion.

Read www.tanchengbock.org and all the wonderful things people write about Dr Tan on his FB page.

I believe Dr Tan will not take side with any parties. He is always on the side of what is right and what is fair and what is the best for Singaporeans.

This is what he stands for "Guided by Conscience , Speaking up for what is right. Nation first and always for what is best for the people"

Help to get more LIKES for:

Www.Facebook.com/President.TanChengBock

Www.Facebook.com/TanChengBock

The number of parents that owe him big time for releasing the CPF for overseas studies

He was brought in by GCT and very soon upset the oldman. He became a thorn to the various govt bodies. This guy is a legend. The first time I heard of him was in the early 1980s about a "god" in the middle of Ama Keng Farmland. He was also very careful in choosing his fellow doctors in practice. All with high EQ. The number of parents that owe him big time for releasing the CPF for overseas studies for their kids is immeasurable. ‘

Source: http://www.singsupplies.com/showthread.php?93710-Dr-tan-cheng-bok-a-decent-ex-pap-mp

Dr Tan Cheng Bock – a decent PAP MP

Dr Tan Cheng Bock – a decent PAP MP

Dr Tan CHeng Bok is one of the not many PAP MPs I have regard.
I remembered vividly in one parliamentary meeting he raised doubts and concerns on importation of foreigners.That OLD Dog immediately jumped onto his feet and told Dr Tan,in his dictatorial tone,"YOU KNOW BETTER OR I KNOW BETTER"
Dr Tan obviously saw the futility to continue the debate.Dr Tan,like many Singaporeans in their heart of heart,is simply pissed off with such arrogance.That OLD DOG just simply cannot take criticism nor accept counsel.
Coming back to Dr Tan CHeng Bok,he recently asked a good question ,why the need for a name change for the work-in-progress Jurong Hospital to that of a late property tycoon whose family,I appreciate,are paying back to societyBut the point is Jurong Hospital is already being built on tax-payees money
For those who donot already know,Dr Tan CHeng Bok attended the REFORM PARTY political rally for WEST COAST GRC on the night of 5th May 2011 at the Clementi Stadium.As he walked slowly up the stadium steps between 7.30pm and8.00pm, he was handshaked by a couple of spectators and took a seat among ordinary folks,where he knew he rightfully belonged.Never before have I seen a PAP MP openly allowed himself to be seen in opposition party political rally

Source: http://www.singsupplies.com/showthread.php?93710-Dr-tan-cheng-bok-a-decent-ex-pap-mp

Former MP Tan Cheng Bock to run for President?

Dr Tan Cheng Bock has generated internet buzz through his blog and Facebook Page. (Photo courtesy of Dr Tan's Facebook …

Former Member of Parliament Tan Cheng Bock has indicated that he might be running in the upcoming Presidential Election after quitting the People's Action Party earlier this month.

The 71-year-old told The Straits Times: "Many people have been urging me to stand as president, and I am very honoured. But there are rules I have to follow. One rule is I must apply for the certificate of eligibility first."

According to the constitution, potential candidates must meet stringent criteria and pass through a Presidential Elections Committee (PEC).

In the 2005 election, three aspiring candidates, one of whom was former JTC group chief financial officer Andrew Kuan, failed to fulfill the criteria, allowing current President S R Nathan to be elected unopposed for a second time.

The criteria includes being at least a 45-year-old Singapore citizen who does not belong to any political party.

It is compulsory for candidates to have served for at least three years in a key appointment such as a minister, chief justice, auditor general or permanent secretary -- or been the chairman or CEO of a statutory board or a company with a paid-up capital of at least S$100 million.

Dr Tan, currently a medical practitioner, was MP for Ayer Rajah single-seat ward from 1980 to 2006. He has also been since 1991 a non-executive chairman of Chuan Hup investment holding company, whose issued and paid-up capital according to annual reports stands at US$152 million (S$189 million).

In March, he started gathering support through his articles and videos about Singapore news and current affairs on his blog and Facebook public figure page. 'No More Blank Cheque for the PAP', a post on a Parliament speech he made in 1985, created internet buzz after the recently-concluded General Election.

Currently, there is even a Facebook page, which has received more than 500 likes in the past few days, to support Dr Tan running for President.

Former PAP MP Chng Hee Kok told The Straits Times that Dr Tan would make 'an excellent president'. "He's people-oriented, very level-headed, and has a heart for Singaporeans' well-being," he said.

Dr Tan told 938Live, "You know, you always think about what you can do for the country -- what sort of role I can really play with my past experiences as a Member of Parliament, (and) in the corporate world also.

"So I probably would have some feel as to how I would like to contribute in my role as a President in looking after the Reserves, and also in the appointment of all the top people in the Government service."

According to election rules, the Presidential Election must be held before 31 August this year and it is believed that The Elections Department will be making the announcement for potential candidates to pick up forms to apply for certificates of eligibility by next week.

Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/former-mp-tan-cheng-bock-run-president-042156294.html